Can I Really Trust You?

Four

The class ended and I quickly made my way out of there. I didn't want to mingle with my classmates unless I had to because I had plans to meet up with Ingela. Climbing up the stairs, I made my way out of the building and followed the brick pathway out of the palace gates. I took notice of its color and how some of the edges stick up, reminding me of how I used to scrape my knees when I fell as I ran around our mansion with Ingela and Kai. 

Ingela, Kai and I had been friends since we were born. Our parents had worked together and are all close friends. What made it better was the fact that we were all born within the same year with Kai being the youngest since his birthday was in the fall. Mine was in the spring and Ingela in the Summer. 

Both Ingela's and Kai's family work alongside my father. My father is the Lieutenant to the Rasten Garrison and Ingela's dad works under my Father as his Sergeant. Kai's family comes from royalty. In terms of status, Kai stands higher than my family. His family, the Rittenbaum, holds the title of Marquess and they hold the second largest army in the Rasten Empire -- The first being the Duke. 

Rittenbaum's army focuses more on man-power while Duke Rasten's army focuses on magic and sword-fighting. If someone were to have skills in magic, they'd join the Rasten Army but if they were great with a weapon, the Rittenbaum Army will have a place for them. 

They both work well with one another because they're both loyal to the current Emperor. There are those who would disagree that the Crown Prince at the time shouldn't have ascended the throne. They wanted the late Emperor’s illegitimate child to have been the one to ascend because of his full royal blood as opposed to Arsene and his brother’s being half royal. That's why there's a divide and tension currently rising in the Empire and Arsene is going around killing people who aren’t on the same side as his brother, Emperor Alaric De Rasten. 

"Watch out, Miss!" Someone yelled from behind me. I turned to see what I should be avoiding when an eagle with the wingspan as tall as me came swooping down. A moment of panic spurred inside of me and I turned on my heels only to have twisted my ankle.  

As if a twisted ankle isn't enough, the front of my heels got caught on the skirt of my dress, causing me to fall forward. 

I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing that the ground would hit hard but instead of hitting the hard brick path, I landed on something soft yet firm at the same time. 

The eagle cawed and I could feel the beat of its wings above me. Something snaked around my small frame and pushed the back of my head down as the current of the wind became stronger. 

"Becareful Sefton, we don't want to harm innocent civilians”. My savior's voice sounded deep and gravelly. "Sorry about that Lady Vanderbrown'', he apologized. 

The bird screeched and flapped its wings before flying back up and a whistle could be heard. The eagle’s screech was no longer close but I was still afraid to lift my head, just in case he decided to come back for round two. Rough calloused hands smoothed out my hair, tucking the stray hairs away from my face. "Is it gone?" I asked nervously. 

"Mmhmm", he hummed and I quickly lifted my head to look back. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw the eagle perched on someone's arm with a leash attached to its claw. My hands roamed underneath me at the soft firm material. I couldn't help but land my hands on top of a mound and gave it a light squeeze. 

"Squishy", I nodded and let out a playful smile. "So squishy", I kept squeezing unbeknownst that there was a man underneath me. 

The sound of someone clearing their throat caught me off guard and I finally looked down at the man who saved me from that giant eagle. My face burned with embarrassment and I quickly got off him.

A sharp pain shoots up my leg from where I had twisted my ankle and I winced. I 

limped backwards, bowing to thank the man. "Thank you for saving me from being attacked by that bird", I said embarrassingly.

"I should be the one apologizing. He usually does well but there was just something about you that attracted him", the man said. 

I brushed my hair away from my face and finally looked up at the man who saved me. His violet eyes pierced right at me and I shivered, as if I was afraid but there was something thrilling about it instead. They were deep and mesmerizing. 

I wanted to say something, anything but his beauty had silenced me. He was gorgeous with his perfectly arched brows, high cheekbones and perfectly chiseled jaw. His hair was golden blonde with a few strays that had landed onto his face and my hand itched to push it back to where it belonged. 

I took a step back but the heels I was wearing were making the pain worse. I pulled up my skirt, which forced him to look away, and took off both my heels. It was an instant relief as I set my foot back down onto the brick pavement. 

"I'm sorry", I apologized for being unlady-like. "I seem to have injured my foot when I tried running from Sefton earlier", I rubbed the back of my head as I recalled the bird’s name. 

"Oh no, that isn't good. Please allow me to treat you by having my doctor look at your foot". 

"No need for the trouble!" I raised both heels up and shook them. "I have plans this evening and I'm running late. Again I apologize for the trouble I had caused and… squeezing your chest", I said quietly and embarrassed. 

"Then at least allow me to escort you back to your carriage". 

"No, that's alright", I bowed and took a step forward when that jolt of pain came back ten-fold. Oh curse you Rizpah for being so weak! 

I awkwardly limped past him, smiling my hardest to not show any pain when he decided to lift me up from the ground and carried me. 

"This won't do", he told me with his face looking forward. I swallowed my lust for him as I examined him from his side profile. He was the epitome of a perfectly drawn character. I admired his long dark lashes that curled and I felt a pang of jealousy rose through me. My eyes trailed down his cheeks and onto his jaw as little stubbles were starting to grow in. The vein on his neck bulged, catching my attention as I watched his pulse beat wildly against his neck and I had to look away as mine began to mimic his. 

"You don't have to do this, I could walk on my own". His face was hard, unchanging as if he had no emotions. 

"Please, you were limping. I could see right through that face of yours Miss Vanderbrown". A small blush crept onto my face and I was glad my hair fell, hiding it from him. 

We made it past the gate and my coachmen ran worriedly towards us. "Lady Vanderbrown! Are you alright?!" Sweat dripped from his forehead and I couldn't help but to hold in a laugh at his worrystate. 

"She's alright. Take me to her carriage", he asked Brand. 

"Right this way", he bowed and walked him in the direction of the carriage. 

"Is he always that worried?"

"Sometimes. I tend to get myself into a lot of trouble when I was younger". 

"You don't say?" He said as he raised a corner of his lip. Brand opened the carriage door and my savior entered, placing me onto the seat before kneeling down to look at my foot. 

"A few days of rest and ice would heal it in no time", I assured him. He raised a brow and looked up at me with concern. 

"Are you sure? I don't mind sending a doctor over to your place--". 

"I'm fine", I chuckled as I cut him off. "Come to think of it, I don't even know your name". 

"My name?" He looked at me confused but amused. "It's Eren". 

"Well, nice to meet you and thank you, Eren". He chuckled and stepped out of the carriage. 

"It's only fair if I know yours".

"Rizpah", I replied. 

"Rizpah", he repeated with a smile on his face. "You take care, Rizpah". The door to the carriage closed and I could feel my heart skip a beat. I lean my head back against my seat and let out a small squeal as the carriage began to move. That was a crazy encounter I couldn't wait to tell Ingela about.