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"Clio>" He said, nodding slightly. "Well, I'll let you settle in and I won't need anything from you except to sit beside me tonight, if you are alright with that? Just send for me if needed." He said, gently placing his hand on the small of her back adn directing her out the door and into her room |
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Adele was suddenly aware how real this all was. She was going to be staying in her enemy's castle! And not only that, she would be serving the crown prince of the Night Kingdom! Adele thought about this and realized that perhaps they were enemies for a reason, but that reason wasn't a good one. Maybe the kingdoms could unite. As she was thinking about this, she felt Caelan's hand on her back. She flinched, afraid he was going to cut her down. When he didn't, she sighed. She was way too overreactive. He probably thought she was crazy now. But at the soft tone of his voice, she relaxed more, and nodded to him. "Thank you, Caelan." She turned and stepped into her room, quietly closing the door behind her. As soon as the door shut, Adele flopped onto the bed and burst into sobs. What was she doing?! This was the most stupid thing she had ever done, and somehow she was feeling comfortable here? And she was even beginning to feel something for Caelan, her enemy! Adele cried herself to sleep, and woke next in the middle of the night. |
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Caelan nodded. He went down to dinner later that night but didn't see the woman. He frowned slightly and walked up to her room, skipping dinner entirely. He saw her sleeping and closed her door, respecting her privacy as he went to his own room and fell asleep. ~
Caelan woke the next morning, knocking on her door. "Clio?" He asked softly, stepping into the room. "You awake?" |
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Adele sat up in bed, sweating from a dream she couldn't remember. She glanced around her, first confused at where she was. This wasn't her room... And why was it so dark? She looked at the window and realized it was still nighttime. Then everything came back to her. Escaping the castle, getting caught, lying to Caelan, getting a job, lying again, and then finally falling asleep. But, there was something else... OH, NO! She had forgotten to escort the prince to dinner! He was sure to be furious with her. What could she do? Adele decided she shouldn't run away again, and that maybe Caelan was more forgiving than she thought. Adele spent the rest of the night and morning thinking, brushing her hair, getting dressed, and mentally preparing for what Caelan would do when he came in. . When Caelan knocked and entered, Adele was writing in her journal. She stuffed the book under the bedsheets and turned to face him. He didn't look that angry. "Sir... Er-- I mean, your highness..." Adele couldn't not say sorry for what she had done yesterday. "I'm so, so sorry your highness, as soon as I came in here I fell asleep and completely forgot that I was supposed to come to dinner with you, I was just really tired but I know that's not a good excuse because I shouldn't have forgotten..." Adele did not want to be fired from the first job she had aquired, but soon she grew quiet, hoping the prince accepted her apology. |
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"It's alright. It's a long way from...never mind." He said, chuckling lightly. "I was thinking about going for a ride this afternoon and having lunch at a special place. I'd like to show you it...That is, if you'd like?" He offered, walking to her and offering his arm to her so they could head to the stable |
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Adele's head was bowed and she was ready to accept her fate. When Caelan didn't punish her or even tell her that she should do better, Adele relaxed. It was like she had thought. He was strangely kind. She lifted her eyes to meet his and saw, within the darkness, a man who was, or at least wanted to be, loyal, just, and kind. Adele had to accept Caelan's offer to go on a ride; after all, she had just disobeyed him and did not want to light a torch of anger for him. She nodded, slid her arm through his, and walked alongside him as they walked through the castle. |
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Caelan glared at a few guards who eyed his girl like she was a meal and they were starved. "Back off" He snapped at one who checked her out. "They won't get to you. I'll see to it" Caelan murmured in her ear softly. His mother scoffed as she walked past, glaring daggers at both Caelan and the girl. Caelan glared right back, leading toward the stable. He sighed, taking out his large, blood bay mare and her horse as well, saddling both with expert and gentle hands. "Tell me something about yourself, Clio" He said, smiling softly at her. "Please" He added after a moment, placing the bit in her horse's mouth |
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Adele felt very out of place and targeted in the Night Kingdom castle, and every single person who walked past stared at her and judged her. She felt strangely safe with Caelan, and held on to him tighter. When they reached the stable, Adele was going to suggest that Caelan let her saddle Calvin, since she was rather protective of her horse, but she saw that the prince was gentle with animals, and stayed silent. When Caelan asked her to tell him something about her, she had to stop and think for a while. What was something she could tell him that wouldn't make him suspicious or give away too much about herself. Finally she said, "I love animals. And nature." Adele was slightly ashamed that was the best she could come up with, but it was true. She definitely was not ready to tell the prince that she was, in a way, an animal herself. |
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"Me too" He said, chuckling softly. "Ready?" He asked, holding out his hand to her. He led heer to her horse and helped her mount up before mounting his own horse and leading the way out of the stable. "It's a bit of a ride so if you ever get uncomfortable or tired, please, I'm begging you to tell me." He said softly, a caring and slightly protective look in his eyes. He silently took a moment to study her on top of her horse. She took his breath away, truly, and he was beaming by the time he turned back to the trail. Absolutely gorgeous. But she isn't mine. She never can be. She's a servant, that's all. She isn't yours, Caelan. But I do want her. She seems so nice... His mind spiraled, causing him to sigh |
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Adele was glad Caelan didn't scoff or make her feel bad about her answer. That chuckle could have been mean, but another look at the prince told her he could never be anything except kind to her. Adele responded, "Ready." She gathered her skirt in a way that it wouldn't affect her riding but still looked good, and mounted. Just the feeling of Calvin, or rather, Apollo, underneath her made Adele feel safe and at home. She listened as the prince talked for a few seconds, then began riding off. Adele urged Apollo to follow Caelan's blood bay mare. He did so willingly, happy to be out of the stable and being able to stretch his legs. When she felt comfortable enough to do so, Adele began to look around her at the Night Kingdom's scenery. It was beautiful, in its own way. Dark, mysterious, and, somehow, shining. Adele smiled to herself, feeling much better now that she was back in the forest. Her real home. |
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Showers Off and On
