Conquests within Forfeits. The Hemerwig Series

Ch. 7-Backfired Seduction?

Sorry for this short-ish chapter yall. I think it might be my best chapter yet though (besides from the very first one). Let me know what you think below in the comments. Please hit the vote button! Love yall!!!

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"All women are flirts, but some are restrained by shyness and others by sense." -Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Melrose’s POV

    I’m the morning person in my family. It’s usually a blessing and this morning is no exception. Right now, the average water elemental is probably stealing a few extra minutes of sleep before the demanding day forces them out of bed. I am however leaning against a hallway’s windowsill with a slice of toast in one hand and a glass of orange juice in the other.

    The quiet of the halls and everything beyond the window offers peace for my ears. The rising sun offers a beautiful distraction to my eyes. To me, every sunrise is different so I really enjoy its diversity. I must be staring out of the window longer than I thought because I soon feel a finger tap my shoulder. I look back and see my father’s smiling face.

  “Good morning,” I tell him before noticing his appearance. Dad’s dressed very nicely today with one of his simpler crowns on top of his head. I don’t remember mom telling me I had to get dressed up today.  

  “Good morning sweetie. Your mother and I have to run a few errands today. Will you be alright?” Dad asks.

  “I don’t see why not but why do you ask?” I question. Usually it’s mom who tells me when they’re leaving.

    Dad’s eyes dart down the hall before he says, “I’ve noticed that you’re very comfortable with the Apolone’s, Prince Braeden especially.” My eyes widen in alarm and I wonder if I’m that easy to read. Maybe it’s just a father’s protectiveness whenever a boy approaches a daughter. I’ve always been daddy’s little girl, but I wonder what dad really knows.

  “We get along. I think Prince Braeden’s okay,” I reply as emotionless as possible and dad nods his head in conformation.

  “Well just be careful. I don’t trust him and neither should you. You know how they can be,” Dad says.

  “From stories, daddy,” I say. Dad stares at me with a bit of shock in his eyes and I quickly realize that I shouldn’t have said that. My words make me sound like I’m challenging him. I’ve been raised better than to question my parents.

    I lower my head slightly and say, “I’m sorry dad. I know that I can’t trust them. Thank you for the reassurance.” I don’t know what I’m thinking. I can’t let dad even think for a second that I’m okay with Braeden being the way he is. Fire Elementals are our enemies. I have to hate them. It’s in my blood to want to kill their kind.

    Dad tilts my chin and says very sternly, “Royals don’t apologize for opinions. Now run along and get ready for your busy day.”     I stand to my feet and without words, give dad a quick hug before running toward my room. I’ll have to stay out of trouble today. I have to be very careful of what I say around my farther.