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scarletmelody · 4 years

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Queenstrial -Chapter 4

Masterlist

warnings: language

semi-modern AU

Summary: Mare Barrow’s only wish is for true freedom. But all that’s taken away from her when a gods damned letter shows up on her doorstep. Gone is the hope for a life of happiness. Instead, she’s been chosen to enter the 50th Queenstrial competition to win Prince Tiberias the VII’s hand in marriage. But not only is the Prince she’s expected to win, not a stranger at all, but rather her previous one night stand, but now she’s competing against 20 other cutthroat women for his love and affections she’s not even sure she wants.

...

I’m awakened by a shake to my shoulder.

“Mare!” someone scolds me. I think it’s Walsh. With my eyes still shut all I see is darkness.

“Mare Barrow if you don’t get up right this minute, I will drag you. Don’t think I won’t”. Definitely Walsh.

Squinting open my eyes, I’m met with an influx of bright sunlight streaming in from my windows with the curtains already thrown back.

“Alright, now get up”, she scolds.

This version of waking up in the morning is so at odds with Gisa’s light teasing. Although my heart drops at the thought. It’s been a full 24 hours since I’ve seen her. And the rest of my family. My phone is currently locked up in some part of the palace where it’s currently being examined for whatever terrorist material they’re looking for. I won’t be allowed to contact my Gisa, Kilorn, or my parents until they deem it safe and hand it back to me. Which means, no contact with them for the foreseeable future.

Pushing that thought away, I stifle a yawn and look down at myself. Still in my stupid dress. I take a glance at Walsh who’s already busying herself looking through my wardrobe.

I sink down for a moment longer savoring the feel of the silky sheets, hating the fact that I had the best sleep of my life last night.

Not that I forget the events that led to it.

That brings a scowl to my face. Stupid ass prince.

But before I brave myself against Walsh’s rage, I force myself to climb out of the comforter and find myself stepping into a pair of fluffy white slippers already placed at the foot of the bed. They sure know how to treat people like royalty here.

I walk into the bathroom still reeling from the thought that I have access to my own. Sharing one with 3 other people was never fun.

Never mind the fact that this one happens to be the size of my old room with Gisa. Although that makes me this whole place even more infuriating. How many people get to live in luxury while masses of people suffer beneath them.

Even so, I can’t help the fact that I need a shower. The deep sleep I had still doesn’t do anything for my weariness or the dirtiness of my clothes.

Twisting the knob of the shower on to mildly warm, I strip, leaving my clothes on the floor and walk right in. The water washes down my back and I sigh in contentment. At least this feels like home. Even if we barely had enough hot water for all of us, the feeling of a clean wash was still something I could never get enough of.

But Cal’s words still ring in my head as I try to wash them off. ‘And do you often take strangers to bed in shabby clubs?’

Son of a Bitch! I almost want to yell those words out. Because it describes him perfectly. For even suggesting the fact that my actions last night weren’t the same as his own. What happened between us was as much of his decision as it was mine. And he’s an idiot for not realizing that.

Once I finish fuming careful not to release any sparks that would leave static in my anger, I find a fluffy robe waiting for me on a shelf. Grabbing it, I let myself revel in the comfort of it against my raw skin. How silvers can live like this and still want more is beyond me.

Drying myself off and wandering back into my room, Walsh is sitting at my desk which doubles as a vanity, blow-dryer in hand.

“Good morning” she chirps, now in a more pleasant mood. “Nice to see you finally awake”.

“Finally? I can’t be past 7 in the morning”, I say exasperatedly.

“Actually, it’s 8. And you’re about to be late for breakfast unless you sit your ass down here and let me get you ready”, she commands.

It’s 8? Not even a day in Queenstrial and I’ve already lost a semblance of normalcy. I always got up at 7.

But I do as she says, like any sane person with a brain to avoid more of her scolding.

She dries my hair for me in quiet with the droning of the device filling up the room. I take this time to sink into oblivion; not thinking about anything. It’s almost comforting to let go of all of my consuming thoughts and just to let go.

Walsh soon finishes and gives my hair a blown-out look filled with volume. But I can’t help a groan when she tells me that it’s mandatory to wear dresses. It’s not that I don’t like looking feminine or appreciate the way that they look, but they’re just so damn uncomfortable sometimes.

She lets me rant for a while before forcing me to choose between 2 different ones. One, a longer length dress that would definitely clash with my skin tone because of the fact that it’s a sun kissed orange color, and a shorter length one in a gorgeous royal blue color, albeit looser than the one I wore last night.

I select the blue one because I do prefer to wear short dresses, more for mobility than anything else. Even being in a castle, being a thief for so many years trains me to still think like one.

Once I take my robe off and dress, I sit back into my chair where Walsh gets ready to apply my makeup.

“Not too heavy please” I request. Makeup has always made me feel like I have a heavy layer of mud on my face.

She just rolls her eyes and nods.

