The royal moon witch

Chapter 5 - The pick nick date

* Valentino P.O.V. *

I couldn't believe what I just heard. She changed my order into one of the protective kind toward both of them. I only wanted my mother to be safe and here that witch goes, saying it was a excellent idea and thanking the guard for going with them. I would show her how thankful she must be when she returned! She forgot about the fact that my parents would be gone by the end of the day and that I would be in charge of everything.

"Valentino?" I looked up when I heard my father say my name.

"Yes dad?" I asked and saw him look at me. His face was normal, not a sign of joy about what just happened but his eyes said enough. He had enjoyed how the witch had spoken back to me.

"I want you to give her a chance.. You were hurt in the past I know but it is not even sure that it was a witches coven that did it" my father said and I rolled my eyes.

"I am sure that it was because I saw how they lifted her in the air without even touching her" I said and put down the fork I was holding in my hand. I had just lost my appetite so I stood up and walked away.

"Valentino" my father said again and I turned around to look at him. He was serious about his question, that I could see but I shook my head.

"I'm not promising anything dad.. If she can behave then I'll be nice but if she steps out of line, I'll do something about it" I responded and with that said I walked out of the dining hall and went upstairs. I had my phone in my hand and send a text to Sam:

Keep me updated and informed of everything that happens

I hit the send button and continued my walk when only ten steps later my phone buzzed, signaling I had a new text. Of course it was from Sam:

Yes Sir.. Though can you specify that? Do you mean every event in which I had to protect the Queen or also every store we enter and a list of everything they bought?

I couldn't help but sigh at this text but also a smile worked the corners of my lips up. He was such a fool sometimes. I decided I would text back later and see what the i***t would do, though I already had a feeling that I knew which of the two he would do and I decided that I could better tell him to focus on protecting my mother. I was about to send him a text when I got a series of photo’s send by Sam. I sighed and put my phone away. I could better first head to my bedroom or office before I went to delete all those. Why would he even think I was interested in what she would buy?

I entered my bedroom and closed the door behind me. The first thing I did was walking towards my desk and look at the photo of the girl I had lost thanks to those filthy witches. My beloved Eveline, murdered by witches for the gain of I have no idea what. Maybe it was all a set up for them to get one of their own in the palace. I sighed and shook my head. I had seen the people this witch came from and they were not the same as the ones I saw that faithful night. I closed my eyes and could see all the events of that day:

‘’Eveline, where are you going?’’ I asked and followed her around the palace garden.

‘’Just somewhere’’ Eveline said laughing. We had just returned from a shopping spree we did pretty much every week.

‘’Sweetheart, it is almost dinner time. Let’s go back inside’’ I said and instead of listening, she started to run. I could swear she did this on purpose but I didn’t mind.

‘’Catch me if you can!’’ She yelled and headed towards a small maze we had in the garden. I’ve always had a lot of fun in the maze. As kid I always played hide and seek in there with friends well... Servants or their kids and as teenager I always used it to hide in to get away from the guards or hide myself with one of the servant girls when we did things we were not supposed to do. I followed her and knew the way like my back pocket.

‘’Eveline come on.. We’ve talked about this.. I love you but you have to show that you are princess worthy to my parents’’ I said and sighed.

Lately it had been quite a thing in the palace. Well in the palace? More like between me and my parents. They think Eveline isn’t fit to be a princess or queen because they think she is a gold digger. I didn’t believe them, alright she loved shopping and really enjoyed getting gifts but she wasn’t shallow. I took another turn right and looked around.

‘’Eveline, please’’ I said and suddenly heard her giggle. She had the cutest giggle.

‘’Gotcha!’’ I said when I grabbed her from behind. I spun around with her in my arms and she squealed from joy.

‘’Hahaha alright Tino.. Let me go’’ she said and was kicking in the air when I had pulled her up from the ground.

‘’No, we are going to dinner’’ I said and walked out of the maze.

‘’You really know your way in this thing’’ She said impressed.

‘’Of course, I played a lot in here as a kid’’ I said and when we were out of the maze, I put her on the ground but held on to her hand.

‘’No running away anymore misses’’ I said and she smiled.

