𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

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     Horns blew in a solemn tune that rang throughout the small town while black banners hung from store windows and black curtains were drawn on homes. The cobble-lined streets were swarmed with crowds on either side of the road that all wore the same color of black as well, each with frowns resting on their lips. News of the King's death traveled far and wide throughout the kingdoms's twelve provinces, many gathering in the central province—Denril—for the funeral procession. Four horses with a guard riding atop led the group through the village, four on the ground flanking them, then the King's casket, the royal family's carriage, and then repeated.

    (Y/N) currently was one of the two servants that walked alongside the carriage in need be of emergencies, supervised by Basile who walked ahead of them. Beside the carriage, so close to the coffin that held Kandef, she almost couldn't believe it.

    Two funerals...

    One being my Mother and now His Majesty?

    Clenching her fists tightly by her side, she tried to hide the growing anger that she felt at the world—at herself for failing to protect such people.

    I couldn't protect her, nor him...

    Not even my friends...

    Shaking off her thoughts, she focused on the assigned task in front of her—guarding the royal family against any more attacks that could very well appear. However, none came. Even when traveling to the outskirts of Denril—the place where they were at their weakest as they were the farthest from the palace—none came.

     Glancing around, she couldn't see anyone suspicious from where she stood, instead finding only mourning families with children beside them that were sometimes too young to understand the situation at hand. Her expression saddened at that, knowing that they would never be able to experience life under the deceased King. Kandef was the man that had ended oppression of many in most of the twelve provinces, along with seizing better trade routes for food and goods.

    He was good.

    Continuing to survey the crowds, she almost tripped over her feet when she spotted familiar faces, inhaling sharply.

    Is that... Leo?

    Once again, the feeling that she swore she had buried jumped up and seized the reins once more. Her heart galloped wildly in her chest the moment they locked eyes, that smile of his making her want to melt. Just as she was about to acknowledge that she had seen him, that kick start to her heart seemed to stop when spotting the woman next to him. The same woman he had been infatuated with.

    What?

    How...?

    The woman was just as she remembered with astonishing bright red hair that framed a dainty, round face, and soft green eyes inlaid in porcelain skin that one would imagine would burn if the slightest hint of sun touched it.

    She's just as breathtaking as before...

    She's... perfect.

    Hiding the pain that seized her, (Y/N) cleared her throat as softly as she could and looked away.

    Hah...

    And I thought I was over this.

    "(L/N)," Adrian suddenly called, snapping her from her turbulent mood to see that his hand was out of the carriage's window, waving her forward with a flick of his hand. "I don't feel as if you can protect me from that side." His announcement was true since Seraph sat between him and the window (Y/N) was looking through, making him continue, "Switch sides with this other servant."

    "Of course, Your Highness," she replied, grateful as it meant avoiding Leo and the woman, switching sides with the servant as Adrian commanded.

    Seraph frowned.

    Adrian notice the look.

    "Why did you do that, Brother?" Seraph then questioned, slightly irritated.

    "My servant was distracted," he responded curtly and with a cool tone, folding his arms over his chest before closing his eyes. "That is all."

    Furrowing her brow, Seraph then glanced out the window to where (Y/N) was, watching as she looked around at the crowd now that the distraction of Leo was gone from her sight. She frowned, having wanted (Y/N) to be by her window so she could perhaps converse with her, wishing for a distraction from the aching numbness she felt from her father's death. But now, only apprehension was left in its place due to the unnerving way Adrian interested with (Y/N). To Seraph, Adrian's actions were borderline possessive, in a sense.

    I thought Brother hated (M/N)... but now, something's different.

    What, though?

    "Something the matter, Sister?" Adrian's voice interrupted her train of thought, cutting through the silence, a sound akin to a startled squeak escaping her lips. "You've been staring at me for the past few seconds now, so... is there something you'd like to say to me?"

    Seraph shifted uncomfortably.

    How could he possibly know when he has his eyes closed like that?

    "No..." she murmured, her gaze now directed to the floor of the carriage. "Nothing, Brother."

    I intend to find out though, Brother...

    Your relationship with that servant...

    It's unnatural.

    "Hm... is that so?" Adrian hummed, his amber eyes flicking open to first look at Seraph before then turning to (Y/N), his mind taking him back to the previous morning.

    When he had first been pulled from slumber by her, he was expecting someone ready to kill him, not the sight he had been presented with. When staring down at her, his hands gripping her wrists, something happened within him that he couldn't quite explain: a quickened heart rate, flushed skin, and a frozen mind. Such instances were something he had yet to experience, and the moment left him thoroughly baffled.

    It honestly surprised him.

    Propping his elbow on the windowsill, the back of his hand holding up his chin, Adrian stared at (Y/N) intently, his eyes dark.

    (M/N)...

    Why do I keep thinking about you?

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