A/N Mature Themes Warning!
There is discussion and portrayal of attempted suicide in this chapter. Please be advised if any written content in this chapter triggers you, I recommend skipping this chapter. Thank you for understanding. Much love!

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With Miss Trelawny's words hanging in the back of my mind I can't help but be a bit concerned about what I should do tomorrow. Whether if I should see the King or not... After I left the Lucky Star, I didn't return to the Inn. Instead, I shifted into a bird and flew around the city to find a good spot to watch the sunset. It must be important for me to go tonight if the seer knows about it.

Also, I find that being a bird helps me think. It's peaceful flying among the clear blue sky, away from chattering people. It is much simpler being in this form. Hopefully I'll have an empty mind by the time I head back to my room.

A gust of wind carries me up high above the buildings. I have no destination at the moment except to watch the sunset. My mind wanders to blue eyes and scents of lavender mixed with cedar wood. Strong hands wrapped around mine. How we were standing so close to each other in that darkened hallway. The way he gazed into my eyes. For a moment I'm lost until I find myself drifting towards the looming castle. Sebastian has been on my mind a lot now with what Miss Trewlany said to me, tomorrow I get to see him. I wonder if he is doing some Kingly business right now. Is he talking with his Royal Advisors about the enemy territories trying to invade the city? Or about the people wanting the throne and plotting on killing him next? It must be stressful for him.

The sun is sinking low now. I better find a spot to watch the sunset and I think I have an idea of where that might be.

I turn my tail slightly so I am able to go left around a tower and up to the highest point of the castle. It'll be interesting to see the castle from a different side.

On a corner of a structure there are two balconies, one on either side of the walls facing the south. This is the perfect spot for watching the sun because they look out to the east and west. I perch myself on the one facing the west to wait. Why didn't I think of the castle before? It's up high with no other buildings in the way, this is the perfect spot.

It's odd seeing Adelaide from the backside of the castle. On this side, it drops off to a cliff into a river, flattening out to some fields then the wall that wraps around the entire city. It's quite amazing how big this wall is. I wonder how long it took to build it. Maybe that's a question I could ask Sebastian when I see him tomorrow.

A noise from behind startles me and I turn to the glass door. There's a figure standing on the other side and they open the door.

He seems confused then smiles at me, his eyes are red and puffy. "Hey little bird. Are you watching the sunset too?"

For a moment, I try to reply to him but a squawk comes out. Right, I'm a bird and they can't talk. Sebastian chuckles and steps up to the iron railing. His walking is unsteady then I smell it. Ale. He's intoxicated... So much for Kingly business. What is he doing now?

Sebastian holds onto the railing for a moment then lifts a leg over like he's about to jump off. "What are you doing?!" I squawk at him.

"You are lucky, you are free to fly wherever you please. Not have anyone ordering you around or trying to kill you." I caw more, yelling at him to stop but he shushes me. "It's okay little bird..." He says leaning over while gripping the rail with one hand to look down. "It'll be over soon, quick and somewhat painless."

He holds himself, still staring down. Don't you dare jump... I hop closer to him, slowly to his left arm. He either hasn't noticed me or doesn't seem to care. What do I do? I can't watch him die. I won't let him die. Why is he doing this?

"Being a King is dreadful, I have no parents or family except for my uncle. Everyday I'm waiting for an assassin to come kill me." He laughs taking a drink from the dark glass bottle I didn't notice he was holding. "At least this way I can die on my own terms, you know? You are lucky little bird. No responsibilities or worries."

He let's go with one hand, letting out a quick breath. His body waivers and I see a tear run down his face. "Quick and painless."

He's going to do it. I have to stop him, I can't watch him kill himself.

As he takes a drink, I jump up above his head. Using my talons, I grab at his hair to get his attention.

"Hey!" He yells, swinging the bottle at me. He spins towards the castle to get me but I swoop out of his reach to his backside. With all my strength, I push forward hitting him straight between the shoulders.

He topples forward, flipping over the railing and lands on his back with a grunt. I did it! I saved him!

