Married to the Rogue

Chapter 10: Under the Moonlight

|Cassandra|

"You look a bit mature than your age, princess," Monette commented with a wide smile on her lips. I could not help but agree with her.

I stared at my reflection on the mirror. The champagne gown flows like water from my waist. The skirt sways every time I made a move, even a little. I wore my usual circlet and the gold bangle on my arm.

And I truly looked like a fourteen or fifteen year old girl even I am still twelve-of-age.

I stared at the circlet and the bangle. As much as I wanted to omit this two accessories, I don't want to give any more head aches to father.

The last time he found out I was not wearing the circlet, I receive an earful lecture from him after that very first party I attended. He said that I must wear it at all times because those accessories was indicia of my status in this kingdom.

Well, I don't mind if people mistaken me to someone who is not a royal. But father has certain reasons of implementing this little things.

Our attention was directed to the door when we heard a knock. Monette quickly walk toward it and opened the door for our visitor. I saw one of the familiar handmaiden who was working for me.

"Princess, the party will start in a minute. The King requested for your immediate presence if you're finally done," the handmaiden said.

Oh.

"Am I the only one whom they are waiting for?" I asked abruptly.

"Yes, princess,"

My gaze landed on the clock on the bedside table. It was then I realized that there are merely five minutes left before the party started. Panic suddenly emerged within me.

The party will start eight in the evening. The reason I was late on preparing was...I wasn't able to track time when I got so engrossed with myself on the training room. If Monette did not fetch me, I would totally forgot about the time and the party tonight!

I quickly made my way outside my bedroom. Monette tailed behind me as we graced our way on the hallway. And not long after, after a few turns on the hallways, I saw my family waiting for in front of the grand staircase.

"She's here," I heard Briana said with excitement. It was as if I was the one who'll be introducing for tonight.

"I'm sorry," I said as soon as I arrived in front of them. I was still catching my breath.

"What take up you so long?" Stephanie asked haughtily. Her one brow shots up. But she was not my concern. I quickly dragged my gaze to father's direction. And his cold gaze immediately met mine.

"I forgot about the time," I shortly replied. Briana chuckled at my response. I directed my eyes at her.

"Where were you that you have forgotten about the time?" she asked with playfully. She was smiling widely, and the happiness in her eyes was evident. The aura around her swurls with pure yellow.

She has the right to be happy for tonight.

The tension I was feeling somehow ease because of Briana.

"I was at the training room," I tell her and was about to explain more when Aunt Antonette immediately barge in.

"That's enough. The introduction will start soon. Be in your position, Briana," Aunt Antonette said with stern voice as she gestured my older sister to go beside father since he will be her escort. Aunt Antonette and Stephanie was in front of the two, and I was left alone on the very front.

Well...this line-up is not something new to me ever since Andrius left for his boarding school.

I cleared my throat and calm myself. I controlled the growing enviousness within me. I swallowed hard.

This is not...the right time to think any yearning, Cassandra. This is Briana's day so you must behave well.

My body went rigid when the herald started announcing our arrival. And of course, since I was in the first line, the herald immediately introduced me to our guest.

"Princess Cassandra St. Clair!" after he said those words, I took that as a cue to emerge from so I could be seen by the crowd. I made a halt for a few seconds, scanning my eyes at the sea of people beneath.

I have done this a few times. So...you should be able to get used of their eyes looking on their direction, Cassandra. I inhaled a deep breath and tried to calm my trembling hand by holding tightly on the skirt of my dress. Then I started descending the stairs.

The introduction continued to Aunt Antonette and Stephanie until I was halfway down the stairs.

I was starting to hear whispers and received some menacing look from the guest. And as I slowly descend the steps, those whispers became clear and the expression of some guests throwing in my direction was enough to know what they were thinking about me.

Of course, I am, once again, the subject of their topic. This is nothing new in this kind of event.

My sister Briana was gradually introduced to everyone. And I did not know how long I was standing on the end of the stairs, with Aunt Antonette and Stephanie, before father and Briana finally joined us.

We find our way toward the table at the other end of the room. Everyone find their seat as father started to give a few speeches of his gratitude to the guest who attended before the party officially started. Briana has her own table so the guest could congratulate her and gave their gifts.

