CHAPTER TEN

Cleon who is that I asked pointing to a man not too far away from us. That's Harold the butler come it seems he has something to tell us. Harold, you have something to tell me Cleon asked as we reached where Harold was standing. My prince Harold greeted with a bow. The King has requested your presence in the Family living room. Looking at me he said, can you find your way back to the forbidden wing or do you want me to ask someone to take you there? I was about to respond when Harold said, my prince, the king has requested you come along with your companion. I could feel Cleon's hesitation not wanting to get him in trouble I quickly responded it's fine Cleon I'm your shadow remember? come on let's go. Looking sideways at Evelinde I couldn't help but wonder why the king would request to see us both in the family living room. I could tell the girl is tired considering how eventful the day turned out to be. She should be resting not coming with me to something I am very sure will not be a friendly meeting. Entering the room I saw my whole family discussing with smiles on their faces. Smiles that disappeared the moment we entered. Not wanting to put up with whatever their latest act is I went straight to the point. Father, you requested to see me. I heard what happened today thankfully Borak is awake did you stop to think what would become of this family if he had not woken up. Must you prove to everyone our evil you are time and time again as if you and your darkness is not enough your helper too is no different? Father Red and I did nothing wrong. It was a potion class we did as instructed. I get you calling me evil but Red did nothing wrong she followed master Flynn's instructions and got the potion right I was the one that asked Borak's servant to drink it so how's Red at fault? How is she at fault you say, my dad said with a raised voice. Look at the way she's dressed does that look like the way a royal companion should be dressed? Looking at Evelinde he said, I asked around about you it turns out your parents rejected you I don't blame them for doing so. Cleon, you will be without a helper for I will be sending this one back to wherever she crawled out from. Father if I may I heard Casper say I think you should not send her away what will people say if they found out you sent her packing it will seem as if we can't take care of those in our employ. I suggest you give her to me. I'm sure I will be a positive influence I heard the consenting murmurs from the rest of my family. Hearing Casper's word it was as if a thousand needles were piercing my skin I felt my eyes change and my entire body burning hot in a voice I couldn't recognize as my own I said no one is sending Red away and no one is taking her from me. She is mine and that is final you all had the chance to pick and you picked those who appealed to you no one will take Red away from me. I could see fire coming from my hands as if my hands were on fire the candles in the room were getting brighter and brighter as if sensing my rage. My entire family was looking at me in horror as if I was some sort of monster. The thought of Red not being in my life for some reason angered me I felt like burning everything and I was about to when I felt something ice-cold covering my hand lowering my head to see what it was i discovered it was Red using her powers. Looking at her face I could see how worried she is. Stop I heard her say. It is okay I'm right here no one is taking me away. I'm your shadow remember. Calming myself I looked at my father and said. Red stays with me I am responsible for her she is mine and no one touches what's mine I said the last part looking at Casper. Let's go I told Red already leaving. Walking inside the forbidden wing I could still sense Cleon's anger. Cleon, I said sitting beside him you have to calm down. For a second there I thought you wanted to burn down the place. I wanted to burn down the place I heard him say. Has it always been this way I asked him are you not allowed to tell your side of the story? I am the dark one remember I'm not allowed to have a side I heard Cleon say. You just saved the animals from that creature aren't you going to tell them? The incident at class today wasn't your fault either Borak was looking for trouble. No matter what I do Red I will always be a monster it does not matter how many animals or humans I save he said. Where you rejected by your parents he asked. Not wanting to lie to him I told him the truth. My mom and dad are no longer together. Growing up I thought my dad was fighting for the king, I recently found out that the reason he's not always around is that he has another family. As for my mom, she has always been cold and distant towards me I also found out that the reason she did not like me is that I remind her of what she once had with my dad. My dad got married to her against the wishes of his family. He later found out he couldn't live as a commoner and decided to go back to his family. He got married to someone else while still seeing my mom when my mom found out it was too late because she was already pregnant with me. According to them, they decided to put an act for my benefit pretending they are together till I come of age. Since I can take care of myself the act has ended. My mom now has a family of her own thus leaving me to fend for myself. I always wondered why my dad only comes to the house when no one is around and my mom well whenever we help people with their farm or other jobs they always think we are sisters due to our similarity and my mom's lack of maternal love. It seems to protect themselves they've manipulated the story in their favor. So I was right in my assessment of Caleb and Celeste being your parents Cleon said. Nodding my head in affirmation he said it is us against the world then. Not wanting to cause him more problems I asked, what if I leave I can tell by your family's reaction that they don't want me around. As long as you are connected to me they will hate you he said to me. Why don't we have dinner freshen up and go to bed I suggested? That's a good idea, Cleon said heading towards the dining area. After eating we both said goodnight and entered our rooms. After washing up and climbing my bed I started thinking of how scared I was for Cleon when I saw his hands on fire. I felt his anger and rage I unconsciously touched his hands I guess I was trying to comfort him and I used my powers too. Raising my hands to my face I couldn't help but wonder why my powers only work when Cleon is involved. The first time I was trying to cover my hair to keep Cleon from seeing it. I remembered feeling nervous, not wanting him to think of me as a freak. Today however my heart ached for him seeing him that angry. Wanting to comfort him and let him know he's not alone I reached out my hand to take his when I felt something cold only to discover my hand cooling his. Tomorrow is another day I pray it goes well.

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