-Karen-“You know what I mean, Kay.” He replied narrowing his eyes. I do but that was amusing for me. I waited for him to ask his question. He was silent for a moment. “You act like nothing happened yesterday… I’m just… I’m concerned that you’re-” Damn it. I knew this was going to happen. I sat up and looked down at him with a steely look stopping him mid-sentence.“It’s because it’s happened so many times that I have been able to emotionally delete things like that. So, yes, I was really bothered by it yesterday. Today, I have been able to push it completely away from me. As far as I am concerned, it was a mistake, and I don’t plan to think about it anymore.” I paused for a moment. “Honestly, as far as attacks go, that was practically a slap on the wrist. I’d take that again every day over the other things I’ve suffered through, Conor. You didn’t beat me nearly to death and then walk away leaving me to die like has been done in the past.” He said he just like Lewis. Ha! Never! “You d
-Karen-“Perfect, we have all day tomorrow and I want you to pick things for yourself to get.” Conor commanded. I looked up and started to protest when he grabbed my lips held them shut. “Not a damn word. I’m not taking no for answer. You have to get at least ten things and you better not be a smart ass about it either.”Bart and Joanne laughed at the dirty look I gave him. “Fine! No point in arguing.” I glowered sourly. “You haven’t eaten yet, Conor.”“I’ve had someone far more important to take care of than myself.” He whispered in my ear. I looked up in surprise that he would even say that. “You’re very important to me. I regret hurting you like I did which means I have to make sure I take much better care of you.” He kissed my cheek and hugged me tightly. I’m important to him? Why though? I’m replaceable.“Awe! Geez Bart. I don’t know if I can handle all this cuteness!” Joanne squealed grabbing his arm and burying her face into his left shoulder.“It is cute isn’t it? Don’t worry
-Karen-I woke up to pretty gray eyes staring at me. I squinted at him and slowly realized I was in the bed next to Conor instead of on the chaise where I started out last night. “Morning gorgeous.” He whispered with a gentle smile. “You were asleep on the chaise when I got back… I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. My father wouldn’t stop talking.” I sat up and stretched. I don’t know if I can handle my emotions today… I haven’t been able to separate everything from yesterday. “I didn’t wait for you. I took a quick shower and then went to sleep.” I remarked plainly. I started to get out of bed when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. “Her words really bothered you, didn’t they?” Conor asked with a note of concern in his voice. “Are you going to be alright? We can go shopping on a different day if you want?” It won’t matter what day we go. The problem is me.“She isn’t the first to say things like that, remember?” I reminded him. She probably won’t be the last. I left the room be
-Karen-“Don’t- It’s fine Joanne.” I said flatly. I held out my hand for the first article of clothing. I felt slightly cold since I was naked. I could hear Bart and Conor chatting cheerfully in the main room.“No. It’s not fine at all. I just- I really want you to be happy… You deserve it so much! And I know Conor can do that for you. You just need to trust him.” She instructed, handing me a set of silky lace underwear. “I know for a fact that you make him happy. More than you could ever know.”“Every single pair has had lace you know.” I giggled lightly. “I like it though… It makes me feel… Sexy and dainty.” I smirked at the thought. “I know he has been trying since the beginning to make me happy and I am. I’m just not use to feeling so many emotions all the time. It’s got me feeling like I’m losing control of myself… And I am. Punching that mirror was the only thing I had from completely losing my composure.” I shook my head at myself. She handed me the dress and I pulled it on wit
-Karen-“Karen? Is that you?” A familiar voice called to me.I turned around and saw an old acquaintance of mine named Oriana. She was a bit older than I was. She was tall and slender with black wavy hair and sharp blue eyes. “Oriana! How are you?” I asked her happily.“I’ve been well despite the invasion. Good to see you made it through…” She said warmly. She looked over my clothes and gave me a quizzical smile. “Did they change the uniforms for servants? I don’t recall that happening when Zargo took over.” She walked over to the counter and started unfolding the bolts of fabric. “How much fabric were you looking for?”“They didn’t change the uniforms… But I’m not a typical servant anymore either.” I answered trying to figure out how to explain my new position. Despite the companion offer, I was still an official servant to Conor even if he didn’t treat me like one. “May I please have three yards of each fabric? Four of the black though please.” I walked over to the scrap bin and pic
-Karen-“Actually, I was looking at that one. It reminds me of one of the hybrids I made… I named it Dark Devotion. It was the prettiest rose I had created, and it was my favorite one. I have a barrette that is similar to this pin.” I said thinking fondly of the times I would stay out in the garden falling asleep under the open sky surrounded by my flowers.Conor and the shop keep joined us fifteen minutes later. “Have you picked something, Kay?” Conor whispered in my ear. “Yes... May I please get this pretty brooch?” I asked pointing at the rose bloom. It’s pretty and it will make him happy. I hope.“Absolutely! Jasper, if you please.” Conor instructed the shop keep.“Yes, Majesty.” Jasper pulled at the beautiful pin and handed it to me. I carefully ran my finger over it and then kissed it sweetly. “Thank you Conor. I love it!” I pinned it to my dress and showed it off to him.“A pretty rose pin for a gorgeous flower.” Conor said proudly. He kissed me warmly and led us out of the j
-Karen-A week had passed since I found out about Novo’s death. I was an emotional wreck as I tried to deal with it as best I could. I’d never felt so devastated about anything and it never really occurred to me how powerful death was. No one I cared about had ever died until Lizette and now Novo. All three of them had been extremely supportive and did their best to cheer me up as I grieved. The first two days I did nothing but cry and sleep. I felt even more helpless than ever but the three of them took care of me. Conor was especially supportive of me. He would sit and let me cry while he stroked my hair and hummed the tune from before.On the third day of the week, Conor had started doing the drills in the morning again and then was back around lunch time each day. I waited at the door for him and as soon as he would come in the room, I would greet him with warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. I had started to become much closer to all three of them during this time. It felt wonderfu
-Karen-“I do! I borrowed a book from the library when I first became a Mage. It was called 'Nomel Palace'. There are two other palaces in this kingdom. One in Dareme and the other is in Ralio. Dareme used to be the original capitol until the Lucevkin Dynasty took over. Back before the dynasty took over, these lands were just separate small kingdoms. Eventually, they banded together to fight off the kingdom of Imogau. As far as I know, we are the only kingdom with Mages but I'm not very certain about that. I think the other kingdoms might have Mages but there numbers are much smaller in comparison to Mazifik's.” I explained, wracking my brain for this information.“Well, we started the invasion with the kingdom of Covina in the far east and then worked our way over to Mazifik. From what I saw, no other country has Mages and if they did, they hid them very well.” He paused a moment. “What I can say is that the other kingdoms did not put up a fight like Mazifik. Father had sent a messen