Nicole yawned slowly as the sun shined brightly on her face making her wince in pan a little due to her head bandage. Just as she was about to move she felt something on the side of the bed.
She looked to her side to find a white owl sitting on the small bed next to her she gasped loudly covering her mouth. The owl was a beautiful creature that she had assumed would come out at night, she always wanted to paint an owl but never had the opportunity to.
She looked around the room to see if Jasper was still around which he wasn't she assumed only to find her bag filled with the items she brought with her during her trip to Lilith's kingdom. She hoped everything was fine with Clarice but Jasper made a kind gesture for her. The man was odd but his beauty made up for it making her laugh softly to herself.
Getting up from the bed stretching lightly and doing her morning routine as she prepared for the day. Seeing the owl watch her every move from the time she woke up to the time she got herself dressed.
She heard a knock on the door suddenly as she grabs the door knobbing it to find Clarice and Noah. Clarice smiled as she normally did and Noah held no emotion as his face was stone cold which was hard for Nicole to read.
She welcomed them inside as she moved away from the door letting them in. Noticing closely that Noah's arm was wrapped around Clarice's waist, it seemed like whatever Jasper did that evening left the man feeling restored to his normal self as one could say a changed man.
Clarice sat in a chair while Noah stood looking out the window.
Clarice extended her hand to Nicole as she sat across from her almost brought to tears by the sudden Situation that had happened.
Silence lingered over the three for a while until Noah decided to break the silence to make the tension slightly better" Nicole as my guest I'm sorry for my rudeness last night. I had fallen ill and took it out my dearest wife. For making you leave our home out of anger and jealousy." He turned his body towards them as he bowed" If you are Calirce's dearest friend you are a friend of mine"
Nicole smiled as Clarice did as well" Thank you Duke Noah I will accept your apology. "
Clarice squeezed Nicole's hand causing her to look up at her with a smile "I wanted to make sure he gave you a proper apology. Noah is doing so much better after what Jasper did for us, I see the owl is here but where is Lord Jasper?"
Noah shrugged lightly "Maybe he went back home and ordered his bird to stay with her for awhile. Better yet he could be out getting blood from the source"
Clarice puts her finger up to her mouth silently telling him to be quiet which made him laugh looking back at the window.
"Well he gave me this room for a week or so but I'll be returning home today. Lord Jasper is a bit odd if you ask me" Nicole blushed a little as she looked away from Clarice only for her to raise her eyebrow in question.
Clarice smirked lightly at her friend " What lord do you know will do such a king gesture such as this. Remember I told Jasper a lot about you if only you knew what control you have over him. He will warm up to you eventually. He's just giving you the cold shoulder because he isn't used to humans. If he opens up to you bit by bit you easily win his heart but he is unpredictable."
Clarice winked at her only making the chocolate-skin girl blush even harder. Only to hear a fake cough coming from Noah as he glanced at his watch signaling them to go.
"Well, Nicole we will be leaving for today, if you do go out try to stay close to your area. You ever need anything you know where to find me" Clarice's voice was cheerful and happier as Nicole smiled at her thanking her for the help.
As the couple left for the day Nicole stared off into the carriage that Clarice and Noah rode to get here and slowly started to move away in the distance. She felt a wind blow against her hair as she turned around to see Jasper hover over her causing her to yelp getting up from the chair immediately.
He was wearing the clothes of a commander hair tied from behind with a ribbon. As his sword was by his waist at all times. The owl that was once on the bed sat on his shoulder closing its eyes.
"You met my pet Slade, I told him to watch over you while you slept." Jasper petted Slade commending him for doing such a good job.
"I thought you said you were going to leave after you helped me." She looked at him with a confused expression on her face as he grinned slightly.
"Well I planned on doing that but I have some more business to do before I decide to head back to my kingdom." He walked towards the window seeing the people pass by the inn wondering what she could do in the meantime while he was away. He wanted to spend time with the human as she was fragile as all humans are but she was special.
Nicole's stomach growled as she held her stomach forming a blush on her face which she couldn't hide.
"You must be hungry, there's a small market nearby here you can go to"he extended his hand out to her waiting for her to take his hand.
She looked up at him taking his hand as he pulled her up carefully "Why are you being so generous to me Lord Jasper? Aren't you supposed to be in your kingdom not here with me? I'm just a lowly human from the mainlands that's all I am-"
Jasper yanked Nicole's hand towards him causing her to stumble bumping into his chest. She tried to pull away but he wouldn't let her, his hand was firm on her wrist almost like a tightening around its prey. She looked up at him as he did the same seeing his lavender eyes soften at her brow orbs. Seeing his eyes darken in color for some reason which was unknown to her.
"You talk too lowly about yourself for a human to have so much talent. Don't take my kindness for weakness, many are not as generous as I am. I'm not finished with my meetings here just yet that's why I haven't left as you can see. As much as I dislike humans you caught my eye. I want to know more about this skill you have come to acquire."
She gulped"What would you like to know Lord Jasper. Your hand is rather tight milord." her voice was soft but left her questioning his intentions.
Jasper lets her hand go as she takes a few steps back making sure there is some distance towards them. Placed his hands on his hips as he smiled deviously "I want to know everything darling but that will have to wait there are some meetings I need to tend to."
Nicole tried to think of how she acquired the skill of an artist only to smile as a beam of light hit her face. "Before you leave Lord Jasper I was once an apprentice until I met a master named Earl. He taught me many things. He resides in this very part of the mainland. I thought you said you were going to stay longer here"
Jasper crossed his arms "So an old man named Earl taught you how to be a painter interesting" he turned his head to the window hearing birds chirp and pass by he hadn't heard of that name in quite some time causing him to laugh softly "There's been a sudden change in plans, and my kingdom needs me on top of that I'm late for my trip to the wasteland kingdom. For that, I shall depart from here. I'm sure a young lady like yourself will be fine, I bid you farewell"
Taking his eyes off the window and on her, He took her hand leaning forward and kissing her palm sweetly as he teported in front of her l leaving a small mist that formed where he had stood momentarily.
She blushed at his gesture making her wonder what the lord of snow had planned for her. Shaking her head at the thought she wanted to visit her teacher. She knew deep down inside that Jasper couldn't spend time with a human it was too much of a risk being out in the open with the man she had just met. Not knowing when she was going to see him again she gave a small smile at the thought of him.