Crowned Compass ✓

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 9

It had been two days since then, and all I did was roam around the castle with Adonis.

He'd teach me sign language, and I'd help him work on his handwriting.

He had such a way of speaking to my heart even though he could not verbally express to me.

"Your lower case a's need much help, Adonis," I sighed. He nodded in agreement.

I had dropped the Sir in front of his name, simply because he had asked me to. He thought of me as a companion, and honestly, I called him a friend too.

Why were people so afraid of this gentle person? He was so warm inside, despite his intimidating looks.

I guided Adonis's hand to perfect the tail on the a, and clapped when he got it right. "It looks great! I can actually read it."

He nodded, watching a bee land on a sunflower.

We both were laying on our stomachs in the grass of the rose garden. He enjoyed nature so much, and I couldn't blame him. It was so peaceful.

"Whoa whoa whoa, hold up now," I heard someone say, and I looked up to see my brother.

"What is this?" Enrian bent over and rubbed his eyes, "Are you enjoying the presence of another man?!"

I threw a pencil at his face, "Shut up, En!"

He shook his head, placing a hand to his chest, "What if that hit my eye, sis? I could have died."

"Wish it did hit your eye," I mumbled.

"Awww," he pouted mockingly and started walking weirdly, spreading his arms as he puckered his lips.

"Hell no spider ass. Do n-"

He tackled me and planted a gooey kiss to my cheek, and I kicked him in his stomach.

He grunted and fell back, "O-okay. Won't do that shit ever again."

Adonis watched the both of us fuss.

"Why you even here anyway doo doo head?"

Enrian sat up and pointed at my forehead, "Doo doo head? Have you seen your whopper head?!"

I clenched my fists and remembered what Gloria had taught me.

In through the nose...
Out through the mouth...

"Are you meditatin'?"

"I'm really about to smack the sh-"

"Why is it when I see you two together, you are always arguing?" My father walked up and asked, Uvin beside him.

We both quickly got stiff.

He sighed, "Lessi, come with me. Adonis, you stay."

My eyes widened and I looked back at Adonis.

He only nodded.

I bowed and stood up, "Yes, father."

• • •

My father lit a candle and opened the squeaking door to the basement.

I walked down the fifty steep stairs, and when I approached the room, I was accompanied by a bunch of dust and worn out tables and books.

My father grabbed a box that was hidden under a large cobweb.

"Gross," I mumbled.

He laughed a little, "Indeed it is."

He blew the dust off of a table before setting the box down and opening it.

"Still as beautiful as ever," he smiled to himself.

I walked up to him to see he was looking at a gold trinket.

"It's a simple compass..." I said in confusion.

"It's not simple, Lessi. This compass has been passed down from generation to generation in our royal name. It has been said to lead many towards victory, directing one's path of destiny."

He took it out of the box and placed it into my palm.

"Why are you giving it to me father? You and mother still have so much life left to go."

"That is the thing, Lessi. We do not know how long we'll live."

I felt tears swell in my eyes, "What..."

"The person who holds the compass must possess much faith in the future that awaits them. No one has as much hope as you do."

I looked down. "Father, this feels so special. I'm not sure if I can take this."

"Don't lose your faith now," he smiled and tilted my chin up, "my butterfly always finds a way to glide, even in the midst of harsh winds. Doesn't she?"

I giggled, "Yeah."

He wrapped me in his arms and rocked side to side, "You're growing up so fast on me. I think I might cry."

I rolled my eyes, "Please don't. I'll get second-hand embarrassment."

He pulled away and laughed, "So much like your mother when she was younger."

"Really?" I asked, surprised.

He sighed, "Goodness yes. She didn't want to go through this whole arrangement either. In fact, she hated my guts and was going to be with my dimwitted brother."

I snorted.

"He was strong, and I was lanky at the time. I hadn't had my life together. I was simply a spoiled prince. Yet somewhere along the way, we found each other falling in love. We would chase after stars, bake together, paint, and talk about our dreams..."

He stopped for a moment and smiled at the thought of my mother, "She had so much hope and beauty about her that she made me a changed man."

"What changed?" I asked him curiously.

"My heart," he shrugged. "I decided to follow it."

• • •

I held the compass close to my chest as I looked at the three men in the garden.

I saw Uvin trying his hardest not to blush as Enrian elbowed his arm, talking about anything and everything. Adonis, of course, was just sitting there.

They all looked up at me when I approached.

"The hell is that?" Enrian asked.

"A compass," I smiled.

"Lucky, dad giving you gifts already. Was it the gushy daddy-daughter talk? Did he call you butterfly?"

I gagged, "Yes."

"Of course," he rolled his eyes. "Why a compass of all things though?"

I looked over at Adonis who was just staring holes into my soul.

That evening in the library...he had told me that I was his compass. That he would follow me, no matter the path I take.

I was destined for something. I could feel it. I could smell my purpose.

"On the day of the ball, I'll be running away as a knight," I said, looking up at the clouds.

"Will you all join me, or be left behind?"