Chapter Eight.

Khaalida's POV:

After my bath, I walked out and tried to look for clean clothes but I didn't want to seem rude. Accepting defeat I just walked to the window and looked outside enjoying the sound of business owners opening their shops just in time for the morning rush.

There were more shops than I expected, seeing that I slept on the second floor I had a beautiful view of this little village. Although all the buildings seemed old, their technology was pretty good. Strangely though they didn't have cars, they either walked or used horses. Looking at people walking in the street I heard a knock at the door. Turning I made my way to the door, turning the knob I saw Dante standing at the door with a tray of food in hand. Greeting him with a pleasant smile he greated, "Morning Princess I brought you some breakfast, I hope I didn't wake you." Allowing him in, he placed the tray on the bedside table. Keeping my smile, "Thank you for the food, no don't worry I was already up."

Even though he spoke in such a caring tone his face remained blank. After placing the tray down he quietly made his way to the cupboards, looking back at me he gave me a quick up and down as if measuring me.

He opened the door and turned to face me, "you can find everything you need in these five cupboards. Every item of clothing has already be washed, there is plenty to chose from. Feel free to look around and join my brother and I downstairs, luckily the bar does not open until this afternoon. If you don't mind, I'll leave you to enjoy your breakfast."

Nodding my head I said, "thank you again, I'll be down soon."

From the very beginning, I could tell Dante wasn't one for small talk, he only said what he felt was important and that was it. He was a very secretive man, always making sure that he never gave anyone too much information about himself away to those who he didn't trust.

Without saying another word he gave a quick smile disappearing just as fast as it came and looked down avoiding eye contact and left the room closing the door behind him.

Letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding I sighed and walked to the clothes looking for something I'd like. Although there were more than enough clothes to choose from the type of style was all same. Settling on simple black colored men's trousers, a black long sleeve skipper to cover the scars, and finally, for the shoes I picked were black combat boots. You could tell that he and his brother used to be in the army. They walked upright and proud, they were well built and took care of themselves making sure they were neat. As many other people could say the same, I was almost one hundred percent sure that although they looked well put together based on the front they put up I could tell they were struggling.

Frowning I remembered that I never knew his brother's name, the only pieces that I put together were both of them was built the same. Dante had raven-colored hair, his eyes mirrored his hair. He still dressed like he was a soldier with his black pants, black combat boots, and black t-shift matching.

Walking back to the bathroom to make sure I looked presentable. Taking in my appearance, I thought it would be better if I braided my hair to complete the look.

After braiding my hair, I sat down on the bed and ate. Dante had brought some coffee, two scores with cheese, and an apple on the side. It was a simple meal yet very filling, seeing that the coffee was still too hot to drink I should drink it while I sat with Dante and his brother. Picking up the now empty tray I opened the door and walked down the corridor trying to remember how to get to the bar area. Making a right I bumped into someone and spilled the warm coffee all over them. I felt so embarrassed and just slowly lifted my head and blurted out, "ohh no I'm so sorry I didn't even see you, really, and I spilled all my coffee on you-" mid-sentence I was interrupted by this man laughing.

I immediately stopped talking and stood awkwardly looking at the man clearing his throat he said, "No worries Princess, I'm just about to change anyway. The names Dimitri, Dante's younger brother, by the way, it's lovely to meet you." Holding his hand out to shake it I mentally scolded myself and placed the tray in one hand to shake his hand. Unlike his brother, Dimitri seemed way more friendly with his dark brown eyes and blond hair.

After placing the tray back into both my hands I replaced my once embarrassed state into a warm smile and said, "likewise, if you don't mind I would appreciate it if you could just point to where I can find the kitchen." Just like his brother, they both tended to look straight into your eyes while you spoke, which wasn't a bad thing but it just made you feel inferior to them.

With a charming smile, he replied, "I think it would be best if I walk with you, could just wait for like three minutes and I'll just go change and we can meet my brother in the back later." Nodding my head, "sure, no problem." With that he walked into his room and leaving the door open behind him he changed his t-shirt and walked back out. Closing the door behind him he took the tray from me and we walked in comfortable silence until we reached the staircase. I looked around the room taking everything, the walls were decorated with random posters, the chairs were neatly packed in the far right corner of the room.

In the center of the room was a large rug which I didn't see the night before, overall the entire bottom floor looked like a man cave. Shaking my head I let out a soft chuckle. Going down the last step Dimitri nudged me with his shoulder saying, "you can take a seat anywhere you like, I will drop this off in the kitchen and get you another coffee while you wait for my brother to come from the back." Nodding my head I watched him leave, I walked to the first table which was the nearest to the bar and sat down waiting for Dante.

Dante POV:

While making sure there were enough supplies for when we leave I saw Dimitri walk in with the empty tray in his usual attire. Closing the cupboard door, I watched as he put the pot on the stove to boil, he looked at me saying, "the princess is in the bar area, I told her that she could wait there so long while I take this in and call you." Smiling to himself he continued, "she accidentally spilled her coffee on me so I'm just going make her another real quick."

Nodding my head I walked to the sink to wash the dirt off my hands and dried them on my pants while I walking out of the kitchen, while drying my hands I remembered that I needed to check her cut. From the way, they looked the night before I was positive that they would be completely healed even though they were so deep.I saw her looking at the different posters that decorated the walls, she seemed particularly interested in the one with the lion standing looking at the horizon. I could have just walked straight but I didn't want to scare her so I walked in at an angle that I knew she would be able to see me coming. To my luck she heard me and gave a quick smile, taking a seat I pulled the chair in a little. She calmly waited for me to get comfortable, trying to keep my face blank I looked straight into her eyes and said, "morning princess, hope you slept well. I see you've managed to find something you like."

She sat straight up in the chair as if she was matching my energy. I noticed that she had a tendency to make sure to learn as much as possible about you before becoming comfortable.Smiling she replied, "good morning, yes I did thank you." Leaning forward, her tone became serious and her once kind face changed. She lifted her head a little and continued, "I was hoping we could talk about how we will be getting to my parents? I don't want to come off as pushy or anything but I just wanted to ask."

Slowly nodding my head I replied, "If it's not too soon for you I thought it would be best if we left tomorrow morning so that I can make sure we have everything packed for when we leave. You can pack whatever clothes you want to take with you.

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[Chapter quote: "the further I go, the closer to Me I get"- Andrew McCarthy.]