OH SHIT! I watch as she narrows her gaze at those purple bruises that I forgot to cover. Oh my gods. That stupid ass of a prince. Because it’s easier to blame him, than anything.

Thank the gods above she doesn’t make any comment about it as I school my face to indifference and pretend that nothing’s wrong.

Wordlessly she brushes concealer, although a lighter layer that I would have applied, followed by powder to set it.

She finishes and arranges the front pieces of my hair in a better shape to frame my face. But once she reaches to take out the studs currently sitting in my ear, attempting to replace them I have to stop her.

“Just- Can we leave them?” They’re the only piece of home I have left.

“Of course,” she nods. Removing her hands away from them and onto a set of silver rings and bracelets instead.

Surprisingly gentle, she puts them on my fingers and wrist, before grabbing me a pair of chunky black, yet still a reasonable height of 3 inches heels.

We chuckle together as I almost trip in them over the carpet.

“Coming?” I ask, face still pink and holding onto the door to the hallway for her.

“Nope, me and the other maids have things to do. By the way, ability training is after breakfast so you won’t be in that outfit for long”, she informs me.

Ability training. How could I forget. And I have to see his face again.

My hand tightens on the doorknob and I say my goodbyes as I make my way out. At least I’ll have some way to let out some steam.

Outside of the hallway I spy Nina. Thank god!

I quickly rush up to her, because even if I don’t want to admit it, she reminds me of Kilorn or Gisa. Someone genuinely nice and caring.

Once she sees me scoot up to her side, she gives a warm smile. “Mare! I was going to talk to you last night but I didn’t see where you went!”

She looks absolutely stunning in her soft pink gown that matches her tan skin. The perfect image of a spring time flower.

Again, next to her I look like trash.

Cal’s voice pops into my head again at that thought. ‘Well at least I’m not in the habit of having hook-ups knowing that I’m supposed to be committing to a relationship the next day.’

I fist my hands again where I know my knuckles are already white. Fuck him and his stupid face.

“Mare? You okay?” Nina questions from beside me.

“Oh, yeah. It’s nothing” I shrug. If only she knew.

Our walk to breakfast is lively and consists of more “getting to know each other” questions. She asks me how old I am to which I answer 17. It seems Nina is, of course the same age as me.

I learn more about her family and their life in Harbor Bay. She tells me about her days and nights spent out on the beach basking in the sun, which explains the glow that never seems to leave her face.

Once we walk down the stairs and down into the dining room my stomach lurches. I can’t face him. One look and I might just shoot a spark of electricity straight at his face. But, then again knowing my lack of control with my ability I might just end up shocking everyone in the damn room.

Nina and I take seats next to each other at the middle of the table, the seats near the Prince himself already taken up by firstcomers. I take a chance to spy at the other girls and almost want to laugh overhearing words like “Oh, but will he like my dress?” and “He’s just so handsome”.

Conversation halts however, when the two Princes walk in. One of them brings a smile to my face when he gives me a large grin, and the other makes me clench my jaw and fist the skirts of my dress. It’s obvious who exactly garners each reaction from me.

“Good morning everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful sleep last night, and in turn a delightful breakfast this morning. Eat up before we have training later” Cal starts before finding his seat.

Maven gives me a wave and this time, finding his spot at the head of the table next to his brother. I notice that the King and Queen are noticeably missing. But then again, all the better. Elara still gives me the goosebumps with those eyes of hers.

I mistakenly watch Cal as he focuses on me and starts to open his mouth to say something. His eyes almost shine with desperation if I didn’t know any better. Too bad I don’t want to hear it. He said what he said and what’s done is done.

Turning my head away from him and Maven I focus back onto Nina who happens to be staring at the Prince.

“Do you think he’s ever been in love before?” she asks me with glossed over eyes.

“Who?”

“Prince Tiberias of course” she gushes. “But then again he wants us to call him Cal. He told me last night”.

I try my hardest to hold back my scoff. “No. I don’t think he has.”

“Why not?”

“He just… Doesn’t seem like the type”, is my best answer to her. What I would rather say is, ‘because he’s a misogynistic ass so no one in their right mind would ever be with him’.

“Hmm. He just seems so dreamy”, she continues.

“Anyways, are you ready for training today?” I interrupt before she can say more. I really do not feel like talking about him.

She cuts into the eggs benedict on her plate as food is delivered to us. “Oh yeah, I guess. I’ve practiced a little bit leading up to Queenstrial”.

“I suppose it’ll be an interesting way to spend our time today” I let out.

Breakfast continues on uneventfully with Nina continuing to talk about how the Prince is ‘oh so handsome’ and unfortunately those thoughts are reciprocated everywhere else throughout the table.

Taking an escape from boredom after finishing my raspberry pastry, I risk a glance towards the head of the table yet again. Curiosity always gets the best of me.

