P.O.V: Extern

The morning was fresh and pleasant. The landscape wore his beautiful white coat and the sound of footsteps in the snow mixed with the songs of the birds. One large skeleton walked quietly while another smaller one had fun while following him.

- Don't get your clothes too wet after you get cold.

- Yes don't worry !

- You're very happy today.

Says the vampire with the blue marks while smiling when he sees the youngest. The latter happily clung to his arm.

- That's because I'm in great shape ! I've never slept so well, so it revitalized me !

- Glad you're feeling better then !

- Yes ! Hehe ! I'm practically cured !

Then the child starts jumping around again around his friend. They should reach the castle in the night if all goes well.

Speaking of castles, the atmosphere was rather relaxed. The young painter woke up alone, a sign that the prince had to go to a literature class. The king is very strict about ancestral laws and learning. It will not be easy to convince him, but as long as he is here, Encre doesn't intend to give up. He was currently in the process of sketching. He had been allowed to leave on the ramparts so he landed on the ledge with a small notebook and drew the castle. He had also made sketches of the forest and guards of the surrounding area. Of course, he would ask them for their opinion before implementing it. This allowed him to get to know and learn more about this place.

P.O.V: Encre

It's a very old castle that dates back several centuries. The royal family has always ruled with the same laws on this country. A change would mean making a revolution to the past, which is absolutely unthinkable. I think in a way, that's what I respect them for. Their respect for their elders, their ancestors. But I have the impression that they are more concerned with following in the footsteps of their preceptors, rather than paying attention to the inhabitants. Like horses wearing blinkers, following only what is in front and forgetting to step back. And even if they may seem harsh on the outside, when we talk, when we get to know them better, they keep a certain amount of sympathy in them. I hope I can do something to help... After all, even if I could get to Fallacy, I couldn't help but worry... So I might as well do something.

I had just finished my umpteenth sketch when I heard some noise. Voices. I bent over to see what was happening and saw knights coming out of what was supposed to be their quarters. Yet they don't have the same clothes...

- Melianor, who are these knights ?

The man named Melianor is one of the knights guarding the walls with whom I got to know.

- Them ? It's the Kids. Knight apprentices who think they are superior to anyone. Even on their own. I'd put them back in their places, but I don't want to lose my post.

- Like many people in this country I suppose....

Had I sighed. Unfortunately, he heard me and replied.

- Oh, no, but they're worse than anything. If you have the misfortune of running into one of them, do everything you can to disappear as soon as possible. They have no mercy and if you're to their liking, run for your ass. These kids are little bastards, so keep your distance. The leader of their "gang" is Flin. The worst of all.

- Oh, I understand... Thanks for the advice.

- And stop saying "thank you"! I hate that word ! Politeness is very little to me.

He returned to his post as I continued to watch the training of the "Kids" as he calls them. They're really good at it. Whether on horseback or on foot, they are really good at fighting. And their leader, this Flin... I feel like I've heard that name before somewhere.... Maybe when I see his face, I'll remember who he is. So I bent down to observe them from the wall. I had put down my notebook and my pencil to cross my arms and put my head in the hollow.

- Line up !!!

- Yes, old man.

- Watch your mouth, lackey.

- I'm not your asshole's lackey !

- I'm your superior, so be careful !

- Oh, yeah ? And what are you going to do about it ? Forcing me to lick your peasant boots ?

- You w-

- Come on, come on. My friends, come on, keep your cool ! We'll have plenty of time to have fun afterwards~

- If you say so, Flin. But I hate being given orders !

- You're in a knighthood school, so don't expect any free time 24 hours a day.

- Well, let's take it up again, chief~

Then the chief resumed his exercise. So he is the famous Flin... Strange, he still doesn't tell me anything.... Should I go talk to him after ? Although.... Melianor warned me that I shouldn't go near him... Yes, I'd rather ask Suave.

While I was thinking, I noticed that then Flin's gaze was staring at me. It seems he had seen me and seemed to be intrigued. Embarrassed by being fixed, I moved away from the edge to no longer be in sight. He makes me uncomfortable...

I was greeting the guards as I walked inside. I wonder what I'm going to do now... I used my last sheets to make a pocket to put my sketches in...

