An Unlikely Pair

Chapter XVI

Day 4

Prince Andrew

"Margaret? What are you doing up so early?" I asked.

"We won't be able to spend any time with each other today," She answered.

"It's like you to want to break the rules," I responded.

She chuckled once and said, "Yeah. I'm such a rule breaker. Now let's go do what we said yesterday," I reached my hand to her and she gracefully took it. We ran to the archery range and started shooting our bows. After shooting bows for half an hour, we set our bows down onto our laps and sat on the steps that led down to the targets. "Do you know what's so charming about you?" I asked.

"No," She said, "What?"

"You can't imagine how charming you were when I first met you. Your spunk, your beauty, the magic you have. You've gotten so much more comfortable being here," I said, "I love how you can just be yourself,"

"Thanks. I think you also have charm, in your own way," She teased back.

"In what way?" I asked.

"The way you always seem to mess with your cuffs whenever you're nervous," She said with a smile.

"You noticed that?!" I said in a hushed tone.

She laughed and said, "Yes. I noticed it a while ago. You must a lot of torn sleeves,"

"Yes, I do. I need a new coat every few months," I said.

"Do you think you'll ever get over it?" She asked.

"No, I don't think so," I said, "At least not until I have a better way to cope with my anxiety,"

She set her bow down on the step and slid over to me and leaned her shoulder on mine. "I would lean my head on your shoulder but," She gestured up at the top of her head, "My horns," We sat in silence for a while until Margaret spoke, "I want to tell you something. It's not important, I just wanted to tell you,"

Anything you say is important. I thought before saying, "Yes? What is it?"

"Sharah told me I should tell you. My name is actually Janler," She said.

"Why wouldn't that be important?" I asked.

"I don't know. I've never felt connected to the name," She said.

"Well, I think it's beautiful," I said, then I looked down at her face. Her cheeks had wet streaks on them and there was a small smile on her face.

"Thank you," She squeaked.

"Well it's about that time. We should get going to breakfast," I said.

"Right," She stopped leaning on me. I stood up and helped her up. We put our gear back and walked to the dining hall. She walked in first and I walked back to my room to freshen up. I picked out a comfy set of clothes. Then, I went to the water basin to splash my face with water and clean my face and hands. There were three knocks at the door. "Come in!" I called out to the door. Colette came in with Gray following behind her. She closed the door behind them as I dried my face with the hand towel.

"You two have been getting along well," Colette said.

"Yes, we have. Every interaction, every conversation, I just love her more," I said, drying my hands with the hand towel, folded neatly next to the basin.

"I'm glad. If you're done washing your face and hands, here's your shirt," Colette said.

"Thank you," I said, taking off my shirt and putting on the fresh shirt in Colette's hands. She took the shirt that I had taken off. After taking off my pants, I took the fresh pants from Cole and put them on. I brushed my hair and looked in the mirror. Some stubble. I thought, I'll have to shave soon. I put on clean boots and went downstairs to the dining hall. Once inside, I saw Duke Kaelde sitting beside Margaret. The thought of them spending an entire day together sickened me to the core.