famously unfamous (alternate) | jaron artolius eckbert iii

Three

Not long after Sage left, I excused myself to my room. There was no one gathered at the door, though Cleo waited for me.

"Are you going to climb tonight?" she asked quietly.

I shook my head. "I'm going to go through the secret passages. Will you join me?"

"Not tonight. I will stand guard, though, if you'd like."

"Thank you."

We walked in silence to my room after that. I saw Sage and Mott sparring in the arena, then they faded from sight. I turned my gaze away as Cleo attempted to reignite conversation.

"You seemed interested in Sage at dinner tonight," she tried.

"He reminds me a bit too much of Jaron," I murmured. "Doesn't he?"

"Perhaps."

"Oh, Cleo, you must give me better than that."

"I'm sorry," she sighed. "I just... I'm just two years older than you."

"And you have clearer memories of us as we grew up. Doesn't he?"

"When you two speak, it's very reminiscent."

I nodded. "Alright. But Errol! Have you spoken to him about —"

"Shh-hh!"

I snickered at her reaction.

"He's right there!"

Errol smiled at us as we passed by. "Good evening, ladies."

"Errol," we greeted in unison.

He lifted his fingers in a wave and Cleo and I continued on.

"He enjoys your presence. He's gone out of his way to help you clean — and he's not even technically supposed to do that. He washes clothes, fixes the beds, does the more personal things."

"Charlie!"

"Cleo!" I mocked. I popped off my shoes, carrying them in my fingers. "You must see it!"

"Be quiet!"

I smiled at her as she pushed open my bedroom door.

Once she had closed the door tightly, she sighed. "Charlie, I just..."

"I know," I told her gently. "Hey, my father still doesn't know that Jaron was my first kiss. By the devil, he still doesn't know I've ever had my first kiss in the first place!"

She cringed. "Fair."

Cleo nudged me aside and dug out my pink nightgown. It was ankle length, and the top of it was all lacy.

I gave her a look, as she knew that it was my least favorite nightgown.

She rolled her eyes at me, helping me out of my dress and lifting the nightgown over my head. I slipped my arms through, then pushed the secret door in my room open.

"Do not let anyone in," I warned her. "No one can know."

She nodded. "I know."

I combed out my hair, then ducked into the passageway. Quietly, I crept through the house, searching for the boys' room. I never found them that night, instead falling asleep as soon as I exited the passage.

✨🕊️✨

I woke up in my bed, Cleo bustling around me, trying to get everything together. The door was closed and the sky was still dark.

"Charlie, go back to sleep," she hissed.

I rolled over, returning to sleep.

✨🕊️✨

"Mama!" I cheered. "Look! I... Mama, what happened?"

Mama lay on the floor of her's and Papa's room, unable to get up. Alessia kept trying to get her to her feet, though neither woman could get her up.

"Leta, darling?" Mama gasped. "Could you go get your Papa?"

I spun around, bolting for Papa's office. "Papa!" I screamed, throwing the door open. He and another regent leapt to their feet, surprised. "Mama can't get up!"

He turned to the other regent. "I'm sorry. Please excuse me."

He followed me out into the hallway and I shucked my shoes to better run to Mama. Papa followed me close behind as I led him to their bedroom, skidding to Mama's side. She was burning up and dangerously pale.

"Sofia?" Papa asked.

She groaned in response. He fell to his knees in front of her, barking at Alessia to find a doctor and quick.

That was the start of her decline and our problems. I missed her greatly, and couldn't imagine not looking for her presence in this house. It didn't feel like home anymore. It just didn't.

Mama made it home.

✨🕊️✨

So as you can see, I got writers block, but it's alright, because I'll fight my through it.