I spy Evangeline, Sonya, and Elane again who happen to make up the trio of intimidation to every girl here, evident by the way they huddle in a smaller group and give looks of steel to anyone who dares even look at them. They take up the spots closest to the princes.

And the princes. I watch as they eat together and share laughs ever in conversation with each other. They occasionally take bites of their own meals and I almost forget my anger as I watch Cal’s expression loosen and don a real smile. It’s almost charming.

But all that changes again when he looks up after using his fork to stab a strawberry on his plate and he catches me staring at him.

Fuck.

For a good 5 seconds, his bite of food stands a millimeter from his lips as we continue our staring fest. It’s almost as if a line of electricity lines up both of our eyes to the other and it’s an unending bond.

But then his mouth starts to form words. And it’s that that I want so desperately to turn away from. There’s no use in attempting to care. Because I don’t. I don’t. So why can’t I look away?

With all my willpower I manage to rip my attention from him and his mouth of all things and turn back to my cup of tea currently sitting in front of me. I lift it to my own mouth and take a good long sip. The soothing flavor of the green tea coupled with milk soothes me to my core which garners a long sigh from me.

I risk a glance over again, because, well there isn’t any reason. But he’s already back into conversation with Maven, not even distracted. I don’t know why but it leaves me almost disappointed.

…

20 minutes later and suddenly we’re outside of a locker room of sorts. Standing dead still in the midst of the pack, I watch a stubbier short man announce himself as Commander Arven. Of course, he’s a silencer.

He explains to us that inside we’ll find training uniforms and to get dressed and meet him outside in 5 minutes flat. No exceptions.

And of course, once he leaves and we walk inside the surprisingly pristine room, girls start to spit off into groups to dress. Which leaves me, Nina, and another newblood named Ava who’s a gravtiron.

Ava silently hands me and Nina uniforms which happen to be a pair of black running shorts and a matching sports bra.

Thankfully their long enough to cover those still fading bruises on my upper thighs which I attempt to hide by facing a wall when I change. I can only imagine the questions that would arise if the girls saw them.

We quickly change wasting no time on conversation and partly because of nerves. This is the first time I’ve ever had to train my own abilities. Sure, I’ve done workouts for my body, but I have little experience in controlling my lightning. And I’m sure every other girl who isn’t a high-born silver feels the same. Which is why the rest of the girls in the locker room remainder silent with only the slap of our removed clothing hitting the floor as well as the clack of heels.

Fingers shaking, I tie the shoelaces of the shiny new white running shoes given to every girl. How they know our shoe size is beyond me. And what a waste for them to be white. They’ll only be dirty and scuffed up sooner. But then again, I guess people here don’t care. These items are always replaceable to them.

It isn’t until we walk outside and towards the empty turf field complete with a track that we ease back into conversation.

“So, are you guys nervous?” Nina asks.

“Oh my gods yes! I’ve never done anything like this!” Ava quickly gasps out, tying her brunette hair into a low ponytail. Sleek and elegant.

I’m almost amazed at her confession. She’s comfortable sharing out her vulnerabilities. I’ve only ever been taught to hide them.

My hair now tied up myself, I comment “Hopefully the prince isn’t there”

“Really? I hope he is! Maybe if I trip, he’ll carry me back to the castle” Ava muses.

I want to tell her that it’s all an act. That he acts prim and proper but on the inside he’s an egotistical bastard who only cares about himself. But of course, I don’t. Instead I listen to the two of them continue to talk about their worries about what’s yet to come. And I can’t say I disagree with their points. I’m scared out of my mind. And still the only thing that lingers in my mind is the fact that I’m wondering if he’s going to be there.

Sooner than I expect we arrive right onto the edge of the track where Commander Arven waits for us tapping his left foot onto the floor in a sign of impatience.

“Ladies, you’re late!” he yells out to all of us currently taking our last sips of water where a gallon of it waits for us. “If one of you is going to be Queen one day, I expect timely behavior!”

Good thing it won’t be me then. Back at home I’m notorious for being late to practically everything. It’s a habit I can’t help.

Then of course, with my shit luck he appears. Clad in his own training uniform of loose red workout shorts and a black t-shirt to match. He looks almost like one of the countless men at the makeshift gym in the stilts I used to frequent. But by the way he holds himself proudly, and the unnaturally god-like muscles in his arms that strain against the fine cotton of his shirt, he would stick out in a crowd.

And it isn’t until I notice that I’m not the only one gaping at him that I turn around facing a nearby tree with my face flushing red. I should not be thinking about him. He shouldn’t even cross my mind.

“Alright everyone, give me two laps!” Commander Arven yells at all of us.

Running. Gods, yes. I’ve been waiting for this moment. In the Stilts running was my only solace. The only way for me to clear my head. And after the night I’ve had it’s a much-needed welcome.

