Chapter 191 TEIGEN XV
I make my way through the residential quarters of the manor, feeling the curious, scrutinizing gazes pricking at my skin from every corner. The guards spared me more than second looks as I came up to the door one of the giggling maids was kind enough to point me to as Elara's door.
Immediately I took notice of the scarce amount of guards in this area, normally along the stretch of the quarters more than 10 guards graced the halls, but here there were about 3 guards that switched posts, neither of them nearing the princess's chambers.
Probably something they were forbidden from doing, that may have been what warranted the judgemental glares I got on my way here. I cleared out the lump in my throat, inhaling a deep breath as I brought my knuckles to the door, ready to do the gentleman thing and knock at the lady's door.
3 times would be fine right? Not to eager, not to rude.
Just knock, do it! I mentally scolded myself but for some reason my body wasn't aligning with my thoughts because I stood there, staring at the dark wood in my face. An image of me walking in and gazing upon the same scene I was fortunate enough to witness back at my town, her red auburn locks, cascaded graciously down the length of her person.
Her electric azure blue orbs, buzzing with excitement, warmth and passion as she flowed around the dance floor, those smooth, enticing legs, her slender figure that moved so seductively, so enthralling. Her hips that swung side to side like a pendulum weaving a spell of enticement into the air that flooded every pore of mine, cementing into my mind.
Shit.
The door flies open and I'm caught off guard. My eyes clouded, I take in a little old lady, watching me with disdain. It makes me a moment to collect myself and realize I had seen this woman somewhere before. The moment she threw me a very distasteful and disapproving look, my memory returned,
"You" she snarls, eyeing me up.
I take a step back, our closeness unsettling me, "Good day madame"
"What are you looking for here, boy?" the dislike for me in her tone was masked very poorly. She definitely had not forgotten my sneaking into the veiled dancer's tent and I could tell she was in no hurry to forget about my trespassing.
"The princess, Elara" I stated quietly, sounding usure myself. My earlier thoughts making me drop my eyes from the old woman's, she looked so pointedly at me like she could read my thoughts and the last thing I wanted was her to see me fantasizing about the princess. How was I going to stay and protect her all day if the mere thought of her brought such heat to my face?
I had only seen her dance once and it kept replaying itself in my mind whenever her name came up, it was more than inappropriate. If I am to stay by her side I needed to get my mind straight, I will not jeopardize my work.
"She has left for the wildlands, you can find her there"
"Thank you madame" I turn around to leave when her voice makes me stand in place.
"Your job is to protect her, do not reveal her secret to the Grand Duke, keep your distance from her"I glanced back at her and nodded once before continuing on my search for her.
"I have my eyes on you"I had already made up my mind to keep my work strictly professional, it was to be nothing else but that. Father would be disappointed to hear I wasted such an opportunity because of some strange attraction I had to the one I was to protect. Commander Tanner would be much more devastated, he had invested his years into training me, the promising warrior. And that I would be.
Birds singing above the trees, the hot rays of the mid day sun casted atop head, the sound of the gentle breeze rustling the leaves and wild grasses. Shuffling noises, hasty steps making their way through the untamed beauty of nature, little critters going about their daily activities under foot. The silence, nature's beauty and her echo swam through the air, now Ryker began to understand why the Grand Duke had this space behind his manor.
It was a surreal and calming sight but there was something chilling about the tall, dark tree that sat far into the middle fields. Ryker wandered aimlessly around, wondering where the beautiful Elara could be, maybe picking flowers for her hair, whatever princesses did in such free space. The Grand Duke was sincerely a strange man, such uncultivated land could serve a much better purpose and a good source of revenue if turned into a farm or a vineyard like most high borns would prefer. There was nothing closer than a nobleman and his wine.
After walking about for a while, the littlest sound of a feminine voice reached his ears. Straining to listen he follows the sound, coming closer and closer to the big tree he recognised earlier.
"Yes, he's new. One of father's attempts to protect me again, nothing new Sir Cotton" her voice caught his attention and he wondered who she was speaking to.
Slowly without taking any quick strides he stops just behind the tree trunk where the princess sat, a flower in hand and what looked like a snow white bunny playing on her lap. Was that creature who she was conversing with? Sir Cotton? Ryker remained there, out of sight trying to get a read of what she was doing.
"He's not bad, pretty shy if you ask me. He has actually seen me dance Sir Cotton, I know very scary. I was absolutely terrified he would tell father and maybe father would get me married off immediately" she sighs deeply, hugging Sir Cotton to her chest and cradling him affectionately, the sight brought a small smile to Ryker's lips.
How often was it you see a princess talking to her pet bunny about her situation? She seemed to reach into a straw basket that sat beside her. She pulls out some lettuce leaves and feeds Sir Cotton while she strokes his fur, her gaze lost in the clouds, no doubt where her thoughts had traveled to as well.
"Father says Sawyer would be a good confidant for me. But between you and me Sir Cotton I already know that father wishes to marry us, he wants to send me away so bad-" the snap of a twig behind Elara cause her head to whip back and she catches Ryker standing there. By the look on his face she could tell she had caught him ease dropping on her, or like he tried to convince himself otherwise that he was not enjoying her rant and he was instead keeping an eye on her.