Chapter 4: A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing
1244 Words
I could not sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes my mind kept going to everything that happened in just one day.
The wedding, the palace and Ryans confession that he had chosen me himself.
Those final words before he left my room "There are eyes watching this room."
Who was watching us?
Why were they watching us?
These questions kept swirling in my head until the first light of dawn came through the silk curtains.
There was a knock at the door.
"My Lady?"
I sat up straight.
"You may come in."
The door. A young maid came in with a silver tray.
She bowed low that some of her chestnut hair came loose.
"His Highness wants you to join him for breakfast after you get ready."
I was surprised.
"He... Wants me to join him?"
The maid smiled politely.
"Yes My Lady."
For some reason hearing that made my heart skip a beat.
Yesterday I thought the Crown Prince would be cruel to me.
Instead he spoke to me with patience.
I still do not understand him.
Maybe I want to.
The palace gardens were really big.
I had never seen anything like it.
There were crystal fountains sparkling in the morning sun and rows of roses along the stone paths.
Birds were singing from the trees and butterflies were flying around.
For the time since I got to the palace I felt like I could breathe.
I walked slowly touching the petals of a rose.
"They are beautiful are they not?"
I heard a voice behind me.
I turned around quickly.
A handsome young man was standing a few steps away.
He was. His golden-brown hair was moving gently in the breeze.
His emerald eyes were sparkling with kindness.
He looked nice.
"You must be Lady Alvina."
He bowed elegantly.
"I have been wanting to meet you."
I bowed my head politely.
"My lord..."
He chuckled.
"You are so formal."
He straightened up. Put his hand on his chest.
"I am Prince Alvin."
When I heard his name I felt a chill.
He was Ryans brother, the prince who wanted the throne.
My fingers tightened around my skirt.
He noticed.
For a moment I saw something in his eyes. Then he smiled again.
"My brother has already scared you has he not?"
I said, "No..."
He just sighed.
"Ryan has never been good with people."
He stepped closer. Not too close.
"Do not misunderstand him."
I said, "I do not."
He smiled.
"Good, because I think we will get along great."
What he said was nice. Something inside me told me to be careful.
He asked me "How was your first night in the palace?"
I felt my cheeks get hot.
"It was... Peaceful."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Peaceful?"
"My brother surprised me then."
Before I could answer his eyes got sharper.
"Did Ryan tell you anything "
The question seemed harmless. The way he was looking at me...
He was looking for something.
I said, "I do not understand."
He laughed lightly.
"He likes to keep secrets."
He looked at me again.
"If he told you something I would be very jealous."
I forced a smile not sure what to say.
There was a silence between us.
Then we heard footsteps.
They were steady and confident.
I did not need to turn around.
For some reason I already knew who it was.
"Alvin."
Ryans voice was calm. The warmth in the garden disappeared.
Prince Alvin smiled without looking from me.
"Brother."
The two princes stood facing each other.
They looked calm. There was tension between them.
Ryan said, "Come "
I did not think I just went to him.
When I stopped beside him Ryan stood so that I was partially behind his shoulder.
It was a move but I noticed.
Alvin noticed too.
His smile did not falter.
"Protective "
Ryan did not answer.
Instead he asked, "Should you not be at the council meeting?"
Alvin shrugged.
". Family is more important."
There was a heavy silence.
Then Ryan spoke.
"My wife is still getting used to palace life."
"I would appreciate it if you did not bother her."
The words were polite. They were also a warning.
Alvin laughed softly.
"You make me sound dangerous."
Ryan held his gaze.
"I know what you are."
For a moment Alvins smile disappeared.
Then it came back.
"As you wish, Brother."
He bowed toward me.
"It was meeting you, Lady Alvina."
"I hope we talk again soon."
The way he said soon made me shiver.
He walked away without another word.
I watched until he disappeared behind the hedges.
Then did I breathe again.
Ryan turned to me.
"Are you okay?"
I nodded automatically.
"I think so."
He looked at my face.
"You do not have to pretend with me."
His voice was quiet.
"I saw your face."
I looked down feeling embarrassed.
"He seemed... Nice."
Ryan remained silent.
Then he asked, "What did your instincts tell you?"
I hesitated.
"...That I should not trust him."
A small smile touched his lips.
"Good."
We kept walking through the gardens.
For a minutes we did not talk.
The silence was not uncomfortable.
It felt peaceful.
Ryan stopped beside a pond where colorful fish were swimming.
"When I was a kid " he said, "I used to come when palace life got too much."
I looked at him in surprise.
"I never thought of you as a kid."
That made him laugh quietly.
"I was a kid once."
The sound surprised me.
It was soft and warm not like the prince everyone talked about.
"I climbed trees."
He looked at an oak tree.
"I skipped lessons."
I could not help smiling.
"You?"
"I got caught every time."
I laughed, a laugh, the kind I had not heard from myself in years.
Ryan looked at me.
Not at the palace not at the pond but at me.
"You should smile often."
My laughter stopped.
"What?"
"When you smile... You do not look like someone with a lot of worries."
My chest felt tight.
No one had ever noticed that before.
I quickly looked away afraid he might see the tears in my eyes.
"Thank you " I whispered.
Ryan did not say anything away.
Instead he took off his cloak. Put it gently over my shoulders.
The air had started to get cool.
"You will catch a cold."
The cloak still had his warmth.
I held it instinctively.
"Your Highness..."
"You can call me Ryan."
I looked up surprised.
"What?"
"When we are alone."
His golden eyes met mine.
"I would rather hear my name."
My heart beat faster.
"I... I will try."
He nodded a little.
"That is enough."
From the balcony of the palace hidden behind heavy curtains Prince Alvin watched the scene below.
His nice smile was gone.
Instead he looked cold.
"My brother is finally letting someone close."
A person in a hood appeared from the shadows, behind him.
"My prince... Shall we proceed?"
Alvins lips curved into a smile.
"Not yet."
His eyes stayed on me.
"Flowers are easiest to destroy when they are still blooming."
He. Watched as Ryan carefully walked her away from the pond.
"...after the flowers have started to bloom."
The wind blew hard through the gardens of the palace.
Alvina felt like somebody was watching her. She did not know why.
She felt like eyes she could not see were watching her every move.
- Writer
