CHAPTER 14:THE KNIGHT
"Adeline, how are you this morning, I was told you were asleep yesterday right after the ceremony." King Nero enquired as he sat in his chair with a huge portrait of himself hanging behind him. The king's office was huge with nicely polished furnitures. "Feeling good father you called for me?" Adeline answered back. "Yesterday I realized you had a blue rose in your hand after... your encounter with the Rocrest Prince," "ahhh yes father I received it from him after the dance with him" Adeline responded innocently. "O my silly child you shouldn't have taken it. Do you know the gravity of your actions?"the king stifled his rising tone. "Why did I do something wrong?" Adeline looked scared. "No my dear you did nothing wrong.." he walked over to sit by Adeline,he caressed her cheeks affectionately "he took advantage of your innocence.."he paused obviously contemplating "you see the rose is the national symbol of Rocrest and is given to any lady to be betrothed to the royal family." Adeline could not believe her ears if only she had known about the rose she wouldn't have taken it.
Her time by in the king's office was exhilaratingly shocking. Does that mean she is now betrothed to the seventh prince of Rocrest. Not to talk of keeping it a secret according to her father's demand. Soon letters started flowing in their numbers to the Mafte Palace most of them addressing the princess' hand in marriage. A personal guard was assigned to princess Adeline by the king who had to follow her everyday, everywhere she went. Frequently nobles visited the palace to get more acquainted with the princess. None kept coming like Lord Fleischer,son of Baron Mistique, a rich duke. He had a feminine face with a set if deep earth brown eyes and a blond hair cut short. He had a rigid body contrast to his looks with broad shoulders.he had grown very close to Adeline through his regular visits.
After two months of service to princess Adeline,the personal guard was reshuffled and replaced. General Mathis had a new guard assigned to Adeline who under his orders trained Adeline with the sword and horse riding secretly. His aura was one that baffled any one he came into contact with. Adeline could sometimes not resist the pull to look him in the eyes, she was drawn to him some how. Whenever Lord Fleischer came visiting there seemed to be an invincible struggle between Lord Fleischer and Leon. While Leon possessed a cold and menacing aura with a claim of possessiveness, Fleischer emitted a defiant and meek aura. It was almost as if they were fighting over her leaving her to hang in between their tension.
CHAPTER 15: THE WAKE UP
An invitation came from the Queen to have tea in the King's courtyard. Such things rarely came from the Queen and as such she knew very well that her step sisters would be there hence she mastered a lot of courage. There had been great changes in Princess Adeline since she begun her training and she had grown attached to her guard, Leon.
She stood to look at her self one last time before leaving for the king's courtyard. A knock came followed by Adeline command to come in, Leon walked in. The was more closeness between the two almost like they were one. "You look beautiful princess,you always do." Leon remarked. "You are also good with words like always, if you are this good how come you haven't captured the heart of any lady yet?" She laughed curtly "I don't know how but I feel more safe with you than with any one else.I don't know if that's a good thing", she smiled at him as she passed him. Adeline though she looked tensed up, her mood was calmed when she felt the strong aura of her guard behind her.
"Looks like the little kitten has finally decided to come out." Veronic spoke with mockery in her voice. "I couldn't have said it any better!" Geneva supported. Adeline ignored their attacks "greetings to the first and second Princess of Ghany. It has been long since our last interaction. I hope you have been well?".
"Hahahahahahaha isn't that cute" the sisters roared then came a sharp sound. Geneva had sent a slap across Adeline's face. Adeline's face looked flustered while anger rose within her, adrenaline flushed through her veins as she felt bloodthirsty. Leon took a step forward on impulse at the attack but stopped in his tracks when Adeline raised her hand signalling him not to move. Taking in a deep breath she said "I will consider this a mistake not next time!" Her eyes twinkled as a sudden rush pushed through her veins and she wished of tearing the bitch's face off.
