Chapter 74

Her blue eyes were barely on me as she blushed and I felt my cheeks flush alongside hers, realising he did just kiss me in front of everyone.

"He- He was trying to stop the blood"- I stammered touching my finger to the wound and staring at the blood smudge. I glanced his way and he was fine. No sign of instability in those alluring red eyes.

"I see… it must have simply appeared as a kiss from my perspective" she mused and then with a grin, "you get terribly lucky in these tests, don't you?"

"Is it lucky or unlucky?" I replied looking to Crystal who was repeatedly hitting the arm of her target. The other ladies were no better, but Lady Willow had managed to mangle the head with enough arrows to make it dangle at an awkward angle.

"It depends on where you want to be at the end of this" she replied in a softness that was unlike her usual excitement, "I want to be the queen that allows women to step further than a simple wife and mother. So young girls can aspire to be knights and not be ridiculed" it was obvious the intent came from something personal to her and it made me frown.

Women truly were reduced to smaller roles in society. Always a supporter and never on the defence.

"I could support such a queen" I replied making eye contact with Jules whose face looked cold for a moment. His red orbs transfixing on me as they seemed to understand what I was saying, even from this distance.

"I think marrying such a fearsome man wouldn't be all that bad for a girl like me".

I blinked at her words, turning away from Jules and staring at her. Lady Asteria Raya was someone known to be a close friend of Lady Willow and an uphold-able knight if it came to it. It was rumoured she had defeated a number of knights in spars and her father would have made her his heir had her gender not been an issue.

She was right.

If anyone could stand next to Jules fearlessly it would be her. So why did the thought make me feel like I was swallowing a bag of needles?

"He's not- He's not that scary of a man, you know" I suddenly spoke up, wishing I hadn't when her eyes landed on me. The beautiful intense blue making me feel inadequate.

"How so?" She raised a fine red brow.

"You may know him as a fearsome vampire, but give him a chance- as a person. He's a good man at heart. I think you'll have a lot in common" I forced the confidence on my part, but none of what I said was a lie. Her face lit up and she smiled.

"Thank you Lady Colter. Actually- I want to converse with him but I was hesitant because of that. I'll use this chance!" She really ran off ahead to him and I smiled until I saw them both together. At which point I turned away and noticed Crystal was beside me, watching Lady Raya with surprise.

"You're way too good with words" she shook her head, "I was told to pass on that you received a letter from Mr Archangel" she whispered.

"Connor?" I frowned, wondering what could have gone wrong.

Crystal nodded and shrugged.

"So… which one?" She grinned cheekily, eyes darting from me to the prince and I pushed her away playfully.

I intended to reply, except I was caught off-guard by something sparkling in the sun. It was from the six floor window of the palace and it remained there just until I made out the figure of a man in a long strange hat. Our eyes made eye contact before the person stepped back hurriedly.

But I still stared at it, puzzled.

"What is it?" Crystal asked.

"How many people wear Opal jewellery?" I asked.

"It's not popular at all because it way too expensive. You can't even mine them in Grandor" she answered, brows knitting, obvious unsure of why I asked such a random question.

"Right..." I muttered absently still staring at the spot where he stood. That stupid hat… there's no doubt he was an advisor.

"The Willows own an opal mine in the northern land Hefare" Charlotte's voice interrupted us and I jumped, turning to find her staring up at the window alongside me. Her face wore a look of distaste and she shook her head before looking at me with a small smile, "Are you interested in purchasing some?"

The Willows?

"No- I don't"- but before i could finish my sentence she held out her hand and adoring it was a ring with the large gem. A burning yellow coming to light, mixed in a spectrum of oranges like a fire burning inside a stone. I gasped and Crystal followed up.

"Is that an opal?"

"It's a ring passed to the females of the family. It was gifted to me at my bith from my mother who received it as an engagment present from father" She looked at it fondly and I couldn't help but dwell on the fact that the Willows might be the only likely people to hold opal jewellery. But father had described it as a rainbow stone… and that was yellow.

"You must be the only woman wearing such a jewel in this country" I mused, treading for information.

"As far as I am aware" She unbeknowestly helped me in my quest for the mysterious clairvoyances identity.

He must be a Willow... I decided to write to father tonight.

It must have been another half hour before every lady had finally chipped off a bit of their targets and we all awaited for the princes aid to dismiss us. He had seemed to be discussing something with the prince and athough most of the ladies were deep in conversations of their own I had tried to zero in on their words.

I heard nothing, but I made out 'Royal Advisor' and 'Lady' and narrowed my brows.

They finally turned our way and Jules cold red eyes passed over me like ice sliding against eachother.

"Ladies, you have all performed well, unfortunately tonight we will commence another test so we request your presence in the main hall" He bowed and we curtsied in response. "The prince will be in his study and encourages each of you to visit".

I saw Jules jaw clench at his aids words.

I had decided to head straight to my room after that, my mind ticking in worry at the thought of Connors letter. Then the Opal and on my way I bumped into someone.

"I'm- i'm so sorry"-

"How polite" I heard the familiar mocking voice of my brother and snapped my head up to see my genius second brother.

"You!"-

"Hello sister? I'm here on business to meet your love" He smirked and I flushed at his words, anger filling my core as I realised he was here to meddle.

"What business?" I balked, trying to calm myself as I realised we were making a spectacle.

He lifted a scroll which rolled down infront of my face. The words at the top making my head spin. 'Royal Advisor'. It was a contract.

"Does that satisfy you?"

"Father would never allow that!"

"He advised it" He tilted his head coyly and I really wanted to smack him over the head. "I'm here to simply discuss it sister- fathers worried about you".

I let out a loud sigh, realising this was bound to happen.

"Do not aggravate anyone Mathias" I warned and he gave me a feigned innocent smile.

"When have I ever, sister?"

I sighed once again and decided to ignore him, pushing my way passed him except He had held me back from the back of my dress.

"It's okay to rely on your family at times like these", He had whispered that and then quickly turned on his heel and left. I scoffed at his back and then let out a soft smile.

"I know that..."