Half Complete

The Castle

                                               "Wake up,Clarie, Steffan said that we're almost here", Ciel's deep voice sounded in my ear .I slowly opened my eyes. My neck was stiff but I was lying on something soft. Katrin and the king were talking to each other and I felt good, someone was playing with my hair. I looked up and was met by beautiful grey eyes."Hi, Ciel" I exclaimed sleepily, I was drowsy and didn't want to get up. Ciel smirked, "Finally the sleeping beauty awakens" he said. I felt my face heat up.

" Oh my, so embarrassing!"I jumped off his lap and scrambled to e other edge of the seat. Suddenly,the carriage gave a lurk and I fell into his arms again. I yelped and moved away, my face the colour of a tomato now. Steffan and my sister were leaning against each other and laughing .He opened his mouth and was about to say something undoubtedly sarcastic when I glared at him and exclaimed "Oh, Shut up"

Ciel looked confused. "What did I do?" "Not you, the stuck up king " I said.

"Hey, Who do you think you're calling stuck up?"Setffan burst in "I'll have you know that I'm the most respected person in this kingdom" "Arrogant much?" I murmured, Ciel was snickering quietly beside me. "Is that the right way to speak to a prospective employer?" he asked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He was obviously trying to rile me up.

"But it is the way to talk to my annoying future brother-in-law" I replied cheekily." Why you little brat....."Steffan started but my sister cut in, hands on her ears."Keep quiet you two! You're both giving me a headache. Steffan, how old are you to fight with my younger sister, huh? Both of you are insufferable. Now no more bickering or I'll make you two walk the entire way to the castle. Now settle down" She gave a sigh. "yes ma'am."Steffan said meekly.

Ciel was shaking with silent laughter beside me. I punched him on the hand which made the idiot laugh harder. I pouted and stuck my head out of the window .My stormy mood evaporated in seconds, we were almost there. We passed a huge set of brick gates as the soldiers standing there climbed down and saluted us as we passed.

                     Ceil squeezed my hand."Describe the sights", he whispered.

"Oh ciel ,It's dark",I said, "We've entered a tunnel. There's a light , that's the exit and ...and by the Lady, Ciel" I stammered as a wave of noise assaulted us."We've entered a market place. It's so lively and crowded .There's a lot of brick houses with shops at the front and everyone's waving at us."

The carriage rushed passed them as a collective cry rose" Long Live King Steffan", The people seemed overjoyed to see him.

"I can see the castle, Ciel"I shouted, I was getting excited. They looked happy too."It has a high walls and it's built of some sort of marble, with a single high spire standing tall against the sky .We've passed the gates and now it's a paved road with soldiers standing everywhere and...", Suddenly, our vehicle came to a stop.

"And we're here" Katrin smiled "Come on" She took Steffan's outstretched hand and walked gracefully down the small set of steps. "Are we ready?" Ciel asked . I grabbed his hand and pulled him down "Definitely we are!"

                                  The army was waiting for their king, faces stoic and posture stern.They stood assembled on both sides of the lawn as we walked passed them. I skimmed my eyes through the ranks of soldiers.Suddenly my eyes fell on a boy leaning against the wall.He had a mo[p of messy brown hair and he winked at me .Then he seemed to disappear, blending so seamlessly into the shadows as though he were invisible.

                                                                             In the castle, we were met by an old man with stern eyes and a bushy beard.  Steffan seemed to falter a bit at his withering gaze , but then stood straighter, pulling my sister closer to him, as though protecting her. Steffan was talking to the man and  he gestured to her as she gave a little curtsy.He then beckoned to us.We walked forward and the man's face suddenly turned pale as his eyes fell on Ciel.He looked as though he had seen a ghost.

        "That guy is staring at us",I murmured"What guy?" I almost groaned."The person steffan was talking to"  "Oh him? Hasn't he seen a blind-guy before?" Ciel muttered. "I don't know,"I replied moving forward.

                           If that man was appalled by cursed creatures then he should have stared at me too.There was something else going on here." Clarissa, Ciel, introduce yourselves to my chief adviser,  Marcus Feldsman" Steffan said.

                            "We're from the province of Tourmaline and I'm Clarissa Colum, the second dughter of lord coulm and aspire to serve in his army"

                                "And venerable sir, I'm Ciel , the foster son of ..." he chocked a bit and continued in a tight voice ,"the late Captain Crewe. I'm an Orphan with an unknown parentage"

                    "Well", Steffan piped up, "These two will be joining the white hoods.So Marcus, get them ready and take them to the appropriate people". 

"What?"My sister shouted.I jumped shocked, my calm sister never raised her voice. She grabbed Steffan's shoulders.The soldiers moved forward but Steffan stopped them "What are you thinking, Steffan ,taking clarie into the army?Sh's just a kid.What if something happens to her?" . she shook Steffan's shoulders and turned to me "and you young lady, do you assume that you are some all powerful warrior or something? Have some common sense." She blinked and her eyes were unnaturally bright.I involuntarily took a step back.She was freaking me out.

                                                     She looked around.We were all standing still.Suddenly she froze and bowed her head, long hair obscuring her face.When she straightened, she had that regal air about her, the one that always gave her such a calm and peaceful demeanour. She looked blankly at me and spoke in a detached voice ,"I can't control your destiny, child.But you're the only family I have left and I can't lose you too.By all means, if you plan to act in that self-sacrificing manner then do so.I can't stop you from walking on your own path though it is..it is cursed." 

I flinched when I heard that word.Then she sank to her knees, hands over her face. Steffan took her hand and pulled her close to his chest.He was whispering something in her ear. The moment felt too intimate and I jumped when the minister cleared his throat.I had forgotten he was there. "Come" he almost growled in his gruff voice."I shall take you to some attendant to clean you two up.Follow me" He walked out of the grand hall.

        As I followed him, I glanced back one more time.Those two were talking softly now and she seemed calmer.I smiled softly, maybe that arrogant man wasn't good for nothing after all.

Hi!!So please leave your thoughts about this chapter! Happy New Year to everyone.....