I watch everyone else start off the rust colored track and start at a light jog and I’m eager to join them. As soon as my legs start pumping, I almost want to cry. I’ve missed this. The feeling of freedom and life that comes with running against the wind is somehow comforting. A sense of normalcy in an escalating inferno of chaos.

But soon I tire of the slower pace that everyone seems to follow and I’m desperate to go faster.

Nina breathes long and deep beside me, and I give her a small smile before running past her to the front of the crowd where I can hopefully exert myself a little more. Pushing past a few throngs of people, I cast a smirk when I pass Evangeline because strangely enough, it feels good to beat her at something. Even if it’s a task as simple as running.

I quickly manage to speed my way to the front and gods damn me I can’t even begin to understand why I didn’t think Cal would be there too.

He jogs along at the set pace behind me, and at this point we’ve already covered a lap. Only one more to go.

I risk a glance at him and almost want to play another game. This time I pick up the pace and speed up faster than the rest of the crowd albeit not only in an attempt to submit to my itch to go faster.

I don’t bother looking back as I speed at least 50 meters ahead to know that he’s following me. For some reason I can’t stop myself. Even if he’s an ass, there’s something genuinely delightful in taunting him.

Not even 5 seconds later and I hear the heavy thud of footsteps pounding behind me. And then he appears right next to me.

“Trying to get rid of me Barrow?”

I just roll my eyes. Like I didn’t expect this. Like I didn’t want this.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to do better than that”.

“Don’t be a little bitch. You know nothing about me and what I want”, I retort.

“Look, if this is about last night, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. I know what you’re thinking but it’s not that”, he says through deep breaths.

“Yeah, you’re right, you should be sorry. Because you’re an ass. You said what you said and don’t pretend that that’s not what you meant. You know damn well what you were implying”.

And then I run off. Faster so that he won’t catch up.

But of course, he does.

“Mare, you know I didn’t. I don’t know what I was thinking and I wasn’t trying to make it come out that way”, he says in between light pants now that we’re running at a harder pace.

I just ignore him. No need for him to explain. And then, he takes his shirt off.

I can’t control myself and I take a look. My first glimpse of his actual body since our first encounter. Casting a glance behind me I see that we’ve well passed everyone else now and we’re down the last half stretch of our lap.

The way I stare is almost off putting because no one has ever drawn my attention faster. The hard lines of his abdomen haunt me as I remember running taunting fingers over them as well as his broad chest and the feeling of him hovering over me. I shake my head. Dumbass. Don’t think about that.

But I fail in that task as I spot a purple bruise in the space where his neck meets his collarbone. Mine. I almost want to scream to tell him to put his shirt back on so no one can see the damning evidence but I refrain. Let’s see him squirm his way out of that one.

With a smirk donning my face and only 100 meters left to go I burst into a sprint desperate to beat him. Away from him and that body of his and the thoughts of our actions that I still can’t get out of my head.

Although fate must truly be against me because he once again manages to gain speed to match me.

“Can you just listen!” he almost yells now.

“No”

I try to finish off the last 50 meters ahead of him but god damn me he pushes himself farther. Just as I’m 3 feet away from the finish line, he pulls ahead.

And the son of a bitch beats me. He actually beats me.

That thought is more enraging than I care to admit. Pompous bastard.

I pass the line that marks one lap and immediately put my hands on my knees, crouching over to regain my breath.

But Cal still stands in front of me, to the side where he fills a disposable cup with water.

Once I recover from the shift in activity I watch as the rest of the girls finish their own runs. And I don’t fail to notice how more than a few of them glower at me with anything but friendly expressions.

I would feel threatened but their anger and frustration stems from a completely false fact. I have no intention of gaining the attention or favor of Crown Prince Tiberias the 7th.

And just as the thought passes my mind, he appears right beside me and holds out a cup of water sporting his own wild grin and sweat slicked hair. And still shirtless.

“Take it”.

“No thanks,” I reply. Leave him gaping. He deserves it.

I don’t look back to see his expression even if every part of me is begging to do so. Instead, I walk to the water station to pour myself my own serving of water. And of course, Atara Viper, the animos that Maven pointed out to me yesterday, happens to be standing there herself.

I silently beg for her not to say anything to me. If she does, it’ll just be more insults.

But I know it’s a lost cause when I watch as the sides of her mouth open. “Just so you know” she starts, “Whatever you’re doing, it’s not going to work. He would never pick some commoner red. You’re just a little whore.”

And then she walks off. Bitch. Of course, to her all reds are the same, newbloods or not. Of course, she slandered me. I don’t try to hide my scowl as I fill my drink contemplating all the ways I can think of to electrocute her.

That drives a delightful image of me accidentally claiming a shot meant for a lightbulb that was intentionally aimed at her instead. I must be looking like a psychopath with a dark smile as Nina and Ava spot me catch my attention with a wave. They make their way over from the other girls who are currently stretching, arm in arm with flushed faces to match.

“Wow. I haven’t done that in a long while”, Ava lets out.

