Chapter 41 What is the First Light Festival?
"It's okay love. I'm sorry I have to go, please feel free to finish your breakfast. I'll come check on you later, I have something to show you" he smiled, ignoring my previous actions. I could see his gaze shift to my lips and I immediately stopped breathing.
"Are you okay?" He asked quietly, snapping me out of my daze
"Y-yes I'm fine. Thank you" I genuinely appreciated, trying to smile but it came out as more of a grimace which I was thankful he made no mention of.
"No worries. See you later love" he leaned down, pressing a chaste kiss to my cheek and pulling away so quickly it left a feather-like feeling in it's wake. He smiled once more before sauntering off.
I dropped down on my seat, feeling my heart racing. What just happened? What was that!? Was that acting?
Was it all an act? And most importantly what's going on with me? I let out a long sigh, feeling exhausted. My head hurt, I had tried so hard to bury the images and my time in that pack. Hunter, Vivian and all the other bad memories couldn't affect me here, I just needed to remember that.
I couldn't help but let my mind wonder back to the surges that ran through me as Darius held onto me. I felt... Safe.
Was I safe?
•••
"What's the first light festival?" I asked curiously, turning to gaze down at Orchid.
We were currently in the garden, laying on a blanket Orchid had brought from her chambers. I held a book in my hand while Orchid drew away, sketching the beautiful scene that unraveled itself before us as nature. Flipping my bookmark in I closed my book, keeping it beside where I sat to pay more attention as Orchid finally raised her head from her sketch pad.
The wind blew calmly, the sun smiling brightly down at us as proof of the season's change.
"Is that an eager little bird I hear?" Greer asks, walking over to us with a basket I could only pray were full of her sumptuous cookies.
She sits down, dropping the basket between the three of us. Orchid is the first to lunge at it, snatching three and wolfing them down. "Or she's just eager to get a candle from his majesty. They've already gone on one date and now I'm sure the second one would be at the festival" Orchid teases making Audrey burn red.
"I think we've already gotten our answer" Greer giggled, noticing my red cheeks which I palmed embarrassingly.
"It's not like that" I defended all in vein, their sheepish grins making me blush harder.
"what candle?" I asked, hoping to deflect some attention from my current flustered state.
"Okay, let's educate you on Highborn festivals and unnecessary ceremonies" Greer rolled her eyes with a small smile.
"It's a festival where noble men are given candles with their names on it. They give said candles to the ladies they are interested in, it's like a leap of fate. If the ladies accept their courtship or they reciprocate their feelings they light these candles and place them at their windows to alert the men to come to their chambers at midnight" Orchid winked, making me blush harder.
Stupid cheeks!
"And of course there is a party and boat rides for couples. The waters are often decorated with beautiful brightly lit candles" Greer informed, dreamily staring I to the distance like a star struck lover.
"It's going to be your first night together" Orchid gushed, earning a rough smack on the head from Greer who glared at her sternly.
"W-what?" I asked confused. Did I hear right? The two looked like they were planning something, if the way Greer glared at Orchid told me anything.
"What are the two of you up to?" I asked with an accusing tone directed mostly at Orchid because if there was one thing I had learnt about her was she was so clumsy she always fumbled her words when she spoke or tried to lie. "Orchid" I directed my gaze to her.
She visibly squirmed under my gaze, her blue eyes filled with anxiety and feigned innocence. "Nothing Audrey, don't worry about it"
Before I could press any further a maid walked up to us and bowed. "My princess" she greeted, effectively silencing our chatter
"Agnes" I acknowledged
"His majesty requests your presence in his quarters" She informed
"Okay, thank you. I'll be right there" I dismissed and she walked away.
Turning to Orchid and Greer they had the most annoyingly bright wide smile on their faces. I groaned, hiding my face in my palms. "What do you think he wants Orchid?" Greer asked slyly, a wide grin on her face.
"Who knows, maybe they are going to give us a little prince soon" Orchid blurted out, the two giggling like hyenas.
If my cheeks were hot before now they were on fire. Did they just say what they did!??
Before I could probably melt from embarrassment I ran away, following the clear path inside.
♡
Making my way up the grand stairs I couldn't help but let my mind wonder. I'd always walked these halls to my chambers and now why was I feeling anxious?
Breathe Audrey, breath.
I inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Reaching the top of the stairs I began my journey towards Darius's chambers. Maybe it was our last encounter that left my insides feeling like jelly or it was the fact that I wasn't pretending like I was supposed to be. It was all real.
The halls were silent, maids and guards occasionally passing, each one bowing and showing respect. I noticed the way most of the maids gave me weird looks and little smiles here and there. I didn't even want to think about what was going through their minds seeing me going to the King's chambers. I was thankful no one other than the king and I were allowed in this wing of the castle (his quarters). Others stayed in the East and South wings of the castle, far from here.
Stopping at the familiar wood double doors I inhaled a sharp breath. The guards that were stationed in front bowed before walking away. Why were they leaving? What were they thinking? I felt so mentally exhausted, why was I over thinking this?
Isn't this what I should want? Everyone thinking we were normal mates so I could easily slip away? But somehow it left me blushing and feeling all flustered and embarrassed.