Witch Bewitched (New)

Chapter 39

"What if someone sees?"

Misa stared at the brown stallion before her, taking in its rumbling girth, its strong, long legs, and the muscles that trembled beneath a velveteen coat. It whinnied, shook its head, and pawed at the ground. Misa took a step back. In all her sheltered years, she had never been allowed to ride a horse, and it was only when Royle had saddled the stallion and asked if she could ride that she realised the problem. He had then suggested that she ride with him.

"It's admittedly not ideal, but we shouldn't get as much attention if you changed out of your uniform."

"I only have my uniforms and nightclothes." Misa looked down in dismay. It was the only reason she'd opted to wear such an uncomfortable attire on Dailib. "I do have the witch festival costume, but that'll attract as much attention as this uniform. I'll need to buy some men's clothes one of these days."

And though she stated it, Misa really didn't plan to. She had used up most of her loncs in Harthem, and at this point, she was stuck at the purgehouse for the free food and shelter.

Royle let out a breath in thought. He let go of the horse's reins. "I suppose it can't be helped then. Come along."

"What?" Misa gave him a confused look, but he brushed past her and led the way back into the purgehouse. He took Misa past the mess hall, and instead of turning left towards the offices, he continued on towards the right, where cadets were forbidden to venture. It wasn't until he opened a door nestled next to a closet that Misa understood why. This was where the higher ranks resided.

She studied the expanse that the doorway led to. It spread out to be slightly wider than the hallway she'd just passed through, and several doors stood at intervals as separate units.

"You live in the purgehouse?" Misa said, following behind Royle as he led her deeper into the living quarters. "Don't you have your own place? I was under the impression that higher ranks preferred their homes over their workplace."

"I haven't been back to my residence for a long while," Royle said, almost in a confession. "I find it much easier to come and go when I live where I work. It saves me a lot of time when I'm in need of a file that can't leave the purgehouse."

"Of course." Misa shut her mouth for the rest of the walk. She wasn't sure she wanted to know why he was so obsessed with Nisha, but she had to know at least what his true intentions were before she could fully trust in him enough to work together.

He halted in front of a plain door and pulled out a black key. Unlocking the door, he held it open to let Misa in first.

His quarters were cosy, and in no way as luxurious as a purgehouse captain's home should be. A kitchenette, which was immediately next to the door, was the first thing Misa saw. It was nestled in the corner, with only a small stove, a few cabinets, and a sink. A small counter with a stool barred the mini kitchen from the sitting area that was only furnished with a comfy sofa next to a fireplace.

Royle moved past Misa, encouraging her to follow him towards a corner that had two doors. He opened one to reveal his bedroom.

A small cot, well made as if it hadn't been used had his uniform draped over it; next to it was a desk busied with books, papers, an ink bottle, and a box of...badges and awards? A wardrobe loomed over it, and a solitary window with a thin curtain bathed the bed with sunlight. It was incredibly...humble.

"Don't mind the mess." Royle pushed aside a pile of papers in a crude attempt to clean up, then snatched the few articles of clothing strewn atop his bed. "I wasn't planning on inviting company."

He threw open his wardrobe and tossed his uniform in before proceeding to dig through the drawers. All this, he did as swiftly as possible, as if he didn't want Misa to see what was hidden beyond the sleek, mahogany doors. Embarrassed. The captain was embarrassed. Misa hid a smile. He was more human than he seemed to want to let on, and she wondered if Nisha had something to do with how closed off he'd become.

"It's a comfortable room you have here," Misa said, taking a seat on the bed. She ran her hand through the wrinkles of the duvet, which was tightly tucked beneath the hard mattress. "Not as...lavish as I thought it would be." She looked at the box full of accolades and picked up a red and black striped badge. It was tangled with a ribbon attached to a medal. He had finished cadet training with the highest honour and received multiple awards over the course of his career. "Why don't you display these in your office?"

"I don't see the point," Royle replied. He tossed a heavy bundle of clothes next to Misa. "Change into these. Then, we'll ride out."

Leaving Misa in privacy, Royle stepped out of his room. Misa gently dropped his medals back into the box and changed into his clothes. She studied her attire in dismay. A simple cotton shirt, dull brown, with dark leather strings decorating its collar draped off her shoulders and hung past her thighs. The breeches Royle had given her slipped past her hip and dragged on the floor. She stooped down to roll the legs up a couple times but had no means to keep the breeches above her waist.

"Royle," Misa called, struggling to distinguish between the pieces of clothing drowning her. "Royle!"

The door cracked open. "Is everything all right?"