“Same! But honestly, it wasn’t that bad. But Mare! You and the prince had something there”, Nina winks at me.

I just shake my head and excuse myself from responding by taking another chug of water.

“I know right! I mean, did you see when he took his shirt off? I wish I got a closer look, but Evangeline’s hogging him”, Ava adds on with a frown.

At the mention of that, I look to see that what Ava mentioned is in fact, true. Cal stands off to the side away from most of the others with Evangeline of all people. It frustrates me more than I can admit when I see her obviously running her eyes down his naked upper torso like she’s devouring him with her eyes.

But thankfully Commander Arven cuts in before I can dwell more on my emotions.

“Alright everyone, not bad! But that was the easy part. Now we’re onto target practice”.

He orders us to follow him to another sector of the large outdoor area. This time everyone remains quiet through our trudge towards the side of the field where a line of targets has been set up. Although I do spy out of the corner of my eyesight, Cal is still walking with Evangeline near the front of the group. Not that it means anything to me.

…

“Fuck!” I gasp out as I miss the target once again. It’s my fifth try already and the closest I’ve gotten to hitting the bull’s eye is the skim of a bolt of lightning on the outermost ring. It’s not unexpected seeing as I have next to no practice with this skill at all. The most I’ve ever used my ability is illegally lighting a lamp for my family when our lec papers ran out one winter. This exercise is frustrating to say the least.

It also doesn’t help that by some miracle Cal is situated right next to me and is hitting dead center Every. Single. Damn. Time. How someone can be so infuriating, is impossible to me. I don’t even bother acknowledging him although I know he’s watching me. His target is basically burned through by now with the sharp focus of fire blasting at the same point.

His perfection is the action that drives me to try one last time. Concentrating, I try to focus all of my energy into my hand and will it to drive out an accurate, sharp bolt of purple lightning. Oh my god it’s working. I can feel the buildup of intensity in my fingertips and I raise my arm up to direct towards the target. This is it. And I let go.

And fucking hell. It goes flying a millimeter off the edge of the target and onto the grass field past it. The purple flare flashes with a crack until all that’s left is a black spot of burned ground.

“Not bad”, says a voice beside me. And I already know who it belongs to.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion” I say sharply, still facing my failure. Everyone else seems to at least have hit the third outer ring themselves, and it makes me feel vulnerable in a way I’ve never felt before.

But no one seems to be looking in our direction as Cal walks away from his own target and towards mine.

“Here. You’re only not hitting it because of your stance” he says, standing behind me.

I can feel the closeness of his body by the comforting smell of ash and smoke. And even more than my lack of ability to control my lightning, I hate the way my body reacts when I lean backwards into him. ‘I hate him’ becomes the mantra in my head.

“This” he starts putting a hand on my torso to straighten it, “is how you have to stand”.

I warily watch to make sure that no one else is currently looking our way, thankful for an especially large tree hiding us from view.

“You have to use your legs to keep yourself stable and make sure that you’re as controlled as your sparks.”

“I haven’t forgiven you yet, you bastard” I hiss, trying to keep a semblance of calm.

He stills for a moment. “You know what that I didn’t mean it that way. You know.”

Liar. I know that he’s lying. But it’s the only thing that’s keeping me from caving to his touch and from giving in completely.

But all Cal does is continue to position me with his own arms, his breath desperately close to my neck. One of his arms rests on my stomach to straighten me, while the other positions my arm.

“Now, let it fly” he says in what I can tell is a smirk.

And just because I know that this is going to help me, I do what he says. Forcing all of my concentration into my lightning again, I feel it on the edge of my palm. My stance actually does help this time as it steadies me.

I release the purple bolt through me and directly onto the target. And it hits the bull’s eye.

“Yes!” I yell out. Detaching myself from Cal’s grip I risk a jump in elation. Yes. I finally did it. The sense of completion warms me as I proudly glare at the black circular marker on the target.

Cal just chuckles at me and tells me, “Congrats Mare, you did everything right”. Then he turns around and casually as if it was as easy as lifting a hand, fires his own shot again onto the center for what has to be the 50th time.

“Show off” I mutter.

This time he shakes his head slightly and tries to hide a laugh before walking away from me, and towards the rest of the girls.

The feeling almost leaves a pang in my own heart, but I think better of it. We have no chance together.

And so, I watch as he strolls beside a nymph who I remember is named Crystal. He watches her intently as she fires off a shot that barely misses the center and lands on the second outermost ring. But my euphoria from my success overrides whatever other feelings want to take center stage.

…

The locker room is soon filled with the stench of sweat while we’re all ordered to change. I was lucky enough to snag one of the few showers because of the fact that I sped up to make sure I was the one of the first people to arrive. Anything to escape him again.

I let the warm stream of air quickly wash away the dirt and grime from today’s workout until all that’s left is the wear of exhaustion. I don’t let myself dwell on this entire competition. Today was just another example of my inadequacy compared to the others. I watched time after time as everyone managed to excel in their own right. Even if Cal had helped me, I still didn’t know what I was doing.

