Strange Emotions!

I walked farther from the main building, letting my feet take the lead. As I moved further away, indistinct sounds reverberated the air, tinging with the soothing melody of the light morning breeze, they became distinct as I drew nearer. Realization dawned on me where I was headed_The training grounds.

A chortle escaped my lips, I ran my hand through my hair, stunned that unconsciously I wandered to it.

"Well, since I am already here. It'd be nice to see him!" I said, glancing around. My eyes vetted for him in the slightly densed training grounds but they found nothing, not even a glimpse of his shadow which was more than unusual.

Anxiety rushed in as the words of Edward echoed in my head. I walked closer to the nearest group of men conversing with themselves, their blathering echoed in the air but it suddenly drew to a stop as they noticed my presence.

"Good day, gentlemen!" I greeted, they stared at me, perplexion and shock apparent on their faces.

"It is a pleasure to always see you, Lady Rosalind!" The knight closest to me replied slowly whilst the others kept silent.

"I apologize for disrupting your early morning chatter but I am in search for Roderick, do you know where I may find him?" I requested.

"He is right over there!" He responded, pointing to the far ends of the training grounds.

I nodded in appreciation and departed from their tiny gathering.

Making my way through the grounds, I avoided bumping into the training knights and trainees. As I drew farther away, the population of knights and trainees drew thinner till there was no one around apart from me and the vast green slopy landscape.

My brows drew together as I searched around with mixed emotions. I have never stepped foot into this part of the training grounds before. I knew it had a generous amount of land but I had no idea that it was this vast, it stretched to widths that I couldn't comprehend. As I walked forward, a shiny metal radiating under the sun caught my attention, Quickening my steps I inched closer to it, running up the tiny hill.

I halted at what was before me. Arrays of knights armors on wooden racks were lined neatly before me. A gasp fell from my lips, baffled at the enormous number. I slowly walked closer intrigued by it.

I stopped in my tracks as I stared at the shiny silver armor before me, not a single impurity or scratch was found on it, it was spotless, cleaned to perfection. The Everhart's family crest was pinned proudly on the chest plate, illuminating ever so brightly.

A slight noisy movement caught my attention, diverting my gaze from the armor I looked forward and my eyes landed on him.

He was shirtless! My brain knew it was improper to stare but my eyes were already fixed on him, captivated was the least I could say about the statue of hotness before me. His skin possessed a glorious tan, it was a gorgeous shade of honey. His hair was tousled and wet, a few locks fell a few inches above his eyebrows while the rest curved his face. Beads of sweat decorated his forehead, they trickled down glistening his features. My eyes trailed down to his perfectly sculpted torso, his defined abs were a definite work of art, a sheer testament to intense trainings and hard labour. He wore a serious expression as he gently rubbed the armor he worked on, his strong biceps flexed with ease as he dutifully cleaned it to perfection.

I sucked in a breath as I stared at him, enthralled, enchanted and mesmerized by him. My heart drummed at an unhealthy rate at the sight of him.

Time seemed non-existent as I watched him. My mind went blank and suddenly I forgot the entire reason why I searched for him.

With no warning, he looked up. Our eyes locked instantly. I gulped as my heart skipped a bit.

He stared at me, confusion shadowing his lustrious features. With no orders from me, my legs began to walk towards him, it felt like they had a mind of their own as they moved.

Soon enough I found myself standing in front of him, mute as a mouse.

"My Lady, what brings you here?" He asked slowly.

I tried it fumble a word but nothing came forth, my brain was as numb as I was, not thinking or remembering anything.

"My lady! My lady!" He called out.

Like a snap of a twig my senses came back to me. I shook my head slowly as I tried to speak.

"I came to the training grounds in search of you but couldn't find you and I was told that you were here, so here I am!" I finally replied.

"Oh!"

"What and why are you cleaning all these armors?" I inquired, glancing around, stunned by how far and wide they stretched.

"Well, it is um. . . A kind of punishment for arriving for training late this morning!" He uttered slowly whilst avoiding my questionable gaze. I could tell from his expression that he was lying but I wasn't angered that he was.

"This is the punishment for escorting me that night isn't it?".

Roderick hung his head and kept mute.

I scoffed "Minor punishment, he said!". The anger I felt earlier slowly creeped in. I took in deep breaths, not wanting it to control me. The last thing I needed was exploding in front of him.

"Well, since it is my fault. I will help!" Saying that I grabbed the rag he held and began cleaning off the already spotless armor. He was mute, bewildered by my action.

I left the immaculate armor I was cleaning in search for a dirty one. My eyes landed on one a few feet from me.

Before I could walk to it, he grabbed the rag out of my hand, astounding me.

"I am sorry My Lady but I can't let you!" He said defiantly.

His boldness struck me and left me speechless.

"I insist Roderick!" I yelled, stretching my hand towards him demanding for the rag.

He didn't budge not even a slight movement was made.

"I can't My Lady!" He replied simply.

I sighed, giving up. It seemed that I couldn't change his mind just like I couldn't change Father's.

"Okay!".

