The Swan Princess & The Swan Princess 2

Chapter Two

My eyes did little to hide my shock at the blatant fact that Grant was wide awake, as if he had been since I left, sitting on the edge of the massive bed we shared. Hair tussled, scowl lines littering his forehead and deeply angry eyes. It was as it his gaze would slice me down the middle with his disappointment. 

"I guess you have something you'd like to share with the group, Alivia? It's nearly morning, where have you been?" I felt a lump suddenly form in my mouth, refusing to answer. How was it I didn't fear death, but the sight of this man mad at me send chills down my spine. Not good ones either.

"Well?" He stood to tower above me, his hands clenching and unclenching. "I've been waiting here for nearly three hours and you've yet to show before the sun!" His voice was loudly reverberating in my head, and most likely awoke the rest of the castle.

"I-I" I started to explain myself but right when I was going to, a lick of courage swept through me.

"Wherever I wanted to be, Grant." I side swept his close presence, moving like water to the window that early morning sunlight now beamed through. I could hear his breath quickening, as his anger built with it.

"No, Alivia. You're not allowed to do this. I spent months, wondering where you were to find you trapped under an evil warlock's spell--and here you are, telling me you run off disappearing in the night for hours and you don't have the audacity to tell me--your husband, your KING where you are?" I watched through the window, my arms covering myself with my night gown, watching the early work down at the courtyard. I knew he was watching me, searching me for answers and I was so happy to provide them.

"It's not like I don't know what I'm doing. I've done it before." 
"What?" 

"How many times can you reiterate that word Grant? Yes, I've taken a night-time stroll before." He ignored my jab at his insensate need to say 'what' every time he didn't understand what was said and instead used the moment to prepare for the day. 

"I clear my head, sleep doesn't come easy to me as it used too. I'm not trying to worry you Grant, I just need moments alone and it seems the best time is before sunrise, or even the middle of the night." Grant paused as he started to put on his tunic, a beautiful one that was deep brown and had a deep blue woven in strands around the border.

"Why don't you just tell me? I won't be mad if you take a walk. I just worry Alivia. You do realize everyone thought me the 'Mad Prince' because of my mentioning The Great Animal and that there was hope you could still be alive? You turning into a bird didn't just affect you." 

Oh. Oh, I see. I could feel any sort of calm, tranquility from my night walk slip through my fingers faster than sand in an hour glass. "Oh, it didn't just affect me did it? I had no idea that the death of my father, a King of Liversteam would only affect me! Dare I say Grant, sometimes you don't think before you speak. A trait unbecoming of a King." 

I didn't need to turn around to know he was staring--no, glaring daggers into my spine. Without another word he hurriedly put on his pants and grabbed his sword and was out of the door faster than a rat. 

Taking a feathered pillow and throwing it at the door, was rather childish but I allowed the moment to myself and watched satisfied at the thousands of feathers that exploded from inside the pillow. 

Then, feeling guilty for making such a mess, I hurriedly gathered a pot and began filling the pot with the feathers that made their way around the room. Quick to realize how much I hated feather pillows--feather anything really.

~Later that day~

Breakfast, was rather awkward to say the least. Turns out Grant had explained to Roger, his old tutor and now the tutor of little Derek, about my nighttime routines. Which he then told Eugenia, who told Emma and now the whole table just watched me as I ate. I could tell they thought I was back to being the fragile child they all watched grow up. The one who was desperate for Grant and Brandin to adore.