Lycane's

"Oh, I have heard of that kingdom from a friend. It sounds really peaceful," Kat commented. "It is," Josephine nodded in agreement. "It's nice to know you have a friend here." Josie said making kat smile "she's a really sweet person" Kat stated staring ahead.

"Well, okay, now I know a little about vampires and witches, but what about werewolves? I don't think I have come across any though," Kat stated, giving a thoughtful look.

"When I think about werewolves, what comes to my head is something between a charismatic personality and a fierce demeanor," Kat said, to which Josephine laughed.

"Have you been in the courtroom during a meeting?" Josie asked. The incidents flashed through Kat's mind at the mention of the place.

"Yes, I have," she responded, her tone less lively than a while ago, which Josie didn't catch.

"Then you most definitely have come across some lycane's; some of the court men are werewolves, so you have seen them," Josie stated.

"Oh, I see," Kat muttered, trying to think back to any faces that could fit in the description of a werewolf.

"Apple trees!" Josie exclaimed excitedly, staring at something in the distance.

Kat snapped out of her thought, and stared ahead but could barely even see the trees, let alone tell what kind they were.

"Hmm, I can't really see anything," Kat said, raising her palm above her face to shade her eyes from the sun and get a better look at the trees.

"Well, I have been craving apple pie; let's go pick some. Race you to the trees!" Before Kat could respond, Josie had already started riding ahead.

"Hey, that's cheating!" Kat shouted out, and flickered the rain's of the horse, to have him race forward.

As they raced to the trees, the wind blowing through Kat's hair, she felt a sense of freedom she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Argent, despite his initial reluctance, seemed to enjoy the ride as well, his mane flowing in the wind.

Kat was surprised at how fast Argent was as he had passed Josie in little time.

"Oh, good boy, Argent," Kat complimented, petting him.

Kat had beaten Josie to the tree.

"He is surprisingly fast for a horse who has never been through any physical activities," Josie commented when she caught up to Kat, her hands pulling on the reins of her horse to steady it as it staggered back and forth.

Sabastian was always a few feet away from the girls, giving them space.

Both the girls dismounted from their horses, and so did Sebastian.

"How are we going to get the apples? I'm not so sure I can climb a tree with the layers of this dress," Kat said thoughtfully.

"That's true. I will have a tailor stitch more comfortable gowns for our next ride," Josephine said, and Kat nodded.

They both raised their heads, staring at the shiny red apples on the tree.

"I think you are both forgetting that neither of you is allowed to climb a tree. Please let me," Sabastian said, picking up a basket tied to the horse he stood next to one of the trees.

"What is he doing?" Kat asked, and Josie just shrugged.

They both watched as Sabastian walked around the tree before stopping.

He kicked a spot on the tree, causing the apples to fall out, and in the next few seconds, Kat was speechless as each and every apple was now in the basket.

"What just happened?" Kat stared at Sabastian.

"Well, he kicked the tree in a specific spot, which caused the apples to fall only around the spot he stood, and he caught them," Josie said blandly with no hint of surprise.

"Okay, that sounds logical, I think, but how did he catch them so fast?"

"Vampire, remember?" Josie whispered.

"You are amazing, Sebastian," Kat complimented as he walked over to them.

"Thank you, Miss Kat," Sebastian said, setting the basket of apples on his horse.

They all mounted their horses and continued their ride.

"Does Lucian always send Sebastian to babysit?" Kat whispered to Josephine.

"Not always, I'm not sure why he insisted today," Josie whispered back, a mischievous smile appearing on her lips. She mouthed the words 'watch this.'

"Sabastian," Josephine called out.

"Yes, Lady Josephine?"

"Could you please get another basket of apples? Me and Kat are feeling peckish and don't want to take from the apples for the pies," Josie requested.

Sabastian glanced at Kat, who was caught on to what Josie might be trying to do and she also nodded in confirmation.