So I was walking around the halls, with no clear purpose. I stayed in my thoughts without really paying attention to where I was going. What came out of my moment almost like a sleepwalker was a cheerful voice and a pea on my back, a sign that I had just been jumped on.

- Eeeeennnccrrreee !

- W-Wren ?!

- All these boring courses have exhausted me... I need some energyyyy !

- Aaah ! You're tighting me too much !

- Haha your bones are made of porcelain !

- But ?!

- No buts ! Come on !

- Huh ?!!

He took me in his arms and carried me running. I was completely hooked on him for fear of falling. That's what I kept repeating, which made him laugh even more. He took a wicked pleasure in scaring me by running into the corridors and different stairs losing me in all these turns...

- W-Wren, don't go down the stairs ! We're going to fall !!

- But come on, let's go !

- Yesyesyesyes we're going to fall !!!

- Hahahaha ! I never thought I'd believe you as a neutral painter, being able to have such a fearful side !

- Haaaaa that's not funny !!!

- Oh, yes it is ! Hahahaha !!!

He was laughing so hard that he slipped and we screamed together. Fortunately we were two steps from the ground, which didn't make a too big shock. It was also caught up by landing on my hands, just above me. He looked me in the eye and I could see all this desir in it.

- Encre...

- I-I'm sorry...

And you know very well why...

- ...

He looked sad... After all, I'm the only person he has ever met other than these servants and his father... It may only be the friendship he feels for me but not really knowing what it is, he distorts it into love...

- But... Who is he ? What does he look like ? What's his name ?? What's better than I don't have !

- Wren, it's a feeling that can't be explained... You can't say one person is better than another ! Everything happens here.... He decides and you can't stop him.

I had put my hand on the place of my soul. He seemed to think for a moment and then put his hand on mine too. He grabbed it and moved it from my chest to give me a hand kiss.

- I understand Encre... But...

He put my hand over my head and bring his face closer to mine.

- If your soul is already taken....

He blocked my second hand with the other and from that free hand, passed under my shirt caressing my bones and took my soul to take it out despite my protests.

- I just have to get her to react to something else to make sure I have a connection to all this.

- W-Wren don't do that !!!

- If I can't take your love, then I'll take your body.

He was licking my soul which made me dig my back violently in a groan of surprise. He kept tasting it and looking at me. He took it completely in his mouth like a candy or rather a piece of gum. My body was attacked by gusts of electricity and pleasure. He caressed my bones as he discovered more and more plots of my rib cage. Even after he freed my hands, the discharges were such that I had no opportunity to defend myself.

- W-Wre-aah~ S-stoooop- ! Stop it !! Gnh~

He took my soul out with his hand and then savagely attacked my mouth. He didn't go through a simple kiss, but directly with his tongue dancing with mine. He held my jaw and kneaded my soul with the other, making me moan between our lips(?). I felt that I would soon let myself go as Wren jumped.

- M-m-my L-Lord.... I-I'm really sorry to disturb you, but the King is asking you... Now...

- ...All right...

He straightened up with regret and my soul took its place by itself after he had dropped it. As soon as he was no longer in sight, Suave rushed towards me as I had stayed on the ground to catch my breath.

- My Lord, are you all right ?

- Y-yes.... Thank you very much Suave.... Thank you...

- What do you mean ? You weren't...

- Agreeing ? Not really... I... S-Suave... I already love someone else... And he knew it... B-but he... He...

He hugged me in his arms as I cried. Not tears of fear, but sadness at being trailed....

- He said he would help me... He promised me that....

- Shhhh, calm down, Lord Encre.... Breathe....

- I-I want to see him again.... I want to find him....

- A skeleton with black bones and beautiful blue marks around the eyes ?

I walked away from him and looked at him with eyes full of tears and stupor. He smiled at me when he saw that he was right and helped me to get up.

- Come on, I'll explain it to you.

We would go into the room and sit together on the bed so that he could tell me everything he knows. I was filled with hope and joy.

- So Fallacy is here ?! He came to get me ?! Really ??

- Yes, and he was determined to find you !