‘’Alright’’ She said with a sweet smile and she kissed my cheek. I smiled back and gave her a proper kiss on her lips. We walked back to the palace when suddenly a soft singing was heard, it came from the trees that leaded to the forest and I frowned a little. I had heard it before but I saw how Eveline got in some trance from it. I snapped my fingers in front of her face and she woke up.

‘’I’m sorry’’ she said and I smiled.

‘’It’s alright, let’s go’’ I answered and took one of the side doors that the Palace had.

During dinner nothing special happened and after it Eveline and I went back to my room.

‘’Your room is way to dark.. I don’t like it’’ Eveline said as I was putting a movie in the DVD player.

‘’Well, I’ll let it change when you come live with me’’ I said and she giggled. It was the cutest sound she made. There was one sound cuter but that special sound she only made if we laid in bed. I stopped that thought because it wasn’t my intention we would end up there. I sat down next to her on the black couch and pulled a soft blanket over us.

‘’At least this one is light in color’’ Eveline said teasing and I chuckled.

‘’Yeah yeah’’ I said and knew very well she didn’t react on my earlier comment. That did made me wonder if she even wanted to live with me and if she even saw a future of us together but I decided not to fuss over it too much. We watched a movie together and after that, another one. Halfway the second movie I noticed she had fallen asleep and I was feeling tired myself. I closed my eyes and also drifted of to sleep with Eveline in my arms.

Later that night I woke up from a cold breeze and she was gone. I looked around but I also didn’t see her lay in bed. Another breeze made me look at the door which was open. That never stays open. I walked out of my room and looked at the hallway.

‘’Eveline?’’ I said and walked to the handrail.

‘’Eveline?’’ I said again and looked at the lower floor. Suddenly I saw her walking but she didn’t walk normal, it seemed to me like she was in a trance. I started to run and went downstairs as fast as I could. I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed the number of Sam, one of the guards and a good friend of mine, and hit the call button.

‘’Yeah?’’ Sam said, he didn’t sound sleepy at all and I was glad about that.

‘’Sam, get here right away.. Something is wrong with Eveline and she is walking towards the forest’’ I said as I was running. I was still a bit hazy in my head from my nap on the couch but kept Eveline in sight at all times.

‘’Alright, what exit did she take?’’ Sam asked and I could hear he was putting on a coat.

‘’Not one yet but she is heading towards the garden doors at the side, the ones close to the dining hall’’ I said.

‘’Alright, See you in a bit’’ Sam responded and hung up. I quickly put my phone back in my pocket and kept following Eveline.

The moment I saw her open the doors, I also heard the same song playing as earlier this evening. Yet again it had no effect on me but more on Eveline.

‘’Eveline’’ I said again as I was very close. I grabbed her wrist but she pulled on it and kept pulling until I had to let go or else I would have broken her bones. I kept following and soon Sam came walking next to me.

‘’You hear that?’’ Sam asked and I nodded.

‘’Yes, I heard the same sound earlier this evening too, around dinnertime’’ I said.

‘’What is it?’’ Sam asked.

‘’I have no idea.. Maybe witches?’’ I asked.

‘’That is a harsh thing to say.. They are peaceful and.. I never heard of witches enchanting people’’ Sam said.

‘’I know, I have no clue.. I just think it are them’’ I said honestly and shrugged my shoulders.

‘’Let’s follow her, did you try to stop her?’’ Sam asked.

‘’Yes but she kept pulling so hard I had to let go or else I would have broken her wrist’’ I said and sighed.

‘’We will get her back, what ever this is that holds her’’ Sam looked at me as he said that and smacked his hand on my shoulder.

We followed Eveline deeper into the forest until we saw a group of people standing in a circle. The singing came from them and it was clear to see they were witches. At least it was clear for me. They wore long cloaks and the hoods hid their faces in the shadows. Beside Eveline, two more girls came from different directions and they entered the circle. I wanted to go to them but Sam stopped me and shook his head. He was right, it wasn't safe to confront them now but they had Eveline. She is the girl I love and I want her to be safe. I looked at the circle and at Eveline and the other two girls and had a very bad feeling.

The hooded figures then stepped back and the girls entered the circle. They spoke in a language I didn’t understand but it seemed like Eveline and the other two did. They nodded after I assumed a question was asked. I saw how three of the group came closer to the girls and suddenly pulled out a knife.

