The King's Bride (Book 1 of Midnight Cinderella)

Chapter 7 : Up in the Castle

<Alyn Crawford>

"A Captain of the Guard must not abort duty without permission and a good reason," Giles told me sternly and his gaze bore into my head. "Isn't that a disciplinary protocol a knight - the Captain, no less - must abide by?" he snapped.

He was scary, but right. What I did was unsightly.

"I apologize." I said, almost a murmur.

"And? Will that mistake compromise? No, it won't. What are you to do if the princess was in danger, all because you weren't there when the incident happened?" Giles asked again and all I could do was shut my mouth up. I knew I'd be scolded, but despite knowing that, I still don't want to serve that princess. Giles sighed, massaging his forehead. He looked distressed, and it's the first time I saw him like this. He's usually very composed. And.. he's like this because of me. He looked at me and I instantly felt fear. He was glaring at me coldly. "Do you hate Princess Leona that much? That you'd rather abandon duty than serve her?" he asked sternly.

I shook my head. "It's not like I hate her. She didn't do anything for me to hate. But... I just don't feel that she's right to be princess." I said, when I head a loud bang on the table, and saw that Giles hit the table with his hand.

"That's the same as questioning His Majesty and my decision! Wake up, Alyn! You can't always have what you want, and even if you don't want something, you'll have to accept it, because you don't have a choice! You're not the only person in the world!" he yelled loudly, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists even tighter. He was fuming with anger. I can feel it in his every word. And his words struck me like thunder.

His eyes which pierced me with coldness slowly returned to its gentleness, but I can still feel my body trembling at the thought of Giles being angry. He softened his look and fell back on the couch, avoiding my eyes. "I'm sorry. Alyn, please... please leave. I'm sorry." he said in a soft whisper. Without a word, I bowed low and quickly exited through the door.

I need to pull myself together.

<Ianne Lumina>

The stairway of Stein Castle was one of the most marvelous things I have seen. Apart from being in another country, I am actually stepping on its palace! What more can I want? These experiences are so precious, I'm positive that I won't ever forget them. The interior of the castle was a bit more vintage than that of the Palace of Wysteria, with more grayish and brownish colors. The lights--chandeliers-- hung high up the ceiling, with only a few of.its candles lit. The floor was made of marble and the walls were embroidered with lapis. There were several windows and balconies at the second floor. I slightly strayed away from Nico and went near to the windows to get a full view.

"Wow." my mouth hung open as I saw the beauty of the view.

I felt Nico come closer to me. "Beautiful, isn't it, my lady?" he chuckled behind me. "His Majesty loves this place in the palace too. Well, he used to love this place. Until the day his mother died." he said with a sorrowful expression. The change of atmosphere overwhelmed me, and I could feel a clench in my chest, as if something is gripping my heart.

"But how could he not love it? It's very beautiful." I told him.

"It brings back painful memories of his family. He doesn't really want to talk about them. His memories are still fresh, and after all these four years, his wound is juat in the healing stage. And I believe even My Lady wouldn't want to open up the wounds His Majesty is nursing." Nico said with a small smile.

Though the curiosity in me wanted so much to know about it, I knew it's not something I should stick my head into. Still feeling uneasy about the new things I learned, the two of us suddenly heard commotion from a room far from us, but definitely on the second level. I walked slowly towards the source of the commotion and Nico followed behind me. I peered from the corridors and I saw several maids and butlers scurrying in and out of a room, shouting things like, put down the vase there! Close the door! Hurry up, she'll arrive soon!