And then I can’t help but remember his hands on me as he held my upright and put me in my correct stance. But I concede. I can find him attractive and still think that he’s a dick. It’s just physical.

After my quick shower, I turn off the water and wrap a fluffy white towel around my body. Walking out of the shower I thankfully don’t get the chance to interact with any of the other girls. Never mind that they’re all in conversation already.

Even Nina is nowhere to be seen again as I look to see that I’m the first one to finish. Silently pulling on my blue dress again, I savor the tight feeling of it against my body. Drying my hair off quickly, I don’t even check my appearance in the mirror.

The exit out of the room in solitude is yet another reminder of this competition. I won’t be finding any friends here. The only thing that matters to everyone is getting the prince’s favor. And it seems I’ve already run into muddled waters in that department.

I walk myself down the path back towards the castle unsure of what to do with the rest of my day. No one ever explicitly told me my day plan. But I suppose I could find something to do in the kitchens. Maybe interacting with some of the other reds that aren’t from Queenstrial will provide me a sense of comfort I’ve been missing.

I’m distracted when the guards at the front door give me a quick nod and open the doors to allow me in. Just as I continue the path to my room.

“Mare!” I hear from the other side of the staircase towards the wing of rooms. Turning, even though I already know who it is, I take his appearance in.

Cal himself has already changed back into yet another impeccable tux with a matching red tie.

Feeling petty I rip my eyes off of him and continue walking, thoroughly disregarding him. He still runs after me.

Feeling a grasp on my wrist, he turns me around to face him. “Mare, why did you ignore me? What did I do?”

“What did you do? Are you seriously asking me that? How about you remember last night” I retort. Even if the way my back is now facing the back of a wall makes this feel oddly like our first encounter.

He towers over me keeping a friendly distance away as he puts a hand through his hair and drags it. “I think you know that I didn’t mean that. It just came out and I never meant for you to think that I was implying… that”

I just roll my eyes. “Yeah sure. Whatever. I’m sure you have better things to do now” And then I push myself off the surface and continue my walk towards my room.

But before I know it a hand grips my upper arm and I’m being dragged down the hallway and up the other staircase that leads to the left wing of the castle, into a room. My eyes adjust to the change in lighting and my jaw almost drops. His room.

I’m backed against the door now with him towering over me. Out of the corner of my eye past his tall, broad frame I can just make out a massive dark wood framed bed in the center. The entire space is well furnished with a couch and rug bringing in an underlying theme of black and gold. Fitting for a Calore prince.

“Look, I just need you to understand what I was thinking. I was just in shock and that was the first thing that came out of my mind. I know what it sounds like and I wish I could’ve told you earlier but you just left-” he rambles.

It’s almost adorable how he tries to redeem and explain himself. As for his apology, it couldn’t be more half-assed. He’s a silver, and the prince for god’s sake. To him, I’m no one. Just some girl he fucked at a bar who he now has to deal with.

“You know, it doesn’t really matter what I think. Don’t concern yourself with me Your Highness. In fact, do us both a favor and pretend I don’t exist”, I say using my best attempt at a cold voice.

And it must work because his eyes widen in surprise. I’m just about to leave but before I can he calls out, “Wait!”

I pause and he takes the chance to look down at me from his towering height.

“What’s that on your neck?” he questions, squinting his eyes.

Oh gods. No. I forgot to reapply concealer after my shower. “Uhm… Nothing” I attempt to say, even though I know it’s a fruitless attempt.

I shiver as he runs one of his fingers on my collarbone, brushing aside the strap of my dress to see the mark that I know is there as clear as ever. My face couldn’t be more red.

I watch as his cheeks turn the same shade as my own as lets out a surprised, “Oh!”

“Yeah…”

“I- I didn’t mean to do that the other night”, he starts.

He means he didn’t want to sleep with you, idiot. That thought hurts me even more than I care to admit.

But before I can stop myself, I say “Right. Turns out I wasn’t the only one who thought that walking into the bar that night was the worst decision I made in my entire life”

“Wait what? That’s not what I meant. Fuck. Why can’t I say anything right?” he responds, shaking his head more to himself than directed towards me.

And then before I can excuse myself and with another word his face dips towards mine and my jaw drops. What does he think he’s doing?

But then his lips are on mine. And I can’t think. I can’t do anything but melt. My mouth opens and he takes that as an invitation. His tongue drives towards my won in a messy clash. Instinctively my hands go into his hair, running through those silken black locks I still remember. He pushes me back even more until he’s directly in front of me. Cal attempts to lift one of my leg upwards around his waist but before he can, I freeze.

Wait. What am I doing? It takes me seconds to regain memory of who I am and what I’m doing. He senses the change, but before he can do anything, I slightly push him away from me.

