The Hardest Hello, The Easiest Goodbye

4)) Kat

     I followed the old woman back towards the grouping of people, gaining strange looks and some people as if they'd seen a ghost. Anxiety washed over me again and I concealed my wolf-like features.

     Witches and supernatural or magical creatures weren't fondly cared for around here. They were put to trial, which most likely ended up an execution for the person whom was found guilty.

     Eventually the old woman stopped, I almost tripped over her as she knelt down. I looked up at the figure infront of me. The blonde man with the golden crown looked at me with disbelief. He shared the same look with those whom I'd seen earlier. I backed up, feeling uncomfortable and terrified under everyone's prying eyes. I stared into the crowned man's eyes, they looked soft and grief overwhelmed the aura of power this man exuded.

     He reached towards me but there was no hostility on his actions. I sniffed at him cautiously, not sure if I should attack or run. His movements were slow and gentle as he pushed a lock of hair away from my face. His voice came out raspy and quiet.

     "I-Illya...?" He stuttered. He was on the verge of tears. I shook my head back and forth to say no. A masculine voice behind me spoke.

     "Then this must be the Princess, Sire." I turned around, a boy with enticing crimson eyes and scarlet hair stood behind me. I looked him up and down. He was wearing some sort of clothing different from everyone else. Black pants, black boots, and some sort of metalic armour covered his chest and shoulders, giving a tough apperance. Poking out from behind his back was a hilt of a sword.

     I scrambled over to a clear spot where I wasn't crowded by people. Everyone's attention was directly on me, whether I liked it or not. I felt my upper lip move, showing some my teeth. The scarlet haired boy motioned his hand towards his sword, ready to unshealth the sharp metal weapon. The King stepped infront of him, giving me a hopefull look.

     "Do not harm her, Jasper. She could be Illya's daughter. We do not want to loose her physically or mentally. Do not bring hostility towards our guest." The King's voice boomed throughout the courtyard, making me cover my ears. He moved closer to me, wanting to say something.

     "Do you talk, maiden?" His voice was gentle once more.
     
     "Y-yes." I stuttered, not sure what would happen to me if I disobeyed the man. The King smiled warmly at me.
     "I haven't introduced myself yet. I am King James. James Holstein. And you are?" He waited for a response which I was hesitant to give but decided to cooperate with him.

     "Tano." I said quietly, embarassed by the many pairs of eyes set upon me.

     "Well then, Tano, let's get you fed, bathed, and...properly clothed." He stopped for a second to rethink his words before saying them. Two of the women led me into the main castle, down various parlors and corridors. They opened double doors and revealed a room fit for royals. The bed was massive and had pillars that reached the ceiling. Attached to the pillars were some sort of transparent material that hung on all sides of the bed.

     There was a body length mirror on the wall. Beside the mirror was a sliding door, which the blonde maid had opened. It was filled with an array of clothing, it smelt foreign and strange. On the shelf above, there were pairs of shoes they came in various colours and sizes.

     The second maid, a black haired girl with porcelain skin walked past me and into another room. Within seconds I could hear running water. I thought nothing of it as I continued to inspect the room. There was a desk with a chair, a bookshelf, and a few children's toys aswell as a painting of two kids and their parents.

     The girls looked about four years old, one had brown hair and the other had red. They were smiling, a few teeth were missing. I smiled to myself.