Cirice Forge doesn't know who she is. Other than a piece of paper with her name on it, she knows nothing about her time before she was dispersed into the foster system. Now, she bartends at a popular gentleman's club with plenty of ogling and still...
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Cirice awoke from a dreamless sleep, this time knowing exactly where and who she was. She noted how she had either forgotten her dreams or simply not had them and this surprised her. She was so used to constant torment in the night, serenity felt odd.
She took in her bedroom. The fire had been tended and on the table before it sat a covered tray. Cirice pushed back the covers and went to inspect it. The stone floor of the castle was cold, it's icy tentacles wrapping around her calves.
On the tray were a few breakfast items, nothing like what Boston could offer. Nevertheless, Cirice ate it gratefully, unaware of just how hungry she had been. A knock sounded at the door and Ithica appeared.
"Good morning Princess. I trust you slept well?" she asked, placing the linens that she held into the wardrobe and then looking at Cirice.
"Yes, though I'm still sore from the trip here." she explained, wincing as her arm and inner thighs ached.
"I shall prepare a hot bath. I'm sure you'll be wanting one after that journey." Ithica commented. She let out a small gasp and Cirice looked at her.
"I almost forgot. Mr. Idris delivered this early this morning. He wanted me to relay that you may be wanting these." Ithica said, her face contorting as she relayed his words and handed Cirice a small cloth bag.
Within it were a few toiletries, obviously from their time in Boston. Cirice scoffed as she examined the toothbrush, deodorant, and toothpaste.
"Those are odd things." Ithica noted as she entered the powder room. Cirice chuckled.
"I guess they are," she mumbled. Cirice looked at the ajar powder room door and spoke.
"Ithica, where do you think I have been all this time?" Ithica appeared, her brows furrowed.
"I'm not sure. Some say a curse, others say the Cardinal had a hand in it. I assume it has something to do with those trinkets." she said, gesturing to the toiletries. Cirice laughed.
"Sorta." she muttered.
"I have more reason to believe the first inference. You talk differently than you did before, Miss." Ithica explained as Cirice dropped her eyes.
"I've changed a lot haven't I?" she asked, fiddling with the strings on the cloth bag. Ithica smiled.
"Of course you have. You have grown into a lovely young woman. Now eat up, I have a bath to prepare."
****
Alex pulled at his collar as the crisp fall air tussled his hair. His mother scolded him softly from her place beside him as his father stood with his hands folded. He looked as if he was surveying his troops and not about to head to a dinner party.
"Stop fussing, Alex. You'll ruin that shirt." Alex's mother shot, her bonnet protecting her head from the evening sun.
"If I ruin it can I leave?" Alex spat, not intending to actually ask it out loud. His father glared at him disapprovingly as two people entered the town square. One was a Ghoul, his mask as flawless as his suit. The second was a girl, no older than Alex.
She was pretty, the kind of pretty that would have easily flourished back in Boston, or so Alex noted. Her angled face was graced with a petite, slightly pointed nose. Her blonde hair fell into ringlets and glistened in the sun, her blue eyes lit up.
They both approached Alex's group, yet Alpha was the first to speak.
"Remus, it is good to see you old friend." he noted, taking the Ghouls hand in a sturdy handshake. Alex watched the girl, his hands clasped behind his back.
"You know my wife and my son, Alexander." Alpha said gesturing to the two. The man took his mother's hand and then eyed Alex.
"I am glad to see you returned and in good health. I am also to suspect the rumors around the Vale to be true." Remus commented before releasing his hand. Alex nodded to confirm the man's comment.
"This is my daughter Margaery." the man said, placing his hand gently on the small of her back and ushering her forward. Alex took her in before gently taking her hand and kissing it. The movement felt odd and uncomfortable to him.
"She is a Potential, ready to take her vow any day now. I assume you will be doing the same? Following in your father's footsteps will be laborious." Remus said, chuckling. Alex swallowed hard and directed his attention to Remus.
"I actually have not decided if I am joining the Ghouls." he informed. Everyone, including Margaery eyed him in surprise. Alpha growled and quickly changed the subject.
"Well, we best be on our way. We are expected at the castle." he explained. Remus departed and Alex's parents began to leave the square.
Alex offered his arm awkwardly and Margaery took it. They walked slowly, her heeled shoes clicking on the cobblestones.
"If you do not wish to join the Ghouls, what will you do?" she asked curiously. Her voice was soft and feminine. It was a comforting one that would belong to a wife. Alex ignored the thought and answered her.
"I'd like to travel, perhaps as a messenger for Papa Emeritus. Those masks would definitely be a disadvantage." he explained. Margeary pursued her lips in thought.
"From what I have been told, you have already traveled much for someone of such a young age." she commented. Alex chuckled, recalling all the times he had moved. All had been because of Cirice. It was as if two magnets were planted beneath their skins and fate was the driving force that always pushed them towards each other.
"That is true. I have definitely had some adventures." Alex agreed.
"With the Princess?" Margaery asked. Alex stumbled a bit but wrote it off on the uneven stones beneath his feet.
"Yes, I was tasked as her Protector for a very long time." he said hoarsely. He decided to omit that he had in fact volunteered to watch over her.
"What is she like? I cannot recall ever meeting her before she left." Margaery commented, looking at him. Alex smiled in spite of himself.
"Absolutely wonderful. She is kind and quick as a whip. I don't imagine much gets past her." he replied, still smiling. Margaery chuckled, the sound like bells on the wind.
"I am glad. She will make a fine queen one day. Dare I say, are you blushing Mr. Idris?" Margaery teased, looking at him. Alex laughed and shook his head.
