Beauty and her Beast (Nokto)

~Chapter 4, Part 3~

Sariel: Where are you going? 

Nokto: To see a woman. 

It was the same answer Nokto always gave, and Sariel had lost count of how many times he'd heard it. 

Sariel: The jester has a part to play, does he? 

Sariel turned and watched until Nokto had vanished around a corner, his eyes narrowed, his expression dark. 

***

I didn't want to believe Nokto's words, but I headed out into the garden in search of Chevalier all the same. (I mean, it's not like I had any other clues left to go on, but... just once. I wanted you to be telling the truth, Nokto. But I can't see him anywhere. Which means you lied to me. Again.) I could almost hear his delighted laughter in my mind, and I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to banish it. (Why am I even surprised?)

Veronica: I'm so done with you! 

I spun around, ready to stalk back to the palace and do something, anything, that didn't involve Nokto. But a moment later my foot caught against something solid on the ground, and the next thing I knew, I was falling. I winced as I landed on my hands and knees, and at the same moment, someone pushed themselves up into a sitting position next to me. 

Veronica: Waah-Luke?! 

Luke: Veronica? Are you okay? 

Veronica: I'm fine, but-was that you I just kicked? I'm so sorry, I didn't even see you there!

Luke: Oh, don't worry, I was just taking a nap. I mean, it's such a nice day, and Sariel never seems to find me out here. You should try it sometime. 

Luke yawned, rubbing his face, and it was only then that I realized there were small birds nestled in his hair and on his shoulders. (I feel like I just stumbled into another fairy tale. Are you like, the friendly bear in the woods or something?)

Luke: Were you out here getting some fresh air?

Veronica: Well, I was looking for Prince Chevalier actually... but I can't find him anywhere. 

Luke: I'm pretty sure Chevie's out on patrol. 

Veronica: Oh, right. Damn, I was hoping I could ask him a few questions. 

Luke: As Belle, you mean? I know I'm no Chevie, but you can ask me stuff too, if you want. 

Luke smiled gently at me, folding his legs under him, and one of the birds on his head seemed to wink at me. (Hang on a minute-If you know that Chevalier isn't here, then Nokto probably knows that too.) I wondered suddenly if Nokto had sent me out here to find Luke instead. (I thought you'd lied to me, but... wait, no, I'm not going to wonder about that right now. It still doesn't change anything.)

Veronica: Thanks, Luke. If you really don't mind, I'd love to ask you a few questions. 

I firmly pushed aside all thoughts of Nokto, and settled into a more comfortable position on the soft grass next to Luke. 

Luke: Sure thing, ask away. Although, I haven't been here that long, so I don't know much about all this royal stuff yet. 

Veronica: Wait, what do you mean, you haven't been here long?