“Stop.” I gasp out. “We- We can’t do this.”

“What? That’s what I meant. I thought that would show you” he says clearly surprised.

“You and me. It won’t work, and I won’t let myself”

“What do you mean? Is it because of what I said before? I thought I already told you I didn’t mean it!” he lets out desperately trying to get me to see reason.

But it’s then that I remember. I remember my life before these past 2 days. Before Queenstrial. Kilorn, the stilts, my family, Mom, Dad, Gisa all come running back to me. My brothers. Still at the front. Dead, dying, who knows.

“Tell me. Tell me what I can do that’ll make you see it. To show you that I’m not who you think I am” Cal says again.

“What can you do? How about you start with my brothers. You know, the one’s fighting that endless fucking war with the Lakelanders. The one’s fighting your useless war. But then again, you couldn’t give less of a shit about some common reds” I growl out.

Because I can’t let myself forget again; I can’t forget who he truly is. He’s the Crown Prince of Norta, and I have no business attempting to see reason where he’s concerned. And he doesn’t bother to stop me as I walk out shutting his door in his face.

a/n: Well, well here we are y’all! Welcome back to another chapter :) Apologies for the delay on this one but it is extra long so I hope I made up for it

Love you all <3

#this is a long one #mare is so bipolar #im running out of curse words to call Cal #red queen #fanfic #mare barrow #cal calore #queenstrial #marecal

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neko-shinigxmi · 5 years

Text

.: Meeting the Dhampir :.

When my SI met Alucard...and he realized, perhaps he doesn’t have to live alone, wallowing in memories and doubt after all. [ Adrian “Alucard” Tepes x Rahela (SI) ]

It had been a few months since Trevor and Sypha had left the grounds, wandering who-knows-where. In that time, Alucard had started adjusting the mess left behind, gathering information and sorting it. The painful, exhausting, daily work of seeing his parents’ work, forever unfinished. Passing by his childhood room- sealed now- and knowing that within still would be a burned carpet. A ruined bed.

His father had died there.

He killed his father. Mother long dead by suspicious, paranoid, God-fearing humans... It all made his stomach churn. Perhaps that’s why he never looked at the family painting in the study for more than he could handle.

Shouldn’t that have been them? Happy, smiling? His mother alive and father content? Adrian Tepes...happy, alongside them?

Still, the library was getting repaired and tidied up. The castle was slowly looking better every passing day in those long, silent months. Did he break down into tears? Well... Sometimes, not that he’d admit it to anyone. It was better off for him to be here, tending to the grave that was now Belmont and Tepes equally. Figures that it would be a dhampir tending to the old Belmont homestead, though...or what remained of it.

Did Trevor’s ancestors mind this? Or would they be turning in their graves? Alucard didn’t know if he cared, either way.

...Though his thoughts would soon change, one stormy day...

The thunder rumbled outside, lightning brightening the dark sky in vivid flashes. One of the worst storms Adrian had ever seen in his life... He’d be interested in it, if he wasn’t more fussed about finishing up a room and getting some heat going in the study. He could do that, as soon as he finished this, so... Just a moment longer.

Task completed, he stepped out into the hall, intent on hurrying to the study and getting the fireplace running... When something caught his ear. A distant sound, so quiet he wondered if it was a mouse. Could one have gotten into the castle? Surely the animals would loathe this weather...and it wasn’t like he’d invested in new doors.

Who ever would want to put their effort into making new doors for Dracula’s old castle? Not much of anyone, if Adrian had to wager a guess.

He ignored it, but kept an ear out regardless, trying to pinpoint where the sound was coming from...and if it was a creature or a human. Petrichor filled his nose, but maybe there would yet be something he could better smell the closer he got...?

Much to his disappointment, Alucard got to the study before he could find out who or what the sound was, but at least he could get the fire burning before setting his mind to finding out what the mystery sound was. At the very least, he could pinpoint the origin to being somewhere around or in the main entrance hall...

So Alucard swept his way down and over, walking through the maze of a castle with ease and purpose to the entrance, golden eyes quickly sweeping over the place. The hall seemed empty...but being there now, something definitely didn’t feel right. A presence, somewhere in the room...but where? He couldn’t smell anything that wasn’t rain or earth--

A sound to his right alerted him, rushing over with his vampire speed to see...a dirty woman? Small sticks and leaves in her hair, with mud and rainwater soaking her clothes; some kind of ragged dress and an equally patched cloak.

She looked up at him slowly, realizing there was a presence beside her too late, eyes widening when her eyes met his- green to his gold- and lurched back in a hurry, gasping harshly.

“Ah, ad aeque elaboraret deterruisset eam! Eu has iuvaret delicatissimi, facete urbanitas vulputate eu mea?” Alucard blinked in surprise, staring at the woman. What...in all of the lands was she saying? It sounded...something vaguely like Latin, but also so far removed from it he felt lost. Deeply so.