I got up and rushed towards them but Sam tackled me into a large bush, we made quite a bit of sound but some how it seemed like they didn’t hear us. Or they simply didn’t care that they were seen. I saw how the knife was stabbed into their sides and Sam put both of his hands on my mouth to keep me quiet. I felt tears roll over my eyes when Eveline fell to the ground. My sight got blurry because of the tears and I didn’t know what exactly happened but I did feel how my anger grew. Just as Sam got of me, I saw how the figures had disappeared from the woods. It was like they had not even been there. I knocked Sam of me and ran to where the circle had been. Nothing. Not even blood was on the ground and no footprints to track.

‘’EVELINE!!!!!!’’ I yelled and looked around.

‘’EVELINE WHERE ARE YOU?!!’’ I yelled again and started to run in one direction. I heard how Sam followed me but I didn’t care. I had to find her! She was my love. My true love!

After a hour of searching, Sam pulled me away from the forest and back to the palace. It had started to rain and we were drenched by the water. I was still angry and sad but mostly angry. How could this happen? How did they even dare to come so close to the royal grounds?

I remember vaguely how Sam had brought me to my room and notified my parents but only because later on he told me he had done it. The first three months after this had happened are all very vague for me as I lived in a haze from which I couldn’t escape. My mother had felt very sorry for me and for Eveline. She may not have liked the girl and didn’t think she was right for me or the country but she did not have wanted this for her.

A knock, well several knocks, on the door woke me up from my thoughts and I sighed.

‘’Who is there?’’ I asked a bit irritated.

‘’It is me, your greatest lover of all the world’’ Sam responded with a squeaky voice and I rolled my eyes. ‘’I am not here, this is a answering machine installed by the Prince. If you don’t leave, bombs will go off and injure you’’ I said and he opened the door.

‘’Great job man, but I ain’t scared of your bombs.. I live in a house with a living stink bomb remember?’’ Sam said and that was true.

‘’Yes, I know’’ I said with a little laugh. Sam lived in one of the guards houses on the palace grounds together with his little brother. Their parents had died in a fire when Sam had just become a guard here and he had begged my parents to let him take in his brother. He didn’t have to beg because it was quite normal for a guard to have a house on the grounds in which his family lives too. Often family members even can get a simple job here to provide extra for their families when they live on the ground. Of course not if they are minor aged like Sam’s brother.

From the first day he started, Sam and I had been good with each other. Somehow he knew exactly how he had to keep a eye on me without me feeling annoyed by the fact that everywhere I went, guards were close by. He even wears normal clothes more often than the royal guard outfit. Of course he does wear the guards pants to show he is working but it is only slightly noticeable. Over the years we grew to be best friends and we are there for each other when needed. All though he doesn’t share the same feeling towards witches as I do, we respect each other in that.

‘’So, my mother has returned safe?’’ I asked.

‘’Of course, and Vira too’’ Sam said and I rolled my eyes.

‘’Sure, good job on that, wish you had thrown her over the bridge though’’ I said and Sam sighed.

‘’You know, she isn’t that bad..’’ He said and I looked at him.

‘’Did she bewitch you or something?’’ I asked. Sam laughed and shook his head.

‘’Anyway, I came to pick you up’’ he said and I raised an eyebrow.

‘’Remember that your mother told you that you would go on a date today?’’ Sam asked and I had totally forgot about that.

‘’Is she seriously forcing me?’’ I asked and Sam shrugged his shoulders.

‘’I did have to fetch you, even if you didn’t want to come’’ he said and I sighed.

‘’Fine..’’ I said and knew that Sam didn’t mind turning my arm on my back to force me into coming with him.

‘’Let me grab my jacket’’ I said and walked inside to grab my jacket and just in case my mother made us go to some restaurant, my wallet. Not that I was planning on paying for the witch but I knew I would have to because my mother would actually try to kill me if I didn’t.

Five minutes later Sam and I walked back downstairs.

‘’So which dress did you like the most?’’ Sam asked and I looked at him confused.

‘’The pictures I send’’ he said with a big grin and I rolled my eyes.

‘’I was busy with other stuff, I forgot to delete those.. I never asked for pictures of her’’ I said. Irritation was clearly in my voice but Sam didn’t care, he laughed it off and lead me to the garden.

