“Good morning darling.” Marcel said as he greeted me in the grand hall. His lips parted into a grin as his eyes fell on my body.

Perhaps you are right about the dress. “Sleep well?”

He shrugged, “for the most part.” He reached out his hand to me to which I hesitantly took. “What do you want to do today?”

“Well, you don’t like four legged animals so anything involving nature is pretty much out.”

“Fair, is there a place you would love to go?”

“None you probably would enjoy.”

He pulled me to him, “now, you choose the place. I’ll just get enjoyment out of you being with me.”

“If you insist on me choosing something then I want to do some volunteer work today.”

“In that dress?” He eyed my body up and down and I couldn’t help but feel exposed to him. “That isn’t happening darling.”

“It’s a magical dress, it will be fine. You said I can choose.”

“Volunteering?” He questioned me again. “Are you sure that is a date?”

“Not all dates have to be romantic. Besides, if you are going to be King of Winterfall, our people need to see what type of King you will be one day.”

“Have you forgotten that I am already King?”

“Of Summer Crest, yes. However, in Winterfall we do things a bit differently here.”

“Fine.” Marcel growled as he stared down at me. Thankfully, I remembered to avert his eyes as I looked everywhere but in those red eyes. As I did this I could sense a bit of magic radiating from him.

“Now, I would say we could visit the children but as it has been pointed out my outfit may not be child appropriate. So we will go to the old folks' home called Hands of Time.”

“Old folks home?” Marcel questioned. It was becoming clear that Marcel wasn’t the volunteer type.

“Yes, it is a place where the elderly go when they have no one else to take care of them.”

“Alrighty, lead the way.”

I nodded and walked ahead of Marcel. At least you have a heart.

What did you expect from a devil, Maria?

Fair point. It shouldn’t have surprised me but I would have thought a King would have made an attempt to care for his people.

He is a devil Maria. A devil doesn’t care for others like normal creatures do. Now you need to focus, he’s watching.

I snapped out of the conversation as he said that and saw Marcel staring at me in amusement. “You know you change expressions offen.”

“Sorry, I was lost in thought.”

“Enlighten me, what thoughts go through that pretty mind of yours?”

“Nothing I’d share with you.”

“Please?”

I could feel him stare at me. He was trying to utilize his mind manipulation again but I dared not to look him in the eye. I heard him grumble as he was displeased with his inability to control me.

“Sorry Marcel, my thoughts are my own.”

“Sure they are…” He growled.

The remainder of the walk to the old folks home fell silent.

I think he might be onto something.

I think you are right Maria. Keep focus on him and I can assess from here.

Once we arrived at the old folks home Marcel grabbed my hand before we entered, “will you look at me dear?”

I glance up quickly just enough to satisfy him. I hoped my reaction time would be sufficient for him not using his ability to control. “Can you tell me what you were thinking back there?”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

I shook my head. I dared to open my mouth in case I would reveal anything. I did feel his magic try to take effect but thankfully I think I managed to dodge it.

“Are you sure there isn’t anything you want to tell me?”

“No.” I responded. “There is nothing I wish to share with you.”

“Alrighty. Let’s get this over with.” Marcel grumbled as he opened the door for me.

That was too close Maria. He almost had you.

I know. I felt like I had too.

I get it but please be careful. He could easily use his ability to find out about the bond.

I’ll be careful, I promise.

Good. Focus now.

I turned my attention back to Marcel and the man at the front desk. “How may I help you two today?” He was a human male in his mid forties as his hair showed a bit of his age.

“We are looking for volunteer work, do you have any for us?”

“We have a few options, Maria, what would you like to do for them?” As always, most recognized me.

“What entertainment options do you have?”

“Could you play piano for them?” He questioned me.

“Piano? I haven’t played that in awhile.”

“Well what do you say?” The man asked.

“Sure. I’ll give it a go. Perhaps, I will sing as well.”

“I could play piano and you could sing to it.” Marcel spoke up.

A devil can play piano? Now this I have to witness. “I suppose that will work.”

“Great! Let me take you both to the piano and I will have the staff help them get to the room so they can watch the performance.”

Singing with another man now? Théoden sounded bitter.

It’s just one time. You will always be my musical partner.

“Do you have a certain song in mind?” Marcel questioned me as he opened the piano and tested a few keys to see if the piano was tuned.

“Love and War.” Love and War was a ten minute ballad that told the story of a general who went to war and his lover who remained committed to the soldier. After a long fought battle, the woman got devastating news that he had passed away. She never fell in love again.

“Interesting choice darling.” Marcel said, taking me by surprise.

“You know it?”

“Of course I know it.”

Once everyone entered the room, Marcel began the intro to the ballad. Once it was time to sing, my vocals filled the recreational room. Once the ten minutes was up we got a round of applause for our performance. The next fifty minutes we took requests. Some of the song choices were “Once Upon A time, Songs of the Isle, The Stars that once shined, and Oh, the Pirates Tide.”

After an hour of playing Marcel and I took our bow and went back to the front desk where the man had initially greeted us. “Thank you for coming in today Maria and Marcel. You really made their days.”

“Anytime Felix.” I said, “would you accept this donation?” I asked as I handed him three hundred gold pieces.

His eyes widened, “I can’t Maria.”

“Please?”

He sighed and took the coin, “thank you.”

“Of course.”

“Ready to go back to the castle darling?” Marcel questioned me as he watched the exchange of money.

“Sure, I need to rest my vocals after that performance.”

“See you two around?” Felix asked.

“Of course.” I responded and with that Marcel and I headed back to the castle. “See, Marcel, that wasn’t that bad.”

“I suppose you are right, seeing the smiles on their faces helped.”

“So you enjoyed it?”

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say I enjoyed it but it did give me a new sense of…purpose?”

“Good.”

You sounded lovely Maria, I just wish I was there to actually see you perform.

Thank you dear. Perhaps, I can perform for you tonight.

I’m going to hold you to that love.

I resisted the urge to smile as I remembered Marcel was next to me. “What is it?” Marcel questioned as I could see he was watching me out of the corner of his eye.

“Oh nothing.”

Marcel was quick to grab my hand and pulled me to face him. “Look at me.” I shook my head. “Look at me.” He ordered me. His voice sent a chill down my spine as his magic tried to take hold but failed.

“No.” I said as I tried to remove my arm from his grasp.

“Maria. Look at me.” I could sense his magic start to seep from his body.

“No. Let me go Marcel. I want to go inside and rest.” I spoke with authority.

“Fine.” Marcel growled as he released my arm, to which I quickly darted into the castle gates.

Did you feel that Théoden?

I did. He was trying to control you. Keep avoiding eye contact. I will have to have the enchantress enchant a piece of jewelry for you. I know you don’t like gifts, but consider this a gift of protection.

Alright, I accept the not gift.

Good and Maria, I would love it if you were to stay in your room so you can rest the rest of the day. However, knowing you the way I do, I know you will get bored rather quickly. So, if you get bored, then maybe visit your father’s office. I know you haven’t since he died and I believe it is time.

I think I may pass. I told him as soon as he mentioned my father’s office my heart began to ache as I missed him dearly.

I figured you would say that but perhaps you will be enticed when I tell you I think he left something for you in his desk drawer.

My curiosity peaked. What did he leave?

Rest first, then go to his office.

But--

Rest is an order.

Fine. Fine. I’ll rest then go to his office.