She watched him leave the room.
Part of her was disappointed for so odd reason completely beyond her.
He had looked at her like he wanted her - of that there was no doubt - but he didn’t.
Perhaps, he didn’t. His cause was completely noble.
Claire sniffed herself and acknowledged his effort in bearing her stench.
How could she refuse a warm bath, when that was the very thing she needed?
The chambermaids in the pretty pink gold robes guided her to her room.
Were these the kind of won he had for servants? Each of the won was uniquely beautiful, carrying out their tasks with enviable ease.
Even the way they prepared the bath looked alluring and interesting.
But, she was the center of the spectacle.
Their subtle whispers were about her, of that she was certain.
Finally, the one with long pigtails approached her and asked for her na.
"Claire... Claire Stenly."
They giggled among themselves.
"Such a beautiful na." The one who undressed her murmured behind her.
"You’ve beco quite popular in court these past few days."
Her face heated up instantly. Popular? In what way - good or bad?
Another one with cat eyes leaned forward, "Even the King seems quite involved with your family."
A deep blush crept up her cheeks against her will.
"Forgive us, my lady." The oldest of all of them quickly said, sensitive to her growing discomfort.
She managed a small smile.
The won did the rest of their work in silence.
Finally, she was clean.
Food was brought to her. The assorted dishes threw her off. She ate only a portion but lost her appetite when she thought of her sister’s condition.
She didn’t even know if her sister had eaten that day.
A knock on the door roused her from her food dilemma.
She straightened, her lips thinning.
Andon walked in, smiling with a charm she was certain won him any woman he wanted.
He was clean, dressed in a loose wool tunic and laced breeches.
"My lady."
Her shoulders drooped, feeling less tense.
"I am no lady."
"How should I address you then?"
"Miss Stenly."
He nodded.
"How do you do?" He asked, his lips quivering into a grin.
Claire instantly rembered the events that occurred before she was brought to the castle.
When the net that contained her had been cut, his n gathered to catch her - but she still landed in a heap of dried leaves.
As if that had not been enough, her hair had been tangled in the net.
The n had struggled to hold back their laughter all through as she had uttered all the curse words she knew.
Her hair had never been cut before - which was why she was so pained that a part of hair had been cut to free her.
But his smile was highly infectious. How did such a bold and almost reckless man end up with soone as calculating as Yeren?
Did they have sothing in common?
If they did, she was yet to see their similarities.
"I am doing fine. Thank you for asking."
He perched himself at the edge of the table by the dresser.
"Did you know your uncle is currently in the dungeons?"
Her hands stilled. The last she had heard, he had been on his way to confer with the King concerning her lands.
Andon was quiet as she struggled to piece everything together.
"What was his offense?"
His grin widened.
"He insulted the King... because of you."
She gulped hard.
"What exactly did he say?"
"These details are not for won. Yet, I have to ask, what relationship do you have with your uncle?"
She beca fiddling with the frills of her sleeve.
"His niece."
Andon drew closer until he was perched a hand’s length away from her.
"I can help you. You don’t have to lie to ."
"Of what use would telling you be to ?"
He stroked his chin.
"So... you admit there is sothing to tell?"
She swallowed again.
"I do not know."
"The whole court knows about your sister - your uncle admitted it himself."
Her eyes pinned his.
"When did this happen?"
"While you were running in the woods with your lover."
Her lips thinned.
The man had a lot of guts. She flushed faint red.
"To whom do you refer to?"
He narrowed his eyes at her.
"I’m no fool."
"Arlan?"
He smirked.
"Are you ashad of him?"
"No. Zachary is not my lover."
The sky outside had darkened.
"I better leave you. If you cherish your freedom, stop protecting soone who would kill your soul to have your body."
She watched him leave, clutching the edge of the table to support herself.
Claire exhaled a loud and shaky breath.
How did he know?
Did the King know as well?
Uncle Jarren would kill her if he ever thought she exposed his darkness. It wasn’t her place to do so.
She moved to the window and looked outside, trying to see the sa beauty the King always seed to see.
Was it the vast greenery of the land? The peaceful nature it exuded? Or just the fact that everything she could see was his to rule?
There was a soft knock on the door.
She rubbed her hands against her dress.
Why did he co back? Did he have more self-reflective questions to ask her?
She glanced at the dark sky to compose herself. She hadn’t even noticed when the maids had co in to light candles.
"Claire?"
She almost stopped breathing.
It couldn’t be.
She had heard that voice so many tis in her dreams - only to realize painfully that it was just a dream.
Claire clenched her fists, refusing to turn around.
Footsteps padded across the room and arms wrapped about her waist. The touch was real.
She opened her eyes and looked down.
"Aurora?"
Her sister’s auburn hair looked dark in the shadow of the candlelight.
Her sister’s response was to squeeze her tighter.
Hot tears burned behind her eyes.
"How did they find you?"
Aurora pointed at the door.
When Claire looked up, she saw him standing there.
Then, he walked away.
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