Crowned Compass ✓

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 19

I woke up, shocked to see I was wrapped in my uncle's cape.

Did yesterday really happen..?

I sat up from bed and saw myself in the mirror. My eyes were so swollen.

I wrapped my uncle's cape around me more, trying to shake my mother's death out of my head.

Adonis sat on the edge of my bed and I looked up at him.

"It was so sudden," I whispered.

He nodded.

I sniffed and let my uncle's cape fall off my shoulders, folding it neatly to put on my desk.

My mother had told us all to treat each other better, and even though there were severed ties, I'd have to make amends, and I could start that now.

Adonis watched me put on my morning gown and I smiled at him through the mirror.

His eyes didn't wander around my body as much as he mindlessly used to do. He was more worried about the expression on my face.

To wear a smile in the midst of my sadness? Was that witchery?

• • •

"Wait here for me, Adonis."

He nodded and I knocked on my uncle's already opened door. He never seemed to leave his office, especially in times like this.

He looked up from his desk, not saying a word.

His hair was cut finally, and it was much easier to see his features. Guess he really took my statement to heart.

I went over to place his cape down in front of him, "Thank you uncle, for holding me."

He blinked and I turned to walk away.

"I'd do it again."

I smiled with tears in my eyes, "I know."

He sighed, "Please don't leave. Sit. I think we both need to get the straight of things."

I nodded and pursed my lips, trying not to cry as I sat across from him.

He handed me his hanckerchief and I dabbed my silently falling tears, "Thank you."

He nodded.

We both tried to speak at the same time, and I laughed.

"I'll um...go first," he said.

I gulped and looked down at my feet.

"Eye contact, niece."

I quickly shot my head back up, and he sighed, rubbing his sleepy eyes. "I know I've been strict on you. I thought that maybe if I could just push you in the right direction, then there would be less worries in your future."

My eyes wandered to the wall behind him.

"Eye contact."

I groaned and looked back at him. I hated to look him in the eye. They were no-good scary.

"Thought we were getting better at this, princess," he shook his head and took another deep breath, "Anyways, I've realized that the right direction in my eyes, isn't the direction that you believe is right for you."

I blinked, "Uncle, I-"

He shooed my comment away, "Point being, I am truly sorry. I should not have acted as I did. I am not your father, and I cannot replace him. I haven't even done well raising my own son."

"That's not true uncle."

He rubbed his face with his hands again and sighed heavily. Did he not sleep at all last night?