21 In His Arms

"What are you doing?"

"I thought it was obvious," was Klaus's reply, without even looking at her. Alexa looked around, still a little stunned, realizing that she had slept a lot, and they were still in Prince Klaus's new residence. The night was dark and windy, but his body was warm and somehow protected her from the cold as he carried her. Still, it was a relief when he crossed the porch and entered the residence.

"Why are you taking me inside? Did you tell them?" surely Alexa wasn't thinking straight yet, and once again realized that she had dreamed but couldn't remember exactly what. How long had she slept on? Two, three hours?

"They're gone, but I'm staying tonight. Should I have left you in the carriage?" Klaus said, setting her sitting on a puffy cushion and walking away. The maiden narrowed her eyes in suspicion, realizing that this change of plans wasn't without purpose.

"My absence will be noticed!"

"A risk you were aware from the beginning, weren't you?" he raised a brow, smirking.

Alexa didn't respond because, indeed, the Prince was right. There was a risk, but she decided she should do it anyway. "Did you think about what I said? Are you going to apologize to her?"

"It wasn't even me."

"Was it your lover, then?" Alexa was incisive. She wouldn't let him escape without taking responsibility. She really hoped he wasn't behind what happened in the villa, but his words in the carriage hinted that he knew something.

"My mistress?!" he laughed in surprise.

"She went to Lady Cordelia. How much will you allow for humiliation for the mother of your future children?"

He took a deep breath, his muscles noticeably tense. Alexa was pleased to realize that she had struck him this time. But he finally said, "Enough of that, Lady Saskia. For a change, you are talking about things you don't know."

The tone was low and dark, but he laughed shortly afterward,

"Instead of arguing, come see the house; I'm sure you're curious. We'll have dinner later," he reached out to her. But remembering her bandaged hands, the Saxon Prince helped her to her feet, holding her elbows. 

It was more or less like her brothers or Locke used to do, even if Alexa protested. Even wounded, the damsel liked to be independent and adapted herself to bandaged hands since she was rarely without the bandages anyway.

The grand residence was more of a small chateau, and Alexa followed the Prince as he showed the rooms. Several valuable gifts from famous families from Lower Saxony and other sections of the Empire, as well as several foreign powers, adorned the home.

In a moment, in the main room, he stood in front of a splendid and bulky domestic oratory, richly carved with sacred images and decorated with an elaborate piece of embroidery. Alexa saw and admired all this, sporting a polite interest and nothing more. 

Apparently, the Prince expected another reaction from her, as he was staring at the maiden a little surprised, but said nothing and continued the tour, showing the main floor. In front of a door, he said,

"Here's my personal armory, but I don't think you're going to ..." he didn't finish the sentence as she was practically going under his arm to get inside. "Bring the light," she pleaded as he stepped aside to give the damsel passage.

Several armors ornamented with House von Donnersmarck emblems caught her attention immediately. Various weapons such as swords, shields, spears, and war accessories could be seen across the walls and tables, organized by type and size. Alexa spotted two hand cannons on a table, some oriental weapons she was acquainted with, and other items that piqued her curiosity.

Klaus was about to explain something when he saw her looking at something a bit longer while holding the lamp beside her.

Alexa soon reached out to touch a short sword whose blade was slightly bluish, only to get a slap on the wrist. She withdrew her hand but soon saw another weapon that interested her, and her hand went instinctively to the sharp object. Just to be pushed away with a new slap.

Each attempt was a slap on the wrist, and a word from the Prince,

"Take. Your. Hand. Off it. You. Little. Pest. You'll. Hurt. Yourself. Now. I know. How. You're. Wound!"

After realizing that he wasn't going to let her touch his precious swords, Alexa just ignored him and turned her back, going to the other table where the hand cannons were. Pointing the modern firearms, she said,

"In Ankara, I met a man who created a different cannon. It's easier to use because it has a hook shape in that part."

Klaus approached her, looking thoughtfully at the firearm, then glared at her,

"So, do you like weapons more than embroidery?"

"Oh, well, when I was a kid, my dad used to host a lot of foreign visitors, and I enjoyed listening to the stories."

"But do you like weapons?"

She laughed," It's not me who is hoarding such a collection here, isn't it?"

"And what do you like? Jewels? Rabbits? Flowers?"

"I like horses," she confessed, beaming a smile, knowing it surprised him.

He seemed to like what he heard, "Well, my horses are not here yet, or I'd show you tomorrow before we leave."

They were still looking at each other as a moment of silence fell after the Prince's comment. Alexa realized that she should look down, but when she did that, Klaus, with his free hand, cupped her chin gently, which made Alexa startle.

"Let me see it again. Your fiance's ring."

'Uhn? What the hell? Why does he want to see this up close? Would it be good for me to show? Well, but I don't have a good excuse to avoid showing,' the maiden thought worriedly.

She started to pull the cord off the modest neckline of her dress, but Klaus reached the cord with one finger and fished it deftly, making the hairs on Alexa's neck prickle in the process. 

He didn't pull the cord from the maiden's neck, however. The Prince just held the ring between thumb and forefinger and brought the light closer, rolling the jewel to analyze the details.

Alexa knew the jewel very well. It was a heavy ring with a black stone, where the artisan expertly engraved the intricate family crest.

"A Blackrose? Is this your fiance's family? "The tone of distrust and amusement with which he spoke so annoyed Alexa. What should she say? Does anyone really fake such a jewel? Maybe it was even better that he considered her a scam. She just kept silent, and he dropped the jewel with some disdain as if it were something false or of less value. 'Ah, you are so arrogant, Prince Klaus!'

"Let's have supper. It's late," The Prince invited her in a way that sounded more like an order. To be honest, Alexa was hungry, so she followed him happily even though she still thought she shouldn't let her guard down around him.

"Your Highness?"

"Uhn?"

"Tell me a little about Kielstadt, please?" It was time to learn more about the castle and the individuals who had lived there — both the alive and dead ones.