I sit on the railing above his head and watch the silly King rub the back of his head then he opens his eyes. "What was that for?" Our eyes meet and his mouth opens. "I guess someone is looking out for me..."

"Yes someone is looking out for you! How could you be so foolish?" Again no true words come out just noise but the King is still staring at me. How could he end his life like that? He has so much to live for. I wish I could frown at him and that he could see it. Or maybe a smack on the side of the head would work better.

He curses to himself then gets up and dusts himself off and throws the bottle out into the air with a heavy grunt. "What am I doing? I have a duty to this city, to my parents..." The King closes his eyes and breathes out slowly then groans. His knuckles turn white from gripping the railing too tight. "You are a clever one, little bird." He says resting his arms and looks out, not able to hold his gaze with mine. There's tears streaming down his cheeks. "I don't want to brag but this is the best spot to watch Adelaide's sunsets. I used to watch them when I was a child with my mother..." A soft sigh comes out. "Lately, I haven't been able to reminisce up here."

I blink up at him as he wipes his tears away then I turn my head to the setting sun. It's almost touching the tops of the mountains now. This is the kind of stuff you live for. This is why I have fought to get here and I'll keep fighting no matter what. For what I've been through, nothing will stand in my way to my freedom. I never thought a King would toss his life away.

Beautiful colours splay across the sky, painting the clouds with pinks and oranges. What an amazing scene out here, I want to watch every sunset for the rest of my life... Once the sun has set, the young King leaves the balcony without saying another word. I don't look back, instead I fly back to my room with a sinking in my heart...

How could a King end his life like that?

That night as I crawl into my bed, I realize why the young King is in need of a friend. Now I know what his true intentions are. I also make an oath to myself to appreciate life everyday, to not take it for granted.

Another bright morning in Adelaide, I open the curtains to an empty street. Today I'm meeting Sebastian in about 30 minutes but I've been awake for a lot longer than that. When I first woke at 6, I snuck down to the kitchen in search of something to eat. To my surprise, I was up before Mrs. Dotham and to her kindness she cooked up a slice of meat with eggs for my early breakfast. In return, I offered my help to set up the table for the rest of the guests staying here.

For some reason I feel excited but nervous at the same time. I don't know where to wait; in my room so I can watch the street or down in the living area so Sebastian will see me when he walks in. I fiddle with my hands pacing back and forth, figuring out what I should do.

A horse neighing outside my window catches my attention so I look out to see that Sebastian is here already. Oh no! Quickly grabbing my things, I rush out the door locking it behind me and run down the stairs.

Just as I get to the bottom, the front door opens. I stop myself before I run into him.

"Oh! Good morning." He greets with a smile.

"Hi." I say moving a piece of hair behind my ear. There's heat rising to my cheeks as he stares back at me. Maybe I should have worn a dress instead of the miner's denim overalls. "Sorry to startle you." Why do I have to embarrass myself in front of a Royal...

He chuckles. "It is fine. Just was not expecting a greeter at the door." His eyes look me over again and he says, "Looks like you bought some things for yourself."

The young King is meaning the new clothes. Well a blouse and shoes that actually fit, and a purse I bought to hold my key and coin.

"Yes, well I didn't want to make you walk up all these stairs. How are you this morning your Majesty?"

I only ask that because dark circles have formed under his eyes, I guess he didn't get much sleep. Too many thoughts crossing his mind? Or nightmares of being struck down in his sleep plaguing him?

His eyes widen momentarily but he catches himself with a smile. "Good. How has your stay been? I hope you are settling in well at the Inn, is Mrs. Dotham treating you good?"

With my previous life, I never thought of attempting to kill myself. Well not until what Lord Hearthgrim did to me but even then... Although I was a slave and was treated like the dirt on the ground, I never thought life was pointless. I knew there was something out there that was greater and worth living for to not throw it away. I almost feel sorry for the King but in his position it would have been selfish for him to take his life. He has so much to live for, so many people looking up to him with respect and love, I'm sure. If I wasn't there last night he would have went through with it and this moment right now would be completely different. I would have been waiting here for him, only to find out the news later on. He would have fallen into that river alone, with no one knowing.