“...Pardon me? Can you repeat that?”

“Sea in natum dignissim, ceteros euripidis ullamcorper te pro!!” She grumbled, frowning and pulling herself closer, into a ball...but shuddered, wincing as she looked down at her sopping wet clothes. Alucard frowned uncertainly, not sure what to do, but wanting desperately to help.

How can you help someone who doesn’t speak a lick of any language, though?!

“Hey, um... Are you cold?” He crouched down, pointing to her clothes. She looked at him, confused, then followed his finger to look down at her clothes. “Yes, those. Aren’t they wet and cold?” He pulled his arm back, hands on his upper arms, and gave a fake shiver. She watched him....and the relieved sigh that escaped him when she nodded couldn’t be stopped.

“Yes, well... I have...a way you can get warm upstairs. Fire, right? You know fire...?” He felt dumb trying to do this, trying to baby-talk his way to getting her to understand him, but if it worked...then it worked, right?

...Her staring at him like he’s an idiot didn’t help matters any.

“Look, just follow me, okay? Getting you to the study will at least help a little bit...” He stood up, gesturing for her to follow. He started walking off, listening intently...and sighed another, softer, relieved sigh when he heard them rush to get up, following after him like a lost dog.

This would definitely help...or be a good start, as it were.

.:.

It was a struggle getting her to surrender the coat, but thankfully, after realizing how much warmer the fire could be without it, the nameless little creature in front of his (it...is technically owned by him now, isn’t it?) fireplace gave up her fight, sighing happily at the heat. Still wasn’t dry, but she was doing far better than when he first found her in the entrance hall.

“We’ll need to get you clean, you know,” he says to her, well aware she won’t understand a word he says. “I have my suspicions some of my mother’s old dresses are still here and I wouldn’t mind lending them to you, but you’ll have to get washed first. I don’t want you getting them dirty.”

“Eum ne pertinax prodesset,” she says, like it’s some obvious information. He can only roll his eyes.

“Can’t understand you. Still. Besides, you don’t seem to be living anywhere, if you’re that dirty.” He pauses, staring at her. Now that he’s said it... “Do you have anywhere you live? Do you live with someone?” She looks back and up to him, sitting in his father’s old chair, and Alucard repeats his words, pointing at the floor. “House. Do you live in a house?”

Shakes her head slowly. He...doesn’t quite like that. That’s worrying, for some feeble little human like she is.

“So you don’t have anyone else, I’d imagine...” Despite the fact she likely has no idea what he’s saying, the woman lowers her head to the floor with such a deep sadness in her eyes, it makes Alucard’s heart hurt. Did something happen? Does she understand his expressions?

There’s so many questions, not enough answers, but he hopes that maybe there’s one question that she can answer for him. So he knows something about her...

“Hey, there’s one more thing I want to ask you,” he starts, leaning forward in the chair. Slowly, she looks back up to him, a pout on her lips. Alucard forces himself to focus on those eyes. A deep green that are sparked with some orange from the firelight. “What’s your name? Do you have a name?”

“...enim sonet verear no pro?”

“A name,” he repeats, hopeful. “Like... My name. I’m Alucard.” Does he have to introduce himself like that anymore? He’s not sure and feels like it’s a bit too late to back out. “Your name?”

She stares at him for a long, long moment, and he begins to lose hope. Well, what did he expect? She seems to be some kind of hermit, circumstances tearing her away from family and other humans... Asking if she had a name might have been like-

“R... Rahela...” He freezes, eyes widening. Unintentionally, his jaw drops, turning to look at her in shock. Did she...? A coherent name? A coherent word?

“Did you... What’s your name?”

“Rahela,” she repeats, with more insistence this time. A smile slowly grows over his face, nodding. There was something there...and maybe- if she had a taste for learning- he could help her. Help them communicate better. And as selfish as it might be, having someone in the castle- no matter for how long- sounded lovely.

“Rahela... That’s a wonderful name,” he responds with a nod, watching as she seems to fluster at the compliment, looking down at her lap and hands, messing with her own fingers. It’s...kind of endearing. “Thank you for telling me it. I hope I can help you, Rahela. If you need anything, just ask...or, well, gesture, I suppose.” He waves his hands for emphasis, catching her attention and gaining another nod.

...Definitely going to be difficult, but it all seems fun, despite the struggles up ahead.

#self insert #self insert community #self ship #self ship community #Aki Stories #otp; love will never leave us #oH HEY MORE FIRST MEETING STORIES IMAGINE THAT #also it's nice to be motivated #for once #still hard to figure out what I want to do first!!!#but the writing part is easy at least #ALSO yes I used Lorem Ipsum for the Unknown Language #Rahela uses bc I DON'T KNOW #I just needed a gibberish language is all....#and that just...worked out in the short term #eventually I DO want to make a full #language for what Rahela knows in the early days #bc it IS a language in it's own right #I just....don't have that kinda time right now

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