"Is everything alright?" He asked suddenly, concern tinged with worry was evident in his voice.

I let out a sigh, it seemed that I couldn't hide my troubles from him "Father will not let me attend the Alderian Festival because he found out about that night we snuck out!" I stated, solemnly .

"I am so sorry to hear that My Lady!".

"If only there was a way I could change his mind or probably sneak. . ." My eyes widened as the word 'sneak' fell from my lips. A smile tugged the corner of my lips as a plan unfolded in my head.

"I could sneak out after dinner and sneak back in before anyone notices and this time I will wear a proper disguise!" I blurted out. A rush of excitement flowed within me. Roderick had a soft smile on his lips as he stared at me, he was probably excited like I was.

"Will it be alright if I accompany you to the festival?"

The question left me awestruck. I stared at him, not saying a word.

"I am sorry Roderick" His face fell by my words "but. . . I can't let you come with me. If you get caught you might end up serving a worse punishment and I cannot allow you to get punished again because of me."

The sadness of his eyes ached my chest, subconsciously I stretched out my hand and rested my palm on his cheek, shock flickered in his eyes for a moment. We stayed that way for a while, no words were said but I felt a subtle change in our relationship, in what I have begun to feel for him, it was strange and something that I have never experienced both in my world and in this world. He stretched out his hand to touch mine, I quickly withdrew my hand before he could. My action startled him, I noticed the slight hurt in his eyes but I couldn't be reckless not with these strange emotions I am beginning to feel.

"I, uh. . . I have to get going!" I said in an awkward manner.

As I drew back a little I created a space between us, abruptly prior to taking the next step I lost my balance and almost fell to the ground. Roderick was quick to action, he closed the gap between us and caught me, wrapping his hand firmly and gently around my waist.

My breathing hastened as my heart drummed faster than ever in my chest. I stared at his emerald eyes, under the sunlight they were a vibrant shade of green it was livelier and pure, it possessed a kindness that could make any lady swoon, a tint of gold I never noticed enclosed the green, completing the hypnotic look. I couldn't help but get lost in them. They were mesmerizing, it felt like I was cast under their spell, a spell I wish not to break free from.

A distinct sound of footsteps drew closer to us, I regained my composure and he slowly let go of me, not looking away wearing the same concerned look he had earlier.

"Thanks!" I said slowly.

Turning on my heel, I walked off. Different emotions swirled within me, emotions that I could not comprehend.

* * * * *

"Goodnight My Lady!" Lenora said, she turned around and exited the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

A few minutes after she was gone, I jumped down from the bed and headed to my boudoir, my disguises were perfectly hidden. Quickly, I took them out and put them on. Staring at my reflection on the standing mirror I smiled, impressed by my talent I looked so unrecognizable and almost ordinary. I stashed my red hair neatly beneath the blonde wig I put on. I am so glad that wigs exists in this world and extra glad that I bought them the first time I laid my eyes on them.

Once I was ready, I quickly left the boudoir and walked into the room wearing my cloak over the wig as an added disguise.

I waited patiently by the door, listening keenly for the silence to be absolute. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door slightly as the hallway was as quiet as a snowflake. Slowly, I walked out, making sure not to produce the slightest of sound. I tiptoed across the hallway and down the stairs, and quickened my steps when I approached the door that led to the gardens.

Bit by bit, I pulled open the door, it made a slight creaking sound but it was not loud enough to attract the attention of a night guard.

I was greeted by the gentle night breeze and the sudden quietness of the night as I took a step into the outside world. Stealthily, I made my way through the garden using the hedges of flowers and trees as coverage from the guards.

Once I reached my destination, I let out a satisfactory smile. A feeling of accomplishment swelled up within me. Quickly, I pushed back the vines that covered the wall, a fulfilling smile plastered on my face. My theory was correct, Father hasn't found out about the wall. I took a leap and steadied myself on the thin edge so as not to fall, preparing to take another leap to the other side of it.

"This was not the sight I was expecting to be greeted with!".

A voice so oddly familiar echoed in the silence of the night, startling me. I looked down, bewildered! Disarrayed by his presence.

As if they were on cue, rustling noises of footsteps approached us. Quickly, I got down, grabbing his hand I pinned him to the tree whilst covering his mouth with my other hand, the movement of our feet on the dried leaves created soft crackling noises.

"Did you hear something?" A guard's voice resonated in the air.

"You must be hearing things!" His fellow guard replied "Come on, the sooner we finish our patrol the earlier we will make it to the festival!".

He gestured for his fellow guard to quicken his steps, I sucked in a breath and inched closer to him as they drew nearer, my body rested on his while our faces were only inches apart, I was ever so careful not to be seen. My gaze never tore away from them, they walked past the tree we hid behind and ventured deeper into the night.

Once the coast was clear I let out the breath that I held.

"That was close!" I said softly, my heart skipped a beat at the thought of being caught.

I would not have been nearly caught if it wasn't for him, my brows twitched with annoyance as I stared at him.

I removed my hand cautiously from his mouth, not breaking eye contact.

"What are you doing here, Your Majesty?" I inquired.