"Camellia?"

Oh. My eyes focus on the man standing, watching me closely with his head tilted to the side.

"Yes, thank you for providing me shelter your Majesty." I say bowing my head. "Mrs. Dotham has been a pleasant host."

He purses his lips when I lift my head. "Good. I am glad to hear that. And it's Sebastian... Have you explored the city at all since you've been here?"

"No not entirely. I'm not used to such a large city and I don't want to lose my way." It does help being a bird though, to see the layout from above. Even with that, I still don't know my way around the winding roads of the lower districts.

The king chuckles rubbing the back of his neck. "I agree, Adelaide is old and has been ever growing over the years..." He trails off with a frown then snaps his fingers. "I know! I can give you a tour."

"Sounds like a perfect idea." I say with a small smile.

We take Sebastian's carriage through the city. He shows me around the different districts starting in the Market District where the Inn is then the Merchant and Resident districts. Lower down closest to a lake are the trading and artist districts. There is no name for it he said but it's also where the not so respectable people live, the lower class. It's also where the Lucky Star is. I thought it was called the Night District...

The King's distaste in that place puts me at unease. I don't understand why, the women there were kind to me. They let me stay there when no one else helped. When I told him that I was staying there, he was furious and I don't understand why. He called it a whorehouse. I wonder what that means.

At the western outskirts of Adelaide there are fields for farming and some factories are out here as well. We pass some cows and sheep grazing in the grass. The carriage stops at the top of a small hill that overlooks a field full of tall plants. Oh my, I wonder what those are.

Sebastian offers to let me out first and I run out to the fence bordering the tall skinny plants. They look odd. I've never seen these when I was out in the forest but these are quite leafy with bumps growing on the thin trunk. Is it a type of tree?

The king walks up next to me chuckling and I turn to him. "What are these?"

He smiles turning to the odd looking trees and grabs one, pulling off one of the lumps. "It's called maze, or corn." He tells me peeling back the green outer shell revealing rows of little yellow bumps. I poke a finger at it thinking it would've been softer to the touch but it's firm.

Again he chuckles and hands the corn to me. "You eat it. It is a type of fruit, raw or cooked straight from the cob like that."

"Oh." I say looking down at it with a frown. Seems odd eating food in this form but it looks appealing with the bright colour. I hold the corn up to my mouth but glance at Sebastian. He gives me a nod and I sink my teeth into a surprisingly juicy and sweet food. This is good!

"Delicious right?" Sebastian asks with a grin.

"Yes. It is delicious." I say then take another bite next to my first.

"If you are hungry I had a lunch packed for us. Thought it would be nice to have a picnic out here." He says holding up a hand behind him directing my attention to the driver bringing a basket out of the carriage. The man sets it on the ground on top a of blanket.

"Really?" I ask glancing at him. He gives me a nod so we walk back up to the carriage. The sun does look high, it must be close to noon already.

A pitcher with two cups sit next to the basket on the ground. This is different, are we going to sit here and eat? When I look to Sebastian he gestures for me to sit down. Okay I guess we are...

I take a spot at the top of the blanket next to the basket and Sebastian sits on the other side and opens it.

"Here you go M'Lady." He says handing me a sandwich.

I chuckle, "Thank you." Then take a bite out of it, this time it tastes different so I look at the layers. Whatever is in this one is good as well and I continue to eat it looking out to the wall. It's a quaint spot here, overlooking the fields, there's also different coloured flowers growing within the tall grass. There are no clouds in the sky today so the sun is shining bright which makes it warm. Still not used to that, the heat here compared to Drakon's estate. It was always cooler and the sun didn't shine as much there.

"How long did it take to build the walls?"

