Red

Six.

Mom had taught me a few things when it came to men. Not a lot but a few. Even though the prospect of a husband had been far away. There were much prettier girls in the village than me that men could marry.

But she insisted on teaching me some things. I knew how to cook as she said it is the best way to a man's heart. I knew how to do most chores around the house since I helped my mom.

But I doubt any of those things will be useful in a house like this. Court appeared to be human. Even when I saw him in the castle, he seemed normal to a degree. Like most other people in the village of his age he kept to himself and rode his horse around.

Since being here I now understood where he went when he disappeared to be with 'himself'.  No one would expect the prince to be in the woods. No one would even dare to step foot in the woods in fear of the wolves roaming, even during the day they could be out.

But why would they attack one of their own?

Court spent the nights back at the castle and sometimes here.  Then he came in the morning on his horse.

I was using the bathroom when he came in. When I walked out Court was seated on the bed with his legs crossed. His amber eyes glanced over at me. He had a plate of sausage sitting in his lap as I shut the door.

"I brought you breakfast and washed the dress you came in." Court spoke as he sat the plate down and handed me the dress.

I took it and went back into the bathroom and changed before coming out. Court looked up and smiled at me. The dress was clean except for faint pink colors around where the wound is. Court handed me the plate as I sat down on the bed to eat.

Court stood up as I began eating the sausages, he brought for me.

"When you're done get ready because we are leaving to pick up your clothes." Court said as he took a glance at me before exiting the room. I continued eating the sausages before setting the plate down.

I put my boots on and grabbed my cloak and wrapped it around me before opening the door. I looked out before stepping outside of the room and walking out in the same direction Court had gone when he took me out.

In the living room Court sat on one of the pelts covered couches. On the opposite one to him, Lyell; the one with white hair sat there with a book in his hand. Court glanced up and stood up as Lyell looked at him.

Then his gaze locked on me and a small smirk crossed his lips. Lyell made me highly uncomfortable.

"Lyell if Thorin shows up tell him there are some chickens in the shed that are in the process of being skinned he can take. He can also have one of our deer's as well." Court spoke and Lyell nodded at that.

"How many chickens?" Lyell asked as he looked up from his book.

"Up to five. I can replace them for us." Court answered and Lyell nodded before Court grabbed my arm and brought me outside. He took out his horse.

"Good boy Celeste." Court murmured to his stallion as he tacked him up before picking me up and setting me on him. Court then swung himself up on and turned him and trotted off in the direction of Lucia's cabin.

☾

Court slowed Celeste down from his canter into a trot and then a walk as he brought him up to the front of the cabin. He dismounted and tied Celeste up before helping me down. Court revealed a carrot which he fed to Celeste before turning to me.

He offered me his hand and I took it as Court walked up the stairs, went to the door, and knocked. Lucia opened it instantly as she smiled at us.

"Come in. I have her dresses done and a few nightgowns as well." Lucia said.