The Hissing Beauty (Undergoing Edits)

Chapter 7

Sariff's POV:

I withdrew from my place at the curtain as I saw him staring out the open window of what was once Jacque's room. I could not help but stare, perhaps it was because he was handsome in his own simple way or perhaps it was because of the spark of hope he set aflame in my heart for the first time in nearly 5 years.

"Will you joining him for dinner Sariff?" (Jac)

"No, I want to become friendssssss with him before he seesssss me." (Sariff)

"Very well, but if you ask me he rather likes it here." (Jac)

I smile at him before he walks out of the room, his tail flicking with what I would call hope as he walks out. I glance back at him and see him staring at the garden and I make a mental note to tell him he may come and go wherever he chooses, except in my wing. I do not make much attempt at appearing as a princess anymore, and I fear that exposing as much as my scaly skin as I have the tendency to show during the summer months would frighten him away.

"June!" (Sar)

I hear Philip the trolley pusher and June come into the room a few minutes after my shout and I turn towards her warm smile as she asks me if I need some tea or hot chocolate. I have great need of her during the winter months when I struggle to keep warm but for now I have something more important for her to do.

"I am fine right now, thank you June. I would rather you do ssssssssomething elsssssssse. I am sssssssure Jacque will give Daniel a tour but will you be ssssssssssure to give him the rulessssssss about coming here and tell him he isssss welcome everywhere elssssssse the gardensssssssssss included?" (Sar)

"Will you not be at dinner mistress?" (June)

"No, I believe that for tonight I will be in the library. Thank you. Thank you both." (Sar)

I saw them smile and do their own sort of bow thing as best as they could before leaving the room. At a quarter to six I left my room and made my way to the library as quickly as I could. I was on the second floor of the library reading one of my favorite books with a love story in it, when I heard the door open. I thought nothing of it at first until I heard Jacque speaking. Upon hearing his voice I put of the lights I was reading by and hid myself in a corner where I could easily see them but they could not see me unless they knew exactly where to look.

"And this is the library. Our mistress spends most of her time in here reading, it is her favorite past time. You are welcome here as well, as much as you like." (Jac)

"So I'm allowed to come and go in any part of the castle except the west wing?" (Dan)

"Yes, that's our mistress's wing and she enjoys privacy. Well dear, I have to be off to make sure the mistress eats something, Jacque mind helping me this time?" (June)

I saw Jacque turn and look at June with a confused look until she nodded towards where I was hiding and then to the door, rolling her eyes when he seemed to finally get the hint. Honestly, I wouldn't mind him not getting the hint. I don't know that I want to be left alone with him right now.

"Ah! Of course not, Daniel you are welcome to explore further on your own. If you get lost simply call for help and someone will be along shortly I assure you." (Jac)

"Thanks." (Dan)

I watched a Jacque and June quickly left the room, leaving me and the unknowing Daniel alone together. I saw him whistle lowly as he turned to look at all the books on both stories of the library, his eyes seeming to linger on my hiding place though I knew he could not see me as I was in the darkest corner of the library, having moved here when I heard Jacque leaving with June.