Chapter 64

“That's one of Aiden's guards,” Marie whispered, her voice low, eyes flicking nervously to the man. “What's he doing here?”

Lucy swallowed, her pulse quickening in her chest. She hadn't expected this. Aiden? Why would he send one of his men here? But before she could process the thought, the guard's eyes met hers. He bowed his head slightly, acknowledging her presence.

Lucy stood frozen, feeling the weight of his gaze. Marie nudged her lightly, raising an eyebrow. “Well, aren't you going to ask him what he wants?”

Lucy blinked and nodded, taking a step forward, slowly. The guard's posture was stoic and though he was clearly waiting for something, there was jonsign of urgency in his demeanor. As she approached, Marie's eyes darted back and forth between the two of them.

The guard cleared his throat softly and addressed Lucy. “Miss Lucy,” he said, his voice calm and composed. “Prince Aiden has requested your presence.”

Lucy's gaze flicked over to Marie, unsure of how to react. She lifted a hand to her chest pointing to herself in confusion. “Me?” she asked, her voice low and uncertain, even though she could already sense where this was going.

The guard nodded, his expression unchanged. He didn't seem fazed by the state of her clothes, which were still stained with the remnant of the stables. He then gestured to Lucy, his arm extending in a subtle invitation for her to approach.

Lucy looked at Marie again, a mixture of hesitation and surprise in her eyes. Marie's face broke into a grin. “Looks like your Prince has decided to summon you,” she whispered to Lucy with a teasing time, but there was a warmth in her voice, a soft encouragement that Lucy needed.

With a nervous breath, Lucy stepped forward, brushing the back of her hand over her forehead. She felt slightly embarrassed, the lingering scent of the stable still clinging to her. She looked at the guard and smiled awkwardly. 

“I'm sorry,” she said, her voice quiet. “I didn't expect to meet anyone in… the stables. I was just working.”

The guard's lips twitched upward in a small smile. Prince Aiden is aware of your current appearance and I am also, Miss Lucy,” he said. “He simply wished for you to come when night falls.”

Lucy's heart skipped a beat at the mention of nightfall. Aiden? At night? Has he been thinking about me also? She thought about him more than she cared to admit, but the idea of meeting him in a more… that filled her with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

“And where am I supposed to meet him?” Lucy asked, the question slipping out before she could think twice.

The guard gave her a reassuring smile, though it didn't offer any clarity. “Well, about that… I guess you'll know when the time comes,” he said, his tone neutral but not unkind.

Lucy's brow furrowed in confusion. She tried to remember if Aiden had mentioned anything before that could give her a clue but the memory escaped her. She thought back to their brief moments together, wondering what might be in store but came up with nothing.

Still, she nodded, a soft sense of relief settling in her chest. “Thank you,” her voice was soft but sincere.

The guard gave a respectful nod. “Prince Aiden is looking forward to your presence, Miss Lucy,” he stepped back, turning to leave. His heavy boots faded as he walked away and before long, the only sound left in the stable was the creak of the wooden doors they closed and opened by themselves.

Lucy stood there for a moment, her thoughts swirling, half in disbelief. This was sudden but I'm more than happy. She sighed deeply. Or could it be simply about the full moon? Could he have known something about her? Or was it something more?

Marie stepped up beside herself breathing her reverie. “Well, that was… interesting,” she teased. “Looks like that which you worry about is about to be solved.”

Lucy kept out a breath, unsure of how to respond. “I don't know what to think,” she admitted, her voice small. “I didn't expect… this, you know.”

Marie gave her a sympathetic look. “Don't worry, all will be fine… and remember, I'll be there for you, Lucy.” She rested her palm on her chest, a smile coiling on her lips.

Lucy smiled and tilted her head.

“Now, don't go looking too excited or anything. You still have to finish up here.” Marie stood up, went inside and picked up her shovel.

Lucy did the same and picked up her shovel. She bent down to scoop the dung but then her mind wandered back to a time she wished she could erase. She remembered the night when she thought Leo had sent someone and had whispered those fateful words. “You'll know where to meet me when the time comes.”

The thrill of that moment, the anticipation, has been overwhelming. She had followed his cryptic instructions, heart racing with a mix of excitement and dread. But it had all crumbled when they were caught. 

