HE CALLS ME

01

WINNIE

"Attending to your hair is one of the numerous things I love doing."

I met Marinette's eyes through the mounted mirror.

"But you know that already because I've told you multiple times. It's so soft, shiny, and knot-free."

"Because aside from having naturally healthy hair, you still need to take care of it," I turned to face Marinette, observing her hair from the root to the bun on top of her head.

It was neatly packed but it looked like it lacked moisture and hadn't been brushed.

I felt my face gently turn to the mirror followed by a small pull to the cheeks.

"I'm just admiring you," I put up my hands in defence, "I don't hear people tell you that often."

"Are you starting this again?"

I heard the playful tone in her voice, but it was true. Marinette was one of the prettiest castle workers I had seen so far.

From physique to character and quality, she was the only person who spoke to me freely regardless of the label.

She moved into the castle when I was eighteen, and I had been drawn to her since then. I loved the way her caramel skin glowed while she was on the training ground.

Despite not being a shifter, it didn't prevent her from claiming a spot amongst the royal soldiers.

"I hope Jerjer knows how to share- Ouch!"

I could feel her hands tense up behind my neck, while she struggled to hook the necklace around my neck.

If I was going to be queen, this was one of the first things I'd be doing.

"C-can you stop bringing him into every single conversation we have, I don't want any trouble.... let's talk about something else."

Cute.

"This would be the first time I'll be meeting Eva right?"

Marinette seemed worried after my words, "I hope we can get along, supposing either of us could be the caller."

Marinette gestured for me to get up, "and I honestly want it to be you, and I'm not saying it because I feel Evangelica is not suited for it but-"

"Either of us will be fine, I want to trust her. She has more to lose than I do."

Her lips parted for a moment before they stretched out to a smile.

"Let's go," I moved to open my door, "I am going to be keeping an eye out for the colour green," I glanced down at my dress, "it compliments my skin. Either that or it's the jewels."

"It's both," Marinette gently squeezed my shoulders.

Stepping outside with Marinette, I was taken aback by the lady in purple who walked past me.

That must have been Evangelica. It is either that or another of the marked bearers I don't know about was in the castle.

"Hurry! I want to sit with her," I reached for Marinette's hands pulling her along with me.

At the moment, food was the last thing on my mind as I scanned the dining ground for Eva. Just my mother and four others were at the table, excluding the lady in purple.

The seat to her right was not taken, so I made a beeline for it, sitting gently so as not to rumple my dress.

My mother and her guest were not paying much attention to me but to the discussion they were having, so I figured I would start mine as well with the girl I'm assuming to be Evangelica.