CHAPTER SEVEN

<p>The room Cleon gave me was spacious and beautifully decorated with a king-size bed. It is a room fit for a princess. After washing up I didn't bother unpacking my bag since Cleon has already told me I will be given a new set of clothes. The bed was very soft and comfortable. Letting out a contented sigh, I told myself I made the right decision choosing Cleon. Thinking about the events of the day I couldn't help but wonder where I got the courage to speak freely with Cleon. I truly am a different person when in his presence. There is also the issue of me having magical abilities. Looking at my hand I started wondering how it happened if I recall correctly none of my parents had any abilities, at least none that I'm aware of and I can't possibly go to any of them and ask. It's as if my life took a turn after meeting Cleon. Whether good or bad I can't tell. However, what I do know is that with Cleon what I see is what I get. I don't know why everyone is afraid of him I mean it's not his fault he was born a dark one. Just like me, he was born into something he had no control or idea of. Why should we suffer for the shortcomings of our parents? Thinking of how we both have parents that don't want us I slept off.<br/><br/>Waking up for the first time for as long as I remember without any nightmares or sweating profusely I felt so refreshed and energized that I couldn't help but be in a good mood. After washing up and getting dressed I decided to go check on Evelinde to see if she is still here or not. Walking to the room opposite mine I knocked on the door and waited for her to open up. After waiting for some time the door was still locked I knocked a second time and then a third still there was no reply. Thinking she had left last night I opened the door only to find her sleeping. Walking to the bedside I stared down at her peaceful sleeping face and admitted that she is quite beautiful. With the scarf no longer in the way. Her long hair double braided revealed a fresh warm face with long lashes casting a shadow on her face. If her eyes were to be opened her warm hazel eyes will be staring at me. I kicked the bed hard and immediately she got up and screamed when she saw me. What are you doing here she asked me covering herself with the bedsheet. I live here I replied to her I can enter wherever and whenever I want. Your clothes are here wash up and get dressed or we will be late for our lessons. She shrieked but it's too early I still need to sleep besides why didn't you knock don't you know I'm a woman and it's not gentlemanly of you to be in a woman's room that too without her consent. Stooping down to her eye level I said. I never told you I was a gentleman and I can see you love sleeping a lot because I've been out there knocking waiting for you to open up while you are here sleeping. Too bad that is a luxury you can't afford living with me. Now you better wash up and get dressed within ten minutes or I will come back looking at her nightwear, I said to get you with or without your clothes. Standing up I said the choice is yours and left.<br/><br/>Glaring at his retreating back I scrambled out of the bed and went to the door I saw a box and brought it inside. Closing the door I placed the box by the bed and went to wash up. After my morning body routine, I opened the box to find several items of clothing inside. Picking up a dress shirt with a slit at the middle I paired it with a pair of pants and completed the look with a boot. Looking at my reflection on the dresser mirror I contemplated falling my hair or leaving it double braided. Opting for the latter since it conceals part of the white strands I headed off to meet his royal rudeness. Walking down the staircase to the sitting area I found him at the table eating. Joining him we both ate in silence. After our breakfast, we both headed out with me following behind him. Just like yesterday, he leads me through several turns and doors with servants bowing down their heads and running away when they saw us or rather him. We walked along the corridors and arrived at a door. Entering inside I discovered it was a hall converted into a classroom with chairs and tables set in pairs. Cleon stopped in front of one of the sets of chairs this one farther from the rest but not too far from them that he can't hear what is being said from the teacher's table. Sitting down, he said, you can sit down everyone will be here soon. Looking at his relaxed expression I couldn't help but ask. Is it okay for me to be learning with the rest of you? I know the only commoners attending the lessons are people whose parents are rich and even they are few and to top that I am your helper. Are you sure it is fine for me to be here I don't want any trouble. With his eyes closed, he simply replied in a lazy tone. You are mine. I was waiting for a follow-up to that statement that never came. Feeling apprehensive all I could do was wait and wait I did. After some time the door was opened and in walked the remaining members of the royal family followed by their helpers as well as Cedric. Not paying any attention to us they sat down and chatted among themselves ignoring us