Color of Roses

Attempted Kidnapping

Chapter 19

"It's an honor to escort you today, Princess."

Elias, friendly and charming, walks beside me as we make our way to attend breakfast with Giles. Servants open the doors and we step foot inside and the smell of biscuits and scrambled eggs fills the air. My eyes don't meet the table though. Sitting adjacent to Giles is Alyn wearing his basic uniform. Our eyes meet and my heart leaps in my chest. I look away, flustered by thoughts of his kisses last night. I take a seat across from him and he continues discussing something with Giles. I overhear a few words about securing the castle and questioning residents here in case of spies.

I force myself to eat but despite how hungry I am I just don't have an appetite. Was my life really in that much danger? I fidget with my fork and Giles must've noticed. "Something wrong, princess?"

"Huh?" I snap my head up and realize he and Alyn are both watching me. "I'm just not hungry, I guess," I lie. "I'd like to excuse myself," I say and rise from my seat. Alyn's eyes are questioning and I know he sees through me but I look away and follow Elias out of the room.

"Don't worry, Princess," Elias says and I look at him surprised. "I know you're worried about Alyn and everything going on but I promised to protect you with my life. You're very important to Alyn for him to have asked for my assistance. Not just anybody would do."

A smile lingers on my lips and I bite to hide it as we continue to my room

***

Hours had passed since I returned to my room. I've found to pass the time reading books or drawing little images on a canvas I had brought to me. I was awfully bored and running out of things to do. I've cleaned my room for the tenth time today and organized my dresses by color. I sigh as I plop down on my bed and run a hand over Snow's soft fur.

"Least you're not bothered being cooped up in here all day. You just sleep all the time," I mumble. She purrs softly beneath my hand. I roll over and grumble into my pillow when a knock at the door surprises me. I eagerly leap off the bed and run over to see Elias walk in.

"Giles wants to see you," he says and I notice a man standing behind him. I've never seen him before but I don't think anything of it. There are so many servants that it's hard to keep track of them all. I leave my room and the man discusses something with Elias. He then faces me and says, "Giles is in the garden with some of the other servants. There's a guest coming this weekend and he'd like to discuss your role in the event."

I almost want to hug him. Finally, something to do outside! The three of us trek down the long hallways when suddenly my gut begins to turn sour. Elias must feel the same way because his hand rests on his sword.

"This isn't the way to the gardens," Elias speaks up. He's calm despite his suspicion.

"We're taking another route," the man says.

"There is no other route," Elias snaps.

The man continues until we've stopped in an empty hallway. The man immediately turns and rushes towards me. I fumble back and scream as I collide with the stone floor. Elias' sword clashes with some sort of dagger.

"You fool!" The man snarls and eases back. Elias growls and stands between us. "Who do you work for?" Elias says sternly. I've been so used to seeing his casual side. He was quite scary when he's serious.

"Hand over the princess and I might tell you," the man sings. "I know someone who would gladly enjoy her company."

"I won't let you lay a finger on her," Elias says and charges the man who dodges with ease. Elias swings his sword barely tearing the stranger's shirt.

"Almost but not quite," the man teases and jabs his dagger at Elias who blocks it perfectly. I fumble to my feet and look frantically for something to help defend myself. I reach for one of the candle holders on a nearby wall and tug at it till it snaps off leaving a sharp edge. I grasp it tightly in my right hand and wait for an opening.

The two men continue to clash metal against metal and I try my best to remain calm. Elias winces as the man cuts the side of his cheek leaving a small incision leading to his lips. I cry out but he only wipes it with the top of his glove and continues to defend against the man.

The man chuckles and begins kicking at Elias's legs in an attempt to throw him off balance. Elias staggers a bit but remains grounded. The man snickers and continues looking for any means to bypass Elias' defense.

Elias swings the sword once more but the man dodges and cuts the back of Elias' calf causing him to kneel. The man snickers and kicks Elias in the side. Despite his armor, Elias grunts at the impact. I start to call out to him but realize the man is distracted and I decide to use this opportunity as my chance to attack.

The man kicks Elias once more until he's lying on the ground. Elias fights back but the man kicks his sword away. I rush in and jab the makeshift weapon into the side of the man and push him away. He collapses to the ground shocked at the site of blood cascading from his side.

I go to help Elias up but he's already on his feet by the time I get to him. He limps over to his sword and swings it at the man just short of his throat. "Who are you and why are you here." It was more of a command than a question.

The man presses a hand to his side, panting as the pain courses through his body. "I'd rather die than tell you," he spits. Elias grabs him and lifts him up by his shirt collar. "Tell me who you work for."

The man laughs and Elias doesn't hesitate to slam his head against the wall.