novelraw Chapter 1410 - 9 : I Prefer Fiction
Chapter 1410 - 9 : I Prefer Fiction
*Rhys*
I tapped my pen against the form I was supposed to be filling out, staring blankly down at the lines and blank spaces that still needed attention. I set the tip against the sheet again, trying to force myself to write something down, but my mind was far away.
Well, technically, it wasn’t that far away since it was on the young woman who was just upstairs in one of the guest rooms.
I wasn’t used to the strange sensation twisting my gut. The uncomfortable knot had arrived since taking Saoirse to the doctor the day before. I didn’t get to see her for lunch, and she had skipped dinner. I was hopeful she would make it to breakfast but found the spot reserved for her empty as well.
As I had the night before, I sent a tray up for her so that she would have something to eat when she woke up. I tried to reason with myself that she was just exhausted from all the turmoil she had gone through.
A low growl left my throat as I ran a frustrated hand through my hair before focusing back on my paperwork. I chose a terrible time to finally get to the piles that had formed on my desk over the past few weeks. There had been so many other pressing matters since the mysterious attacks and investigations that I had put it all on the back burner.
Now the piles seemed to be taunting me by how many of them there were. I felt my jaw flex as I gritted my teeth and started to go through some reports. It felt as if I was getting some work done as my pen glided along the side of the page.
I really hoped that Saoirse was doing better. I kept seeing her frightened face in my mind as she clung to me as if I was a lifeline and she would die if she didn’t hold on. I swallowed hard as the memory of her sweet strawberry scent seemed to fill my lungs.
Then there were her eyes, such a deep green that they resembled the richest greens that existed. When she gazed up at me, they looked like two shimmering emerald stones. At night, they more resembled the healthiest green leaves from the forest on the outskirts of Egoren.
I cursed under my breath as I stared down at the form I was working on and saw I had scribbled a sketch that vaguely resembled Saoirse. Of course, my inky pen couldn’t do her beauty justice.
I started to grow a bit lightheaded as I was again hit with the memory of her intoxicating scent. I growled low in my throat and shoved myself away from my desk. I felt my skin heat as I grew frustrated with myself. This was no way for a prince to act.
She was under my care now, so I saw no issue with wanting to check on her to ensure her well-being. I stalked out of my office and crossed the expansive palace to the stairs. I attempted to move as gracefully as a prince should, but I was once again battling impatience as I tried to go at a leisurely pace.
I couldn’t help but think about what happened the last time I was waiting to see Saoirse. The urgency I felt now was far too similar to the one when I was waiting at the train station for her to arrive, only to find out she had been ambushed and kidnapped. I swallowed the lump in my throat and nearly let out a sigh of relief when her door came into view.
I reached for the knob, my fingers freezing when a high voice interrupted me.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but if you’re looking for Miss Saoirse, she has been escorted to the library.”
I turned to smile at the young servant girl who had spoken and thanked her before turning around and heading back down the steps, feeling like a fool. Still, the news was good. I was pleased to hear that my guest was up and about despite the trying times she had endured recently.
The large, ornate double doors to the library were open. I stopped in the doorway at the sight before me.
Saoirse had her back to me and was heading over to a shelf. Her steps were sure and determined as she spotted something that caught her interest. Since she wasn’t facing me, I got a wonderful view of the light red waves that tumbled down her back, a few strands held up by glittering pins.
I swallowed as she rose on her tiptoes. The beautiful light green dress she was wearing swayed around her hips and legs at her movements. The gown suited her perfectly. I knew without looking at her face that the color would bring out her eyes.
It took me a moment to collect myself and realize that she needed assistance. Even on her tiptoes with her slim arm stretched above her head, she couldn’t reach the book she wanted. I felt a warm smile flit across my face as I crossed the room to her and was able to read the title of the volume just out of her reach.
I had to stop the amused grin in its tracks when Saoirse stiffened and spun around to face me, her bright green eyes rounding as they settled on me. Just as I had predicted, her vibrant orbs were even more stunning against the light green dress she wore.
I couldn’t keep my eyes off her as I reached over her head to retrieve the book of Egoren fables and folklore she had been eyeing.