completely. I noticed the other helpers standing beside their masters and mistresses looking at their clothes I discovered mine was different. Although their clothes were not shabby I could tell mine was made of superior quality looking at Cleon he still has his eyes closed I noticed the material of both our clothes are similar. I was about to ask Cleon about it when I noticed Cedric gazing at me signaling me to come to him. Not knowing if it will be okay to leave Cleon considering how capricious he is. I quickly murmured I'm coming back knowing full well he's not sleeping hearing his grunt of approval I went to meet Cedric. Immediately I got close to Cedric he pulled me to a corner and hugged me asking me if I'm alright. Taking aback by his behavior I quickly checked if someone saw us only to find everyone busy among themselves. I'm okay I replied you don't have to worry too much I told him. I don't have to worry he whisper shouted. I told you to stay away from prince Cleon but instead, you offered yourself to him what were you thinking? Look I told him, Cleon is not bad maybe a little unpredictable but overall he's a good person. Cedric looked at me as if I've grown a tail. You just called him Cleon he said. He told me to I replied. Taking my hands in his Cedric said still whispering I don't know what kind of spell he cast on you to make you see him in a different light, all I do know is we are friends and I'm here for you. We may not have known each other that long but as friends, we look out for each other. If you need anything I'm here and please be careful I don't know what the prince is planning by doing this he said gesturing at my attire he too noticed how different I am compared to the rest helpers. Just know you have a friend and brother in me. Looking at his face and feeling his sincerity I nodded my head in agreement. Never having felt this way or had anyone look at for me I was deeply touched. Feeling grateful I hugged him and thanked him. Pulling away from him I said don't worry I will be fine. I better go back to him I said. I will see you later. Walking back to my seat I noticed that the others have arrived and all the chairs have been taken. Sitting next to Cleon who still has his eyes closed I looked at everyone. So did you have fun with your boyfriend? I heard Cleon say to me. Shifting my eyes to him I asked what boyfriend? The one you've been hugging and touching he said I could feel my face turn red in embarrassment. Cedric is not my boyfriend I told him sternly. He's just a good friend he's my only friend I added in a whisper bowing my head. Well Red the teacher is here I suggest you sit properly. Raising my head I saw a man arranging some herbs on the center table facing everyone. Red? I said looking at him. Your face was red some minutes ago he replied. Shaking my head at our strange he is. I turned to look at the teacher. After arranging his things the teacher who I later found out his name to be master Flynn said. Today we will be making a sleeping potion he said looking around the room when his gaze fell on our table he paused and asked who I was. Standing up I replied Evelinde Hale sir I go by Eve. Looking at my clothes he was confused not knowing if I was someone important or not. Hale, I don't recall any Hale in the upper circle. Who are your parent's child and how come you are here as if recalling something he gasped and said I remember you now? Looking at Cleon he said what is she doing here my prince dressed like this. She's supposed to be your shadow, my prince she is to serve and obey you not sit together with you as equal. Everyone was already looking at us as if seeing me for the first time. I could see hatred mixed with envy in the eyes of the other helpers as well as servants who came with the other people present. Looking at the people staring at me some in mockery and disgust the others hatred and loathing. At a loss, I was about bowing my head in shame when I recalled Cleon's voice the night before telling me to own up to myself. Not wanting to embarrass him and me both I held my head high and looked straight ahead. Tell me, master Flynn I heard Cleon say. When you sit down is your shadow standing up? My prince that's not what I'm trying to say, master Flynn replied while stuttering. With a devilish smile, Cleon said in a cold and frightening tone. Master Flynn Red here as you said is my shadow she is to serve and obey me what that means is if I tell her to sit she sits if I tell her to stand she stands I don't know about other people but since I'm not shabby looking I don't expect my shadow to be shabby looking as well. Who is red my prince master Flynn asked visibly shaking? Turning towards me Cleon looked at me with a bored expression turned back to Look at master Flynn and said she is mine and I can call her whatever I choose to. Bowing down his head master Fynn replied yes my Prince and returned to his table. As I sat down Cleon leaned close to my ear and said. Very well done Red for a moment there I thought you would cower. There is still hope for you after all. With a mischievous smile, he leaned away from me and turned towards master Flynn <br/><br/><br/> </p>