"Um..." He wipes his mouth with a cloth and leans forward. "Altogether about 15 years. They used magic to construct it, which quickened the process and also kept intruders out for a while. Within these last few years though, the magic is weakening. Especially at the Northern wall allowing single persons to sneak through our guard." He gives me a quick glance but continues. "No one in the city is strong enough to put a protection spell back."

I don't like that look, I get an uneasy feeling. Like he doesn't trust me... Which I understand but I can't tell him the truth if I can't trust him yet. That might also put me in a rough spot with him. If I can't be fully honest with him, he will grow more suspicious. How could I have made it up and over the wall without magic? What could he do with that information if he knew my secret? He's already wealthy so he won't sell me for the money. Hearthgrim said he had a purpose for me, maybe Sebastian has one too if he knew.. Is there a way to read his thoughts with magic?

I give him a weak smile then swallow my piece of food before asking if there aren't any Azures around to do it.

"No, they have all been wiped out centuries ago." The young king pauses to pour us a drink from a clear glass pitcher. The liquid inside is a light yellow colour which reminds me of another liquid that we aren't allowed to drink. I don't think this is that though... He fills a small cup and hands it to me then pours one for himself. I thank him and he lowers his head then speaks. "Not even my court mage is able to cast that kind of magic. The wall would need a powerful caster to repair it..." He stares out to the wall holding his cup and lifts it up to his mouth drinking down its entire contents.

My eyes follow his gaze to the wall. I wonder how powerful someone needs to be to cast the magic. Would they do so with a spell? Or some chant? I want to know more how magic works but it will raise some questions and I can't have that. Not when there is too many unknowns about him, this city. I wipe my forehead of the sweat with the back of my hand then take a small sip of the drink to taste it before I take a mouthful. It's got a citrus flavour that makes my mouth cringe but what I like most is that its cold. A cold drink in this heat, the icy liquid slips down within me cooling my body.

"I think magic is diminishing, even the crystals aren't doing much to give us a sliver of power that we once had... If that news spread, this city will be sieged with enemies." He trails off and I feel his stare on me but I don't look at him. I don't know what to say to that, although I am scared that this city could not be safe for long. Elyse spoke of wars, how they destroyed villages and how many lives were lost or upturned because of it. How brutal and ruthless people could get in order to win. She had seen it first hand.

'But there hasn't been a war in years.' Elyse reassured me when she saw the fear in my eyes.

Sebastian sighs finishing his sandwich. He leans back on the ground and tucks his arms under his head to prop it up. "Tell me something about yourself."

"Uh.." Such a turn of a conversation. What can I tell him without giving myself away. All he knows about me is that I was a slave. Why does he need to know more.

When I glance at him he's watching me. My mind draws a blank, what could I say about myself. He raises his brows waiting for me to answer. "I was in the circus.." That's a safe answer. I was performing since I could walk according to Drakon and have been doing so since only two years ago. There really isn't much else to tell him about myself without revealing my secrets.

"Really? You were a slave forced to perform in the circus." He says leaning on his elbow bending his long leg up. "Do you have any special talents?"

I almost tell him that I was part of the freak show but hold my tongue. "I was an acrobat." Before I could control my shifting perfectly, Drakon made me train alongside with the other acrobats. Then I was part of the freak show as a 'Foxgirl' or half human half lizard later on.

"Oh you have to show me what you can do." Sebastian says with a wide grin. "Please?"

My head shakes quickly. Why? I look around me frowning, there's no tight-rope or anything for me to juggle.

"Did you see the performers at my coronation?"

I nod in answer.

"How did you like their parade?"

"It was good." They were great, better performers than Drakon's group. They probably weren't forced to be an acrobat or flamethrower. Sebastian spotted me in the crowd that day too and was angry. Probably thought I was an assassin going to kill him from that look in his eyes. I clear my throat, feeling the ghost metal of his blade against my neck. Knowing I don't want that to happen again. I tell him, "I can show you something."

He sits up watching me as I bend forward letting my body fall onto my outstretched arms. My feet push up lifting my legs above my head and I walk around with my hands. I wouldn't have done this if I was wearing a dress today.

