the cold duke : derrick eckhart

fourteen

You continued walking through the same trees, the flags were now i different color meaning that the animals in the area were no longer the small ones. Your body began to tremble as you were now fearful of anything that was in the woods.

Suddenly you could head a low mutter of an animal. Holding the sword closer to you, you took a few steps back making sure to not make any noise. In the silence you could hear your heart pounding as the leaves continued to growl.

The unknown animal lunged at you forcing you to close your eyes and drop the sword. Nothing happened. Slowly you opened your eyes as the animal dropped dead on the floor. You let out a sigh of relief as you sunk to the floor.

Your eyes locked with Derrick, it wasn't the usual cold look he always wore, his eyes were wide and full of concern. Quickly getting up you ran to him wrapping your arms around him as he ran his hand through your hair. "I was scared" you lowly whisper looking at the dead wild pig. He picked you up and placed you on his horse, "i want to scold you for even entering the hunting grounds" he says looking into your eyes. "But I'm just glad you're not hurt" he says mounting the horse. Smiling to yourself you wrapped your hands around his waist leaning your head against his back.

"Aren't you going to tell me why you're out here" he begins to question. "I wanted to accompany Penelope" you dryly respond holding him tighter as the horse quickens his face. It seemed as he had noticed so he slowed down, "with a sword twice your size?" You give him a dry laugh. "I figured that with a big weapon I would look more intimidating" he laughed.

You peeked at his expression, his face was soft and he had a smile on his face. "If you wanted to hunt you could have told me before hand" he says coming to a complete stop. He got off the horse and quietly took out another animal.

His messy hair made him more attractive, he walked back to you. "I noticed you didn't have a gift for me" he says teasingly as he gets back on the horse this time you were in front of him. "I thought that you didn't need one, since all the other girls were giving you gifts" seeing his sullen expression it was clear that he wanted a gift from you.

You look back at him, "I did get you one" you tell him as tries his best to hide a smile. "Can I see it" he asks leaning down closer to you. You could feel his hot breath on your neck. You suddenly felt bold, "of course Mr. Eckhart but it comes with a price" he lifted one eyebrow curious as to what was coming next. "I must pay for my gift?" He asks. You nod putting a finger on your lips, "Since the gift is pretty expensive, this will cost you five kisses" this was pretty bold you admit.

The horse comes to a stop, he presses his lips against yours as you quickly kiss him back. You both moved in synch, it was clearly more than five kisses. He finally pulled away and took the gift from your hands. It was an amulet the color of his eyes, "it has mana magic it's meant to protect you" you shyly say. He plants a kiss on your forehead, "Elianna I love you" it came so suddenly that you didn't know how to react.

To prevent it from being awkward you pulled him in for a kiss, "I love you too" he smiled against your lips as the horse began to move again. Reynold soon joined him, "I heard the prince killed a bear, we lost" he tells him. He looks at you and back at his brother, "seems to me you didn't have an interest in winning" he says pointing at Derrick's face. His mouth was covered in lipstick, you cover his mouth as other nobles begin to surround. Derrick pulled your arm down forcing you to look straight ahead.

Both of you passed by Evie who had a rabbit in her hands, "Ellie did you get a kill?" She asks showing off her rabbit to Derrick. "No," she smiles big walking up to the horse. "So I win big sis" she says. You take off your bracelet and toss it to her, "your price" her face falls. "This wasn't what we agreed in" she says looking at Derrick. "We never agreed on anything" you tell your sister looking straight ahead.

Derrick laces his arm around your waist for everyone to see, "I want your necklace" you look down at the necklace. Before you replied Derrick gave his command to the horse to move.  Anothe noble soon joined, "Little Duke the Duke is looking for you, it seems like the lady got herself in trouble" he whispers. Derrick's facial expression changed as he wiped off the lipstick from his lips, "I'll make sure you mark me again" he whispers as the two of you make way to the Duke.

Upon arrival there were bodies scattered along a pathway, you couldn't help but wonder if Penelope was okay. "Reynold look for Penelope" The duke asks his son who turns his horse around. "Lady Elianna have you seen Penelope?" The duke asks you. "We were in the hunting grounds where the small critters are, but I got lost" The duke tries to hide his grimace but yiu could tell he was upset.

Soon it was discovered that a bunch of nobles were found on the ground unable to remember anything. You could tell it was Penelope's doing she was the only one with mana beads that could do that. Everyone was in an uproar, guards were frantically looking for her everywhere as they were claiming that she was involved in an attempted attack on the prince.

You are your sister were left alone, while everyone else began to search. "What happened to us?" She breaks the silence as you glanced up at her. "Ellie we used to be so close, why is there a wall between us?" She asks trying to get closer to you. Before you had the chance to say anything Reynold popped in, "Elianna this is bad" he says taking your hand and leading you in the opposite way. Both of you stopped and crouched down a nearby bush, "mind telling me what's going on?" He sighs sitting down wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Penelope is going to be arrested and put on trial," your heart dropped as you too sat down next to him. There was no doubt in your mind that she would do something this like this, she was clearly innocent. She had to be.

"Do you think she did this?" You asked the pink haired boy. He scoffs, "no, Penelope may be crazy, but she's not crazy enough to try and kill Callisto" he says. His gaze then turns to you as he gives you a sad look, "and here's even worse news, Derrick doesn't know this yet" he says. From his expression you could tell this wasn't going to look good, "the empress wants to arrest you" your gaze falters as you look at him in shock. They couldn't be serious you wondered, "Young Duchess Eckhart?" You heard your name being called as you and Reynold peeked in. The royal guards were looking for you.

Reynold suddenly held your hand that you hadn't realized was shaking.

The rain was falling hard as you and Reynold were drenched in water.

"ELIANNA ROSE YOU ARE ARRESTED FOR CONSPIRING THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF PRINCE CALLISTO"

Penelope's thoughts

Hell with this game I won't die like this. It's strange that these guys are attempting to murder the prince with so many people around. How could it possibly not had been noticed by those around us.

Callisto is pretty good at keeping me safe, why is he even doing this.

This cave is so dark and cold.

Thank you for reading, so sorry for the delayed update had writer's block.