“That title is one of my favorites,” I told her as I handed her the well-worn book, trying not to think about how often I came in there and read it as a child, looking for solace from the expectations of a young prince.
Saoirse’s lower lip slid between her perfect teeth as she looked up at me from beneath her thick lashes. “I didn’t expect to meet you in here,” she admitted in barely a murmur as if she was ashamed to have been caught in the library.
I decided to put her worries at rest. “I have adored reading since childhood,” I said. I gestured toward the book she held. “I believe you would quickly become invested in this one. You’ll notice it is rather worn. That is my doing. I’ve read it more times than I care to admit.”
“I don’t think you should be ashamed of that at all,” Saoirse said quickly. She clutched the book to her chest. “I’m excited to read it.”
Something fluttered in my chest at her genuine excitement. “What kind of literature do you find yourself gravitating toward?” I asked.
Her cheeks pinkened. “I don’t know if I could choose a specific genre,” she said. “But I do prefer fiction over non-fiction.”
I watched her expression carefully, charmed by her sweet shyness. “I do as well,” I said, hoping to make her feel more comfortable. I chuckled lightly. “It definitely beat the dry Egoren history lessons I was forced to endure as a kid.”
That worked. She giggled, and it was a beautiful sound, like wind chimes on a breezy spring morning. “I don’t particularly enjoy history either.”
I didn’t bother correcting her and saying that I generally found history quite fascinating. I wanted her to keep smiling. My eyebrows rose when she looked down at the floor, her green eyes shimmering with tears. I felt my hand rising automatically as if I could snatch the sadness away somehow. “What’s wrong?” I asked, alarmed at her sudden shift in mood.
The embarrassment returned to her face. I found myself entranced by the rosy hue her cheeks took when she was flustered. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Thinking about my childhood just reminded me of my village and the threats they face. I hope with everything I have that I can help them.”
As I stared into her hopeful eyes, I knew I needed to keep things professional if I was going to help her be taken seriously by my father. I couldn’t let my concern for her shadow my duties toward ensuring she succeeded in aiding her village.
“You’ve already helped them greatly by reaching out to me,” I told her. “I swear to you that I will do everything in my power to make sure that your village is protected.”
Saoirse lowered her head in a bow, her voice trembling. “I’m so grateful,” she said.
“When you petition the king, stick to the facts and make emotion secondary. He is not a calloused man exactly, but he will need facts to take you seriously.”
Saoirse’s eyes rounded, but she nodded seriously, seeming to understand.
“Should he accept your statement and wish to lend aid, we can hope for a royal investigation to be put forth,” I continued, holding her gaze so I could make sure she fully understood. “I will be there as well to help persuade him. Since I did not witness what you did, there isn’t much I can do.”
I had already done far too much. Rumors would run wild if someone were to see our innocent interactions. I needed to remain not only professional but vigilant as well.
Saoirse’s eyes suddenly glinted with fierce determination. She clutched the book she held even tighter against her chest. “Just having you in the room will be a great help to me, even if you say nothing at all,” she said with conviction. She swallowed nervously and seemed to be speaking more to herself suddenly than to me. “I can do this.”
I wanted to say so much more but knew I needed to leave her now if I was going to get any work done that day. “I know you can,” I said with an encouraging smile.
It was hard to leave her, but I forced myself to bid her a good day before tearing myself from the room. I found myself passing by my office, where huge piles of forms still waited for me, and marching into the training room after summoning Daxton to meet me there.
A few short minutes later, Dax was rubbing his chin where I had struck him. He managed to roll his eyes. “Really, man? You couldn’t have used a punching bag to let out your frustrations for once?”
I narrowed my eyes at him as I straightened out of my threatening stance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Dax scoffed and shook his head in amazement. “I know you’re behind in your paperwork and you often call me out to train when something is bugging you,” he said in that knowing way of his. He smirked. “So what is it this time? It couldn’t have anything to do with a certain green-eyed peasant girl, could it?”
I smirked right back, trying to keep my expression passive save for the quirk on my lips. “Of course not,” I lied smoothly.
Dax just shrugged. We went another round, throwing well-timed kicks and punches at each other while I tried and failed to keep my mind off of a certain green-eyed village girl.