Steel Rose

Chapter 14

Ptolemus Pov

   I had planned to see Belle again. I truly did. I'm not sure on how far I am on my feelings, but I know I'm attracted to her. So that works. I had a meeting with the crown prince yesterday, Tiberias. I should have been wondering why he had called me. I should have been nervous. I wasn't. Tiberias and I have been socializing since we were children, but we both knew it didn't make us best friends. 

   You are the best warrior in the country. I will need you by my side when I lead my legion. I had accepted, of course. The red devils and Lakelanders threatening us, we needed each other to win these wars. Even I could admit to that, to myself, not out loud. I made my way to her residence, moving quickly. A few red maids scurried to the sides of the hallways, avoiding my presence as much as they could. 

   I would knock in her home, unannounced, not prepared. I just wanted to see her. For a few moments at least. I stopped in front of the door, taking a large breath of air, my heart pounding in my chest. I knock firmly, stepping back slightly. It takes a moment for the door to open, but when it does a lady in gold and green stands there. I had expected a servant. 

   She raises an eyebrow, reminding me much of my own mother. "How can I help you young man?" she asks. 

   I swallow, "I'm looking for Isabelle," I tell her.

   "Why do you need to speak with my daughter," she asks her voice slicing and severe. Makes me wonder, Belle must not have told her mother much about me. 

   I answer swiftly, taking no time to ponder over my answer. "I only wish to speak with her briefly, my Lady. I was under the impression though, that Isabelle had told her famliy about me." 

   She looks me up and down again, taking her time to do it. I know its wrong, but I quickly get irritated, wanting to push my way past. "Not much, you must be Ptolemus." 

   I nod my head standing straighter. "Yes ma'am," 

   She nods back, "Of course, one moment." she closes the door.

   I take the few seconds to push my hair back, and fix my shirt. I'm not actually sure how long Belle and I will be, and lying to her mother seems to be a rough start. Not much I can do much right now. The door opens again, and Belle is there. In simple outfit of tight dark red leggings and a jacket with gold detailing in the sleeves and collar. Her hair is pulled back into a bun. 

   "Ptolemus?" she smiles her voice raising at the end. "I hadn't expected you," 

   "I know," I answered as she stepped out the hallway closing the door behind her, "I wanted to stop by and apologize about not contacting you sooner, the crown prince called on me."

   "Oh," she practically shrugged and she didn't seem angry at my lack of proper manners, "If you don't mind me asking about what he spoke about you with." 

   Oh. "Nothing too serious, I assure you," I told her and she tilted her head to the side.

   "Um" she grinned but she didn't sound too convincing. "Okay." She gestured down the hallway, "Do you mind if we walk?"

   I offered her my arm, and she slipped her arm into mine and we began to walk down the hallway. "Won't you mother-,"

   "She'll be fine," she interrupted. "I don't think she'll mind too much." 

   We walked nowhere. We had no real destination. The thought made me uncomfortable. We had no plan, no strategy. Belle didn't seem to mind at all. At some point we had left the palace, and she lead me into the city. A fleeting thought crossed my mind, as I watched the afternoon sun make her hair shimmer and glow. The gold on her jacket sparkled like diamond. 

   "You're too stiff," Belle suddenly said. 

   I snapped my head down at her but she was looking straight ahead, her gaze distant, "What?"

   "I can feel your muscles tense and relax." she said. "Tense and relax," she repeated. "Always tense," she smiled but still didn't look at me like I wanted her to. "Tell me when will be the time you just," she let out a large breath of air. "breath."

   Knowing she meant when do I ever truly relax, I answer, "When I'm dead," 

   A burst of laughter erupts from her. Not soft, but not harsh either. Smooth maybe, easy definitely. "Funny, Samos." 

   Her laugh makes me smile, "I'm trained to be on alert, always. I'm a warrior, and that is what warriors do." 

   "Where in the time do warriors take to just breath. Or observe their without looking for a threat that may not exist." she pauses hesitating on her next words. " Warriors are born, they live, and they die. And when they die, they rot, and after a while they are forgotten. " she says without being mean or being bratty. "Just like everyone else," she finally looks up at me but I wish she didn't. I wish she couldn't see the confusion on my face, or the questions. "even Reds." 

   "Reds can surely rot," I mumble. 

   Belle pauses, for less then a second and any other person may not have noticed. "Reds, as inferior and unimportant they are, they are people too." she sighs looking away. A waft of fresh bread passes on the next afternoon breeze, smelling sweet. "And take my head if you must, but it is cruel to treat them as anything less."

   Her words are odd and confusing. I don't understand they way she thinks, and I may never.She is smarter then she lets on. Many people take every and any chance to show off their intelligence and strength. But she doesn't. She surprises me. 

   She raises an eyebrow and stops, turning to me. She faces the sun so she squints up at me. People continue to shuffle around us, paying us no mind or second thought. "Are you cruel, Samos?" she asks.

   "Cruel?" I repeat. Cruel. No. Is my first thought. I tilt my head in thought.

   "Yes," she says. "Are you cruel? I don't want an answer, just think about it."

   She takes my arm again and we keep walking. "Have I been to you?"

   She giggles, "You weren't the nicest guy when we first met,"

   I smile, "Prehaps,"

   "No," she drags. "You absolutely weren't kind. And I should have never talked to someone who forgot his manners the first time we met. But I like you. Your gripping." 

   "How so?" I ask. The only person to spend so much consensual time with me is Evangeline, or my family. 

   She shrugs, "I haven't really determined that part yet, to be honest. But I like you."

   After a moment, Belle leads me to the market. I bit my lip holding the words in, for another moment. The crowds begin to thicken, and the voices of merchants advertising their product, but I don't process any of it. "I like you too." And I don't know if she heard me.

   Her smile is the only conformation I need. 

Author's Note:

Thanks for your support. Don't worry this isn't the end. I just wanted to say sorry for the delay on updating. School has hit me hard, and some other personal issues. Continue reading, and share with your friends. Leave comments, ideas. Thanks again.