I did not know how long I was looking at Briana as she happily socialize with the guest. I wonder if...I would also have this kind of party on my own coming-of-age. Well, I suppose not and I won't be expecting. The people dislikes me anyway so no one would dare to attend if the party was for me.

When the food was served, I directed my attention on eating until I was finished. I was hoping that I would have my peace the entire night. That is all I need. Yet, it seemed that every party that I attended, there will always be a person who would ruin it for me.

"Oppss..."

I gasped in surprise as the refreshment was accidentally poured on my dress. I quickly felt the cold liquid touching the skin of my thighs that I abdruptly stood from my seat.

"What happened?" Aunt Antonette asked when she saw the small fray between me and Stephanie.

"I'm sorry. It was an accident," Stephanie said sweetly as she looked at the wet part of my skirt. She dragged her gaze to meet my eyes. And her expression was laced with apology. My eyes remained at her for a few seconds, and the aura around was the total opposite of what she was saying.

I sighed heavily and stared at the wet skirt of my dress. How many time have she done this anyway? And along those dirty antics of her, all I did was to be patient and control my own irritation against my half sister. And I must do the same right now. I don't want to ruin Briana's night.

"It's alright," I said calmly. There were other nobles who were seated with us. Doing a ruckus and a brawl with Stephanie is out of the choices.

So, instead of staying, I decided to excuse myself. That is what the purpose why Stephanie purposely poured the juice on my dress anyway. She does not want me on the same table as her.

Well, I feel pretty much the same.

My feet brought me back to my room to change. And my handmaidens were immediately alarmed at the sight of me, especially Monette.

"Princess! What are--"

"Don't worry. I'll be back at party. I just need to change," I informed Monette. It was at that moment she had noticed the wet part of the skirt of my dress. She sighed heavily and looked back at me. She does not need to know what had happened. I know she has a culprit in her mind already.

"Well, I'll check if you have spare dresses on your wardrobe," she said as we went inside my bedroom.

Monette quickly asked for assistance of the other handmaidens who are present inside. And not long after, the three of them were helping me changed my clothes.

"This color turly suits you better," Monette said after she had chosen me another dress and I was done wearing it. I smiled to her and could not help on agreeing. She then undo the french twist of my hair. My mermaid locks quickly fell behind my back. She do my hair with my usual hairstyle, braided the upper half of my hair, before placing back the circlet. .

"I'll stay here for a few minutes before going back," I tell Monette. She immediately nodded her head in agreement.

I walked toward the nearby sofa in front of my floor to ceiling window. I lazily sat on the seat then enjoyed staring tranquil night. Seeing the stars shimmering in the night sky was always be one of my therapy. I did not know how long I remained seated on my position before something...or someone caught my attention.

A figure of a man is walking under the moonlight. I thought he was only heading on the garden in front that was overlooking from my room. But no. He continued on walking unti I realized that he was...heading toward the woods.

And what made me rose into my seat was when he suddenly...shapeshifted into a wolf form! My heart skipped a beat.

Who...was that?

"Princess?" Monette immediately asked when she noticed my sudden rush.

"I'll be back to the party," I tell her and dash my way out of the room and the palace.

I was huffing heavily as I made my way to the garden. I quickly roamed my eyes around, trying to see if the man...or the wolf was still there. Only the lamps scattered around were my means of light. And I did not even bother of my safety when I saw myself heading toward the woods.

It has been...years since I last saw Leon. I know...that whomever I saw this night might not be him. Of course, it coult not be him. I don't even know if he could be invited at the party.

I halt from heading toward the woods when the figure--I mean the man--who I was trying to find suddenly appeared before me.

And what made me gasped in surprise when I immediately recognized the man before me.

"Leon!" I exclaimed.

I did not know when was the last time I felt this...happy, that I found myself running to him like I have not seen him for the almost a decade!

Well, I surely have not seen him for years. We had only met for about an hour from the past. It was coincidence that he found me in the middle of the woods while he was being chased by bear. I could not help but smiled even more at those memories!

I was cathcing my breath when I arrived in front of him. I accidentally staggered in front of him that I thought I would meet my embarassmen but he was quick enough to step closer and hold me on my both arms. I could not help but grin from ear to ear as I lift my head and see him in a closer look.

"How are you? It's been years!" I said in excitement. I know that it's not that we had known each other for so long before we met. But, for some reason, seeing him right now suddenly felt nostalgic!

