The Reluctant Queen

Chapter 4

A/N: Hi everyone!  

I just wanted to take a moment to thank the few readers that I have so far! I am so excited that you guys found my story. 

Also, just a reminder that updates are every Wednesday!

Enjoy!

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As soon as I finished my last bite of breakfast, Louis was ready to pack up and head out. 

He took my dishes away from me, putting them aside before taking his apron off. "You should probably get dressed. If you go out like that, it will be obvious that you're not from around here." 

I looked down and blushed. I had forgotten that Louis brought me straight to Kilader in my pajamas. My Sailor Moon pajamas. Five minuets later I changed into the only clothes left in the old farmhouse, worn men's farm wear that was about 3 sizes too big. There wasn't a mirror anywhere close to us, but I could envision how I looked. 

The pants and shirt were so oversized on me that I almost couldn't walk without tripping over my feet. I couldn't really tell the color they once were exactly because dirt and the sun made the outfit an ugly hodgepodge of stains. I felt so gross in them, and the only thing I could think of to make myself feel somewhat clean was putting my uncombed hair up. 

"Do you have the power to make me a scrunchy?" I asked him after I had dressed. We were in the kitchen again, packing up what food we could carry. Louis just looked at me for a moment. "It's a hair tie. But softer and cuter." 

"Oh, I should be able to work something out." He gave me a lopsided grin, and I watched with amazement as he flicked his wrist and a beautiful emerald ribbon appeared between his fingers with a snap. 

"Wow, that was pretty cool." I'm sure I had a dorky smile on my face as he bowed, handing me the ribbon. Not exactly what I was thinking of, but the ribbon was so stunning that I was glad he misunderstood me. It was satin and so soft I almost didn't want to wear it. I reached back to put my hair up but he shook his head. 

"Here, let me." He took the ribbon out of my hand and gently pulled my hair back. I could feel my ears flush as he touched them, bringing my hair together in his hands. "You have such golden hair," He murmured. "It's almost a shame to hide it away." I bit my lip, suddenly feeling a little squeamish. But the moment was over. Just like that, his hands were gone and his body turned from me to start on the next task. 

I stood there stunned while he was bagging up food. It was so odd with him. So far I was either drooling over his pretty face or I was so sick of looking at it that I snapped. 

While we finished packing, Louis went over the plan one more time. We were currently on the edge of a farm community, one that clearly didn't have occupants for quite a while. Luckily we didn't have to worry about Adrian finding us right away, but that only meant our journey was going to be long and hard to navigate. To get to his friend, we had to travel about half a day by foot, and he was insistent that we leave as soon as possible. 

"To get to the nearest city, we will have to travel through the country roads, which just so happens to be through the Lunam Forest. If we leave now, we will surly make it through the forest before nightfall." 

How he was phrasing it was giving me goosebumps. "What happens if we don't make it through before nightfall?" 

"Let's just say we would have a much more difficult time getting through the forest." 

My brow came together. Never mind, maybe it was better not to know. "So, just to be clear, we have to walk?" I asked as rounded up the last of our luggage. We both had large sacks filled with bread, dried meat, cheese and a leather canteen filled with water for each of us. It was heavy, but not enough for more than one day. 

He sighed. "Yes, Sophia. This is an abandoned farm house. No horses, no carriages. We will have to walk." 

I thought about it again. "Why don't we just use your magic? Wouldn't it be much faster?" 

He laughed, rolling his eyes at me. "No, it doesn't work like that. To use my magic that way uses a lot of energy, and there isn't a guarantee that we will get where we want to go." He slung his bag over his shoulder and opened the front door for me. 

Well that sucks. We had hours of walking ahead of us, and so far I knew nothing about my savior. What the heck were we going to talk about? Ugh. Usually I had Megan to help me at a time like this. She was so much better at killing the awkwardness than I was.  

The farmhouse was on a lonely acre clear of brush, but was otherwise surrounded in woods. It was beautiful, unlike even the woodsier areas up in Wisconsin. Trees as thick as three people crowded as far as I could see. It was completely breathtaking and it really set in how far I was from home.

No, how different this place was from home.

The only clear area within the forest was a narrow trail, big enough for about one carriage. We kept to the path, not really talking with one another. He made sure not to walk far ahead, always staying within a few feet of me. After a walking for what felt like an hour or so in silence I couldn't take it anymore. "So, um, Louis, why was this community abandoned? It's such a beautiful area."

"They were forced out. This area was harassed by bandits not too long ago." Huh...Not exactly a friendly, icebreaking topic. I tried something else, a question that had been on my mind for a while. 

"So...What made you work directly under the king? You must have some pretty good party entertainment to get his attention." 

I asked the question innocently, expecting him to laugh and show me some lame yet cool magic tricks like the one he showed me this morning. I could tell right away that I made a mistake as he paused, his shoulders tensing. "I caught his attention all right, but it wasn't from my ability. It was my father." He walked ahead of me a little bit, not letting me see his expression. 

"Oh." I looked around trying to think. "Is your father in the palace as well?"

He waited a moment before speaking."My father- well, he is Jared." He turned and looked at me, his face red with embarrassment and regret. "I'm sorry, Sophia, I was meaning to tell you but I didn't want to overwhelm you or make you question any trust you had for me."

 I swallowed, unsure how to reply. "Um, it's okay...I'm just a little surprised." And I was. What the hell was I supposed to say to that? I certainly wasn't expecting that answer. The two men looked nothing alike, and Louis mentioned that Jared was the Head Wizard of the kingdom. It then occurred to me that I  never got into detail with Louis how creepy I found Jared when he came over to my house with my mother. Maybe I would just keep that to myself. Even though I was surprised at this discovery, I wasn't angry. Louis had my full trust now, and who his family was didn't change all of the kind things he did for me. 

We continued walking, the only sound around us was the leaves crushed under our feet. And again, the awkward silence was broken when my curiosity got the best of me.

"But Louis, that something doesn't make any sense. Why would your father allow you to be such a low position? Wouldn't he be training you? Wouldn't you be fawned over in the court as the most powerful wizard's son?"

He snickered. "You would think so. My father and I don't really get along. I guess you could say he is one of the kings most trusted advisors. And I never really lived up to the family name."

We locked eyes for a moment. I didn't pity him or say sorry. I did, however, understand what that feeling was like. The feeling of being shunned by a parent. He gave me a sad smile, shaking his head. 

"So," I continued the conversation in a bit of a different direction, understanding that he didn't really want to talk about Jared any longer. "Why would the king want to have you so close then?" 

"Well, the simple answer is because the king despises me."   

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A/N: Sorry for the shorter chapter. Because of the holidays it was hard to get as much done, but next week will be back to normal. 

What do you guys think of Louis and Sophia? 

I know things are a bit slow, but it will pick up very soon, so stay tuned!

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