Gazing At The Moon

Chapter 1

The milky morning sun shines light onto the dew-covered balcony wall, and on the garden just beneath, shrouded in a misty haze. Water drips onto the stone from the vines above. Bigger plants let trickles of water fall to the stone floor, creating a little puddle. The glass doors are parted, letting the cool breeze blow into the room. The silken curtains sway ever so gently with the wind.

The room, pristine as it is, glitters in the sunlight. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling softly 'rings' as the wind makes its crystal pendants move about. The painting hanging on the wall is slowly revealed as the sun chases away the darkness. It's a family portrait. The bed, large and hidden by sheer light blue canopy curtains, is occupied. The figure sleeping there shifts upon feeling the breeze in her face.

Her dark eyes open slowly, gazing at the open glass doors from a crack in the curtains. The sun hits her eyes and she turns away with a sigh.

Just then, there's a small knock on the door. She sits up. "Come in."

It's Sir Abel, right on time. "My Lady," He bows. "Your maids have come to dress you."

She nods simply, and the knight exits the room, presumably to wait by the door, and as he does three maids swiftly enter the room.

"Good morning, Princess Amaryllis."

"I hope you slept well."

"I'll close the doors for you," The third maid says, but Amaryllis holds up her hand to say 'No need.' Instantly, the maid nods and returns to her side. The princess gets off the bed, silent as usual. The maids are quick in their actions, finding a dress from her wardrobe and pulling away her nightgown. Her eyes are distant as she wonders.

It has only been a week since Abel was assigned to her. He's hard-working, kind and loyal, but it's too early to determine anything else. There's undoubtedly more to him. The only time Amaryllis got to see his face was when he took off the helmet in front of the King and Queen. She was surprised at how fair he looked. But ever since then, he's kept his helmet on. Most knights only wear their helmet when they're outside, which is why she finds this odd.

So far, everything has been good, albeit businesslike. She doesn't mind.

"There we go, Lady." She is now fully dressed, in a long dark blue gown. She sweeps her hair over her shoulders.

"It is time for breakfast, Sir Abel shall escort you."

Amaryllis nods and leaves her bedroom, the maids following shortly after. They leave down the hall, and Sir Abel bows.

"Good morning."

Once again, she nods.

"Your parents are waiting for you in the dining hall," He says.

The walk there is quiet. The halls are painted white with a few trickles of blue. The carpet and the curtains are blue, as are most of the doors. Most of Amaryllis's life has been blue and white, having been raised here. She quietly listens to the sounds Abel's armour makes as he follows her. A few servants whisper to each other as they pass by.

"The new knight showed up out of nowhere, huh?"

"I've never seen him before, but the King seemed to be fond of him..."

"Why doesn't he take off the helmet?"

Amaryllis pretends she doesn't hear it. Once the two of them reach the dining hall, the doormen let them in.

"Amaryllis, my darling, you look beautiful." Her mother, the Queen, says upon seeing her. "Come join us."

And, she does. Abel stands a small distance away from her chair, along with the other guards and servants. The three royals begin eating their breakfast.

The princess bites into a soft bun, glancing out of the large windows.

There's a soft patter of rain, along with mist that you can barely see through. The plants in the gardens are nearly hidden from view. She notices the gardeners, walking by the window- probably to hide from the rain under the ledge of the roof. They pay the dining hall no mind. Amaryllis looks at the sky. It's all grey, but with various darker clouds mixed in. Her parents always grumble and complain with this kind of weather, but she enjoys it. The air outside is always fresh.

"Are there any plans for today?" Her mother asks her father.

"Yes, I have quite a lot to do... Several nobles will be visiting for an audience. I need you there with me,"

Amaryllis sips her tea, not saying a word. Unfortunately, if her parents are so busy, it means she'll be stuck inside again.

"What about you, Amaryllis?"

She blinks. "Me?"

"Yes. I know the weather isn't too grand, but there is a market in town. You and your guard could go and have a look." Her mother smiles.

This is new. "I could?" she glances suspiciously at her father.

"Yes, Dear. You're a grown adult. And since you've got a proper guard now, there's nothing to worry about."

So they wouldn't have allowed it if I didn't have a knight at my side... Which is fair, I guess.

She nods. Yet, at the back of her mind, there's a weird suspicion that her parents have something to hide from her. Looking at them, they act entirely neutral, talking about the little things and the food that they're done eating. Amaryllis finishes her eggs and sets her tea cup down.

"May I be excused?"

"You may."

Abel trails after her as she exits the dining hall.

--

"Shall I fetch your cloak, Lady?"

She looks at Abel. "Do that. And my bag, too."

He bows, "Yes, of course." He turns and quickly makes his way down the hall. Amaryllis waits by the doors of the castle. He's back within a few minutes, jogging his way to her. "Here you are," He breathes out and hands her the cloak and bag. She tugs on the cloak and pulls up the hood, hanging her bag on her shoulder.

"Shall we?" Abel opens one of the castle doors. The rain's getting heavier.

She nods and Abel offers his arm, which she takes.

--

The rain makes little sounds and taps as it falls on Abel's helmet and armour. He doesn't seem to mind the rain. It's a rather long walk to the market, so while they make their way to it, Amaryllis admires the foggy nature around them. Large trees lean over the path, their leaves dripping large drops of water on occasion. Flowers shake and jolt because of the rain falling on them. There's a few puddles on the path, which Abel dutifully guides her around.

A few locals pass by, offering either a smile or an indignant huff. The knight beside her regards them all with a watchful eye. While a few of them seem annoyed at her presence, none seem to keen to get near.

"It is raining a lot, are you sure you don't mind, My Lady?" Abel speaks up suddenly. "We could stop at one of the taverns in the area until it clears up."

She shakes her head and keeps walking.

"Very well."

Eventually, the brightly coloured stalls of the market come into view. The smell of food and fruit wafts them in the face. Amaryllis breathes in- there's a lot of people. She feels Abel's eyes on her, but doesn't react. She presses on.