Derrick

Ten.

This chapter has 1352 words in it. Thank you SO MUCH for reading!

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When I'd cried myself out, Roy walked me back to my room. He nudged me into bed and tucked the comforter snugly around me, making sure I was comfortable. Then, he kneeled so he'd be at my eye level.

"We can try again tomorrow," He said softly. "When you're feeling up to it. Remember, he'll get better every day."

I didn't respond; I was exhausted, and my eyes slid closed. I felt a feather-light touch on my forehead, and I knew without looking that he'd kissed me there.

When I woke up, the sunlight was slanting at an odd angle into the bedroom. I sat up and looked around, still half-asleep and disoriented. I blinked the sleep from my eyes and glanced at the clock that hung on the wall. It was well past noon. I threw my thick comforter back and got out of bed, flinching as my feet touched the extremely cold floor.

I wasn't sure how he knew I was awake, but there was a light knock on the door. I opened it and was met with Roy's chest. I looked up and found his amber eyes looking at me, warm and friendly.

"I didn't want to wake you up," He said, smiling. "But if you're hungry, I've ordered a late breakfast in my dining hall."

I was sure I looked horrible, with puffy eyes and tear-streaked cheeks, but I was hungry.

"Okay," I said, my voice still thick from sleep.

He placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I can send someone here to help you relax," He offered. Despite the dull pain in my back from riding that horse with Derrick, I shook my head. Roy nodded.

"I'll let you get ready, then." He said. He closed the door behind him.

I shuffled to my closet and, surprisingly, Roy'd filled it with my favorite kinds of clothes. I picked out a loose gray t-shirt and a pair of black jeans, and yanked a brush through the tangles in my hair. When I was relatively tangle-free and decently dressed, I opened the door again.

Roy was waiting outside, in a simple black suit that still made him look insanely regal. His sandy blond hair was slicked back, and the faint freckles on his face added softness to his tan skin. He was so obviously the king, and I wondered why I never noticed how much he looked like one before.

He smiled at me, his white teeth popping against his skin. He held out his hand, and I took it. His hand swallowed mine.

"After we eat, we can visit Sebastian if you want," He said as we walked. "He's really doing a lot better now. His body is healing faster than we thought it would."

"He probably doesn't want me there," I muttered sadly.

"Nonsense. You and I are the only people here he knows, and one of us burned his entire kingdom down. I'm sure he'll get over his aversion to you."

It was the first time he openly mentioned what he did, and I didn't know how to react. I settled for not saying anything.

When we got to the large dining hall, the smell of bacon and eggs hit me in the face. My stomach responded eagerly, growling loudly. Roy laughed.

A big buffet station stood against the wall, and I knew it was the source of the heavenly smell. Roy led me over to it and handed me a plate, and I dug in.

After a huge breakfast, Roy asked me when I wanted to see Sebastian.