The Red Cloak Society

Chapter 10

Ciella

Ciella sat in her chambers, her fingers furiously working the thread as she embroidered a flower into the pale white fabric of a handkerchief. She mindlessly sat there, aimlessly pushing and pulling the thread. Her lady's maid stood beside the chair, watching her nervously.

"Your Highness, you should slow down before you prick yourself again."

Ciella ignored her maiden's request, as if she didn't hear it at all. Instead her fingers continued its erratic motion over the embroidery hoop. She continued that methodical sewing until she pricked her fingers. With a soft yelp, she stuck her thumb in her mouth, sucking on the little dot of blood.

"See your Highness, you must be careful."

"It's nothing serious," Ciella responded holding her thumb up, "it barely made a prick."

She moved to pick up the hoop yet again before Isabella's hand came out to stop her.

"Is this because of the captain?"

"The captain?! No! Why would I be thinking about him?!" Ciella responded defensively.

As if he's even bothered to think of me or visit me since the ball in his honor. And why did he run off like that?

You've been making all this racket these past weeks, it's getting hard to sleep in here, a voice responded to her thoughtless musings.

I hate to agree with him, but I agree, another chimed in. She ignored them both.

"I just assumed you were upset because your father stole your ally, that's all" Isabella replied, a small smile on her lips.

"Oh...yeah...that is quite frustrating."

Yes, I have a right to be mad. That's why I'm upset. How can he just abandon his oath so quickly.

"I'm sure it is, your Highness."

"And father moved his room further away."

"Yes you-"

"But he could still come and meet me if he wanted to!" Ciella shrieked abruptly, cutting her lady's maid off.

There was a knock at the door, startling both the princess and her maiden.

"Were you expecting a guest?" Isabella asked.

"No," Ciella quickly placed the embroidery hoop down, fussing with her appearance, "it's probably just the captain anyways" She cleared her throat.

"Enter."

The heavy sound of boots hitting Ciella's polished floor preceded the person's appearance. She could hear the slight swing of a sword hanging from a belt. Her eyes lit up in anticipation as her nose took in the familiar scent of earth and ale. It was a smell she would know anywhere.

"Arnie?" She called out in question. As if conjured by her voice, a man turned the corner, standing lazily in her door frame. He gave her a wide toothed smile.

"Cici"

"Arnie!" she ran over to the boy, who used to be shorter than her but now towered over her. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, hugging him. She looked up into his face, a scar marring his left eye and felt tears threatening to fall. He patted her head affectionately.

"Don't you start crying. You're terribly ugly when you cry." He said, a smile on his face.

"Your beautiful face," Ciella blubbered, tears now falling down her cheek, "I knew you should've never went out there! Now look at your face."