Chelsea"Can we not skip this part?" I whimpered, trying to suppress the ticklish sensations on the heel of my feet. The young maid attending to me struggled to contain her laughter, her composed demeanor faltering slightly as she continued to use a pumice stone to scrub my foot. "This is the most important part, Miss," she responded with a hint of amusement, applying steady pressure to my soaked toe. "And, also, if we skip anything, Ms. Beth would be furious."I stifled a sigh, biting down on my lower lip. The maid was right. Ms. Beth, the head of the staff, had made it abundantly clear that certain procedures were to be followed precisely. In the evening, after Alastair's secretary had come to collect the list of my needs, Ms. Beth had personally escorted me to this quarter and issued a strict warning to stay put, lest she inform the Prince himself. It seemed that blackmail was a well-practiced skill among the residents of the palace.I allowed myself to relax into the chair, trying
ChelseaAlastair failed to provide an answer to my query. His gaze that was fixed on my lips until now averted elsewhere as he pulled me up from the chair, his hand warm against mine. "Let's get out of here.""Where are we going?" Once again, he remained silent, offering no response as he gave me a moment to slip on my sandals before he gently tugged me out of the quarter. The uncertainty of our destination only heightened my curiosity.The garden stretched before us, encompassing the backyard of the palace and offering an oasis of nature amid the grandeur. As we stepped into the garden, I couldn't help but notice the quarters tucked away in corners, likely dedicated to various tasks and training. Alastair led me toward an ancient giant tree that stood at the edge of the garden, near the woods.“At the very least, this tree is over 5,000 years old," Alastair spoke, his voice carrying a touch of reverence. "The thing is known by the name Gilgi." He continued describing the tree's featur
AlastairSwallowing the lump in my throat, I summoned every bit of willpower I had left to speak up. "This is the first time in over a century that I've been hugged like this... let's say, I don't like to be hugged at all," I admitted, my tone betraying a hint of dryness. The words felt foreign on my tongue, as if my body was struggling to form them.My gaze shifted to the spot where the lemur had been, my lips moving almost incoherently as I muttered, "And the lemur has left already." It was as if my own body was refusing to cooperate, the strange mix of emotions still lingering within me.As Chelsea drew back, I couldn't help but notice her nervousness, the way she bit her lip, a telltale sign of her unease. I took a deep breath to steady myself, trying to regain my composure."Thank you, baby," I managed to say, my voice carrying a note of sincerity. Her grip on my shirt had left it slightly damp with sweat, a tangible reminder of her anxiety.However, her reaction to the same word
ChelseaI couldn't deny it; the Prince of Frost Falls was a master at sidestepping questions, attempting to divert the conversation with his enigmatic manner. "No. Every question has an answer," I countered, my voice firm. I wasn't about to let him escape with his usual tactics this time.There was no doubt in my mind that he disliked me. Hatred might be too strong a word, but there was a definite level of animosity present between us. Our bond, as lackluster as it was, seemed to fuel that negative energy.His response was unexpected, catching me off guard. "Really? Then, ask yourself: If your parents were so harsh, what makes you think you'd want to protect them?" I offered a nonchalant shrug, not one to shy away from confronting uncomfortable truths. "Well, let's say my options are limited. I only have them. It's the same reason I'm here, after all. In order to safeguard them, I'm stuck staying. And I have no way out of this one. My fault is... I'm not sure what I did to offend you.
Alastair"What? Sleepy?" I asked, my brows furrowing in concern as I watched Chelsea make her way to the bed and sit down. Something seemed off, and her actions raised alarm bells in my mind.Her fingers clenched the fabric of her skirt tightly, and she shook her head in response to my question. My worry deepened, and I couldn't help but observe her closely, my gaze searching for any signs of distress."Hungry? Want something to eat?" I inquired, my voice gentle as I tried to decipher the cause of her discomfort. It was clear that she was struggling with something, and I wanted to offer any assistance I could.Once again, she shook her head, her discomfort becoming more pronounced. I studied her expression carefully, my concern growing with each passing moment.Scanning the room and then turning my attention back to her, I finally understood what might be happening. "Is it too cold here? Should I increase the temperature?" I suggested, hoping that adjusting the room's temperature might
ChelseaAs I turned to leave, Alastair's hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. His grip was firm, and his fingers sent a shiver down my spine. I hesitated, my gaze meeting his intense blue eyes. There was something different about him now, a vulnerability that I hadn't seen before."Love. Listen to me. I am sorry. I really am." His words caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was apologizing for this time. It was a rare occurrence to hear an apology from him, considering his usual arrogance."What did you do again?" I asked, a mix of curiosity and caution in my tone.He hesitated, his lips parting as if he wanted to speak but then thought better of it. Frustration flickered across his face before he shook his head. "Go... and wash your face." His abrupt change of topic left me bewildered, but I didn't press for more information.With his hand still on my waist, I ran my other hand through my hair, trying to steady my racing heartbeat. "I think my
AlastairI watched the sun light filtering through the curtains, the gentle glow casting soft shadows across the room. I sat there, in the rocking chair, my mind wandering through the darkness, thoughts scattering like leaves caught in the wind. Then, I glanced to my side, and my breath caught in my throat. There she was—Chelsea, wrapped in a cocoon of white sheets, strands of her hair framing her face like the brush strokes of a master artist.I finally decided to give up on the idea of sleep. Slowly, I stood up,, my feet touching the cool wooden floor.Moving to the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face, hoping to shake off the grogginess that clung to my senses. After a quick shower, I dressed in a black shirt and dark trousers.As I entered the bedroom again, my gaze was drawn to Chelsea, sleeping soundly on my bed. It was an unfamiliar sight, having someone else in my space, someone who had managed to enter my room and my life in a way no one else had before. She lay there, h
AlastairThe sun cast a warm glow on the courtyard as I wrapped up my conversation with Ryle. The plans for the day were set in motion, and I turned my attention to Alice, who leaned against the stable wall with a yawn. Her yellow gown caught my eye, contrasting against the rustic backdrop of the stable.“I heard you called me,” she said, her voice tinged with a hint of curiosity. With a subtle shift, I leaned against a wooden beam, hands tucked into my jacket pockets. “We are going to patrol the northern wood today,” I explained, watching her closely. "Since you are willing to win the coming battle, thought you would be interested in going to the southernwood."Alice's thoughtful silence hung in the air as she processed my words. The proposition was a challenge, no doubt. She hadn't embarked on patrols through the woods before, while I had years of experience. Eventually, a nod confirmed her decision, and her gaze shifted briefly to Ryle.“The horses are ready,” Ryle's voice interjec