My arms burn as I spin a couple times with my legs spread out trying to do an old routine of mine. I have not done this for a while, my arm shakes as I put all my weight on one... Without much control, my body sways a bit then I let my lower body fall backward. My feet land on the ground creating an arch in my back. Ouch! Oh I regret doing this...

Then I walk around some more. Sebastian gasps in awe from the blanket. I twist my body so that I'm facing the green grass and twist again then push my arms out and using my legs I pull my body up straight. My goodness, that was too much.

Sebastian claps and I hear the driver clap as well while I walk back to him. I can't help but bow then sit down feeling my face heat up even more. Thankfully he grabs the pitcher and pours me another drink. I gladly take it, drinking the entire contents. The sourness stings my tongue.

"That was awesome! Did you travel a lot?"

I gasp out a breath and wipe the drop of water that slipped from my lips. "Yes but I didn't see much, I wasn't allowed outside the tent." I tell him looking down at my wrist. Even if I wanted to explore beyond those tents I couldn't, not with the mark on my wrist. The contract between us, whatever magic was used, it forbade me from running away too far from my master.

"That's too bad..." He says falling silent. "I'm sorry if this is too intrusive."

I look to him and shrug. "It's not at all.. intrusive." In fact, I don't mind talking to him about this. That was a part of my life that I mostly enjoyed even if I was slave.

The young King gives me a weak smile then tells me that I can ask him anything before laying back down.

Okay... I breathe in deeply, thinking of my question as I lay on my back as well. "Do you have a lot of friends?" As a royal, he must have some people that he does this kind of stuff with.

He snorts. "No, not really. Maybe my Captain of the Royal Guard. Only because he taught me how to fight for as long as I can remember but there is ten years between us."

Odd. Maybe he can't have many friends because he is a Royal? I don't know the rules of friendship between kings and commoners. Why would I be an exception though? "Not even the Dotham boy from your class, Conrad?"

He shifts his head to stare at me. "Conrad Dotham? Do you know him?"

"Yes. His Nan runs the Rosemary Inn and he remembered me. Called me Lady Whitmere while we were eating breakfast in front of others." I tell him with a pointed glare. Mrs. Dotham had warned me about using that name. That it was too dangerous and the King just openly did that for some reason.

"Oh," He laughs nervously, and red creeps in over his cheeks. "Right sorry. I shouldn't have said we were cousins. Now people will start talking about it..."

They already have Your Majesty... "What is a cousin?"

"It means we are related." He says looking back up to the sky with a sigh.

I shake my head. Why do these people lie so much, I don't like getting caught up in all of this. There's a lot of bad and unknowns out here. Being sheltered and hidden away all my life then tossed into this world with no help or guidance like a new born. It's frightening and confusing.

"What's your favourite colour?"

"What?"

"Do you have a favourite colour?" He asks again.

My brows furrow as I think about my answer. No one has asked that kind of question to me. The truth is I like all colours. How green the grass looks after it has rained, the deep red on rose petals. The oranges and yellows that flicker in a fire or the way the blue in Sebastian's eyes reminds me of the sky on a day like this... I think that would be my favourite colour. I point up above me. "That one."

"Sky blue?" He asks looking at my hand then turns to me.

"Yes. It's pretty and a happy colour." That colour only shows when it's warm and sunny which brings me happiness. Or yellow would be a favourite of mine too. I glance back at him and a corner of his lips is raised. "What's yours then?"

"Oh boy," He scratches his head. "I guess I would have to say... red."

Interesting... Red is nice. Like some flowers, or certain fruit I've seen in the market. It's the colour of the clouds when the sun sets. It's also the colour of blood... Elyse's blood on my hands, on that man's neck that I killed...

"Ask me something now." The Kings voice sounds distant as I stare up into the sky. I had killed someone, why have I never realized that until now? Was it right of me to do that to him? That bandit had already killed someone and was about to kill Elyse. Who knows who else he had killed before running into us. All I had to do was stop him, not kill the man.

