The Princess' Choice

Sweet little ghost

Berke

Emmett has been avoiding me lately. I know I'm no one special, but he is acting weird. Whenever I enter to a room or cross him in the corridors, he turns his head or leaves the room. Lise has been worried for him as well. The Spring ball was approaching quickly and it was the season for the unmarried ladies and lords to pursue a partner. Both Emmett and Sébastien were in marriageable age, although everyone knew, that the Emperor and Empress already chose a princess for their oldest.

- What do you know about her? - Lise asked while I brushed her hair. I looked out of the window and collected my thoughts about the Princess of Emeral.

- She is 27 years old, oldest of Emperor Caspien and Empress Dianne. She is rumored to be a heavenly beauty, intelligent and kind as well, with great sense for diplomacy. - Lise giggled.

- No wonder why my parents chose her for Sébastien. I love him, but he is so Goofy...

- Hopefully they'll like each other and bring the best version of themselves out. - Lise smiled and closed her eyes. She enjoyed the warm Spring breeze which came through the opened windows. The scent of blooming flowers filled the room and I closed my eyes as well enjoying this moment of calmness.

- Something tells me that this is the calm before the storm. - Lise whispered and her voice was afraid. I stopped brushing her hair and kneeled in front of her. I held her hands, just like always when she was troubled or unsure.

- I've already learned to listen to you intuitions Lise. Is there something I can do to help? - she looked at me sadly and shook her head.

- I cannot see anything clearly. But Emmett worries me a lot.

- He has been avoiding me lately.

- Have you done something I'm unaware of? - Lise asked and I hesitated. I didn't tell her that her brother kissed me.

- Yes. I don't think that would be the reason for his behavior. - Lise looked at me for a second and she suddenly smiled.

- Well... Maybe it is, but not because of what you think. - I looked into her eyes and felt my eyebrows raise while she winked at me. I started to tickle her and calm my racing heart. Lise knew about it, she probably found out, but she wasn't mad. As soon as we finished getting her ready she gave me a few hours free to train and release some stress before we jump into the preparations of the ball. I rushed and changed into long pants, boots, and a long sleeved white shirt. I put my hair up in a bun and ran like a foal to the training grounds. I ran past the butler, but he just shook his head. Long time passed since he decided to give up on scolding me. The training ground was empty, lucky me. I warmed up and started with a few simple movements. I could repeat them even with my eyes closed. That reminded me of something I haven't tried for long. I prepared a target board and tied a cloth around my eyes. I took my knifes out and hit the target one after the other. Suddenly, I heard a noise from behind me. With my eyes still covered I aimed...

Emmett

I needed to get out of their view. There was a limit I could listen to the babbling about the ladies who will come to the ball. I walked through the corridors trying to get as far as I could from my parents. I remembered of my poor brother's face. Sébastien suffered at least as much as I did, but I had a chance to escape.

- Sorry brother. - I said out loud when my track of thoughts had been interrupted by the sound of knives. I looked down at the training grounds and saw her... The manly clothes gave out her figure even more. I felt my face getting red as the dreams I had slipped back into my mind. Without thinking, my legs took me to Berke. She must've heard me approaching because she turned around and aimed the knife in her hand at me. I didn't move, nor say anything. To be honest, I was tired. Tired of guilt, of nightmares, of my desires, everything. I I managed to make her feel threatened, would Berke end my sufferings? I took another step towards her abruptly. A knife stopped right in front of me in the ground. I rushed at her hoping that she won't take the blindfold off. The knife in her hand pointed towards me. I ran but when expected the pain and relief, all I felt was falling. I landed on a tiny body who groaned and ripped the blindfold off her gorgeous eyes. Berke looked at me with sadness and anger.

- What the bloody hell were you thinking?! - she roared and kicked me off of her. I landed on the ground and my jaw almost dropped by witnessing her raw strength. She pointed at the knife, which stuck out of the ground next to where we laid a moment ago. Berke offered her hand and I grabbed it. She pulled me up and did something, something that if anyone saw it, Berke's life would be over at that instant.