The frozen heart

Chapter 14: Rebellion of the Heart

Chapter 14: Rebellion of the Heart

As winter set in fully, the once vibrant gardens of the castle began to wilt under the frost. Anne's secret meetings with Kaiden continued, but it became more difficult. The air was too cold for them to sit outside for long, and sneaking him food grew riskier with the increased vigilance of the castle's staff. Despite these challenges, Anne and Kaiden's bond deepened with every stolen moment.

The news of the nobleman's departure came swiftly one chilly morning. He was to leave for an extended trip, taking much of the household with him—maids, guards, even the cooks. The grand hall was buzzing with excitement as preparations were made. It was rare for the nobleman to leave for such a long time, and even rarer for the castle to be left so empty.

Anne and Maris stood side by side, watching as trunks and supplies were loaded into carriages. The nobleman's voice boomed across the courtyard as he barked orders, impatient for the journey to begin.

"You're staying behind?" Maris asked quietly, glancing at Anne as they both folded linens near the kitchen.

Anne nodded. "Seems like it. Just a small group of us are staying to manage the castle while they're gone."

Maris looked relieved. "Good. I don't know what I'd do if you were dragged along on some stuffy trip with him." Maris and she had somehow managed to make up within the next few days. But that didn't mean that Maris was enthusiastic about Anne's expeditions.

Anne smiled softly, but her thoughts were elsewhere. If the nobleman was gone and most of the maids were taken with him, the castle would be almost deserted. She couldn't help but think of Kaiden—this could be her chance to help him even more.

By the time the nobleman and his entourage had left, the castle felt strangely hollow. The grand corridors, once filled with the bustling of maids and guards, were now eerily quiet. Only a handful of staff remained, Maris included, and the tasks were few compared to the usual workload. It was in this quiet emptiness that Anne's plan began to take shape.

That night, after the remaining maids had retired to their chambers and the kitchen fires had dimmed, Anne slipped out into the darkness. She made her way to the garden, her heart pounding in her chest, and found Kaiden waiting in his usual spot, lurking near the edge of the shadows.

He looked up when he saw her approach, his icy blue eyes piercing through the gloom. He had grown bolder lately, coming closer and staying longer, but he still carried an air of caution. Anne waved him forward, motioning for him to follow her.

"Come with me," she whispered. "There's something I want to show you."

Kaiden hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing in suspicion, but then he stepped out from his hiding place and silently followed her through the garden and into the castle.

The kitchen was empty, just as Anne had hoped. The lingering scent of baked bread and cooked stew still filled the air, but the fires had died down, and the room was dimly lit by the moonlight streaming through the high windows. Anne led Kaiden inside, carefully closing the door behind them.

"We have the place to ourselves," she said softly, smiling at him. "No one will be here until morning."

Kaiden's eyes darted around the room, his expression wary, but there was something else there too—curiosity. He had always seemed so withdrawn, so careful to stay hidden in the shadows, but now, in the safety of the empty kitchen, Anne could see a flicker of something more.

Without waiting for a response, she moved toward the hearth, where a pot of stew had been left to cool. Grabbing a bowl, she ladled some of the still-warm food into it and placed it on the table.