Skye had already packed her trunk with the things she would need for the trip. She did the work by herself because all the maids had gone to help Lady Fiona and Lady Iona get ready with their trunks and everything they would need, and for Lord Malcolm, of course.Two large trunks – the largest there were – were meticulously cleaned of every grain of dust and carefully placed inside linen, cosmetics, dresses, and anything else the two women requested.It took several hours for the maids to get everything ready. But the sight of the full trunks satisfied Fiona and Iona, which was a relief."I will close my own trunk," Iona said imperatively, and the maid who was about to close it stepped aside. Iona walked to the trunk, smiled contentedly, and gently touched the purple silk dress.The dressmaker had come three days ago and delivered the new dress. Fortunately, Iona had caused them no further trouble, and the dressmaker had quite rightly reasoned that all had gone well only because there
Lord Malcolm's carriage went across the great gate of the King's castle the following day early in the morning. The steady sound of horses' feet pounding on the cobbled road soothed the fret of the weary passengers. After the big journey they were forced to undergo over rough roads, jolting each time the carriage fell into potholes was a great relief to all, and the view from the carriage windows rewarded them.The road to the castle door was amidst a lush green landscape of various trees, fruit-bearing and not, and colorful, fantastic gardens. Skye caught sight of a round wooden gazebo and thought it would be a great treat if she had the chance to take her tea there and enjoy the lovely view while reading a book, or better yet, she could paint the garden or part of it.There were so many flowers, and as if they had made a secret agreement, they mixed their various scents to create a unique blend.Skye opened the window a crack and closed her eyes as she took deep breaths, enjoying th
"Why did you lie to Aunt Fiona?" Skye asked Talisha as they walked through the corridors, enrooted to their destination."Though I have only seen and spoken to your aunt the times I have come to the castle for you, I have learned a good deal about her, and I am almost certain that if I revealed to her where I was going to take you, she would seek to take Iona the accommodation I have for you. If she did that, I couldn't avoid it, and I couldn't refuse her either. So I thought of this solution.She would never claim a storeroom for her daughter no matter how beautifully I had made it, would she?'Skye put her hand in front of her mouth and giggled. "That's right," she replied."So if they ask you, don't tell them the truth. Tell them about the storeroom, okay?'"I don't think they'll ask me, but if they do, I'll tell them about storeroom." Skye assured her."Very well," Talisha said, letting out a deep, gratifying sigh, "Also, I didn't mention in front of them about the dress that Alba
Talisha walked up to Hector and put her hand on his shoulder. "Please forgive me, Hector. I didn't want to raise my tone. See, the desperation I was feeling broke out without me realizing it. I can't get out of my mind that Skye got such joy from curtains, sunlight, and a soft bed. All these are granted here." "I understand how you feel about this and I don't mind," he comforted her with a brief touch on her hand. Talisha nodded gratefully and wiped her nose. Her gaze fell on the jumbled bedding on the couch. "Didn't you sleep well last night?" she asked him. "In the condition I see the couch, it looks like you were tossing and turning in your sleep all night." Hector didn't deny it. "I wonder why. Since you had sent your men to follow them unseen throughout their journey here. Skye was completely safe." "I know. That's not why I stayed up most of the night." "What was the reason then?" Hector smirked. "It may sound silly to you, but I couldn't sleep knowing Skye was on her w
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Skye looked at Talisha."I haven't invited anyone else," Talisha signified. One of the maids went to open it, and a maid came in hotfoot; she was panting.Skye took a closer look at her and recognized the maid who had come out of her chamber with the buckets a few hours ago."What is it, Deidra?" Talisha asked her."Lady Fiona sent me," she answered breathlessly, "She wants to know about Lady Skye. If she's ready. They are waiting for her."Talisha's eyebrows rose. "Really? They waiting for her? That's something new."The maid nodded. "Yes, that's what told me and ordered me to come immediately."Talisha looked at Skye, who swallowed hard like she was worried about something. She approached her."What's going on, Skye? I was surprised to hear that too but you seem worried. Why?"Skye leaned closer to Talisha's ear. "Aunt Fiona is waiting for me to see me wear the dress she chose for me," she whispered."Oh! That's right. I had forgot
Oh! That was a slight relief!The uncle meant the King's son, not the King himself. Although the King's son being there next to her wasn't the most rational thing in the world.Skye was so embarrassed she couldn't turn to look at him. Instead, she laid her eyes on Fiona and her reaction.Fiona's eyes widened and, for a while, went completely still, but she quickly recovered. "Your Highness," she said, bowing deeply."Um...You don't look like a prince at all," Iona said cheekily before her father could shut her up again."Please excuse us, Your Highness," Malcolm said. Sweat was starting to glisten on his forehead."Malcolm, can you take your family and go out with the rest of the quests? And you, little mean-spirited," he addressed Iona. "I don't care what you say about me, but next time watch your actions and your words to anyone else, or you will end up in one of our dungeons."Iona's eyes widened as she placed the trembling fingertips against her open mouth."Let's go," Malcolm ur
Skye felt that pleasant shiver run up her spine again at his touch."What's the matter? Oh, forgive me, Your Highness. I almost made such a mistake," she said, giving him a clumsy bowing in her rush, but also because Hector hadn't released her from his hold. He gently pulled her back to him. "No, no, you didn't do anything wrong. I have no intention of leaving you alone and don't want you to go back to your uncle's family either. I am considering a better companionship for you. Just give me a moment," he told her, and Skye felt a weight leave her chest. It was a fact that she didn't want to return to Fiona and Iona, but to be alone wasn't a choice, even though she would prefer it.Hector scanned through the crowd until he found what he was looking for.At one point, a girl in the background looked towards them and greeted them from afar with a wave of her hand.Hector signaled her with his hand to come closer, and the girl immediately obeyed.The closer she got to them, her blurred d
WHAT??Skye inhaled sharply, putting her hand in front of her mouth to muffle the scream that reached the edge of her lips.What had just happened? Did the promulgator just say her own name, or had she misheard?How could it be possible?Her eyes got wide, and she turned to look at Eithne.Eithne looked at her. Her mouth was opened, and her eyebrows raised.Skye shook her head. "Promulgator can't possibly mean me. There will definitely be another girl with the same name, and now she'll be heading for the last empty seat. I'm sure you'll see.” Skye said, feeling hopes rekindle within her.She looked around for the girl who belonged to the last front seat already coming to take her place, but no girl had gotten up. Her gaze accidentally fell on Fiona and Iona, sitting a few rows up and to the right. The smirk of satisfaction on Fiona's face confused her in contrast to Iona's expression as she looked at her with pursed lips and a flushed face.Skye couldn't tell, but she was sure Iona wo