10 Trouble is brewing 2

Rhiannon sat obediently after she had her bath, as she was getting ready for bed. Her old nanny, Alice, began to unpack the items in a basket. "This is from the healer, princess," she said, placing an amulet, a round little container, some leaves, and ointments on Rhiannon's table.

With curiosity, Rhiannon picked up the amulet, examining it closely. "What is this for, Nanny Alice?" she asked.

"It is for warding off nightmares and evil eyes," replied Nanny Alice. "You wear it around your neck when you sleep, and it will protect you."

Rhiannon nodded, impressed by the amulet's intricate carvings. She then turned her attention to the little container. "And what is this for?" she asked, picking it up.

"That is a cream for the scratch on your face, my princess," said Nanny Alice. "It will help remove the scar."

Rhiannon touched her cheek, feeling the rough patch where the scratch was. "Thank you, Nanny," she said gratefully.

Old Nanny Alice then handed her a small jar of ointment. "And these are nerve-relaxing ointments," she explained. "You can use them to help you sleep if you are feeling anxious or stressed."

Rhiannon nodded, taking the jar from her nanny's hand. "And the leaves?" she asked, eyeing the small bundle on the table.

"The herbs are to quicken your immune system," explained Nanny Alice. "They will help keep you healthy."

Rhiannon felt her heart fill with warmth at her nanny's thoughtfulness. She got up from her chair and hugged Nanny Alice tightly, surprising the older woman. When she let go, Nanny Alice hugged her back just as tightly.

Rhiannon then walked over to her bed and asked Nanny Alice to sit beside her. She lay down and placed her head on her nanny's lap, feeling comforted by the woman's presence. Nanny Alice then began to apply the cream to the scratch, and Rhiannon closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of the cool cream on her skin.

As Nanny Alice continued to massage the cream into her scar, Rhiannon's handmaid entered the room, carrying a basket filled with her clothes. Rhiannon sat up, thanked her handmaid, and turned her attention back to her nanny. "Thank you for taking care of me, Nanny Alice," she said, giving the woman a small smile.

Nanny Alice smiled back, her eyes almost turning into slits. "It is my pleasure, my dear. Always."

Amelia, Rhiannon's handmaid, noticed that the princess was still awake and asked, "Would you like me to read you a bedtime story, your highness?"

Rhiannon smiled at the offer. "That would be lovely, Amelia," she said, but then added, "But don't you think it's getting late? You should get some rest too."

Nanny Alice chimed in, "Yes, the princess is right, you should rest. We can read to her some other night."

But Amelia shook her head. "I don't mind, your highness. I want to make sure you sleep well."

Rhiannon chuckled. "I appreciate your concern, Amelia, but really, I'll be fine. You and Nanny deserve a good night's rest too."

Old Nanny Alice spoke up again, her tone persuasive. "But my dear princess, we cannot leave until we know that you are sleeping peacefully."

Rhiannon sighed, knowing she wasn't going to win this argument. "Alright, but only if you promise to leave quietly after I fall asleep."

Nanny Alice and Amelia nodded, agreeing to the terms. Rhiannon settled back into her bed as Nanny Alice sat on a chair beside her and Amelia sat on the floor with the book in her hand.

As Amelia began to read the story, Rhiannon felt herself becoming more and more relaxed. Soon, her eyes began to droop, and she knew she was about to fall asleep. She gave a small smile to her loyal companions, grateful for their care and concern.

"Thank you for being here, Nanny and Amelia," she said softly, before drifting off to sleep.

Nanny Alice and Amelia watched over her for a few more minutes to make sure she was sound asleep before they quietly left the room, leaving the princess to her dreams.

Rhiannon lay still in her bed, her breathing even and slow as she pretended to sleep. Once she heard the sound of the door clicking shut, she sat up slowly and looked around the room to make sure she was alone. Satisfied that no one was around, she got out of bed and walked over to the window.

With practiced ease, Rhiannon opened the window and stepped out onto a hidden construction that she and Rowan had built during her younger days. The wooden planks were anchored to the side of the castle and were cleverly disguised by vines and leaves, making it nearly invisible from the ground. The construction allowed Rhiannon to climb up to the roof unnoticed.

