Scared Of Falling For Him?

As promised, immediately after breakfast, Servyn sent Hermione back home with Zolan, in a horse this time.

By the time Hermione reached home, she instantly let herself fall back flat on the bed. She stared up at the ceiling a little bit absent minded, heaving a huge sigh.

What a day it has been. She thought.

Her mind recalled the dream she had last night. It still baffles her till this point. Hermione drew up her dress and took a look at the little scar on her foot. Using her finger, she rubbed through it with a dazed look.

Everything, every little thing in that dream felt so real, as if she was there at that time. Even the cold that hit her, the eerily vibe it gave off, even the sense of connection she felt. But strangely enough she had never been to that place before, a place like that could not exist, could it?

Hermione drowned herself in her thoughts until she was not aware of the time she drifted away into sleep.

It was sound, so comfortable than the one she had in the royal castle.

. . .

Mid afternoon, a lazy yawn escaped Hermione's lips as she flickered her dizzy eyes open. The lethargic feelings hadn't left her yet, but she felt the sleep was enough for now.

While looking through the tiny window situated in her bedroom, a thought crossed her mind and she smiled lazily before sweeping her hair behind her ear.

Before the evening could reach, Hermione decided to take a short trip to Rosalie's house.

After fetching water from the well, she quickly bathed, dressed and off she went. The way to Rosalie's house was not too long so she arrived within twenty five minutes of walking slowly.

"Hermione!" Rosalie squealed excitedly after sighting her friend from afar.

She quickly sprinted to meet with her.

They hugged each other before Rosalie pulled away to take a good look at Hermione as if she has not seen her in a very long time. "Did he hurt you?" Rosalie asked in worry.

"No."

"Then, did he punish you?"

"I did not do anything worth any punishment, Rosalie." Hermione giggled.

"Okay, fine, as long you are alright." Rosalie sighed in relieve.

"I waited for you, but you did not arrive so I had to leave early, the curfew time had already neared so…..Wait! When did you come back." It clicked her.

"About that I….."

"Wait, let's go in, I have to hear all about it." Rosalie said. "And oh, mother is inside, you should come say hello." She added.

"Well…your…fa-" Hermione stuttered.

She knew Rosalie's father despises her just like the rest of the villagers did. He was against their friendship, but all thanks to Rosalie's mother who had talked to him about his attitude towards her. He hard stopped showing it so obviously, but he still made her feel discomfort because of his contemptuous stares.

"He is not yet home, he went to some workshop with his new acquaintance. I don't really know the details though."

"It is alright." Hermione stated before trailing warily behind Rosalie.

"Mother! Mother, Hermione is here." Rosalie shouted to the hearing of her mother.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Bexon." Hermione respectfully greeted with a small shout.

"Oh, Hermione dear, how have you been child?" The lady replied back.

They could imagine her with a kind smile already. The type Rosalie possess.

"Great, aunty." Hermione said.

"That is good to know, you girls go on okay. I am a bit busy, and will join you later." Lady Bexon echoed from inside.

"Alright mother." Rosalie chimed.

"Come on, have a sit." She offered.

Hermione slowly sitted. She doesn't frequent her visit here just the way Rosalie does to her. It was quite unfair but she was more than grateful to God that she found such a friend like Rosalie, who understands her before she even starts explaining. It is a blessing to have her. Hermione thought as she sitted and looked around.

"So….?" Rosalie began inquisitively.

It was her turn to pry now, and for Hermione to be at the receiving end.

"So….?" Hermione replied with a raised brows, trying to feign ignorance.

She received a light slap from Rosalie.

"You know what I mean, idiot. What actually happened in the castle? How did you get back home?" Rosalie threw at her.

"No curse words Rosie!" Mrs Bexon voice rang from inside.

"Couldn't help it, mother!" Rosalie responded back.

"Couldn't help it, mother!" Hermione imitated mockingly. And they both giggled together. It was their thing.

