Break

Chapter 11: Goodbyes

Fuming, I stomp through the garden in my silk, white nightgown. All I want to do is scream till I can't hear myself or my thoughts anymore. I want to go back to when things were simple, back to where I only had to worry about what my prince will look like and when I will meet him. Now, I have a mage out to kill me, my father is dead, the man I thought I was in love with is injured, and I am falling for a pompous and aggravating mercenary who has no land, title, or wealth. My fist lashes out and nearly punches one of the marble columns of the resting area, but someone catches it. I don't recognize the face of the woman. She doesn't look like a servant. Her attire is far too nice.

"Who-"

"Sh!" she snaps and points to her left. "I'm listening."

"To who?" I whisper.

The woman creeps closer to the rose bush and kneels down. I join her, listening ever so closely to the conversation. Is that Faust and Rean?

"Delsair comes home tomorrow, so everything must be in order," Rean says in her uptight way. She sounds less aristocratic than Faust though. Her voice just sounds... condescending. "The servants must be clean, the castle must be spotless, everyone must dress their best, and the princess must look her absolute best so she can meet her fiance with some grace."

"You seemed to like her when she first arrived," Faust points out.

"Please! I have more dignity than that," Rean snorts. "I don't know why Delsair chose a clueless and daft girl like her, but I guess I will have to respect his wishes."

"Please refrain from speaking I'll of her around me," Faust replies with a hint of indignation. "She is a friend of mine."

"You flatter yourself, Jacob," Rean spits. "She seems incapable of having any sort of friend. She would probably piss herself at the sight of your magic."

"And you didn't?" he coolly says.

"Just make sure this all gets done," she growls. "I would hate to have to get you exiled."

"You've become spiteful, Rean," Faust states. "You used to be kind and considerate. What happened?"

"The man I loved lied to me," she hisses. "Not only that, but he has the power to kill me with a single touch."

"I would never-"

"You froze your own throne because you forgot!" Rean exclaims. "Do not tell me you would never hurt anyone. I want a man with a want touch, but yours is ice cold. I want a man who is loved by everyone, but you are hated by your own kingdom. Everything I want, you don't have. This discussion is over. Make sure the servants do as they are told."

Faust.... He loved Rean. The woman beside me rises, breaking me from my thoughts. I didn't really know why until I see Faust rounding the corner. His face goes from somber back to stoic when he sees us.

"What do you two think you're doing?" Faust asks us.

"Making sure Lady Voler doesn't pull anything," the woman snorts. "Can you believe her? She just threatened to exile you! Oh, and lest we forget that she insulted the princess."

"That was not meant for your ears, Rosa," he reprimands.

"Jacob-"

"Not a word more about this, do you hear?"

"No. I am deaf," she counters. "Stop being pushed around by her!"

"Rose," he warns.

"Fine. Be that way," Rosa says angrily before briskly walking away. "Have fun being a footstool for her!"