Parallel

Chapter IX: Dear Braxton,

Auralea

I woke with a groggy start. There was a slight pounding in my head and moving was easier said than done. As I climbed out of bed, my vision blurred and my muscles felt stiff. My mind was in a state of confusion before the previous night's events flooded back and hit me all at once. I watched the king and queen die. There was a strange feeling of reality to that dream. I felt grief and pain. I was mourning the loss of those who fell that night. That merciless man was responsible for the death of so many innocent people. I can only thank the stars that Braxton made it out safely.

I sigh, trying to push the images of the scene from my mind. I need to speak to Braxton about what is happening to me. I leave the physician's quarters; I have surely taken up enough of Mr. Knox's time in the few days that I have been in the castle. I know that I should make my way back to the servants' quarters but I found myself at Prince Leopold's door instead. I knock firmly and upon hearing silence, take it as my cue to enter. He's seated at his desk with papers thoughtlessly strewn about. His forehead was creased with worry as he read over the document in hand carefully and took notes. I cleared my throat and smiled softly when our eyes met. I curtsied before I spoke.

"Prince Leopold, I am sorry to interrupt your duties. I don't know why I assumed that you would be free to chat idly with me." His eyes did a once over of my body, leaving me feeling exposed and rather sheepish. He was probably noticing that I am in the same lavender gown that he gifted to me. I studied the floorboards instead of meeting his eyes again. "You are never a bother Auralea. Did you need to talk about anything in particular?'' I shook my head and fussed with the sleeve of the dress I was wearing. "Nevermind the talking now that I see how busy you are...would you happen to have a pen and paper that I could use to draft a letter? I'll take it to my chambers so you can refocus."

Prince Leopold stood and stubbornly shook his head as he began to drag a chair from his window to his desk. He gathered a few of the papers from the left side and cleared them, carelessly tossing them onto the floor before motioning me over. "We might as well be productive together." I sat down and nearly melted into a puddle when he gripped the back of my chair and pushed it in. Tingles shot up my spine as his fingers brushed my sides. I flushed and turned away to hide my flustered state. "Auralea?" The concern was in his tone again. I met his eyes. "Yes?" He nudged the paper and pen closer to me and arched an eyebrow. "The items you asked for are right here. You seem distracted today. Is your dream still bothering you?" I grabbed the pen and slid the paper in front of me. "No! I mean, no. It was just a dream. I know that. We are supposed to be productive, remember?"

I motion toward his papers and though he looks unconvinced, he refocuses on whatever had his attention before I interrupted him. I let out a breath of relief and began writing.

Dear Braxton,

There is something peculiar going on here at the castle. Ever since I arrived, I have been experiencing sickness and headaches. I have been working hard despite feeling unwell. Besides my symptoms of sickness, there have been other odd experiences. I had a dream that a man breached the castle and killed the king and queen. The most unusual part was that you happened to be there as well.

You were given the task of taking the heir to safety, far away from the castle. What do you think it means? I have been missing your wisdom, the bishop's kindness, and the livelihood of the children. Is everyone well? I have one last question: do you remember what condition I was diagnosed with by the physician in the orphanage? The physician here cannot seem to figure it out. Overall, I hope I am making you proud.

With love,

Auralea

The prince and I must've sat there for hours, him being involved in his tasks, and me thinking over the events of the past. There was no logical explanation for how I could have seen the assassination of two people I had never met in my life, besides witchcraft and the last thing I wanted to do was burn for seeing a horrifying glimpse of the past. I had never experienced any of these symptoms until I came into this castle. I wanted to go back to the orphanage and go back to my normal routine but I knew that was not an option anymore. Hearing bits and pieces of Prince Leopold's thoughts, seeing the royals dead, they were both delusions.

I frowned at my new found realization. There was no wonder the prince was being so kind to me; I was going mad and he knew it. The best anyone could do now is keep me comfortable until I broke down and was unrecognizable. A knock at the door and Prince Leopold's voice brought me out of my thoughts, as usual. "Come in." He looked up from the mess on his desk as Odette scurried into the room and bowed politely at the pair of us. I was slightly taken aback by this. "Your majesty. Auralea. I have your lunch." I furrowed a brow. "Is it afternoon already?" She tried to bite back a knowing smile as she placed the tray down onto the side of the desk that I was currently sitting at. Probably because it was a lot less messy.

"It is." Odette paused to look me over. "Speaking of, have you had your bath yet? I can draw one for you if you'd like." I flushed imagining bathing in the same room as the prince and shook my head. "No but tha-" "That sounds lovely. Go ahead and draw her a bath, thank you Odette." She shot me a sly wink and smiled as she walked over to the tub to draw the bath. I turned to the prince and tried my hardest to muster a stern look. "I would love a bath but unfortunately, all of my clothes are in my room." He gave a swift nod. "That won't be a problem. I have something for you to wear." I pouted childishly and his lips twitched upward and she stood and pulled out my chair. "Well go on then." I grumbled as I walked over to the tub and closed the curtain.

I swatted Odette's arm as soon as I was close enough. "Hey! What was that for?!" She whisper-yelled as she rubbed her arm. "You set me up back there." She just shrugged and smiled cheekily. "I'm just giving you and that handsome prince in there a little push in the right direction. You'll thank me later in gold." I roll my eyes and smile as I strip out of my dress. From what I could tell, Odette meant well and she was fun to be around. I settled into the tub and tried to scrub the stress away before Odette began washing my hair and putting my curls into a neat puff atop my head as they dried. We made light conversation that mostly consisted of all of the new rumors spreading around the castle. If I learned anything today, it was that Odette likes to keep up to date with drama.

When I was finished with my bath, she wrapped me in the softest black towel I had ever felt and nudged me out of the curtain separating the prince and I. She muttered a quick, "You're welcome." and left the room before I could even process what happened. My eyes widened when they met his and we both froze. He dropped the papers in his hands and stood. I took a step back, toward the curtain but stumbled clumsily. He was by my side as I was regaining my footing, his fingers delicately grasping my arms to steady me. "T-thank you." I whispered, my breath caught in my throat from our close proximity.

His eyes trailed down from my face to the very top of my towel and his grip on my forearms tightened slightly. "Prince Leopold? Can I have something to put on please?" I licked my lips nervously as they had run dry due to my anxious state and dehydration. His deep brown orbs flickered up to my lips and he stepped back, letting me go and shaking himself out of his daze. "Right...clothes." He turned his back to me, walking toward his armoire and pulling a gorgeous yellow dress out. He tossed it onto his bed, keeping his back to me and mumbling to himself. I grabbed the dress and all but ran behind the curtain, closing it and sighing. I'll get you back for this Odette, just you wait. 

A/N

This chapter was really fun to write but it's longer than the other chapters. Do you prefer short or long chapters?

~S&A