Royal Rebellion {on hold}

Chapter 5

On the ride back, Charlotte and I asked each other questions. Since we kept running into each other it would benefit not to be total strangers

"So, what exactly did your father come here to report?" I asked, trying to make small talk. My teeth no longer chartered as the warm, summer afternoon lessened the chill in my bones.

Charlotte shrugged nonchalantly. "It was a report on some rebellious groups that were acting up in the city." I furrowed my brow. Rebellious groups? Charlotte continued.

"They've been stirring up trouble and have become bigger than ever. We still aren't sure if there's only one group or if it's multiple smaller ones."

"I didn't know there were uprisings in the city," I said, confused. It sounded like something serious and father couldn't have been keeping it from me, could he? I mean, there was nothing to gain or lose from knowing that bit of information.

Charlotte shot a surprised glance at me. "I thought you'd have already known. I mean, well, the rebels are affecting your city and you are a royal..." She trailed off leaving me to my own confused thoughts before she asked me a completely unexpected question.

"What happened to you?" I froze, knowing exactly what she meant.

"W-what do you mean?" I asked, nonchalantly.

"I mean, why were you covered in bruises and injuries. You seemed completely fine yesterday."

I remained silent, unsure of what to say. My pounding heartbeat seemed like the only thing I could hear. The silence seemed to stretch on forever. I swallowed.

"I-" I swallowed again. Just as I opened my mouth, I felt Charlotte's hand rest on my arm as she reached across the space between our horses. I looked towards her.

"It's okay," she said, smiling softly. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." She dropped her hand and shifted away. "A-and well, I shouldn't have asked. It's not in my place."

The silence weighed heavily all the way back to the castle and we slid off our horses as we reached the stables. Adam looked at me questioningly as he accepted the reins of my horse but I waved him off.

I escorted Charlotte to her room, still dripping wet with her blanket draped on my other arm. The blanket seemed to be completely soaked through by now.

"Here we are, my Lady." She glanced at me with a playful disapproving look. I grinned.

"Right, Charlotte," I corrected. Bending slightly, I placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand, water dripping onto her wrist.

Charlotte giggled and one of her lady's maids that came with her to the palace shot a disapproving look at my soaked attire and clicked her tongue.

I looked up and shot the maid a charming smile. Her face turned beet red from having been caught and she quickly muttered a "sorry your highness" before shuffling back into Charlotte's rooms.

Charlotte slapped my arm. "Oh, don't be so hard on her. She's an expert in the rules of court life unlike us." We both shared a grin. We were both more like the other than we thought.

The younger maid twisted her fingers in her hand before curtsying hurriedly.

"Your highness," she murmured. "If you don't mind, her Grace must get ready for dinner." She kept her eyes downcast and I stayed silent until she looked up at me.

"Of course." I turned back to Charlotte and cocked an eyebrow. "You didn't tell me that you were attending the dinner tonight. I thought it was just the diplomats." Charlotte smiled warmly.

"Looks like I was invited." I smiled back at her.

"Well then, I'll see you later." I let go of her hand and stepped back, watching as the door opened and the older maid puller Charlotte inside.

Smiling, I shook my head as I walked to my rooms. It was still the middle of the afternoon. I didn't know what would take so long that they would need half an afternoon to get ready for dinner. Though, I suppose that a woman's wardrobe is much more complicated.

When I returned to my rooms, Earl was horrified at my state.

"What have you done?!?!?!" He nearly tore out his hair. I mean, I've come back dirty here and there but never completely soaked with mud smeared all over my clothes. I was sure I looked horrendous.

"Pepper." That was all I said. Earl sighed

"I thought you already learned how to avoid that situation."

"Yeah well, I was distracted," I grumbled.

Earl only shook his head. "I'll get a bath drawn."

As Earl walked out of my rooms, I looked around. The servant girl was sitting tensely in a chair facing the fireplace. If possible, her body seemed to stiffen even more when my gaze landed on her. Silently, I walked over and pulled out a chair, sitting down beside her. We just sat there, beside each other; her tense and upright in her seat and me sprawled in mine.

"I'm sorry," I said, not even knowing what I was talking about. "Whatever I did for you to hate me, I'm sorry." If we were going to be stuck together in my quarters then we'd best get this tension over and done with.

There was still no answer. I looked to the side and studied her face. The low firelight cast additional light on the front of her face. My artist side appreciated the way the slight shadows and light blended together perfectly.

"Let's be friends," I said. Still nothing. I waited for a few more seconds then sighed and began to stand up.

"Why?" I paused and sat back down. "Why?" She asked again.

"Er, well.." I paused again and scratched my head. I hadn't really thought this far. I kind of shrugged. "Because??"

She turned to stare at me with a face that told me she was not impressed. We stared at each other as the silence lengthened.

This was the first time her face was in full light and she looked uncannily similar to someone else, just slightly different. She had a small-ish face with a petite nose and pink lips. Her baby blue eyes were framed by long lashes and her long honey-brown hair was braided back in a messy servant's braid.

I squinted and tilted my head to see her from another angle. I felt like I'd seen her before. Somewhere else in another time.

"Who.....are you?" I asked. She stiffened again.

"Excuse me?" Her eyes were narrowed and she stared at me with an unreadable expression.

"I-I feel like I've seen you before. I know you." She didn't say a word. As I scanned her face again, my gaze seemed to be drawn to her eyes. Aquamarine jewels that held an intelligence that far exceeded anything I knew. I was lost deep into her eyes, a glint from the light setting them afire. It suddenly clicked.

"Skye," I breathed. It felt right but I couldn't remember anything of her but her name. "Skye Valeron." Her sharp intake of breath was confirmation itself. I closed my eyes, trying to rack my brain for anything associated with her. I came up empty.

Opening my eyes, I saw the slight spark of hope in her eyes but it was quickly fading the longer I didn't say anything. I lowered my gaze to my lap.

"I don't know anything else." I muttered. Skye moved and I raised my eyes to see her turned away. I didn't know what to do.

"Forgive me, your highness. I am not feeling well. Goodnight." Her voice seemed to waver just the tiniest bit before she got up and stalked to her room door, shutting it softly and turning the lock.

Earl found me moments later, still staring at the cool, polished wood of the closed door.