Seeing no aura emits on his body had somehow brought me to past. It is still a puzzle to me why I could not see any swirl of aura around him. But thinking back, it became a refreshing sight to see that there is one person among everyone else, whom unconsciously reminds me, that I am still...normal.

Leon was not able to answer me right away. He was staring at me every second that passes. I only smiled at him in return. And I took his silence as a chance to see the great change in him since we had last saw each other.

The moon was shining behind me so...it was a blessing in disguise that I could fully see his entire face in this position.

He was basically tall when I first saw him. Maybe my head only reached his waist line six years ago. But for the years that had past, I also started to grow, even a bit. And seeing that the top of my head now probably reached his shoulders was enough to make me a little proud that...I had change even for a bit.

And Leon was really handsome the first time I saw him. And along the years that I sometimes think of him, it would always make my heart flutter.

He already possessed the strong bone structure that suits him very much. His expressive eyes will be the first thing you'll notice to him. It was as if those blue orbs were pulling you into the depth of the unknown and you are very much willing to do so, even he won't give you any assurance.

"Yeah, it's been years," I heard him saying. I was dragged to reality and stared directly into his blue soulful eyes.

"What are you doing here? And what are you doing inside the woods? I saw you shapeshifting!" I asked as I looked around, as if doing so would answer my queries.

He was not able to answer my question right away. And the only thing I heard next was the silence and the breeze of cold night air. The strands of my hair swayed with it for a few seconds, and some locks had escaped on their proper places that I had to seize some that were blocking my vision and tucked it behind my ear.

"Well, my father and I was invited to the party," he replied. His brows furrowed as he averted his gaze to me. Then he started walking on the paved way and I took that cue to follow.

I suddenly remembered that father has some important guest to arrive. I don't even know who were they. But seeing Leon here, they might be the important guest that my father was talking about.

"So, what are you doing inside the woods?" I asked, now walking side by side with him.

"Well. I did not stay inside for so long. I quite...hate parties. So I decided to let out a steam," he shared.

Oh. A man like him, could also have dislikes, huh? And let out a steam? Did he run on the woods in the middle of the night?

So...that might be the reason why I saw him stripping off before he entered the woods.

"So...how about you? Why are you here instead of enjoying the party inside?" Leon asked after the long silence between us.

"Well, I quite has the same reason with you. I hate parties, more like the crowd. I was inside my room, having a few minutes of break, when I suddenly someone--which is you--heading toward the woods. Curiosity got the best of me, especially when I saw you shapeshifted into a wolf," I tale.

We both saw a gazebo in the distance, and it seems that we have the same plan in our mind when we're both approaching the small shelter in front of the pond. There were lamps around so this garden would be safe even someone is alone here.

"Is that so. Did it occur to you that I might be a different person?"

The smile on my lips turned into grimace.

"Well, I was just curious, you know," I tried to make an excuse. He sighed deeply and let it pass.

"And you seemed very much excited when you saw me," he mocked. I could not help but grin once again.

"Of course! It's been years since I last saw you!" I only replied. He stared at me for a few seconds before we decided to find our seat first when we entered the gazebo.

"So...how are you?" I asked. I did not know where was my bravery coming from. "I was really worried that you have not arrived at Aunt Magda's house like what you had told me," I suddenly brings up the past.

I suddenly saw him freezing from his seat for a moment, before his tense shoulders relaxes.

"I have some important matters to take care of just like I had told you, that day." he said with a small smile. "And it was quite a relief that you have find your way back here. Did the Umbers helped you like what I had expected?"

It was my turn to gave Leon a small smile upon hearing his question.

"Well, they helped me bringing here at the palace. Thanks to them, I accidentally got to know whom my father is," and Leon suddenly turned his head in my direction. The confusion was etched on his face.

"What do you mean?"

I gave him a small smile before dragging my gaze to the scenery in front of us.

"This is not my home, Leon. I did not know I was a royal until the Umbers brought me here," I revealed. And for some reason, I don't know why I saw myself telling him my own story. It was quite...a solace to me that I am telling him everything now.

All Leon did the entire time I was telling him my story was to listen. And I truly thank him for that.

I do not care if he shared this to everyone. But I could sense that...Leon is someone whom I could trust with this secrets of mine.

Well, he was really the first person whom I trusted with my safety. Six years ago.