𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄. chapter two; The Grim's Hunter " Because our views of ourselves vary greatly from others'. "
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THE PRINCESS'S WEDDING was a grand event. Elspeth had found Kenna, who chastised her for the paint on her fingers briefly but couldn't do much other than tease her about Sebastian once hearing the story of their meeting.
This joke had lasted all the way through their re-getting ready, even lingering at the event itself.
"You're going to be a part of the royal family at this rate—"
"Kenna," Elspeth whispered with a smile, "You're horrible."
"My dear has already found love," The girl sighed, making Elspeth giggle— though, Kenna found herself distracted quite quickly, "Is that Demetre Langlois?" Kenna asked breathlessly, clutching onto Elspeth's arm, "Oh, he's gorgeous."
Demetre Langlois was a name that had managed to make its way to Scotland. He was born into a noble family, high-ranking and difficult, just as Elspeth was, but this wasn't why people knew him.
There had been a string of deaths, bodies shred to pieces, on the edge of the woods beyond the French Castle. Men told tales of a wolf, though they believed it was a monster, standing taller than a man when all fours. Its legs were thicker than tree trunks, eyes blood red— some believed it a beacon of death.
The Grim, it had been deemed.
But this was all rumor, until Demetre Langlois wandered into the woods, believed to be lost for no longer than a week, before turning up with countless injuries and its hide.
King Henry had given him many rewards once sending soldiers to find the whole carcass of this Grim— Demetre had become a face of France, nearly as legend as the creature itself.
"And terrifying," Elspeth mumbled, "Have you forgotten the rumors about him?"
"Dear Ellie," Kenna sighed, "That only makes him more attractive— ruthless, cold— did you know he's turned down every engagement he's been offered— even to Princess Claude."
"Doesn't sound like a very hopeful effort," Elspeth laughed quietly, watching the man Kenna had pointed out pluck a goblet of wine from a servant's tray, "Why would you want to find affection in someone ruthless and cold anyway?"
"If there's one thing that can change a man like him, it's a woman's love," Kenna smiled, "Now, come, let's go introduce ourselves."
"Kenna—"
"I won't hear it, come," Kenna laughed over Elspeth's protests, "One of us will be with him— I swear it."
"Excuse us, Your Grace," Kenna spoke up, dragging Demetre's attention to the girl curtsying before him, "But you looked quite lonely, and we've not made many friends thus far, so—"