‘’Where are we going?’’ I asked.

‘’To your date, you will have a date in the garden’’ Sam said. I looked at my watch and saw it was 3:00 PM. I sighed again and followed Sam. We went around one of the many corners and there, in the flower field I saw my mother and the witch. She wore new clothes and even though I didn’t like it, I had to admit they suited her.

‘’Welcome on your first official date.. Since your outburst yesterday and your trick with Vira’s dinner last night’’ my mother said and narrowed her eyes a little at me. So she told her about it I thought yet when I wanted to give the witch a filthy look, I saw a shocked face. She didn’t tell my mother? Hmm. Strange, I thought she would have first thing this morning. I shrugged it off, and looked at my mother again.

‘’Yes, since those two events what?’’ I asked.

‘’Well, I won’t let you stay alone..’’ My mother said.

‘’So.. This is a date under guard?’’ I asked and raised a eyebrow.

‘’Yes, and that is all thanks to your own actions’’ She said and then walked away. Until she walked away I had not even noticed that there was a full pick nick behind her. I sighed and stepped past the intruder and sat down.

‘’I guess we have no choice’’ I said and patted on the blanket.

‘’Come sit with me.. Vira’’ I said and gave my best fake smile.

The witch sat down and looked at me, I knew Sam was loyal to me but also to my parents which was obviously because in the end they were his bosses. So I knew I couldn’t intentionally hurt her or else I would feel the wrath of my mother. That was something I didn’t want so I had to be careful. I opened the large woven basket and put the food on the blanket, careful checking what we had, especially to see what I could use against her.

‘’Would you like a sandwich with jelly?’’ I asked in a nice tone, it was sickening me. She clearly didn’t know what to say at first but nodded.

‘’Sure, but I can make it myself’’ She said and went to grab a knife and a slice of bread.

‘’Oh really? Good to know’’ I said and that was the first point against her. She let out a soft sigh but ignored me. A maid came walking towards us with a big tea pot and two cups. Great! That was a great way to make her leave.

‘’Ah, thank you Riella’’ I said and took the big tea pot from her. I placed it down first and then looked at my company.

‘’Would you like a cup of tea?’’ I asked and she nodded, she took a cup and I took the teapot.

‘’I’ll give you some’’ I said and started to pour some tea in her cup. Just as I was about to be at the middle of her cup, I ‘slipped’ in my balance and poured the hot tea over her hands.

‘’Au! Stop!’’ She exclaimed in pain and let her cup fall.

It fell on her own lap which caused her to get even more hot tea over her. I looked at her in fake shock and quickly put the pot down.

‘’Are you alright? I am so sorry’’ I said.

‘’Stay away from me’’ She said and got up. In her way up, the jar with jam fell over and caused a large stain in her white pants. This was priceless, I had not thought it would become such a mess. Sam quickly came to us in aid and looked at the mess that was created.

‘’Are you okay?’’ He asked her and she had tears in her eyes. Drama witch I thought, I would never think of her as a queen, not even a drama queen.

‘’I think so’’ She responded to him but it was clear that her hands were hurting.

‘’I’ll take you to the kitchen so we can cool your hands’’ Sam said. Riella, who had not left yet shook her head.

‘’Better take her to her room, we are quite busy in the kitchen and she can better use a cold bath since it also came on her legs’’ she said and I walked towards them.

‘’I think Riella is right, she better can go to her room.. Riella, can you take her there?’’ I asked, the concern in my voice was faked but really believable.

‘’Sure’’ she said and she helped the witch walk away. That was a easy way to get rid of her. Sam stayed behind.

‘’I know what you did Val.. And it was really bad’’ He said and he looked me straight in the eyes.

‘’What do you mean? I have done nothing’’ I said surprised.

‘’I call you out on that bull.. And I think you should reconsider if you really want to go on this way’’ Sam said and shook his head.

‘’Did she bewitch you or something that you suddenly are on her side’’ I said in a accusing way.

‘’No, I simply can see that she isn’t as bad as you think she is’’ Sam said and I rolled my eyes.

‘’Yeah sure.. Well, if you look for me I’ll be in my room’’ I said and then left the chaos that was called a pick nick.