The humiliation of that night burned in her chest—the memories of it can't be forgotten so easily… the disapproving stares, the harsh words, and ultimately, Leo's rejection.

His words rang in her ears like an old wound reappearing. “Forget about me. It's better this way,” He'd looked at her as if she were a mistake he wished he could erase.

How, Aiden had said something similar. “You'll know when the time comes.” It unsettled her, sending ripples of doubt through her chest. Could history repeat itself? Was she walking into another moment of rejection or worse, humiliation?

Lost in thought, she barely noticed Marie approaching, until she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. “Earth to Lucy,” Marie said, her voice teasing but concerned. “You've been staring at that wall like it owes you an explanation. “What's going on in that pretty little head of yours… I thought you should be excited that Aiden also wants to see you, huh?”

Lucy sighed, her shoulders wagging. “It's… it's the same Aiden I'm worried about.” she said softly, glancing at Marie. “His guard said something that reminded me of Leo.”

Marie tilted her head, a frown creasing on her brow. “Leo, what about me?”

Lucy hesitated, twisting the edge of her gown between her fingers. “Do you remember that night when you were sent to tell me that Leo wanted me to meet him? You said I'd know where to go when the time came.” Her voice wavered. “And we all know how that turned out.”

Marie's expression softened. “Oh, Lucy…”

Lucy continued, her voice almost a whisper. “Aiden has said the same thing through his guard. He told me I'd know where to meet him. And now…I don't know what to think…what if—what if it ends up in the same way?”

Marie placed her hands on her hips, her gaze steady and unwavering. “Lucy, listen to me. Aiden is not Leo. I've told you this before. And I'll tell you again: he's different.”

“Last time I checked, you told me he wasn't… so now, what happened? How do you know?” Lucy asked, her voice laced with desperation. “How do you know he won't just push me away like Leo did?”

Marie sighed, stepping closer. “Because you told me yourself that he's different. And Aiden isn't afraid to make his own decisions. He's not hiding behind his father's rules and worrying about what people will say. If he wants to see you, it's because he made that choice. And you…” she paused, a small smile forming. “You don't need to carry the weight of someone else's cowardice anymore.”

Lucy's chest tightened at her words. She wanted to believe her, but the scars from Leo's rejection ran a little deep. “You make it sound so easy,” she murmured.

Marie laughed lightly, her voice breaking the tension. “Oh, it's not. Nothing about this is easy. But what's the point in worrying yourself sick? If Aiden's walking to see you, it means he's always thought it through. So, stop overthinking, for once in your life.”

Lucy managed a weak smile, her heart warming slightly at Marie's optimism. She reached out impulsively, wanting to embrace her friend but Marie stepped back, holding up a hand.

“Whoa there,” Marie said, wrinkling her nose in mock disgust. “Not until you've washed up. You reek of dung, Lucy, and I'm not about to hug you smelling like that.”

Lucy froze for a second before bursting into laughter, her first genuine laugh in days. “You're such a brat,” she said, shaking her head.

Marie grinned. “Says the one who had delayed us in the stable all day.”

Without warning, Lucy bent down, scooped up a small clump of dung with her shovel and flung it in Marie's direction. Marie's squaled , dodging just in time as the clumps landed harmlessly on the ground beside her.

“Lucy!” Marie exclaimed, her voice a mix of outraged and laughter. “You didn't just—”

“Oh, I did,” Lucy said, smirking as she brandished the shovel like a weapon.

Marie grabbed a handful of straw and threw it back at her. “Take that, you lunatic!”

The two of them erupted into a playful battle, their laughter echoing through the stable. For a brief moment, all of Lucy’s fears and doubts melted away. It was just her and Marie, two friends caught in a silly, messy moment, forgetting the weight of the world outside.

When the skirmish ended, both of them were out of breath, bits of straw clinging to their hair and clothes. Marie shook her head, grinning. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

Lucy wiped her hands on her dress, her smile lingering. “And you’re the best,” she said softly.

Marie rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the affection in her gaze. “Now, let's finish up with this. You’ve got a prince to meet tonight, and you have to be prepared.”

She nodded and they both hurried with their job.