"No, everything is not all right. Just look at me!" Misa had bunched the breeches beneath her fingers in an attempt to keep them from slipping off. "You forget that you're larger than most men. So how could I, who's of an average woman size, be able to fit into your clothes?"

Royle let the door swing open and stepped inside. He studied her, a hand on his chin as he thought. "Perhaps a belt will help." He once again searched through his wardrobe and handed her a black belt. "Try this."

Misa pulled at the hem of the shirt, loosening her grip. In her struggle, she hadn't realised she had let go until the breeches slipped to the ground, pooling around her ankles.

Misa froze, hoping she was dreaming. Royle went rigid. She looked down, relieved to see that his shirt had been long enough to keep her modesty safe. But when she reverted her gaze back to the captain and found his own trailing down her legs, a wave of heat assaulted her face.

"D-do you mind?" Misa asked, managing to bring a bit of bite in her question. She squeezed her thighs together and stretched the shirt down to her knees.

Royle's eyes widened in realisation. He took a step back, turning away as his cheeks tinted pink. He cleared his throat and, with a sudden interest in the books above his desk, said, "As clumsy as always. Hurry up or Tika will pass before we can meet her."

In one smooth motion, he swiveled around and marched out his door. This time, Misa took care to slip the belt between the loops before tucking the breeches beneath the shirt.

Misa emerged from his bedroom with her uniform bundled in her arms. She saw the captain waiting for her at the counter in the kitchen, leaning against the wooden structure with his ankles crossed and his fingers fiddling with a familiar button. Misa approached him, trying to ignore the way he suddenly seemed to glow and especially trying not to think of how well he fitted into those breeches. She shook off the tingles running through her and kept her face as neutral as possible.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Misa said, stopping in front of him.

"Don't be." He bit his lip and gulped, as if he was trying to swallow the words he'd just spoken. "I mean, I'm sorry I saw. It just happened too quickly, and I couldn't..."

"I know." Misa couldn't look at him. She knew her cheeks were warm, and she hated that she would look as embarrassed as she felt. She transfixed on the button Royle's hands played with. "You still haven't sewn that on?"

Royle pinched the piece between his fingers, holding it up. "This? No. I haven't got the time to."

"Min-Min's the one who took it off, isn't she?" Misa sighed. "When we get back, give it to me. I can fix it up for you. It was kind of my fault anyway."

"Misa..."

"Hmm?" It took all of Misa's energy to meet Royle's eyes as if nothing was bothering her. She silently scolded her heart for beating too fast.

"I..." He paused, studying her. Then, he shook his head. "Never mind. Just put this on, and we should be on our way."

He plucked a wide-brimmed straw hat from the counter next to him and placed it over her head. It sank into Misa's eyes, and she had to push it up to see.

"A bit big, isn't it?" She grinned. "Does that mean you've got a big head, Captain?"

Royle scowled, hitting the brim of the hat so it fell back into her eyes. "Be quiet! It's not mine. Torren thought it'd be funny if he gifted it to me when he found out I came from a farm. He says he found it in a cheap one-size-for-all market."

"Torren always had a good sense of humor." Giggling, Misa fixed the hat once again. "But you should thank him, anyway, because its ridiculous size is enough to hide my hair."

Shaking his head, Royle gave her a smile. "That'll do, then. At the very least, you look like a child in such large clothing. If anyone asks, you can say you're my brother."

"Still siblings, are we? I suppose it makes sense. Though, I hope you still remember that I'm not a child."

"Of course." He lowered his voice and grazed his fingertips along her cheek. "How could I ever forget?"

A blush crawled up Misa's throat, colouring her face inch by inch. She looked away, trying not to look too deep into his words. Her emotions swirled in confusion. What did he mean by that? The silence that overtook them became unbearable. There was an expectancy in the air as if the captain was waiting for Misa to give him an answer. Only, Misa wasn't sure what that answer could be. So, she brightened her expression and changed the topic.

"We're running out of time! I'll need to fetch a bag for my uniform before we leave. Lead the way, big brother! We've got work to do!"

With a playful nudge, Misa pushed Royle towards the door. He shook his head, but a low chuckle betrayed his amusement. "What am I ever going to do with you?"

For some reason, those words sent a warmth blooming from Misa's chest.

Quit it! Misa maintained her composure as they left the privacy of Royle's chambers. There was a distance between them that felt like a chasm. Misa squashed the hope that it would one day reduce to a mere cräck. Nothing more than mild friendship can happen between us.

Because when they both accomplished their goals, they would likely never see each other again. Misa had to remember that. She had to remember that she could never be with Royle. Not in the way she was beginning to consider.

But as much as she told herself that Royle was nothing more than a friend she would soon part with, her heart refused to stop clenching at the thought of never seeing him again.