The Guardian

Chapter Two

4 days after the King's arrival, I stood by the Queen's side as we waited for all the carriages to be loaded with their trunks, as well as all my own. My hands were together in front of me against my emerald green gown. The sleeves were loose at my wrists and I could feel the daggers pressed against my forearm when I moved slightly. My hair was braided around my head and my skirt hid the heeled boots I wore underneath. I carefully watched the squires loading my purple leather trunks onto the carriage behind the one we were to ride in.

"Are you ready, Adelaide?" Queen Evangeline spoke softly from beside me, her voice delicate and clear.

"Yes," I give her a small smile and a polite nod, keeping my voice quiet.

"Well, I'll wait for you in the carriage so you can say goodbye to your family," she gives my hand a small squeeze before she is helped up into the carriage.

I turn and walk the small distance to where my family stands. Aedrioch gives me an encouraging smile, my father gives me a small smile and I get a sad smile from my mother. She reaches out and puts a hand on my shoulder, before quickly pulling me into a strong hug and I lean my head on her shoulder. My father slowly rubs my back and Aedrioch gives me a slight nod towards me. Eventually we break out of our position, the early autumn heat making it to stifling.

"Don't do anything you aren't comfortable with," Aedrioch squeezes my hand and I smile at him.

"Remember we love you," father puts a firm shoulder on my hand and nods.

My mother reaches out her hand and touches my face, tears gathering in her eyes. "Don't forget who you are."

"Thank you," I give all of them a small smile in turn. "I'll see you all in a few months."

I quickly turn on my heel and climb into the carriage that Evangeline entered before, then glancing out the window at my family. My mother was wiping away tears as my father spoke to the King, astride a horse in front of him. Aedrioch simply stared into the trees behind my carriage. I looked down at my hands folded in my lap. That was the last I saw of my family and my home as the carriage started to ride for the capital. Queen Evangeline started talking a moment later, filling me in on all the details of my new 'family' whilst I was staying with them.

8 hours later we rolled in the capital and I watched out the window. The streets were filthy, crawling with peasants who all stopped to stare as we rode past. A few bowed, but the rest gave us looks of disgust. I kept a straight face, but they were making me feel a little bad. After a few more minutes we rolled through some huge, elegant black gates which were then shut behind us, and the area became much cleaner and more sophisticated, much more like home. The sun was starting to set, casting orange light over all the white and blue mansions. Ahead of us, upon a hill, was the huge white castle. It stood against the sun, it's silhouette dark against the sunset.

Our carriage stopped in front a white mansion right next to the beginning of the castle drive. The King and his soldiers continued up the hill, but we stopped and I was quickly helped out by a butler. Evangeline was helped out right after me. I looked up at the house as the front doors swung open and out stepped a golden haired man in tight-fitting blue pants and a silver tunic.

Lord Isodore Hamlin.

My new 'family'. His face was perfectly sculpted, his eyes a bright cerulean blue. A decorative-looking sword hung at his side as he took a few steps towards us in shiny leather boots, his posture and lithe movements reminding me of a snake. He was gorgeous.

"Queen Evangeline," his voice was soft, yet trained to perfection, as he gave a small bow to Evangeline and she inclined her head at him, before he turned to me. "You must Violette, my distant cousin, come to experience the capital life."

Gosh he was so young, his voice was so calming. Until I realised he was talking to me. "Yes, that would be me, my Lord."

"Please, you needn't use all the formalities with me cousin, family is family," his eyes narrow slightly, hiding a cheeky nature. I give him a small smile of my own.

The servants quickly begin to unload my trunks from the carriage, following the butler to what I presume is my room. Evangeline breaks her silence beside me. "Are you right if I return home, Adelaide? Travelling makes me tired."

"Of course, my Queen, I'm quite alright," I give her a kind smile and a nod. She returns my smile and I watch her climb into her carriage and it then begins to climb the steep drive up to the castle.

I turn around a moment later to look back at Isodore, but he is suddenly beside me, quiet as a shadow. He offers me his arm, a feline smile on his lips. "Sorry, my Lord, I didn't realise you'd snuck up on me."

"Please, call me Isodore," he smiles and holds out his arm for me to take. "Can I take you to your room?"

"That would be lovely," I give a shy smile and place a hand on his arm. I can feel strong, corded muscles underneath. He guides me into the house and up a flight of stairs, to the second story. We walk through several hallways and I mark every possible entry and exit. Eventually we stop at large, dark wooden doors. He holds them open for me as I mutter my thanks as I step inside.

The walls are all covered with a lilac floral wallpaper, and maroon skirting boards half way up the wall. They match the floor and the ceiling. A delicate glass chandelier hangs from the middle of the roof, above a four-poster bed, bigger than any I've ever seen. The covers and pillows are all purple with silver embroidery. Behind the bed are glass doors covered by sheer white curtains, which lead onto a balcony. To the left side of the room is a large fireplace with a black lounge in front of it. Further around is a desk and a bookshelf. On the right side of the room is a door leading off the a bathing chamber, as well as a door leading off to a closet. All my trunks are stacked beside the door.

"Oh my, this is more than I need, but thank you very much," I give him a small smile as I turn to face him again.

"Do you like the Livingstone colours?" He raises an eyebrow, and it disappears into his golden curls.

"Very much, thank you," I'm left almost speechless, watching the change in his eyes as he smiles.

"Of course, in public you should wear the Hamlin colours, just to keep up the rouse," he cocks his head to the side as he leans against the door frame, a slightly arrogant manner to his stance.

"That would be sensible," I give a small smile as I take a few steps further into my room. "Thank you again."

"Stop thanking me, Adelaide," he smiles a little as he says my Christian name, and I feel my face heat up a little. "Anything you need, will be yours. Anything you want, will be yours. If you need or want anything during the night, my room is 4 doors to your right."

He grins wildly as he steps out the door, closing it behind himself.

It sends a shudder over my skin.