Half Complete

Dorian

Catrin blushed a deep red. "Is it true? Then why did you leave our province in such a hurry? What did father say? Why? What? " I was babbling now, too overcome by shock to do nothing than burst out the first thing that came to my mouth. And that annoying king was smiling, as though he found my plight something really amusing.

"Don't worry Clarie, we'll explain everything in the carriage. It's best we take Ciel to a medic as fast as possible. He looks a litte worse for wear." My sister said.

I looked at Ciel, his face was pale and the faraway look was quite evident now. On referring to him, he gave a little start and looked around. I went and grabbed his hand. "Come, let's go" Steffan said and put his arm around my sister as they walked away. They acted quite naturally but there was some sort of a melancholy air around them. I pulled Ciel along as we followed them. Soon we came to the road. A carriage, not too opulent, was standing there. The driver who was feeding the chestnut horse harnessed to it took a double take when he saw us behind his passengers.

"P..pardon me sire, but who are they? " he asked, eyeing our body and clothes suspiciously. "Oh, they're the people that fell from the trees" Steffan said, waving his hand dismissively. "Fell?From the trees?" The driver asked, his eyes bugging out with surprise. Looks like we'll have to suffer one of those 'cursed' accusations.

Then the arrogant king did something that surprised me." Don't say a word about them being cursed, got it? They are humans like us and are talented in their own ways. " he said to the driver. The driver's eyes widened comically and he nodded his head furiously as he bowed again and walked back to the carriage.

"Come" Steffan said and helped my sister up. I pulled Ciel into the carriage too. Though on the outside it looked ordinary, it was really furnished on the inside. Finally it took off. "We'll reach the capital, Morgana in two days. We'll stay at some roadside inn for tonight." Steffan said. My sister was grasping her skirt tightly and her eyes were downcast. Something had definitely happened .Ciel sat next to me, motionless and as quiet as a marble statue. He must have been feeling nervous and really awkward. No matter how much lenient my father was there was still a great difference between a high level aristocrat and a lowly soldier.

I cleared my throat. "So what happened? " I asked calmly although my heart was hammering in my chest. Next to me, Ciel tensed." It was an assassination attempt. " Katrine said, she looked exhausted , as though each word added another burden on her shoulders. " If Dorian hadn't acted quickly, then our father would be dead by now, Clarie"

Ciel gave a start." Dorian? What did the old man do miss Katrine? My sister bent her head and Steffan looked out of the window. Suddenly she broke down into sobs. My throat suddenly felt dry and Ciel grabbed my hand tightly. "Dorian..... He got hit by an arrow that was meant for the regent. A group of people in white cloaks attacked everyone on the dias and my spies reataliated." Steffan said, his voice hoarse." But still your father was wounded and Dorian...... He..he didn't make it."

My entire body felt numb. Not only Dorian but my father too. Why? Why was this happening? Maybe it was my curse after all. I tried to overcome it and look how much sorrow I heard a low keening sound and with a start realized it was me. Ciel hadn't moved. His eyes looked even more unfocused and his face had gone pale.His grip on my arm had become painfully tight. " Ciel? Ciel? " I cried, my concern for him momentarily overpowering my grief. "Ciel, snap out of it, say some thing, anything ....please" I said shaking him as much as could with one hand. I looked helplessly to my sister. She had a helpless sorrowful expression on her face.

Slap!! Suddenly I turned towards Ciel . He was holding his cheek. Steffan had slapped him."Get a hold of yourself ,boy" he said.
Ciel snapped out of his shock. It was though a dam had burst as tears fell down his face. " You're lying ,right?Clarie" he turned to me. It was horrible to see his lifeless eyes , overflowing with tears. " Tell me he's lying, please. That old man can't be dead. He .....he promised that he'll make me the best soldier in the king's army. There's no way in hell that he'll have left me."

Suddenly his grief turned into fury. His sorrow had made him lose control of his emotions. Ciel had suffered so much, trained so hard. It wasn't fair that his father was dead. He turned to Steffan. "And you" he spat." How can you tell me to be calm? Huh? It's my father that died today. The only person in my life who supported me. What do you think I will do now? I'm not some kind of spoiled prince like you. Do you know how it feels to loose somebody who means the world to you? "

Stefan's face was impassive. Gone was the playful sarcastic arrogant king. He said in a cold voice" You assume too much , boy. My life hasn't exactly been a bed of roses either. Don't let your grief make you lose control of your emotions. Dorian was close to me too. He was my subject and I definitely cared for him."

Ciel just turned his head , he was still crying, silent rivulets of water running down his cheeks. I put his head on my shoulder. "I'm sorry" I whispered. " Don't be. Just don't leave me too Clarie. It's too difficult to live in this darkness alone" he said , his voice broken.

I held back a sob. "Now tell me what happened to you two" said the king. "It'll take our minds off this horrible event." He said looking at me. So I took a deep breath and told him, about Mary's betrayal and her words. On hearing about the queen my sister burst out" I knew it Steffan, she's responsible for the attack. She was behaving strangely after father had got hurt, acting like she was in charge and calling her own doctor to see to his wounds"

Steffan put his hand on her leg. "Not now , darling" he said, tilting his head to the window." We'll talk about it later. It's a long journey , now get some rest. "

It was quiet for some time. The carriage moved steadily ahead. Katrine had fallen asleep and Ciel was sleeping too, a sad expression still on his face. "Now miss Clarissa...." Steffan suddenly said , turning towards me.

Hi!!!! So well how was the chapter? I feel sorry for Ciel. What do you guys think? And Steffan, is he hiding something? Please review and tell me......