A queezy feeling rumbles in my stomach at the thought but bits of grass hit the side of my face, bringing me back. "Huh?" Did he throw that at me?

"Something on your mind?" Sebastian asks staring at me. He's on his side now with his head propped up by his arm.

"Yes." I say sitting up, crossing my legs, facing away from him. "Why don't you have any friends?"

What I wanted to ask was if he had ever killed anyone before. If he did, how did it make him feel afterward. How do you deal with someone else's blood on your hands? There is a chance that he never harmed someone and that would bring around a question to me that I couldn't answer. While I wait for his answer, I play with the blades of grass between my fingers.

He laughs softly, shifting his body behind me. "Being a Royal there are certain things expected of you. Some people will perceive you differently. If you try to make friends, they might take that as an advantage, see that you are vulnerable in a way maybe or maybe not... Or they might be intimidated by your power."

He grabs at more grass and pulls it out then tosses it in the breeze. "You could say I have friends within the castle. Even then I wouldn't really call them friends, more like family... Well maybe Captain Hellman like I've said before. He's the only one closest to my age and we practice together. And maybe some day I could call you a good friend too." He says the last sentence quieter which makes me turn my head fully back to him.

Sounds lonely. He's watching me as I gaze over my shoulder at him. And maybe because of the growing darkness of my past. That creeping loneliness closing in or how I saw the King last night about to jump over the edge but I say with a small smile, "I would be glad."

He returns my smile with a wide grin but behind that I can see a familiar sorrow in his face. Then a thought comes to my mind so I turn my body so I am fully facing him again.

"You think I'm not intimidated by you?"

His face reddens a bit more as he scratches the side of his neck. "No... You seem different."

A gust of wind blows in my hair so tuck the loose strands behind my ear. When I look up he's watching me but shifts his eyes to the ground.

"I got a question for you." He says quietly, meeting my gaze again. "Have you ever kissed anyone before?"

My brows furrow together. What another turn of question. But I think back to when I was younger, maybe 14 or 15, when I was still in the circus. A slave like me but he had a name, Bren. He wasn't a performer but he helped set up the tents or took care of the animals.

We were around the same age so we had spent a lot of time together throughout the years. As we got older though, something had changed between us. I guess you could say that an attraction grew. We realized that we did feel something more for each other. It was nice to have that kind of person during a time where we felt so alone. We could talk about anything, our fears, our hopes and dreams. What we had both feared was never being free and then we promised to get out to together. To start a life somewhere where Drakon couldn't find us.

Bren had found out that he was going to be sold and the night before the arrangement, he had kissed me. He told me of a plan to escape before we would be separated. It was quick and abrupt as I had to go on stage and perform but I held that thought and kiss with me. The thought of leaving and being with Bren gave me hope.

When I returned after the show he was gone though. Those hopes and dreams shattered and I was utterly alone again until Elyse arrived. Those few years between that time, I had wished to be sold or tried to get out myself to find Bren somehow. I thought about him everyday. I even told Elyse about him and her response was that he was my first love...

I chew on my lip looking down at my hands. "Yeah, a long time ago..."

"Hm." He mumbles then turns to the picnic basket where the glass pitcher sits and he pours himself another drink. "Your turn." He says before taking a sip.

My eyes lift up to him as he leans his head back drinking the yellow water. The lump on his throat bobs as he gulps it down. My eyes fall to his collarbone that's peeking out. Today he is in more casual wear, with just a shirt and trousers. No fancy armour or school clothes on. His shirt has short sleeves, stopping below his shoulders so his arms are showing. Toned, muscular arms I should say. Now seeing that, I can tell that he does train a lot.

"Do you think you are sexy?"

He coughs into the cup causing the water to sputter over his face. Oh, I must have startled him... I reach for his handkerchief to help him. He's got his hand over it already and I touch his hand instead.

"Sorry." I say pulling my hand back quickly while he continues to cough.

"No, no. It's fine." He says wiping his face. The driver comes running around the carriage but the King lifts his hand up. The man stops, nodding his head and goes back to where he was standing.

