Magic and Chivalry

-

"I mean ish not sho bad afterr you shink about it for a while." It was late dawn. Kirsch, Danny and I were having breakfast in the pavilion. "Mrige shounds prrty nice." Kirsch was attempting to engage in the conversation with a mouthful. "Em I right?" 

 "Well still, I don't like it. How exactly is marriage the key to your problems again?" Danny said as she took a bite of her sandwich. 

"See technically I just have to meet him for approval. I have no idea what my dad was thinking when he set me up with a prince, but apparently he wanted to join the knight's guard and didn't know how much experience he would further need since, well, he was raised with this kind of training. I guess my dad wanted me to test his skills by setting up a date, or he wants me to ‘get out’ more, ironically enough. And you never know, I might just like him." I smiled and took a bite of my bread, trying to picture myself in a ball gown walking down a large staircase with a prince at my arms.

 It wasn't really appealing since every time I thought of the prince, I couldn't picture one standing there. Cause in his place was the stranger I met last night. God, why is she so wrapped up in my head? Probably cause I just met her yesterday and I mean, who wouldn’t think of them after something like that? Perfectly normal.

“Whoa there, Earth to Laura?” I was suddenly aware of Danny’s hand waving in front of my face.

 “Oh sorry.”

“Hm. Guess the whole getting together with a prince idea appeals to you. Day dreaming of your very own knight in shining armor Laura?” Kirsch kidded, but was met with a punch to the shoulders by Danny.

“Seriously Kirsch? I thought we’ve been over this. We’re our-”

“-Our own knights in shining armor.” I cut Danny off to finish our motto that we’ve had since we were children. “We don’t need saving.”

“Ugh I’ve heard that too many times now you guys. I just meant the idea of having someone there for you with unconditional loyalty sounds like a nice thought is all…” He said looking back down at his sandwich.

“Aw, don’t worry Kirsch, you’ll meet…uh..them someday.” I reassured. Kinda forgot who exactly Kirsch was looking for.

“Alright enough about the blistering romances, we have some news for today as well.” I looked over at Danny who seemed more stiff than usual. She reached down to grab a paper parchment from her side and put it on the table in front of me. “From your father.”

I grabbed the parchment and laid it out flat in front of me, skimming through the first few lines (since I know he always writes with beginning formalities despite whoever the reader is). I looked through until a line caught my eye; ‘…and will hereby be joined by accompanying sorceress for extra protocols.’

Wait. Sorceress?

 “Sorceress!?” 

Don’t tell me…

“Yeah, I thought that too. I mean, you already have two knights on your side, not to mention yourself. What good would having a sorceress do? We don’t even know who it is yet, but we’re meeting her around quarter till noon in your father’s chambers to get…acquainted.”

 Oh for the love of all that is good in this world please don’t let this be a coincidence.

“Well, I guess we better go now then!” I abruptly finished my sandwich and made my way towards the exit. 

“Laura wait!” I heard Kirsch call from behind, but I was already out the door, heading towards the main staircase. By the time I made it to my father’s hall, I was growing reluctant to go through his doors. Did I want to see her again, or not? Well, too late now. I pushed the his chamber doors open to find a dark figure in a purple robe in front of my father’s desk, with him sitting behind it. 

“Oh Laura, great timing dear. I figure you got my memo yes?” I give a slight nod as I keep my eyes focused on the figure in the robe. Alright, it’s now or never.

“Great! Well, um, this is Carmilla. She’s your new official body guard.”

The figure turned around and sure enough, it was her. She took her hood off and gave me a small smile, extending out her arm. Her eyes were sparkling and she raised an eyebrow. “Nice to meet you, Princess.”

- 

“I mean who does she thinks she is!” I angrily bit off a chunk of my biscuit as I raged to Lafontaine. “A sorceress? Is that really necessary?” 

“Given your reputation Laur, I’m surprised he hasn’t thought about it a long time ago.” They threw what seemed to be purple mushrooms into the bubbling cauldron. 

“Wow Laf. Way to be supportive.” 

“Hey, cut the girl some slack. She has to deal with all of you three for the next two weeks. Wait what did you say her name was?” They were carefully pouring in a green extract of some kind into the bubbling cauldron.

“Carmilla.”

“What.” They dropped the entire glass of coloring into the cauldron and I could see the glass practically melting into the pot. “Ugh damnit.”

“Wait do you know her? I almost forgot to ask. I saw her last night and I assumed she was one of your acquaintances.”

“Wait, you saw her last night?” They raised an eyebrow. 

“Well I mean I was headed to my special spot and she was just there! Being all broody and...And-” God, every time…

“Alright, I get it. Lemme guess, the ballroom?” I gave them a confused look.

“Yeah…How’d you know?”