From nowhere a white cat jumped out and attacked Geneva scratching her face mercilessly then jumped into a nearby bush flower. People rushed over to the scene. Leon helped Adeline out of there looking surprised at what just happened. Adeline fell unconscious immediately she reached her pavilion,she was rushed to her room. Leon paced to and fro whiles Eulia attended to her high fever. Adeline kept mumbling throughout the night while Leon sat by her bedside.
CHAPTER 16: SNOWY
*ADELINE IN A HAZE*
"Hello mistress finally your affinities have awakened. Long have I waited for this day." Adeline walked towards the voice until she found herself on her balcony where a white cat stood licking it's fur, licking. "Any one here?who is that?" Adeline called out. "Uhhhm who are you expecting there's no one here except us this is your sub - conscious. Adeline halted with surprise etched on her face. She couldn't believe the cat just spoke to her,was she dreaming,she rubbed her eyes. "No you are not dreaming,all this is real. You summoned me earlier at the courtyard and you just called for me now." Adeline could not believe this. She took the cat in her arms caressing it while she pondered still in shock.
"Are you awake Princess?"Leon voice boomed looking at Adeline rousing back alive."how long have I been asleep?" "It's two hours to noon, you've been asleep since yesterday after the incident." Eulia and Christy walked into the room noticing the two. "Princess you are awake, General Mathis and Prince Richid came to see you while you were still unconscious" Eulia informed. "We need to clean the princess up if you wouldn't mind sir Leon" Christy pointed out. Leon left immediately. Adeline washed up immediately whiles her handmaids pestered her with gossips and questions.
"I fear for you princess,why will you fall for a knight when you have Lords who want your hand in marriage." Eulia said with more concern than rebuke. "How do you know if I've taken a liking in him or not?" She questioned. Eulia looked at her with a look of "seriously" etched on her face. "He seems nice,strong, handsome and protective. I feel like he's the perfect man except that I know little if his family status" Christy added. Rubbing Adeline's back gently Eulia spoke with concern "I learnt he was handpicked by General Mathis himself and that is a very rare thing you know. The king himself selects the personal knights and guards for the Princesses."....
Adeline called Leon into her chambers to ask for explanation on what happened in the garden. Walking into Princess Adeline's room Leon strode gently noticing the white cat from earlier. It sat lazily in Adeline's lap enjoying every stroke Adeline gave. "Sir Leon I was told you stayed by my side throughout the night.l want to thank you but that won't be necessary next time anything as such happens it's not right for a man to be in a lady's room and a princess at that.". "Sorry if I caused any inconveniences I was just worried seeing how you feel unconscious especially since this was your first time." Leon answered. Looking perplexed Adeline asked "what do you mean by my first time,at what,and how did you know?" "I smell something fishy about this man princess not in a foul way but still don't be fooled." Faerie said telepathically. Leon hesitated in answering contemplating how to explain it to her. "I'm waiting Sir Leon you can have a seat if you wish." .. " you are come from the Atlantian race and the royal family to be precise." He started. "and how do you know this?" Adeline asked growing suspicious of the man sitting across her. "I studied a lot about history and my father told me stories of how the royal family of Atlantia stood out exceptionally among all and great with magical prowess. I believe your magic lied dormant waiting to waken and it did by summoning this white cat." He said looking at Faerie. "Faerie,....her name is Faerie please." Adeline pointed out.
"A strange bird is circling your pavilion Princess,it has been tailing you for a long time,it's as if it is guarding you." Faerie said telepathically. Adeline looked at Faerie with a puzzled look then looks up at Leon. "Leon have you noticed any strange bird around my pavilion lately? Looks like Faerie senses it." .....
Outside a brown hawk stood on a tall tree scanning the area vividly. It kept staring at Adeline's balcony almost as if it could see through "Leon I think the white cat has sensed my presence do you want me to fly away?" It called out to Leon telepathically, "No maybe I think it's time I explained things to her."came Leon's answer. "Are you sure she can take it I mean she is kinda new to these magic prowess." "I hope she can swallow prepare to show yourself when I call." Saying that Leon cut the telepathic discussion. .... "I guess that must be Forge my bond pet."