The Forest's Secret

Chapter Four:The Golden Empire

Alice's P.O.V

  As soon as he had draped his long, dark cloak upon me he had swiftly started walking towards the mounting castle before us.

   Struggling to catch up I heard him mutter just loud enough for me to hear, "awfully slow for a fox aren't you?".

  Not knowing how to reply I scowled and continued trying to catch up to him as he got even farther ahead of me.

  Soon tiring of his antics I began a full-out sprint towards the daunting castle before me.

   Shortly after I had taken off I heard a shout behind me.

   "Stop!", I heard Levi yell hoarsely, "What the hell do you think you're doing", he demanded.

   I stopped put my hands on my hips and bared my front canines.

  "Don't challenge me like that if you aren't prepared for the consequences", I hissed.

  "Challenge? I didn't challenge you. I was joking." he sighed as if talking to a three year old.

   We stood in silence for a moment in which it seemed we were both sizing each other up until Levi broke the silence.

  "Whatever, let's just get going. I wanna get there in time for the Sunday feast.", he remarked with a slight trace of annoyance and anticipation.

   As we made it to the gates Levi told me to stay back while he talked to the guards.

  He had flipped the Hood back up again so I could barely see but was just close enough to hear their conversation.

   "Young master", I heard the guard address Levi with the crunching of rocks as the guard kneeled before him, "If I may ask who is the young lady behind you? Could it possibly be your fiance?", the guard asked.

  Fiance? The word had no meaning to me as I'd never heard of it but whatever it was I was sure I wasn't Levi's 'fiance'.

  "Y-yes", I heard Levi say almost automatically.

  Just as I was about to object I heard the guard call for me to come forward and I did so out of pure curiosity.

   "She's awfully small, how old is Milady?", the guard asked Levi as I stood there speechless.

   "Just of age, a good sixteen years old.", he replied in all honesty.

   "And what might she look like?", he continued, "Though I am sure you are of the greatest choice for his Highness I would like to see for myself if you don't mind", he directed towards me.

  Before any words could be released from throat Levi spoke up hastily, "she is very self conscious, I apologize, maybe another time but yes she is of stunning beauty", he finished setting my cheeks on fire beneath the hood.

   "Of course, Master, you may go through as I'm sure you have many preparations for the wedding", he gestured towards the gate entrance.

   By now my mind was spinning, fiance? Wedding? None of these words seemed to make sense to me but Levi seemed preoccupied so I decided I'd ask a little later.

  As we continued through the city I was amazed at the amount of people lining the streets. There was people selling, buying, and begging all around.

  When a few minutes had passed since he talked I could contain my curiosity no longer and spoke up.

   "Why is everyone looking at us?", I questioned utterly confused.

  "Well, hmm, I don't know. It's not like I'm a prince walking around with a hooded figure or anything.", he replied sarcastically.

  "Sooorrry", I drawled then huffed," I forgot.

  "You forgot the biggest secret I kept from you?", he scoffed holding in laughter.

  I started to put my chin up in defiance but he quickly stopped me.

   "No one can see your face, at least until I've discussed something with you. Not now, later", he said quickly seeing the question forming on my lips.

  When we made to the keep of the castle Levi introduced me to the guards as his 'fiance' with self esteem issues again and the guards let us in.

  When we reached the bottom of the stairs I could contain my question no longer and it burst from my lips in a low whisper,"What's a fiance and wedding?"

   "That", he added emphasis to the word, "Will be part of our discussion when we get to somewhere we can't be overheard.", he finished.

   "Well, hurry", I complained, "these robes are getting hot".

  

   When we finally got to the top Levi told the guards by the entrance to his room he wanted to speak to his fiance alone and they exchanged knowing looks as if we were up to something devious.

   As he made sure the guards left he closed the door behind him.

   "Okay, what I wanted to discuss with you are your options as to what you're going to do", he explained in a serious tone.

  "And those are?", I asked impatiently.

  "Option one", he began,"you may stay here as a servant or find work within the city".

   "Not happening", I shot down.

   "Option two", he continued, "You may leave this whole empire, meaning within none of Golden Country".

   I looked around his room, it had many priceless looking items and works of art. It looked quite cozy.

   "Naww", I said looking back to him, "this looks quite homey."

  "Okay, last option", he said with a smirk, "you'll be my fiance".

   When he was done explaining what a fiance was I my jaw dropped to the floor along with Levis robes.

Sorry about how short it was, I'll start making them longer. Please vote, bye!