As she climbed the ladder, Rhiannon felt a thrill of excitement. She loved the feeling of being up high, of having a view that few others had. Once she reached the top, she sat down, and took a deep breath, taking in the view. From where she sat, she could see the entire kingdom, from the bustling village below to the lush forests beyond. The moon was high in the sky, casting a silvery light over everything.

As Rhiannon sat on the roof, gazing out over the kingdom, she couldn't help but think about her parents and little brother who was no longer with her. A wave of sadness washed over her, and she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes.

She remembered a time when she was a young girl, no older than six or seven, and had snuck up onto the roof to play. Her mother had caught her up there and scolded her, telling her how dangerous it was and how she could get hurt. But Rhiannon had been determined to climb up there, to see the world from a different perspective.

Now, looking out over the kingdom, Rhiannon wished her mother were still alive to scold her, to hold her, and tell her everything would be alright. She missed her parents and brother so much, it felt like a physical ache in her chest. The pain of their loss was still so raw, even after all these years.

Rhiannon wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find some comfort in the solitude of the night. She wished she could turn back time, to a time when her family was still alive and happy. But she knew that was impossible.

As Rhiannon wept silently, lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the figure in the cloak watching her from a distance. The figure had a wicked grin on his face, and he slowly started to climb up the other side of the castle to meet her on the roof.

Rhiannon remained lost in her grief until suddenly, a voice whispered "Boo!" in her ear, causing her to yelp in fright and almost lose her balance. The figure behind her quickly caught her and drew her back into his chest, and Rhiannon's eyes widened in shock as she realized it was Draven.

"What are you doing up here?" Rhiannon asked, her heart still racing from the sudden fright.

"I could ask you the same thing," Draven replied with a smirk. "I saw you up here and thought I would join you."

Rhiannon was both relieved and irritated by his presence. She had been hoping for some solitude to grieve.

"You scared me," Rhiannon said, looking up at Draven with a mixture of fear and anger.

"I'm sorry," Draven replied, not sounding very apologetic at all. "But I couldn't resist. You looked so lost in your thoughts, I thought I might help snap you out of them."

Rhiannon rolled her eyes at Draven's arrogance and then pushed him away from her as she felt a strange familiarity build between them. It was as though she had been in those arms before.

She watched Draven wobble and then flail his hands in the air as though he was about to fall off but Rhiannon turned around to sit back on the roof without a care in the world.

Draven then steadied himself and released an exaggerated sigh, placing his hand on his chest. "That was very harsh, princess. Very heartless I must say, what if I had fallen off?". His eyes scanned the girl who was looking at the sky.

Rhiannon gave him a side glance. "And do you think, I would care if you had fallen and died?".

"I doubt that". Draven muttered as he began to walk closer to her. "Mind if I sit with you?".

"No". Came the quick, cold reply.

"Thank you for your generosity, princess". Draven said and then sat down beside her, flashing a mischievous grin to Rhiannon, who shifted away from him.

Draven chuckled a bit and then looked up at the sky again, as the smile on his face slowly fell.

He could feel Rhiannon slowly look at him and he let her watch him, schooling his features. With a broad smile, he turned to the girl who was with a frown. "I know I am handsome, princess. You should come closer if you want to admire me, I'd let you. After all you are about to become my sister-in-law".

Rhiannon rolled her eyes and then shifted back to him, staring this time harder at him. "Why do I feel as though we have met before? You look familiar, act familiar but it is so strange that I can't recall who you are".

Draven's smile quickly faded and for a moment he held his breath. Trying to compose himself, he offered a weak smile and raised a questioning brow at her. "We do not know each other, princess. I might act familiar to you just because you feel we have the same flow, but trust me princess. We. Do. Not. Know. Each. Other". He enunciated the last words and Rhiannon shook her head as she looked away.

"I must be imagining too much. I think I need enough rest". Rhiannon murmured to herself which was heard clearly by Draven.

Draven stared at the girl whose shoulders were slumped in sadness and her eyes in a daze. Standing up, he bent to place a kiss on Rhiannon's head which sent a jolt of shock to her body.

Not knowing how to react, she stared wide-eyed at the man who gave her a weak smile. "Goodnight princess and no more nightmares".

Then he turned, jumping down the roof, the same way he had climbed up.