"I will get them quickly. Please stay here," Sabastian said before riding back towards the tree to get the apples.

"What are we doing?" Kat asked.

"Escaping from the babysitter," Josie responded with a grin and she took off. Kat also followed She flicked the rain's of her horse.

Sabastian had picked the apples when he spotted the girls had already left the spot and were now riding farther away. "I should have expected this," Sabastian muttered before mounting his horse and heading in the direction of the girls.

"Where are we going?!" Kat asked as they rode. "Nowhere in specific," Josephine responded to which Kat sighed. "Maybe we should slow down so he can catch up with us," she suggested. "Don't worry about him, Ciel is the second-fastest horse in the kingdom," Josie stated. "Then who's the first?" Kat asked. "Night," Josie replied.

Kat turned around, and Sabastian was already behind them. "You weren't kidding about the fast part," she said, impressed. Sabastian passed them and stopped in front of them, casually gesturing for the girls to pull the reins on their horses and stop. "Your apples," he said, stretching out the basket of apples with his usual polite smile. "How about we head back?"

It was already noon when they returned to the castle, initially they were meant to return earlier, but both of them were enjoying troubling Sabastian. As they arrived they dropped off the horses at the stables.

"Hey Kat, are you coming?" Josie asked.

"Don't worry, go on without me, I will get back to you in a little while," Kat responded.

Josie nodded and went on her way. Kat stayed in the stable, caressing Argent while she spoke to him. "You're such a good boy. I wonder why you don't like anyone though. Well, except for Lucian. I think I can very much understand why you wouldn't like him," Kat huffed.

Suddenly, Argent started to panic, staggering back. Kat didn't understand why he was suddenly frightened. "Oh, is that so?" A voice came from behind her.

For a few seconds, Kat was frozen before turning around to meet Lucian's gaze, standing by the stable door. He pushed it open and entered. His imposing gaze held Kat captive.

"So, why doesn't he like me, Katherine?" Lucian asked, stopping in front of her. Now that he was standing before her, Kat had to crane her neck up to meet his gaze.

"What do you mean?" She asked. "You should have learned by now not to play coy with me, Katherine," Lucian warned, his eyes narrowed.

The way he always said her name sent a feeling to Kat's skin. It was like a warning and tease at the same time, with something else Kat couldn't quite put together.

"You are scaring him," Kat said, trying to divert from the question, and she turned her gaze to stare at Argent.

Lucian suddenly stepped forward, closing the little distance between them, causing Kat to also take a step back. Lucian didn't stop there and continued to walk forward until Kat was cornered.

Her back hit the wall and she had nowhere else to go. She wanted to make her way by the side and move away from Lucian. But Lucian placed his hand to rest by the side of her head, on the wall with a small thud.

Kat's heart raced as she was now cornered by Lucian. "Is he the one scared or is it you?" Lucian asked, his perfectly carved eyebrows raised.

"I have no reason to be scared," Kat said, standing her ground. "Really? Is that so?" Lucian muttered, bending down next to Kat's ear. His warm breath touching her ear sent chills through her body.

"I could barely hear your words over the sound of your heart racing rapidly," Lucian said.

Kat shot back, "Any woman would react the same if trapped between a man's arms in a small space." Though frightened and wary of Lucian, she refused to show her fear to the bloodthirsty beast before her.

Lucian leaned back, his piercing gaze meeting Kat's fiery stare once more. He flashed a disarming smile, one that always caught her off guard. Stepping away from her, he remarked, "It's amusing how you refer to yourself as a woman."

Kat bit back a glare, not to give Lucian the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of her. As Lucian's gaze shifted to the horse in the corner of the room, his expression darkened slightly. "You should head back now," he said without glancing back at her.

Kat remained silent and did as he said, stepping out of the stable. She was relieved to see Lucian leave as well, fearing he might harm the innocent horse if he stayed. Kat made her way back into the castle, while Lucian remained by the stable, his hands caressing the neck of his own horse, Night. He patted her, and it was clear she was happy in his company. "Keep an eye on it," he said to the horse, and Night snorted in response.

