The lion and the witch

~Chapter 5: Gardens and Pots~

~Rhian's POV~

As ridiculous it had seen at first, Rhian somehow, as if by a miracle, had gotten Sophie to do her duties as a princess, and it seemed like she was doing them willingly too.

She had only rested at Camelot for a couple days, and yet she was already beginning to play her role as Camelot's soon-to-be queen.

Whether it was because his brother was away during that time, or she had actually began to see him as the better king, Rhian didn't know.

Speaking of his twin, Japeth had written to him reporting that he and Kei would return back to Camelot that night with intel on the rebels' location.

Until then, Rhian had to organise Sophie for the blessing, which was taking place the day after.

Maids passed him throughout the halls, some kind enough to bid him a good day, but Rhian had only the one goal to fetch Sophie from her chambers.

It hadn't taken him long to finally reach them, standing outside of a beautifully gilded-carved wooden door.

He softly knocked, awaiting a quick response.

At first, his wish wasn't granted, only to be greeted by the silence he was so fondly used to.
It seemed like an eternity before Rhian heard the soft patter of feet against the wooden tiles behind the door. In fact, it had seemed so long he was beginning to debate on leaving.
Finally, a bundle of golden hair peeked through the open crack, curious yet tired emerald eyes glaring at their captive.
Sophie immediately put in the effort to try and create an eager and dedicated smile, except it ended up simpering and nervous, as if she didn't want to be one to be found. 

Rhian warmly grinned at her, regardless of how much warmth was truly behind Sophie's smirk.
"I perhaps I should say "good morning" given that I haven't seen you all day, but apologies are in order if I remind you it's well past noon," he said, trying to make small talk between them. He noted her smile vanishing almost as quick as it had appeared, her head turning to gaze out the open window behind her, gawking at the afternoon sunlight.

Sophie swivelled back to Rhian and shamefully hung her head low, a somewhat chuckle leaving her. "Forgive me, I haven't received a lot of sleep last night, and I was trying to fill in for those hours this morning."
Rhian immediately turned apologetic, and she waved a hand, dismissing his sympathy with a soft laugh. "Don't worry, it was about time I had to get out of bed anyways."

True to her word, Rhian could see how exhausted she looked from the night before, the deep greyish bags under her cat-like eyes explaining everything.
He cleared his throat and shyly grinned. "I hope you know by now we have the blessing tomorrow."

Some could call him a fool for thinking Sophie flinched the tiniest bit at his words, but she nodded either way, playing it off with another foolish grin.
Rhian tensed, and slowly looked away. "I was wondering if you wanted to check up on everything we had booked for the festivities tomorrow."
Memories came flooding in his head as he remembered the deep conversations he and Sophie had narrowed into whilst browsing through catalogs and books full of decorations for the day, but he shrugged them off, waiting for an answer in the reality sort of things.

His fiancée grinned, and she gingerly nodded her head. "Of course, I have nothing better to do anyways."
And with that, he bowed his head and held the door open for her. He caught her deliver him a small smile as she gracefully walked outside the chambers, waiting for him whilst Rhian closed the door behind them.

He caught her glimpsing at the guards whom were more frantic than usual, dashing in front of the surprised maids trying to carry on with their day.

Sophie turned to Rhian. "Is there some sort of search party that I am unaware of? Why does everyone seem so much more hyper than usual?"