Lucien watched Levina's eyes light up in sheer horror. And the way Augustus had yanked her away from his side was all the more suspicious. Something was wrong, he could tell, but what could it be? It had to be something really bad for Augustus to react the way he did and the fear in her eyes when Augustus referred to him as the prince was unmistakable.
"What is it?" Lucien asked, his eyes peering into Levina's pale face. Quickly she turned to leave.
"Stop right there!" he made sure the authority in his voice was more pronounced. She halted in her tracks but didn't turn to look at him.
"My lord," Augustus tried to force a smile but failed woefully. "As you know only the royal physician, can treat the members of the royal family. I could get in trouble should your father find out that an ordinary nurse touched you," Augustus lied, his gloved fingers trembling. He turned to Levina, "You should go now."
"Wait," Lucien stopped her again. He wasn't convinced by Augustus explanation; his gaze wandered back to Levina but her back was turned, so he returned his gaze to Augustus, who looked like he had just seen a ghost. Just let it go, he thought to himself.
Lucien cleared his throat, they were clearly hiding something, that much was obvious but he was going to let it go for now, as it was clear that they were not going to talk and also as it stood, he already has a lot on his plate there was no need to add irrelevant things to it too.
"Levina, right?" he asked. She turned around to face him, the stern look was back on her face and she was more composed now.
"Yes my lord," she bowed slightly.
Lucien sighed in frustration. Augustus had to just ruin everything. He really liked talking to her. His chance to get to know her has been flushed away by Augustus's bad timing. With the way she reacted when Augustus called him the prince, it was clear that she was going to put in extra effort to avoid him and make sure their paths don't cross again. He wasn't going to let that happen, not a chance. But how?
"Are you sure everything is okay?"
She carefully evaded his eyes, "Of course my lord. I was just caught off guard that's all. Excuse me," she quickly disappeared out of the tent.
He had to see her again, at least to correct whatever bad impression he might have created in her mind.
"Sorry about all that," Augustus apologized, as he lifted Lucien's leg.
...
Levina hurried into the physician's tent. The little tent was dimly lit and smelt of herbs, and a mixture of mud and alcohol. She plopped down into a couch and held up her sweaty head with her two hands. She took deliberate deep breaths to calm her nerves and her heart that had been racing from the moment she heard her father say 'Prince Lucien'.
She should have known it was the prince, he didn't look anything like the other soldiers, his black hair was neatly cut, his palms were clean and devoid of callouses, and his fingers were trimmed, unlike under soldiers that had mud and ash under their fingernails. But how could she have known, when he came yesterday he was dressed like a simple soldier without any escort and he was flirting with her, just like the other soldiers usually did.
She took deeper and more steadier breaths. Something else bothered her. Levina stood to her feet and started pacing about the room. She had seen him before, she was sure of it, his eyes the perfect shade of lipid blue, lingered in her memory. She just couldn't place it, but she was sure they had met before. Just then the curtain was lifted up and light filled the tent, Augustus stormed inside and the darkness returned.
"What did you think you were doing with the prince?" he barked.
"Father, I had no idea he was the prince, I swear on Mother's grave."
"Don't bring your mother into this!"
"I have never met the prince before and that was why I couldn't recognize him," she replied sincerely.
Augustus huffed in frustration, she sounded sincere and he knew that she almost never lied. She knows better than to allow herself to be exposed.
"Your mother and I have sacrificed everything to keep you safe," he said resting his hands on his hip.
"I know that and I would never do anything to jeopardize it, I promise," her voice broke at the end of the sentence.
Augustus nodded, he wasn't sure of what to do now. But the prince has picked interest in Levina, he could see it in the young man's eyes, and knowing how persistent the prince can be, Augustus wasn't sure if it was still a good idea for Levina to continue to work so close to the royal family.
"You will have to stop coming to the castle for now," Augustus said in almost a whisper.
"What? No!" Levina shrieked.
"It's for your own good Levina."
"I am no longer a child father, I am a woman now and I can decide what is right for me. I cannot continue to run my whole life. I have been living in hiding my whole life, but not anymore." Levina maintained a straight face, she couldn't continue to let her father decide for her, and most especially she cannot keep hiding. She had led her whole life avoiding people and hiding from the royal army and even had to leave Arvenia severally. And all those while no one was even after her. But she did it then for her mother's peace of mind. Her mother isn't here anymore and she is all grown up now, it was high time she took a stand and pilot her own life.
"Father," she moved closer to the old man and took his hands in hers. "I promised Mother that I will never practice witchcraft and if I keep to that promise, I will never get caught. And so far I have never for once cast a single spell."
Augustus looked at his daughter helplessly, she was all grown up now. She was a full-grown woman who can decide for herself and make her own choices. And as much as it pained him, he knew he could not continue to impose his decisions on her. All he could do now was trust her decision.
"I need you to promise me something then,"
"Whatever you want father."
"Stay away from the prince."