The Guardian

Chapter Five

I woke early the next morning and ran myself a bath, sinking beneath the water after tearing the tight white dress off and discarding it by my fireplace, where I had every intention to burn it. The water slowly cooled down and then I climbed out, wrapping a robe around myself and tying my hair is a tight twist with my wet hair, before dabbing some makeup lightly across my face.

There was a knock at my door and I froze, then realised it was breakfast. I opened to door a crack to find Phillipa standing with a tray covered in fruit, yoghurt and muesli. I thanked her and took the tray, before closing the door again. I went and sat on the lounge by the fire I just started and threw my dress in it before starting to eat my fill. 

Once I'd finished, I set the tray on the low table and walked into my closet, pulling on my underclothes and corset. I chose a front-fastening one so I could do it myself before selecting a pale indigo gown with black embellishments around the elbow-length sleeves, the waist and the neckline. I pull on a pair of comfortable leather boots on underneath and tie the laces quickly. At least the dress covers them. I walk back over to my vanity and pull out my twist, my hair practically dry in loose curls down my back. 

Another knock on the door and I freeze, my hand running through my hair. I walk over and open it a little, only exposing half my body to find Damian standing there in his armor. He smiles a little. "I know this sounds inappropriate, but may I come in?"

"Of course," I nod and step to the side as he walks in and I quickly shut the door behind him. "What can I do for you?"

He walks and leans a little awkwardly against one of the posts on my bed. "I wanted to make sure you were alright. After everything from last night."

"Yeah, I'm okay," I give a small, hurried nod and a smile. I start to braid a small section of the hair on each side of my head and tie it in the middle. I finish before either of us speaks again. "Can you please not tell anyone about it?"

"I wouldn't dream of it," he meets my eyes, with a small nod of his head. 

"Thank you, Damian," I smile a little, my lips pursed as I slide a knife into the back of my dress, hidden beneath my hair.

"Of course, Adelaide," he nods and looks at the floor, it seems like he wants to say more. And he does. "This might sound strange, but were you on the roof last night?"

Shoot. He'd seen me. "Well, yes, it was calming."

"Alright," his reply is incredibly relaxed and he nods before looking up at me again. "Would you like me to walk you down to your carriage? It got here a few minutes ago."

"Oh, that will be fine, thank you though," I shake my head a little as I smile and dab some perfume on my wrists and neck. "I don't think I should aggravate Isodore anymore than I already have."

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The carriage ride isn't long and before I know it, a butler is helping me out of the carriage at the doors to the castle. I'm guided through the entrance hall quickly, the inside of the walls covered in glass panels, reflecting light from the chandeliers and distorting our reflections as we walk past. I'm guided through several long corridors, but I remember every turn and note every exit. Just incase I ever need it. 

I'm left in the King and Queen's personal drawing room and told the Queen would be with me in a moment. About 2 minutes later she enters from her bedroom in a simple red gown, the King no where in sight. The dress is loose on her as she sits down on a lounge across from me.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Adelaide," she smiles widely and tucks a stray curl behind her ear.

"Sorry for visiting with such short notice, My Queen," I offer an apologetic smile and twist my hands in my lap.

"Please, my dear, call my Evie," she gives me a warm smile and leans forward a little. "What can I do for you?"

"It's about Lord Hamlin," she raises an eyebrow, but doesn't speak. I tell her everything that's happened over the past week or so, and especially what happened last night. When I finish, my hands and voice are shaking and my face is damp.

"Oh, Adelaide, my dear," she moves and sits next to me, putting an arm around me as I cry into her shoulder. "You could have come to me sooner. I didn't think he'd ever try something like this."

I sit up and wipe my eyes. "I'm sorry, I should have written to you or something."

"Oh darling, no, you can always come to me," she gives me a supportive smile and clutches my hands in her own. "You are there to protect him, not to pleasure him."

"I could have hit him in that moment," I shake my head, a rush of anger flowing through me. "I'm sorry, that was incredibly improper."

"Adelaide, you're supposed to be protecting him from death threats, not the one issuing them," she gives a playful smile and I can't help but laugh. "But I understand why you said it, and I don't blame you."

We kept talking for several hours, until Isodore was the last thing on my mind. We talked about everything from hair to politics to love. It was nice. And distracting. But it was what I needed, and I enjoyed it. Evangeline had food brought up at midday and we ate lunch together, although we laughed through most of it. 

Just as the sun was about to set, she turned to me. "I'm afraid you will have to go now, Adelaide. If he does anything else towards you, write to me. Or send someone. And then he will know threats."

"Thank you," I nod at her, a fierce and dangerous look in her eye. "For everything."

She hugs me and kisses my cheek once before she walks me down to my carriage herself. Once I'm inside, I watch the castle receding into the distance out of my window. The carriage rocks along the road as we travel down hill. It parks outside Hamlin manor a short while later and I climb out, thanking the driver as I land on the path.

I hurry inside and stop to thank Damian by his room, but he's not there so I continue to my own. I have a quick bath and change into loose white pants and a pale green tunic, braiding my hair around my head. I sit by my fireplace, not hungry enough to go to dinner. I watch the flames, dancing around each other in an intricate dance.

Aedrioch and I had been made to study flames when we were training over the sea. To perfect how the different branches of the same flame moved with each other, and then train our own bodies to do the same. It was both mine and Aedrioch's favourite way to move. Smooth, warm and calming, but also deadly, burning and dangerous.

Eventually I decided to go visit Damian and padded quietly to the door without my shoes. I opened it and heard voices down the corridor, so I followed, a dagger in hand. I look down the dark corridor, turning a corner, but staying in the shadows and I see Isodore's door open and a few girls milling around, then entering one by one.

All thoughts of visiting Damian forgotten, I run back to my room and promptly vomit in my sink.