Rowan

Chapter Ten

Remember this story is slow updates! Thank you guys for being so patient and for expressing your love for Rowan. I thought her personality would come off as too strong, but y'all are taking her rather well! I'm very pleasantly surprised. 

The next morning I was awoken by a series of quick raps against my door. I decided against answering it, curling closer to Todd who was radiating heat. However, the knocks continued until Todd left my side, darting to the door. I sighed, knowing he was ready for his daily adventure outdoors.

"Rowan, we have to talk. It is your option whether I come in against your will or you choose to open the door. Either way, we will speak." This was said with irritation, sounding more so like a threat with each word.

"I can hear you perfectly fine," I murmured, although making no movement towards the door. I could hear him blow out a puff of air before a smile appeared on my face at the thought of him becoming frustrated.

I could hear the lock clicking, and my smile was lost as I realized he was forcing his way in. I climbed out of the bed, standing there with crossed arms as I waited. It wasn't long before the lock finally opened, the door cracking open not a moment later.

Todd was quick to scurry out the room, nearly tripping Sage on his way out. Sage frowned at him, watching the reynard disappear before making his way into the room.

"Did he agree to our arrangement?" I asked, not bothering with greetings. They weren't the reason I was here and being virtuous would not solve the problem at hand.

Sage finally looked at me, frowning once again. "Were you not aware of the clothing placed within the wardrobe? There should be both day and night clothes, all made to fit you," he said, and I bristled at the words.

I had fallen asleep in the dress, drowsy from the day's travel and the adrenaline that had run through my body upon meeting with the King. Changing had not been something I thought about.

"A question begs for an answer, not another question," I replied, watching as his eyes narrowed at my words.

"I cannot present you to the King in the same dress, Rowan. You are to change, and then perhaps I might consider telling you what is expected for the day," he replied, his voice as calm as ever. One day he would finally lose control, and I hoped to be the source of it.

He walked towards the wardrobe without waiting for a response, opening it and shifting through the clothing. I briefly looked in and realized it was stocked with clothes, all brightly colored and finer than the ones I had brought with me.

I could hear him grunt softly before pulling back from the wardrobe, a dress following along. "Put this on so that we are not late," Sage said, pushing it in my direction.

I frowned, staring for a moment before walking past him towards my suitcases. They were both there, although I had not noticed them earlier. I could hear Sage's sigh when I began to open one, rummaging through.

"Your clothes are not sufficient for a lunch. Can you not see past your stubbornness and listen to me just this once?"

I stiffened at his words, throwing a glare over my shoulder. "I am not the only stubborn one in this room. Perhaps you should consider listening to me for once. I was not informed of this beforehand, therefore I will dress as I please." With that, I pulled something from my suitcase and walked into the bathroom.

"You are going to cause my death," I heard through the door, muffled and irritated. I found a smirk playing on my face at the words, satisfied he was beginning to realize just how I felt about him.

I looked at the clothing I had chosen and smiled in thought, remembering when my father had brought it home. It had been a lazy summer night, and I had anxiously been awaiting his return. He was occasionally hassled by the people in the town; although, it had never become serious. However, it was still enough to fill me with worry.

He finally returned, and I had helped him by bringing in the supplies while he went to the couch to rest his back. I had begun placing the supplies where they belonged when he called me over, his voice elated.

I had gone over and there was the dress, lying across his lap. He had told me it was on sale and that the moment he saw it, he'd thought of me. He said I would blend in with the forest and its creatures, becoming more and more attached to them.

The dress was beautiful, and I couldn't help but think that it had been made for someone like me in mind. The dress' fabric was a variety of deep red shades, some blending together to create a black hue. The material wasn't as soft as the dress I currently wore, but it was certainly sturdy.

Whomever had delicately sewn the dress together had done so with leaves in mind as that was what the dress appeared to model. There was a single leaf carefully placed where a strap might be, with several others falling gently down the dress and skimming my calves. There was a small flower pinned in the middle of the chest area, holding it all together.

It was my most cherished item, one that I would continue wearing until it fell apart. The sight of it sent reminiscent thoughts through me, and I began to yearn to return to the forest and its inhabitants.

"Rowan, we cannot be late. It will not create the best impression, nor will it give him a reason to consider your plan."

I sighed, gritting my teeth at the words to keep my tongue in check. He would quickly learn just how much I cared about whether I was going by the King's schedule if he kept speaking.

I changed into my dress, folding the other and placing it on the counter before running a brush through my hair. I glanced in the mirror once before walking out, Sage pacing the floor as if he was the nervous one.

He glanced up when the door closed shut, his eyes studying me. I could see them flicker and I thought he would say something sarcastic, but instead he asked, "Are you ready?"

"Yes," I replied, slipping into a pair of sandals nearby. I was as ready as I could be for lunch with an ill-tempered beast.

Sage took the lead, opening the door for me. I stepped out, waiting before we began walking through the halls. "Why are we attending a lunch with the King? Is he not capable of eating in solitude since he prefers to do everything else that way?" I asked, my voice casual. It was enough for Sage to throw one of his infamous looks in my direction.

"You can continue to test my patience; however, the King will not allow you to do so for long. Saying such things around him will lead to disaster, Rowan," he started, pausing before continuing with, "He would prefer to speak with you in person about this plan and suggested doing so over lunch. He would also like to apologize for his behavior."

We were rounding the corner, closer to the room where I had first met the King. "What was the point of you presenting the idea to him if he would prefer to hear it from me? It seems like a waste of time and needlessly redundant. Were you not able to tell him all of the details?"

This time, he didn't even look in my direction. "I told him everything; he would simply prefer to hear it from you. It is the same as drafting an agreement with someone: you may have a friend present it to them, but they would rather go over it with you."

We had finally reached the door which Sage opened, allowing me to walk in first. I did, going up the stairs, and all excess noise cut off when he closed the door. We ascended in silence and I allowed him to unlock the second door, my heart-rate picking up its speed.

The hall was as ragged and torn as it had been the first time and showed no signs of changing soon. I waited on Sage to walk forward and followed behind, my reluctance growing with each step.

"I beg of you to keep your mouth under control. Please, just for this event," Sage muttered and I frowned, opening my mouth to respond. But before he could even knock, the door was opened.