NIGHTS OF HALLOW

The morning called faster than the former days, sunlight streaking into the various open windows of the castle.

The presence of the sun had replaced the snow and cold of the previous night that enveloped everywhere. Currently, Perdita sat in the bathtub, her back to Emily as she helped her wash to prepare for the day.

Perdita wore a conflicted expression as a thought invaded her mind which made her turn her head towards Emily to voice her question, ”Have you heard anything about a mind that cannot be read or a blank memory?”

”Mind that cannot be read and a blank memory,” Emily repeated, a thoughtful look on her face. ”I have only heard of a blank memory, but one that cannot be read? No, My lady, I haven’t heard of that.”

Did that mean she had a blank memory since Nathan wasn’t able to read her? What did that mean? Perdita questioned herself, the frown on her face deepening. She heard Emily ask as she went to wash her arms,

”Is there something bothering you, My Lady?”

”No,” Perdita shook her head. ”It was a thought that crossed my mind from a book I read.” She replied, deciding not to Emily about her visit to the cartomancer. It seemed as though Sthena didn’t want her to know about it as he didn’t allow her to come with them.

Done dressing for the day, Perdita stepped out of the room with Emily walking behind as they headed to the dining room. She had worn the pants which Sthena had ordered to be tailored for her which Sthena had asked her to wear for a hunt they were going to proposed by Princess Sarah.

From Sthena’s words, he had said it was going to be a good training ground for her too. Perhaps, she could use her powers and know how much she was good with them.

As she entered the dining room, the eyes of everyone went to her and her unusual dress which wasn’t worn by any female before. Princess Sarah had a fascinated on her face as she quizzed,

”Who tailored the dress for you, Lady Perdita?”

Surprised by Princess Sarah’s sudden question she wasn’t expecting, Perdita replied as she went to sit on her usual chair beside the king but Lady Eleanor had already occupied the seat.

”It was tailored by the royal tailor on His Majesty’s instructions,” Perdita replied to Princess Sarah’s question.

The princess nodded in acknowledgement, ”It is a beautiful dress and also suits you. Perhaps, I’ll also ask the royal tailor to make mine but with a subtle variation to it.”

Perdita offered the princess a smile, ”Thank you for the compliment, Princess Sarah. I’m quite certain it’ll look good on you.” Disregarding Lady Eleanor, Perdita went to sit on the chair close to Prince Reagan who sat with a distant look on his face.

Lady Eleanor since Perdita walked in had a subtle scowl on her face directed to the green-eyed lady who was a threat to her on getting the king’s attention. Hearing Princess Sarah compliment her had her roll her eyes, jealousy seething in her bones at how good the dress looked on her, especially because it was the king who ordered the dress to be made for her.

Soon afterwards, the king walked in, prompting everyone to rise to their feet in respect and greeting him.

Sthena’s gaze as he entered went to the place he expected to see Perdita and not seeing her there had him narrow his eyes when he saw Lady Eleanor instead. He turned to Perdita, ”Why are you seated there?”

Perdita felt everyone’s gaze on her as she replied, ”Ms. Elliot was already seated there before I came in.”

The frown on Sthena’s face deepened as he asserted, ”Always sit where you are supposed to no matter who sits there. Ms. Elliot, you lack quite the manners by sitting close to the king’s seat on your own accord. Move over now,”

Lady Eleanor pursed her lips ready to refuse, however, the stern words of Princess Sarah stopped her immediately.

”Before you open your mouth, Lady Eleanor, it’ll be best for you to move unless you don’t like your neck anymore.”

Left with no other choice but to obey, Lady Eleanor moved to the next chair and Perdita went over to sit where she sat.

Once the little misunderstanding ended, everyone silently ate their breakfast, however, a certain red eyes bore holes in the head of Perdita as it glared at her.

”Is everything ready for the hunt, Sarah?” Sthena quizzed without looking at Sarah who kept her cutlery down and replied.

”Yes, everything is ready, Brother.”

”Hunt?” Lady Eleanor interjected, ”I want to go to too. I mean, I will be in the castle alone and I wouldn’t be doing anything.”

The time for the hunt reached, everyone outside with four horses stationed at the entrance and an additional one added for Lady Eleanor who had decided to join.

”Where is Mr. Hans?” Lady Rosamonda turned to Sarah whose face immediately changed.

”He should be here any moment, Mother,” She flashed her a smile that didn’t reach her eyes while hoping the man who was to be her future husband wouldn’t show up. But to her disappointment, the sound of the running hooves of the horses echoed as Mr. Hans emerged in his brown horse.

Everyone turned to the man, eyes accessing him, especially the observant eyes of the king.

”Greetings, Your Majesty,” Mr. Hans bowed as he jumped down from his horse. ”Greetings Lady Rosamonda, My Princess,”

Sthena acknowledged the man’s greetings with a nod, Lady Rosamonda asking after his ride to the castle, and Princess trying hard to stop her eyes from glaring at the man.

”I believe there is nothing else holding us back?” Sthena quizzed, his movement lazy as he climbed his horse.

”There is no horse for Lady Perdita?” Lady Eleanor spoke, her eyes smugly staring at Perdita ready to make fun of her. ”Is she not going or she doesn’t know how to ride a horse?”

”She is riding with me. If could, Ms. Elliot climb onto your horse now and save us the stress of watching the ungraceful movements from you climbing the horse,” Sthena remarked as he helped Perdita sit on the horse in front of him. His hand went around her waist to hold her steady.

”This used to be my first love, Midnight,” Sthena said to Perdita, introducing the horse to her. ”But now you occupy that position.”

Perdita bit her lips, trying to stop the blush that crept up her cheeks but failed nonetheless. ”Why did you name her Midnight? She is white a horse,”

”I’ll tell you later, darling,” Sthena replied to her question.

Lady Eleanor felt as though she could rip the heart of Perdita out of her chest that moment just from looking at how gentle the king was with Perdita. Why did he allow her ride with him?!

Just when everyone was about to leave, Daemon strode in with his black horse garnering the attention of everyone.

”I was beginning to think you didn’t want to join the hunt,” Came the words of Sthena to Daemon with a smirk on his lips, his eyes crinkling with pure mischievousness and amusement.

”I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world,” Daemon countered, his eyes went to the man who was beside Princess Sarah, his eyes almost rolling at the man’s attempt to appear poise in front of the Princess.

The smile on Sthena’s lips widened as he regarded the exchange. Seems this hunt was going to be more than interesting after all.