My attention turns back to Sebastian and I scoot closer to him with worry. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." He laughs. "Just was not expecting that."

Oh. "Was I not supposed to ask that?"

He shrugs setting the empty cup down then looks at me. "Well you can, but it would be conceited of me to answer that. Don't you think?"

My shoulders raise up. I'm not really sure what he means. The King frowns with a small smile.

His lips spread up to a dazzling smile. "I guess a large amount of women can agree that I'm good looking... But I wouldn't go so far to say that I am sexy." He turns to me, leaning forward. "Do you think I'm sexy?"

"I think you're handsome. I just found out yesterday what 'sexy' means so I'm not sure how to use that word yet.."

"You are... being honest..." He blinks at me with flushed cheeks.

"Yes, why wouldn't I?" I wouldn't have a reason to lie about that. He is handsome to me whether I want to admit that or not but he asked.

"Hm." He mumbles with pursed lips. "Then I'll be honest with you," He says shifting his upper body forward so his elbows rest on his bent legs. "I think you are the most beautiful woman I ever laid eyes on."

My mouth opens on its own. Oh dear, I was not expecting him to say that. Heat rises to my face as he stares at me. Countless men have said those words to me, including Hearthgrim but when Sebastian said it I almost believe him. I turn my head away to hide my face and say. "You're just saying that..."

"No." He says shaking his head then holds my gaze. "I sincerely mean it..."

It looks like he's about to say more but he closes his mouth and turns away. I bite my lip turning my eyes towards the wall. This man actually meant it without putting his advances on me... The growing silence unsettles me but Sebastian pipes up, asking if I have another question.

"What do you train for?" I ask him quietly.

"Combat, gain my skills in sword wielding and hand to hand combat."

"Why would a King need to know that?"

He chuckles shaking his head. "Everyone should know how to defend themselves but as a Ruler it is customary to know specific fighting skills." We look at each other for a moment then he stands with his hand extended. "Come on. I'll show you something that I think will be useful for you if you ever run into trouble."

What does he mean by that? I swallow hard as I take his hand and stand up facing him. I don't know if I like this but this might help me. If I had known how to fight, Elyse might still be alive today.

"First I can show you how to get out of someone's grip from the front." He waves his hand motioning me to come closer so I take a step forward. "I'll demonstrate the technique then I want you to try it, okay?"

I nod. He lifts his hands up and tells me to grab them tightly around the wrists. With a frown I do so. My fingers barely wrap around his thick wrists, he's very warm too...

"Now, if you are ever in a hold like this all you need to do is move your arms up," As he tells me, his arms lift up slightly with his palms facing each other then he thrusts them down spreading his hands apart, twisting out of my hands.

Well of course he got out of that, must have been easy to get out of my grasp. The young King smiles at me and says, "You try."

"Okay..." I raise my hands up but ask before he holds onto me. "You'll let go if I can't get out right?"

"Yes and I know you'll be able to get out." He says with a kind smile.

My lips form a hard line but I let him grab my wrists. When he gives me a nod I lift my hands up the same way he did and twist my hands outward as I push them down and somehow they are ripped out of his grasp. I stumble back with wide eyes. I managed to get out of his hold.

"There you go." Sebastian says grinning at me and I can't help but smile back.

I hope that I never have to use that move... But at least I know it now, incase something ever did happen. Now I will have some chance to get out without having to use my magic. I bow my head and thank him for teaching me something useful.

"It's no problem Cam." He says smiling then he frowns. "I'm sorry to do this but I only had a couple hours today. I need to head back..."

"Oh..." My eyes lower to the ground but I shrug it off. "That's okay, I enjoyed the tour. Thank you for showing me around." I tell him with a half smile.

"Me too... But it doesn't have to stop here, I can show you more tomorrow. If you like."

He seems awfully busy though. I don't want him to be away if he is needed somewhere else. I'm about to open my mouth to protest but he says. "I can pick you up in the morning again. I want to show you the higher districts."

I rub my arm looking out to the wall. "Okay, I would like that."