Maere

Chapter 3

          The next morning, Aralyn emerges from her room with puffy eyes and a downcast demeanor. She didn't sleep much last night and her dark circles became more defined in that time. While walking around aimlessly, through a window she sees Zolo and his fiancée Lena eating breakfast. The brunette kisses him admiring his presence. She felt a dull pain remembering how Chase looked at Samantha. She notices Zolo makes eye contact with her and she jumps in surprise trying to look away. This was a situation she'd normally run to Louise about, sparing no details about how awkward it was for her to be caught staring. She feels a certain twinge of sadness knowing she couldn't talk to her after her argument yesterday.

The girl goes back to her room, hoping to get some much-needed rest. Just as soon as she lied down on the mattress, someone knocks on her door. "Come in." She calls, unwilling to get up after just laying down.

Zolo walks in opens the door. "Why didn't you change into the dress I set out for you?" He motions at the dress that she had purchased which ended the day being partially scorched.

She looks at him in confusion but then notices that right next to her there's a gown sitting on the nightstand. "Sorry. I didn't even see it there. I had a rough night." She laughs, trying not to worry the boy.

"It's alright. Don't worry about it. I did too." He grins, "Well, I'll let you change. I just wanted to let you know we're going to meet up near the water fountain."

"I can't wait to get back home." She smiles hollowly, she wasn't sure anymore if she'd wanted to go back so soon anymore. Last night made her evaluate a lot about herself and her relationship with others. "I hope you told your fiancée where you were going before leaving this time." The girl laughs a little remembering how relieved Lena was yesterday after Zolo returned to Karmen.

His look towards her is unreadable, leaving her confused. The boy is silent as he closes her door and leaves. The girl couldn't let herself become even more anxious over his strange mannerisms towards her. She sighs, getting up and changing into the dress Zolo laid out for her on the nightstand. She was unsure how a hoop dress that was tight around the bust and waist was apt for traveling but she chose not to question it.

Waiting for her when she arrived at the water fountain were Zolo and Lena. Sitting on a bench was Louise, she wore a dress like Aralyn, but it was less extravagant. Aralyn looked at her briefly but Louise didn't even make eye contact with her. Once Zolo caught a glimpse of Aralyn his face flushed red and he tried looked away. "You look nice." Zolo notes, "I'm glad it fits you well." Both Lena and Louise look at him furrowing their eyebrows. "Come get your bag. I had my servants fill it up with a bunch of different supplies should we need them." He points at a rucksack at his feet and the girl goes over to pick it up. She rests it on her shoulders, immediately feeling weighed down by how much was in there. Strangely enough she was reminded of her freshman year in high school and cringed. "Are we ready to get going then?" He asks, looking at the ginger and blonde expectantly. The two nod and Zolo starts heading for the exit.

"Are you sure you should be the one escorting these two?" Lena grabs Zolo's shoulder to stop him. "It's not safe for you to just keep going out without any protection, my love. Karmen has many enemies. What if one hurts you while you're out?"

"I can protect myself, Lena. You forget I can use magic. I'll be fine." Zolo reassures her, removing her hand from his shoulder. "I'll see you when I come back."

"Just know that I love you. Please come back to me safe." She kisses him on the cheek and then hurries off to go back inside the castle.

Zolo sighs, shaking his head. "Sorry about that." He quietly says. "Well, let's go! We're burning daylight. We should go through the secret exit." The prince snaps his fingers and the water fountain moves to the side, revealing a hole in the ground. There's a ladder on one side and Zolo motions for Louise to go down. She looks at him reluctantly but eventually starts climbing down. After her, Aralyn starts climbing down and then Zolo. Once they finish climbing down the ladder, the water fountain moves over, taking its place once more.