Betrothed (NOT UPDATING ANYMORE)

Chapter Six

The next morning I woke up being practically squashed as Terrence was on top of me. I shoved him off of the bed as best as I could. I looked down as he made a loud thud and cursed. I smiled and looked down at him, my hair falling around my face. "Morning."

He glared at me while rubbing his head. "Why am I on the floor?" He stood up and crossed his hands. I looked up to him as I was kneeling on the bed.

I shrugged. "You were literally on top of me to the point where I couldn't breathe. So you had to suffer the consequences."

He raised an eyebrow and we got into a staring contest. His gaze took me all in as if he was burning me into his memory. My face felt hot and I closed my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him. When I opened them again he was right in front of me. I squeaked and fell back as he was once again on top of me.

"You're so fun to tease. It's almost too easy." He smiled down at me and I glared at him.

"I don't ask you to tease me you know." He bent down closer and my face reddened as he came close to my ear. His breath felt hot on my skin. My breath hitched as he chuckled.

"Soon enough you'll be in love with my teasing." He sat up with a glint in his eyes. I sat up and leaned in close to him so that our noses were almost touching.

I smiled sweetly. "I don't think I'll ever love it, but for now, I'll love doing this." I shoved him off the bed and he fell with a thud again.

oOo

My father had a meeting with me, Terrence and the guards that were on duty last night. Each of the guards gave their report from last night, all of them with bags underneath their eyes and their voices strained. Chris gave his report from the interrogation that happened this morning.

My father turned to Terrence and asked him what he gathered. "The princess and I talked about it last night and while you and the Queen were out with my parents, a basilisk that came from the west had attacked Cassandra." My father glared at me as if to accuse me for not telling him this. I looked away and turned my attention back to Terrence. "She also discovered that the man who broke into her quarters had a tattoo on the back of his head. It was of a basilisk."

My father rubbed his beard and narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting prince?"

Terrence cleared his throat and looked at me then looked at my father. "There is a group of barbarians in the mountains of Hern that are known to tattoo the back of their heads with creatures. They are known to go through villages and towns and ransack everything. My father and I are currently trying to suppress them but so far nothing seems to work."

"I knew there was a problem in Hern but I was sure it was quelled." I said frowning.

Terrence shook his head. "It hasn't been quelled for two years. But it seems they are after the Royal families. Which would make sense for reasons you know Your Majesty." My father nodded and some exchange happened between my father and Terrence.

My father sat up in his throne and looked at Chris. "Captain I want you to interrogate that man. Get any information out of him. Double the guard around him as well. He is a major threat to my daughter."

Chris bowed. "Of course Your Majesty."

"Dismissed."

oOo

"I wonder why that group is after Royal families. What did my father and Terrence do?" I asked myself as I was cleaning a large pot that was used for stew,

"That's none of you're concern for the time being." I jumped and turned to look at Terrence, my hand over my rapidly beating heart.

"Do you mind? I'm working here. I would appreciate it if you didn't scare me like that."

Terrence shrugged. He looked around and noticed I was by myself. He frowned. "Where is the guard I assigned you?"

I shrugged and went back to cleaning the pot. "I don't know. I don't keep track of where the guards waddle to."

I heard Terrence sigh and sit down on the chair next to where I was working. "Fine then I guess I'll have to guard you."

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "He's off flirting with Lucy. They really fancy each other so I told him to go and have some fun."

Terrence snorted. "You always meddle into things that you shouldn't."

I stopped cleaning and glared at him. "At least I'm nice to my staff unlike you who doesn't even know the name of the man who dresses you every morning."

Terrence scoffed. "At least I have a man who dresses me wether I know his name or not."

I raised my eyebrows and put my hands on my hips. "At least I dress myself every morning like a normal being with a brain."

Terrence smirked, his eyes flashing. "But I do know someone who would love to undress you."

My cheeks flushed and I glared at him. "You're despicable."

He laughed and looked at me his eyes twinkling. "And you're just too good of a Princess."

I huffed and glanced at him ignoring the flame on my cheeks as I continued scrubbing. "You're a lousy prince."

He held his hand over his heart. "And here I just gave you a compliment."

"Too bad. You don't deserve compliments. It would just pour more hot oil on you're fire and inflame your ego." I went back to cleaning as Terrence watched me silently. As I finished one pot after the other Terrence had fallen asleep. I looked at him and watched him sleep, taking my time studying him. His dark hair cascaded down his neck in waves. His long bangs hovered over his eyes. His jaw was relaxed and he looked so peaceful and almost approachable.

I finished with the last pot and dusted my hands on my dress. I walked over to him and wiped his hair from his eyes. It was so soft. He moved a little bit and his eyes fluttered open.

"I wanted to wake you since you're my guard now and I'm heading up to bed. Although, I've never heard of a guard sleeping while protecting a princess."

He smirked. "It's something that I do. Since I'm obviously no ordinary guard." He leaned into my hand as I was automatically running it through his hair. He closed his eyes and sighed. "That feels nice don't stop."

I laughed and looked down at him. "I feel like if I continue then you'll fall asleep again." I stopped and moved my hand away, but he caught it and pressed it to his lips, his eyes didn't leave mine for a second.

Blushing, I pulled away gently, avoiding looking at him. "Don't look at me like that." Terrence stood up, suddenly in front of me.

He tilted my chin so I would look at him. "Princess, I want you to know that your safety is my top priority right now."

He looked at me again like I was his world. It was new and frightening to me. "You only feel like that because my father puts his trust in you."

Terrence's eyes glazed over and he stepped back. "Maybe, or maybe it's because I'm starting to care for you."