Sam's eyes track the direction I am walking. Ahead there are no outbuildings, only trees, bushes and a variety of flowers. Truly, there is no real place I can feasibly get to off castle grounds without going through the woods first and, with the weather outside, I am not going in the woods. Which means I am walking in circles around the castle and, by the look in Sam's eyes, I can see he has just caught onto that. “Where are you even going Lace?”
A pause, then I shrug, pointing behind me. “That way.”
“And that way is where to exactly?” Sam raises his eyebrows, but the question itself was one full of amusement. The tension of the moment briefly broken.
“I do not know, just that way. I want fresh air.”I thought Sam was on my side…
“Okay fine, we won’t talk about it, but I have suddenly decided I would also like to go that way as well.” Sorin starts to walk towards me, his face filled with stubborn resolve. My belly flutters at the intensity with which he regards me, and I back up a step.
“Need I remind everyone it is still raining?” Sam grumbles.
“I like the rain, it’s cleansing,” I argue, snapping my eyes away from Sorin.
“You say that,” Sam rolls his eyes “until you’re coughing up a lung in bed and then guess who has to hear from her royal highness about her daughter's activities?”
“Yes, yes your life is so hard Sam,” Sorin interjects “but we will be fine.”
Sam groans. “Fine. Fine! But I’m coming too. Somebody has to get you guys back before the dinner bell rings and with the trouble you two get up to, I know I can’t rely on you to get yourselves there.”
“I did not ask for company…”
“Well, you’re getting it,” they both stand like statues, their faces tolerating no argument.
“Whatever…” I mutter, continuing my walk. They, of course, follow.
Once we have rounded the castle at least three times I cave. "What, Sorin? What did you want to talk about regarding my betrothal?"
He grits his teeth, casting his gaze towards Sam. "Later, Lace."
I think I feel my eyes bug out of my head. "What do you mean later? You were adamant not even twenty minutes ago and now that I am willing to talk about it you are no longer interested?"
He wipes a hand down his face and water droplets flick to the ground. "I have to go." Then he just… walks off.
I give Sam awhat the fuckface and he shrugs. "Let's get you inside for dinner."
Reaching the castle entrance, we run into my mother, May, exiting my father's office with tears in her eyes. My mother's tears are unfortunately a regular occurrence when leaving my father's chambers for a variety of reasons. She taps my back as she walks by shooting me a look filled with pity. Before we can take another step forward, a blond also exits my father's office, fixing her hair. Her lipstick is smudged across her face and her dress is falling off of one of her shoulders.Ah I see… mom walked in on another of father's conquests.The blond sneers at me as she passes and my eyes track the woman down the hall, her hips sashaying as she struts around the corner.
I grab Sam's hand. "We better hurry before-"
"What are you doing out here?"May I catch any breaks today?
My father stands in the doorway glaring down at us. Or shall I say up? He is not a tall man, but what he lacks in stature he makes up for in brutality. He has one motto in life: All shall be punished.Whether they have done something deserving of it or not.
"What are you doing outside of your chambers?" His voice booms through the hall. From the corner of my eye, I watch as the servants scatter, leaving only barren stone walls in their wake.
"I was out walking with Sorin and Sam like usual."
"You are soaked."
"It was raining."
"Did you have one of my escorts with you? I do not see them." He searches the area but only finds empty stone halls.
"Escor— father you have never had me bring an escort before?"
"That was before. Now that you are betrothed and have reached majority, I cannot have you prancing about the gardens like a common who-"
"Father," I cut him off and the look he gives me would have meant my death if not for the fact that he needs me to marry this prince. I am his only heir so there would be no one else he could slot in to do it for me should I 'go missing,' much to his chagrin.
