Obsidian's Reign ¹

∷ Chapter 29 ∷

CLARA REMAINED IN a dazed and distracted state long after Zephyr had left, absentmindedly twirling the citrine ring as she listened to Maya poring over the various gifts in her room and making an inventory of it.

Speaking of gifts, it was an odd choice for one—a ring. More so the fact that he'd slipped it onto her ring finger. Despite being officially engaged to Jae, she had nothing to show for it; no ring adorning her fingers from her fiancé yet she'd received one rather candidly from Zephyr instead.

"Your Highness, are you listening?" Maya interrupted. And though it was clear she was somewhat agitated by her lady's constant state of distraction, her expression and tone remained vividly bland, concealing any reaction she might have to the annoyance she felt.

"Yes," Clara hurried to say. "Yes, I am. What is it?"

Maya stayed silent for a few seconds, staring at her and cementing the fact that she knew Clara hadn't been listening.

"I asked if it was okay to move the gifts to another location for temporary storage. It is becoming increasingly difficult to get things done with the lack of space in the room."

"Yes, of course, please," Clara said, grateful that she no longer had to gaze upon the mountain of presents that only seemed to remind her of her promised engagement to Jae.

Thinking of her fiancé further enunciated the blooming guilt she felt. It was one thing for her grandfather to force her into a loveless marriage but another altogether to rope Jae into it. His loyalty to the crown would never permit him to refuse the king which, in some way, gave cause for her to pity the man. It wasn't fair for either of them, even more so for him because he wasn't in any position to refuse the order once it was given.

Clara felt suffocated all too suddenly, wishing for a moment's peace away from the constraints of her thoughts. She waited until Maya had left with her arms piled high with the gifts before she too exited the room.

The hallway outside was deserted and eerily quiet. Though surprised, it was exactly what Clara needed. She closed the door quietly behind her, looking both ways before deciding to venture east, knowing Maya would've gone in the opposite direction.

She walked quietly along, enjoying the solitude and the tranquillity that came with it when the distinct clearing of a throat startled her out of her wits. She turned abruptly, her surprise shifting to annoyance when she was greeted by the prince's laughter, clearly enjoying the brief scare he'd given her.

"Prince Adric . . ." she said in a slightly subdued voice, waiting for his laughter to die down.

When it finally did, he said, "You should've seen the look on your face."

Clara rolled her eyes.

"Haha," she said. "Very funny."

"It is funny," Adric said before adding, "What are you doing here by yourself, anyway?"

When Clara failed to grace him with a response, choosing instead to stare pointedly at him in silence, he hummed knowingly.

"Are you still mad at me for getting you in trouble with the king?"

"Maybe," she said.

In truth, she'd long since forgiven him—concluding that it was in his nature to be begrudgingly difficult at times—but she couldn't deny that his sudden appearance was met with enthusiasm; or that she was all too enthused to be in his company.

"You can't stay mad at me forever," Adric pushed on in an attempt to defend his name.

He reached forward and grabbed her wrist, turning it so she was looking at the citrine ring that adorned her finger.