The Princess' Choice

Roommates

Emmett

While Berke prepared my bath I walked put of my chambers and turned to one of the guards.

- Call Sir Douglas immediately. - he ran as fast as he could and returned within five minutes with Dave in his heels. I pat his shoulder for the effort and Dave asked.

- What's wrong?

- Have you heard the gossips about Berke? - Dave shook his head.

- The maids normally don't talk around the knights. - the guard bowed.

- Your Highness may I talk? - I nodded and he lifted his head.

- We all heard those gossips, although those who had the chance to meet Miss Berke in person better, we all know her true colors. - knowing her better in person. A dark feeling awakened in my chest hearing those words but tried to remain calm.

- What do you mean by that? - I asked and Dave must've noticed my uneasiness. He stood next to me and we listened.

- She usually joins us to train.

- Also, Miss Berke usually gives us tips about our posture and bare hand fighting tactics. - the other guard added. The first one blushed.

- She also helps from time to time to send our love letters to those maids we are in love with , but work out of our reach.

- We consider her a great friend your Highness and we would protect her if needed. - My mind relaxed.

- Do you know the maids who usually gossip about her? - they hung their heads.

-Unfortunately, none of them likes her. Except our crushes, but I think they accept her just because of her help.

- They are probably jealous. - Dave looked surprised.

- Jealous of her?- both of them nodded.

-Of the attention she received from the Princess and now the Second Prince, also due to her friendly manners towards the crown Prince. - I couldn't hold back my laughter... We had so many petty underlings. If they had the slightest idea of how difficult Berke's life was. Even if they knew that I almost killed her... Guilt clenched my heart.

- What should we do now? - Dave asked and I saw that he didn't like the situation at all.

- Let's discuss this tomorrow. You two - I turned to the guards.

- Collect all the gossips you know and be in my office at the morning. You'll get the rest of tomorrow off. - they thanked and bowed. I walked back to my chambers right when Berke walked out of the bathroom.

- Your bath is ready your Highness. - I nodded and walked in. She never offered to help me with my bath and actually I preferred this way. I knew she stood guard at the door so I could have some time alone in peace. After my bath I changed into my night wear she meticulously prepared next to the bathtub and walked back to the room. I saw Berke putting the bed warmer under the heavy covers almost effortlessly. I stood there and admired her from afar until she glanced at me and I felt my cheeks slightly blush.

- Is there something wrong your Highness? - I shook my head and walked to her. When she straight up, I grabbed a piece of her hair in my hand and kept looking at it, afraid of looking into her eyes.

- Your bed is ready. Tonight is expected to be colder than usual, please get in before you get ill. - I didn't want to move but she walked to the bed and since I still held her hair, she basically walked me like I was on a leash. Berke grabbed the envelope opener from the nightstand and approached her hair with it. With my empty hand I hit the weapon out of hers and grabbed her wrists.

- WHAT THE HE ARE YOU DOING?! - the guards knocked on the door and asked.

- Your Highness is everything alright? - I groaned with anger and took my eyes off of Berke. Turned to the door and answered.

- Yes!-with lower voice I asked again.

- What were you trying to do?! - Berke shrugged with an unearthly calmness.

- Since your Highness liked to hold my hair so much, I was planning to cut a piece off so you can keep it. - I felt how my eyes widened at the absurd idea.

- Are you normal? - I asked and she laughed.

- Not at all your Highness! But it seemed like you won't let my hair go.

- But cutting it off like you were a fallen warhorse?! - she kept laughing and her laughter filled the dark and clod looking room with life and warmth.

- Well, you cannot take the whole person to the bed with you for the night! - she said and suddenly stopped laughing. I stared at her peachy lips and wanted another taste of them, but I didn't trust myself. I released her hands and got in my bed. Berke didn't say another word, just turned the lights off and sat on the chair next to my bed covered by a blanket.

- Sweet dreams your Highness!-she whispered thinking I was already asleep. Few hours later I woke up to a knocking sound. I sat up but it didn't come from the door, nor from the windows. I saw Berke shaking in her dreams. Her lips turned pale and as I got half out from under the covers I understood why. The night really turned out to be one of the coldest ones of the whole year. A memory of the battlefield filled my mind for a second. I remembered how we walked past families and towns that got frozen due to the lack of supplies and support. I've seen so many people cold as stone... I shook my head and got out of bed. Carefully I lifted Berke up. She weight more than a noble lady would, but she was still quiet light for me to carry. I placed her on the left side of my bed, where I already warmed the bed up and covered her till her neck, before I quickly got under the covers on the other side as well. Her lips got their color back quickly and I sighed with relief. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was so peaceful, calm and beautiful. I only realized how long I've been looking at her, when my head started to hurt due to lack of rest. Although I didn't want to, my eyes closed slowly, but I held her hand, to make sure she won't disappear in the morning.