Roman got off the horse carriage and looked at the giant wooden doors to the castle. It had been a few years since he had last been there to visit his uncle and cousin. King Hunter and prince Seth. He had been abroad studying modern medicine for two years but now he was finally back to visit.
He walked up the stairs and a guard opened the doors for him. He stepped inside the foyer and smiled at the familiar sight and scent that hit him. Nothing had changed in this place.
"Roman!" A cheerful voice sounded.
He looked towards the staircase and saw a face he had longed to see for so long. Clover was standing there in a beautiful black dress combined with a pair of black silk gloves. Her ginger red hair had gotten even longer and was braided behind her back. Her bright blue eyes lit up along with her smile. She hurried down the stairs and rushed into his arms for a hug. He inhaled the scent of her perfume and let out a little, happy sigh.
"How is it possible you've gotten even more beautiful?" He asked.
"Oh, stop!" She giggled. "I'm sure you saw a lot of beautiful women over there."
"None that could compare to you, Clover," he said.
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. It felt weird kissing the silk glove but he knew he would never get to touch her hands. She wore gloves for a reason. The same reason she had spent her life in the castle. To protect her from people who wanted to abuse her power. She could bring dead people and animals back to life by touching them with her hand.
He had seen it himself as a child when they came across a dead wolf cub in the forest. She brought it back and it ran towards some bushes. Its heartbroken mother had been standing there watching them without them noticing. She had brought the cub back and Roman could have sworn he saw the wolf mom nod at them as a way to say thanks. He was only 9 back then so he knew he might have made the last part up in his head. Her bringing the wolf cub to life had not been made up. He often talked to Seth about it.
"Where are my uncle and cousin hiding?" He asked.
"They're having lunch outside," she said.
"Why aren't you out there with them?" He asked.
"I was lost in a good book," she said.
"So you haven't eaten?" He asked.
"Not yet. I was on my way to the kitchen," she said.
"May I join you?" He asked.
"Of course," she said.
He held out his arm and she grabbed it. They walked to the kitchen and sat down while someone served them lunch. He watched her eat and smiled. He had longed to see her everyday while he was away. He knew the chances of him ever being allowed to have her as his wife were slim to none but it didn't stop him from dreaming about it. From what Seth said, she was to remain untouched in the castle for all eternity to help them bring back life when it was needed.
"Did you get my letters?" He asked.
"One every week," she smiled. "Thank you so much for keeping me in your thoughts, Roman. I treasure every letter deeply and I must have read them all at least five times each."
He chuckled at that. It warmed his heart knowing she cared and that he mattered that much to her.
"I wanted to write you back but they wouldn't allow it," she said.
He furrowed his brows at that information. He had wondered why she never answered but it hadn't stopped him from continuing to write her. He couldn't get her out of his head and he was sure she would write him to ask him to stop writing if she didn't want to hear from him.
"Why not?" He asked.
She looked behind him and shook her head no. He turned his head and saw his cousin Seth come walking towards them.
"There you are," Seth said. "Why are you eating in the kitchen with the servants?"
"I got caught up in a good conversation," Roman said.
"Bring Roman's lunch to the garden," Seth said. "Come. Father awaits. He's dying to hear all about your travels overseas."
Roman looked at Clover and she nodded her head yes. He gave her an apologetic smile and got up from his seat. He knew he had to obey his uncle but there would be plenty of time to catch up with Clover later.