Kat was now back in the castle and was about to enter her room when Josephine stopped her. "Finally, I was beginning to think you would be spending the whole day with that horse," Josephine exclaimed, to which Kat chuckled. "My apologies Princess Josephine, I will not keep you waiting next time," Kat joked, and she courtesied "You better not, or I will send you to the dungeon," Josie also joked, and they both laughed before stepping into Kat's room.

Josie made herself comfortable, sitting on the bed. "So, where are the things from your world?" she asked excitedly. Kat nodded, going to bring out everything she had brought with her for Josie to take a look. She sat by the dressing table, watching Josie go through her stuff like an excited child who had just been given a box of candy.

Josie asked Kat questions every now and then about the items. "Oh, what's this flat silver box thing?" she asked, showing Kat the laptop.

"It's a laptop," Kat replied, chuckling at Josie's fascination. "It's simpler to my phone just a few defences, It can also entertain you with games, music, and videos." Kat explained" walking towards Josie to show her how it worked, she played some music and Josie found it strange but nice, she showed her few tips on how to operate the laptop and also showing her some games which seemed to excite her even more.

After a while, Josie finally put the laptop down, looking satisfied but also a bit overwhelmed. "I think I need some time to process all this new knowledge," she said, giggling. "But thank you, Kat, for sharing your world with me. It's truly amazing!"

"You're welcome, and it would be nice to have some of that apple pie you spoke of," Kat said, rubbing her tummy. "Oh, speaking of that, I'll see you for lunch. I have something I have to take care of," Josephine informed, kat didn't get the chance to ask her where she was going as Josie hurriedly left Kat's room.

Sighing Kat put away her things and picked up the book she had been reading, stepping out onto the balcony. The warm sunlight cast a golden glow over the castle grounds as she gazed out at the breathtaking view. "I hope you all are fine over there and not worried about me," she thought to herself, her mind wandering to everyone back home. The gentle rustle of the trees and the distant chirping of birds created a soothing melody that calmed her mind, and she felt a sense of peace wash over her as she stood there, taking it all in.

The sun began to set and dusk arrived, Kat sat next to Josephine in the dining room, answering Josie's continuous questions one after another.

During their conversation, Josie picked up an apple and handed it to Lucian. Kat's eyes darted to Lucian, who was now cutting the apple with a small knife. But her gaze didn't linger long before returning to Josie. Lucian had cut the apples into little bunny shapes placing them on a plate and handed the plate to Josie. Seeing the scene in front of her, Kat thought to herself that, despite being seemingly evil, he cared and pampered his little sister.

But Josie didn't eat the apples and placed them Infront of kat, before handing Lucian another apple. Lucian did the same, cutting the apple into bunnies and gave them to her.

Kat hadn't expected it, She thanked them and stared at the apples, which looked cute. When her gaze met Lucian's, Josie interrupted, "Oh, I forgot to tell you I would be leaving in about two weeks, back to Divina for a while. I still have some business to attend to." She stated.

"Ohh," was all Kat could respond with. She hadn't been spending all day in her room lately, thanks to Josie, but with Josie leaving, she wouldn't have much to do.

"Don't worry, I've planned out a lot of things we could do before then," Josie continued to say. "The Shadow vail market is going to be having a huge clothing and jewelry sale the day after tomorrow, and there's the Equinox Fair in a few day's in the town of Stone brick. We could also go to that beach we were meant to go to last time, and Duchess Cecilia has invited me for a tea party we could both attend. It will give you a chance to meet new people," Josie listed.

Kat nodded "That all sounds delightful. I can't wait," Kat said, returning her smile. "You will love the fair, lots of things to do, right, Brother Lucian?" Josie turned her gaze to Lucian, who only nodded.