Chapter 22 - hope maybe?

No matter how hard I raked my head, nothing seemed to spring up on me. I couldn't get him to escape because that would just leave him in the poverty stricken streets and with more rationing due to the war... well it wasn't the best option.

I was so hung up on how I helped Luka that I couldn't- LUKA!

Like a spring I jumped up from my bed with sudden realisation. There was one place that would be safe from the war. The Brennus crows.

And if I remember correctly they owe me a debt.

With a grin I called out loud to what seemed like nobody but was far from it, "Ruby!"

Nothing happened of course.

I hate it when I had to do this. With a dramatic sigh I fell forward and like always my knight in black appeared before and held me so my nose was safe from the ground.

"I called for you" I muttered annoyedly, refusing to lift myself.

"Not in my job description, princess".

Tch. Cold as always.

"No more pudding for you then!" I declared and just like that his pale face became ghastly. That's what I thought...

"Now now princess. Let's not make any foes. What was it that you called me for?" He dodged the bullet effortlessly but with obvious desperation.

"I have something I want to tell the King of Brennus".

His eyes widened, "The King? What is it?"

"I have a request".

Ruby stood there after I had spilled my plans with a look of disbelief. He had been quiet the whole time and the only changes-drastic changes- were on his face.

"Princess", he finally spoke, "don't take this as disrespectful but I gather you might need some help".

Ouch. I thought I had carefully planned that.

"You think so?" I groaned. Knew it wasn't a one man job but damn...

"Nevertheless, your kindness astonishes me and I'll report back to the Brennus king when I've found a substitute to take care of you while I'm away".

"A substitute? I don't need a bodyguard! Nobody even knows I exist!" I protested.

"The king of Brennus does as does the rest of the clan and that is enough to want protection. After all you'll be our future quee"-.

"Mallory!" The door slammed open before Ruby could finish what he was saying and naturally the shy bird boy vanished when Edmund made his appearance.

"Yes?" I answered turning to the silver haired boy before he basically slapped me and run away screaming at the top of his lungs.

"You're it!"

Charming.

That's our second male lead. Always a ladies man....

Well guess it can't be helped.

"Get back here you brat!" I ran after him and was not at all surprised when Martha had chased the both of us out the house with a broomstick.

Edmund lay on the grass outside. Heaving deep breathes and panting while I with shaking hands finally slapped him back with an exhausted.

"Now you're it".

He laughed. It was contagious enough for me to start laughing with him. And then once again we were heaving.

"Mallory", he interrupted the silence we fell into with a low voice, a tinge of melancholy evident in his mention of my name.

"Yes?"

"I haven't thought of my mother in a long time".

"Yeah?"

"I miss her just as much, but before I'd always be thinking of her and now... I don't care as much", he began and then paused to turn to me. "Do you think it's because my fathers not here?"

I couldn't look at him for a while. I was scared. I wasn't a psychologist. One wrong word and I could screw up everything.

"I'm glad you're happy".

"Because he's not here, right?"

"I-I'm sorry", I felt the tears well up in my eyes again. This poor kid.

"But Mallory you-you won't be like my dad will you?" He sat up. His face suddenly scared and he moved away from me like I was some kind of monster.

"Of course not! Why would you think that?"

"I- I recently have been having a lot of dreams- nightmares. About you..."

What?...

"About me? Why?"

"I don't know! You're always mean in them and I- I hate you in my dreams! Like how I hate my dad but- but even worse than that", he shuddered. My stomach dropped, blood rushing from my face and my hands began to tremor.

"What?... are we.. grown up in them?" I gulped.

To my horror he nodded.

It was as if I had finally woken up from the comfortable dream I had. The reality of this world pouring over me like ice cold water. Shattering the happy moments in a split second.

"Mallory?" Edmund touched my shoulder snapping me back into... into this... what even was this?

"Sorry I - I need a minute", I wrapped my arms around myself. Staring blankly at the damp grass. Edmund placed an arm around me, sensing the fact I might need a shoulder and as sweet as that was it was equally frightening.

"It's just a dream, don't worry. I know you won't ever do such a thing-" he faltered and then began once again, "because you"-.

"Princess".

Another voice interrupted us. I lifted my tired head to see a teenager with his usual brown locks highlighted with purple streaks and those piercing obsidian eyes, except they weren't at all angry but rather nervous and uncertain.

"Raphael...?"

"This might sound strange but I was instructed to guard you until- well I was forbidden from saying so- but I assume you know", he spoke in a flustered manner.

Realisation dawned on me and with an annoyed glance at the nearest bird I could find I smiled at Raphael, because I can't begin to imagine how confused he must be. But honestly Ruby. Why him of all people!

"It seems the war is fairing well for us", he spoke after silently following Edmund and myself around the garden.

Edmund clicked his tongue when he heard him. He seemed to hold a strange hatred for Raphael. Even I couldn't understand it.

"Is it really?" I answered back thinking what a suitable topic this was to bring up with a child. NOT!

"Yes. Specialists estimate that it'll only take a few months before it's over".

Yeah right...

Oh... I suddenly noticed the awkward behaviour directed at me. The worried glances and hesitation.

He's trying to reassure me... he's worried about me?