𝐼𝑁𝑁𝑂𝐶𝐸𝑁𝐶𝐸 𝐿𝑂𝑆𝑇 // 𝐴. 𝐷𝐸 𝑅𝑈𝑁𝐸

𝐼

| I: The Forest |

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Marion groaned as Amicia shook her shoulder's, the day was still fresh, yet somehow the latter had managed to fully dress herself. The short haired girl shoved her face into one of her companions' feather-stuffed pillows; Marion was known for not being an early bird.

"Wake up, Ma Chevalier, my father will be upset if we are late!" Amicia pulled the thick blankets off of Marion's frame once she realized that shaking the girl would do nothing.

Marion groaned again, and sat up.

"Surely the animals will still be in the forest if we don't leave before the sun has fully risen." Marion complained, and rubbed her eyes.

Amicia playfulled rolled her eyes, before she gently threaded her fingers through Marions dark, messy bedhead. Marion's round cheeks began to glow a gentle pink hue at the contact, and she subconsciously leaned into her companion's touch.

"You will be fine." Amicia affirmed, before she retracted her hand, and urged Marion to get up.

"Maintenant, lève-toi!"

Marion sighed, and stood up. She stretched her body, hearing a quiet 'pop' as she arched her back. The sound of Marion's childish whine traveled through the room; she knew how immature she was being. The dark-haired girl closed her eyes, and leaned her head on Amicia's shoulder.

Amicia wrapped her arms around her companion, with a small smile.

"You have to get dressed, you cannot ride in your chemise." Amicia said softly, and gently placed one of her hands on the back of Marion's head.

Marion sighed, "Actually, I'd quite like to stay like this." Her voice was muffled by Amicia's clothed shoulder.

After Marion had finally wiped the sleep from her eyes, and dressed herself, she walked out to the stable with Amicia. It was a good day, the sun was out, and there were no clouds in the sky. Yet Marion couldn't quell the odd feeling of dread in her belly, she was on edge; it was as if she was waiting for something to go wrong.

As they entered the gate out to the stable, Lord Robert was already mounted atop his horse. Two other's, Amicia's gray mare, and a bay stallion with a white blase were being held by her father. Marion smiled when she saw the stallion, he was her favorite amongst all of De Rune's horses.

"Merci, mon Père." Marion thanked her father, as she took the destrier's reins from his hand.

She quickly put her foot into the stirrup, and skillfully lifted herself onto the destrier's back. She smiled over to Lord Robert, before looking down at Amicia.

"Need help, Princesse?" Marion teased, as she gently patted the stallion's neck.

Amicia playfully rolled her eyes, before she mounted the gray horse.