“Lucky guess. Well, if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll have a talk with her to make sure she isn’t out to eat you in your sleep. Well, violently anyway,” my face was full blown flustered at this point. Before I managed to say anything they began grabbing potion bottles off the shelf behind them, “actually, I’m just gonna have a talk with her. Alright Hollis, on your way to whatever dangers you have planned for today! Take this for emergencies. Don’t mess with draco-pyromaniacs.” They shoved two clear bottles of liquid into my arms and pushed me out the door, slamming it shut.

“Um…thanks...Laf?” I cried through the door. Weird…

I left Lafontaine’s chambers and headed back up the main staircase. This seems like a good time to take a nap. I made it down to my hallway, pondering Laf’s strange actions, but I decided to brush it off as usual Laf-ness. I opened my bedroom door to be greeted with a girl in a dark purple robe sitting on my bed. 

“Alright what the hell.” I crossed my arms as she looked up and gave me that smile of hers. “What gives you the right to be IN A GIRLS ROOM WITHOUT HER PERMISSION OR KNOWLEDGE?” 

“Geez, sorry Sweetheart, didn’t mean to stress you out.” She looked over and smiled again. 

“I’m not stressed!” I practically yelled. Whoops, better tone it down a bit Hollis. “And it’s Laura, not ‘Princess’ or ‘Sweetheart’ or whatever else you plan on calling me.” I make my way towards my desk, slamming the door behind me to make a point. I looked over to notice how all she was doing was looking at me with…those eyes. Those deep, brown eyes that are bright even from this much of a distance away. I wonder what they’d look like up close, but it didn’t seem like it was hard to imagine. UGH stop it Hollis! She is a hostile force who infiltrated your bedchambers and you are NOT going down without a fight! Suddenly more alert, I straighten up my posture and take a seat at the chair by my desk, directly in front of the girl, who for whatever reason, is still sitting at the edge of my bed.

“Well? Are you planning on staring at me all day or do you actually have some reason to be here?” I gave her a challenging stare and she seemed to focus abruptly, shifting her sitting position to be angled more towards me.

“Actually, that doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.” She raised an eyebrow and I was slightly caught off guard. “Wait what?” Wait, does she mean…

“Staring at you all day. It doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”  No, she’s definitely just messing with you.

“Well sorry to intrude on your…staring or whatever, but seriously. What are you actually here for?” She looked down and chuckled.

“Maybe I’m just here to look at you.” She looked up to meet my eyes. The twinkle is still there and her eyes are still such a deep brown like the night before, they seemed to glaze over and shine. Before I realize, I was staring right back at her for a period of time and abruptly look away, probably flustered.

“Alright enough fun and mockery, seriously, why are you here??” I stiffened my posture once again, and give her a stern glare. Not gonna distract me this time! She let out a slight chuckle before meeting my eyes again.

“Fine. I’m here because I figured, since I’m gonna be guarding you or whatever for the next two-ish weeks, why not get to know her-you, I mean why not get to know you…better.” She looked away and I was actually surprised by her double take.

“Oh. Um…Yeah. I mean, right. Of course…” She looked back up and our eyes freaking met again. Are you serious? Are my eyes like...propelled into her line of sight or something?? This time, I looked away, arms still crossed. 

“So Princess,” she grabbed my yellow pillow from behind her and held it close to her stomach, “tell me about yourself.” I glared at her and snatched my pillow from her grasp, only to find her chuckling again. 

“Well...I mean…I don’t know?” I don’t know why I sounded so unsure of myself. Probably just getting distracted by her presence.

“C’mon don’t hold out on me now. What happened to that confrontational attitude you had just a moment ago?” She tilted her head and slouched back onto the bed.

“Well I mean…” Come on Laura just girl the hell up already. “I guess I like sweets?”

“Sweets you say?” She actually sounded interested. 

“Yup. And uh…freedom, I guess.”

“Mm, didn’t take you as the rebellious type.” She sent a smirk my way, and at this point I’m not surprised.

“Oh sure, like you totally didn’t have anything to argue for growing up.” My turn to give her a smirk. She just replied with a slight scoff.

“Why, what naïve fool do you take me for? I at least had the decency to wait until I was of age to be independent enough to argue for what I wanted. Patience can get you pretty far Princess.”

“My God, will you stop calling me that? What is the problem with my name? Is it that unappealing to you or something? Cause-” 

“No-no your name’s amazing,” she cut in, and I caught the concern in her voice, “but I mean, my names for you are way more amusing creampuff.” 

“Creampuff? What even is that?” 

“The Princess hasn’t ever had a chance to try such a delicious treat? Well put that down on our list as we make our way to the kingdom.” 

“Wait what?” 

“It’s a pastry Sweetheart, just…oh never mind.” She stood up and fluffed her velvet robe. “Just rest up alright? Don’t want you exhausted before our journey even starts.” With another smug look on her face, she heads out the door, leaving me still dumbfounded. God I’ve barely known her for a day and I already hate her presence…