Sadé was sitting in a garden, watching the wind snake through the leaves of the flowers around her. She sighed, she was bored, and she couldn’t help or hide it.
Kazumi sat in her lap, preferring the small puppy form whilst she was around strangers. She was focused on being groomed and she huffed when Sadé stopped stroking her soft, warm fur.
Sadé found herself wondering about her friends. She was wondering how the faction was doing, but also how Jazmel was. Whatever he was doing, he was doing it without her company and that wrenched at her heart. In truth, she still was unsure how she felt about him, but what she did know; she knew she missed his company immensely.
She clenched her fist and felt the strength in her limb, even now after tempering she was still shocked by just how strong she had become. When she had returned home, she had told her parents about tempering, they had both congratulated her. Shocked how she had done so, so quickly but then they pestered her, questioning how much she had done inside the labyrinth and for how dangerous the labyrinth could be. She wasn’t a child anymore; she was well versed in the labyrinth; she had the skills and stats to prove it.
“Good day to you princess.” she heard, her keen senses hadn't alerted her to someone’s presence, and she hadn't realised just how deep into her thoughts she actually was.
She looked up and almost looked right away. She sighed, suddenly irritable.
The young man standing before her was handsome, incredibly so. He stood at six foot seven, he was slender as a young tree and in his robes and cloak, he looked like a true young noble, in a way he was. He was the eldest son of one of the captains and one of the few boys Sadé had grown up around. He had made it clear that he was attracted to her, he had tried to pursue her from the beginning of their youth, but she had rejected him often enough. So now instead he simply steered other young men away from her.
“Good day to you too Alrin.” She offered, hoping he would read her mood and leave her alone.
“Sadé I had hoped to see you before the coronation. With your mother becoming a queen, and you a princess, I had hoped to offer the request to court you appropriately.” He offered and Sadé bit back a curse.
In truth, her mother had decided on becoming the Queen, her father in turn would become her consort; though they loved each other. He was a man, a human and so could never rule the Elven kingdom. But being their one and only child, Sadé would be heir and as such. The princess, a princess of a newly formed kingdom.
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Alrin was hoping to elevate his position in the court, Though he never stumbled or swayed in his pursuit of her, she had seen the sinister side he hid so well from her, he was lecherous and known to state his lust on weaker women. Girls whose families would never be allowed to ever question his name or influence. But not Sadé, no Sadé would simply kill him if he ever tried anything.
“Alrin, I have rejected you enough times. I will not continue to be pursued, especially when you know I hold no affection for you.” She said, as nice and concise as possible, but still he remained unwavering.
“Princess, who else can pursue you if not me?” he said, she was growing irritated and was ready to shout at him. But Kazumi hopped from her lap and standing between Sadé and Alrin, she started growling.
Out of nowhere, two guards leapt from hiding and levelled sword and spear on Kazumi. Sadé was on her feet, thunder crackling between her fingers as she levelled her emotions.
“Step away from my companion.” She almost called forth her thunder crown, but Corin stepped from behind Sadé, yet another that she hadn't noticed was beside her. Corin was flaring all her Mana, her wings erected and prepared to rush forward.
“The princess has rejected you, now you draw weapons in her presence. I should take your heads, but I will allow you this one time a pass if you remove yourself from this vicinity now.” Corin said, her voice levelled and calm. But her flared Mana told a completely different story.
“It would seem I have overstayed my welcome. Thank you guard, I shall deal with my own guards.” He said, his face a mask of calmness, he bowed before Sadé and then spinning on his heel, he left.
“My lady, if you want men to leave you alone, there are only two ways to do it.” Corin told her and Sadé looked at her, waiting and expectant.
“You either beat them into submission, or you tell them about another man. You could have done both, Jazmel is stronger than him too.” She said and Sadé almost rolled her eyes.
“I cannot go around beating every man who shows attraction to me and Jazmel is not mine to bandy around like some shield.” She said, her heart beating a little faster at the sliding thought of it though.
“That is how I know you both are children. You both care for one another, why won’t you just admit it.” Corin said.
“Thank you for standing guard Corin.” She said, ending the conversation then and there. Corin noticed the cutting off of the conversation and chose to not push further, she bowed and then moved away but still in sight of Sadé, guarding the garden from any others entering.
Sadé wondered about Jazmel, wondered if he was thinking of her and what he was doing, the coronation was sooner. Less than a month and her mother would be crowned. Once done, she could go back to the black wing faction and continue delving into the labyrinth. Her mother had promised her that much.
She sighed and basked in the sun, in the garden and sought some of the peace she was surrounded by.