9 Melody

He opens the door that was next to the one wall emerged from. Within the room was a bed at the center, the engraved designed wood headboard was against the wall with another Persian rug at the foot of the bed. There was a large window in front of them, light cotton curtains dancing above a desk and chair slowly from the open window. In front of the bed was a large bookshelf, books and books filled all the shelves.

The room was painted in a deep blue, almost the color of blue sapphire. It was simple, and held a heavy uneasy feeling to it, as if it was meant to be used of a study then a room for rest. Books, a used candle, and a nib pen with its ink sat on the desk waiting to be used again.

She swallowed, "There's only one bed." She stated.

"How many more did you want?"

She turns her head to look at him. He was leaning on the doorframe, his long arms crossed on his chest. The light from outside made him look as if he was glowing. A beautiful dark angel with no care of the world, everything to him amusing or boring.

"I was talking about you," She said annoyed, "Where would you sleep?"

He smirks, "Don't you worry about me. I know it's crucial for the Princess to sleep on a large comfortable bed."

She rolled her eyes, "How thoughtful. I left that life," she clears her throat, "I appreciate the kind gesture, however I would take my leave and come back in the morning."

He raised a single eyebrow in amusement, "Oh? If you don't mind me asking where would you go?"

"Somewhere, meaning you would have a good rest, because, you seem tired yourself." She felt awkward saying the last bits.

He placed a hand on he's heart, "You'd do that for me?"

"No. For myself."

He laughs. His laugh that held no real happiness, but mockery and emptiness. "As much as I crave the bed, I can't have you leave. First, you'd get lost in the forest, especially at night. Second as much as you cut your long hair-"

She frowned, "How would you know I did so?"

"It looked as if you wanted to chop it off with a saw. As I was saying, "He waved a hand, "Someone would recognize the Princess walking alone looking for a place to rest. Besides, this is your new humble home now."

She raised her eyebrows, "You always bring up points when you explain. It's amusing really."

"I'm an amusing person."

"I like to think otherwise."

"Don't lie, it's a sin."

Her eyebrows rose higher, "I should have you remember, you are not in charge of me. You can't decide what is best for me, or decide for me. I am not staying here with you."

He sighs, "How disappointing, very well. I only wanted this agreement to go smoothly. Need you to remember? Foil the steps to kill our dear Assassin, everything would be wasted. Besides, I can't have you getting hurt. I suggest you to listen to me. Stubbornness won't get you anywhere."

She took a deep breath pushing the thought to run past him and out the door, "I'm only agreeing to get what I want."

"Good to hear were on the same page." He nods ahead, "There's a bathroom in there. I suggest you to use it."

He starts to leave. She raised her hand, "Wait!"

"Yes?"

"From the beginning, before you thought on us being...partners, what were you going to do with me?"

He smiles, "Let you sleep on my bed."

Emerelda stares herself down at the mirror in front of her. Her deep green eyes were a little wide as she stared hard at the person in the reflection. Her red hair hung lose above her shoulders. Slowly she raised her fingers to touch the uneven strands of her hair.

She had already washed away the dirt, and was fresh with clean soap. The water was cold, but she knew complaining would be pathetic of her. She struggle bathing, for all her life she was bathed with the soft hands of her maids. She grumbled when she got soap in her eyes.

She was wrapped in her cloak. She trusted Emmett when he said he'll lay out some clothing on the bed. She reaches for the door handle, paused, and then swung the door open. The room was lit with a dim gas light sat on the desk. The curtains was still, the room a little warm then before. He had closed the window. She looks for any shadow of a person hiding, but she was alone in the room with the door closed.

She saw a clothing sat on the heavy blue blanket and she sighed in relief. She got dress in the long dress cotton shirt. She rolled the long sleeves, the shirt barely reaching to her knees. She folded her own men clothes she got from one of the workers in her palace. Her sword and the new ones given to her were placed at the end of the bed. She took her gold sword.

She crawled under the covers, her bare legs cold on the sheets. She breathes in the scent of musk and forest wood. The pillows were light and soft underneath her head, cradling her neck just as the pillows back in her chamber did. She brought her knees to her chest and hugged her prize weapon. She closed her eyes.

She heard music in the distance. It was the silky melody of the piano. Emerelda steps bare footed on the soft grass. She was in a meadow and it looked strangely familiar. The sweet scent of flowers filled her nose with a beautiful aroma as strands of red hair blew around her face. She pushed them back as she walked to the person sitting peacefully staring up at the blue sky.

She sat beside the blond boy. His hair was the color of the gold sun that gave her warmth. And his blue eyes were the color of the cloudless sky. She brought her knees to her chest and placed her head on them. She watched how the breeze ruffled his hair gently, and a smile on his soft lips.

"The melody of pain but satisfaction," he murmurs.

She lifts her head to hear the notes of the piano. He was correct. The sound sounded as if it lost a great deal, but it was satisfied with what life has given. She raised her hands and formed them as if she was carrying a violin.

He chuckles, "It would sound beautiful with it. They were made for each other you know. The violin and piano."

She closed her eyes and moved her hands following the piano rhythm, her arm moving up and down to the sound. Then it pause, suddenly the music picked up, and she went along with its fast speed.

"It still doesn't want to accept that one would have to face the struggles of life. And yet…they are aware of that." He said slowly next to her.

She opens her eyes, and let her arms fall. The piano slowly turned slow and soon the sound died.

"There is no going back. Although, there is no future for them once they achieve their goal."

She looks at the Prince sitting like a heaven angel, "That is the way of life." And he melts away.