"Tell me every single piece that transpired yesterday." Rosalie demanded with interest.

"....." Hermione was just about to speak when Rosalie interjected.

"Don't you dare say, nothing much." Rosalie warned.

Hermione blinked animatedly. "Well….the truth is that….. actually nothing much happened except for having dinner with him and his friends, I think." Hermione smiled teasingly.

Rosalie simply rolled her eyes at her friend's attempt to spite her. "That can't be all, come on. I am curious here, huh." Rosalie whined playfully with a pout.

Hermione laughed deeply. "You should do that for….. Mr soldier." She lowered her voice at her last words, so that it would not reach Rosalie's mother's ears.

Rosalie landed a tight slap on her hand in annoyance.

Hermione laughed harder, and soon Rosalie joined in.

"Okay, what really happened was…." Hermione began narrating every single thing that happened in the castle. Well, except for the dream part.

At the finish of her narration, Rosalie's lips was wide open in an 'O' shape, same with her eyes, as it widen in surprise. "Seriously? He did that?" Rosalie gasped.

"I do not know why either, I don't know what he wants from me. I…I am scared." Hermione confessed.

"Scared about what exactly?" Rosalie could see the fear and worry in Hermione's eyes.

"I…I am confused you know, I do not want to get myself entangled with something I can not untangle from." Hermione reported, feeling down. "I just don't know how to show it to him." She seconded.

"....Are you perhaps scared of falling for him?" Rosalie hesitated a little before dropping that statement, and she watched the pupils of Hermione's eyes dilate.

Hermione looked Rosalie right in the eye. She slithered a smile across her thin lips. "You know that can not happen." Hermione stated dryly.

"But what if…I mean what if!" She emphasized. "The Crown Prince has something for you? You know what I am talking about." Rosalie said.

Hermione quietly stared at Rosalie for two minutes. An abrupt laugh erupted from her. "Rosalie, such jokes can get us arrested by the royal guards if they hear, you know." She continued to laugh heavily, until she paused and saw Rosalie with a serious expression. Her laughter instantly died down.

"You are not joking?" She asked seriously.

"Do I look like I am?" Rosalie answered.

Hermione paused. She does not think so, not in this life time. Infact from his attitude with her, he doesn't act like someone who got a thing for her, that is impossible. Her claims became more plausible remembering his playful behaviors with her. It was just to piss her off, and that is not what someone who likes someone else would do.

"That is impossible, Rosalie, you are wrong." Hermione replied.

Rosalie nodded, not wanting to dig more into the matter. If she said it is impossible, then so she believed, after all, she is Hermione, she always means what she says.

"Alright if you say so. I was just guessing the reason for his obsession towards your company."

Minutes after, Mrs Bexon came out of the house. "Rosalie dear, some ingredients are lacking. Please rush over to the local market and get some coriander and celery for me." Miss Bexon requested.

She turned to Hermione. "Sorry for cutting your time short my dear." She apologized.

"No, it is okay Ma, I will accompany her." Hermione said with a nervous smile.

"Alright, you both be safe." Miss Bexon wished them.

"Okay mother." Rosalie was the one to reply.

. . .

On the way from the local market, Hermione noticed Rosalie downcasted expression. "You don't look happy, what happened?"

Rosalie moved her head sideways with pursed lips.

Hermione smiled. "Tell me, what is wrong?"

Rosalie glanced at her before speaking. "I have to meet Rohelio today, but my mother has had her eyes on me ever since. I can not escape her." Rosalie reported dejectedly.

Hermione's smile broadened. Her lips parted to give a reply but was halted by a sudden shove which made all the ingredients in her basket skitter to the ground.

Her gaze immediately went upwards to find the source of the push, and it came in contact with a reddish haired woman, covered in black from her nose to her toes. Hermione frowned suspiciously at the appearance.

She bent to gather her things and the woman joined as well, looking her right in the eye.

She offered Hermione a strange smile before getting up and mixing with the crowd.

Weird! Came Hermione's thought.