- But... If the kid's with him, it means he's fine.... I'm reassured !

- That's correct.

- Thank you Suave for giving me the moral support with all this wonderful news ! I'm really relieved....

- You're welcome, my Lord. But... As for me Lord Wren....

- Don't worry, I don't hold a grudge. If he acted like that, it's probably because he just lacks love !

- My Lord... You are really tolerant with others...

- I just think he's not a bad person ! Certainly I may be more distant than before but far from wanting to change our friendship ! Oh, but Suave !!

- Yes ?

- Why don't we take Wren for a walk outside ? Outside the castle !

- Wha- Really ?! But you know very well that the king will never accept !

- Even if we say it's to take a ride with the patrol ?

- No, the King is very strict about it...

- Mmm... What if... That's right, yes !

- Huh ?

- Who said the king had to know ?

Suave swallowed her saliva sideways and coughed slightly.

- Do you think so very seriously ?! You're going to have serious problems, Lord !

- Don't worry about it ! We'll go out in the daytime, no one will notice !

- This is crazy... But if you do, then I'll follow you.

- Thank you Suave !

I hugged him very happy. He gave me back my hug and offered to accompany me to the kitchen. He knew I had nothing to do and that was the only thing that came to his mind. I'm all excited ! Things will definitely get better ! Or worse ? Well, we'll see about that !

I was helping Suave make strawberry and orange tarts. I've never baked a pastry before, it's fun !

- You're doing really well, Lord !

- Thank you ! All we have to do now is put them in the fridge, right ?

- That's right.

Once that was done, we walked down the hall talking quietly. I was able to meet the cooks even though, as with the soldiers, there are some of them with whom I get along less well than others. It's like everything else anyway, you can't be loved by everyone. We were passing by a clock, which reminded me of something.

- Suave, do you think Wren is done with the King ?

- Especially. I'm not sure why he called him, but he didn't seem angry so it shouldn't be negative.

- Why don't we go check it out ? We'll tell him about our idea !

- I agree with that. But for that you have to turn around !

- Hehe, I sure get lost easily here !

- Over time you get used to it.

So we headed for the King's room. And as expected, Wren was in the hallway and seemed thoughtful. He jumped slightly when I called him.

- Wren ?

- O-Ow! Encre... It's you...

- Wren.... If you think back to earlier, I don't blame you. You are in need of affection and you don't know anyone from the outside so that's normal. If you accept it, we can restart from the beginning, okay ?

I smiled at him while he hesitated. He looked me in the eye for a long time and then wanted to like hugging me but ended up holding back.

- Hugs can be in love but also friendly ! It's a gesture of affection that can comfort and show the other that you love him or her, or another friendly feeling. It all depends on what you want to convey through this act.

- So... If I want to prove to you that I owe you an enormous debt of gratitude, can I give you a hug without love ?

- That's it !

He laughed and came to give me a hug and thanked me. It's like he just discovered something new. Well, I think from now on, I might explain to him a lot of things that normally his mother would have done. It doesn't bother me ! With him and Suave, we went to our room to pose and talk.

- Get out ??

- Yes, so you can discover a lot and learn more about your country !

- But Father always strongly forbade me to do so ! If we go out, we'll have very big problems...

- But didn't you ever want to escape from these walls to see what's around you ?

- Yes, but...

- Then come on ! Come with us with Suave !

- But if you go out... You'll probably want to find your beloved... And you will leave...

- Wren... I...

- We can't get out.

- ...All right... Wren... If I promise you I won't run away, would you accept ?

- A promise ?

- Yes...

- ...Then it's okay. If you don't abandon us, that's fine with me.

- Great !

- When do we leave ?

- The sooner is better, so I propose after curfew.

- That's a good idea. Suave, will you meet us at the stables ?

- Understood m'Lord.

- It's decided ! We're going out tonight !

- But for now you need to regain your strength, my Lords ! Dinner should be served soon.

- Perfect ! Let's go to the big room. Encre ?

He held out his hand to me and I took it to get up with a smile. The King was once again absent during the meal. Everything went smoothly until the exact time of our little escape. Wren had turned into a bat to play scout and not get caught. Strangely, he was completely red in color in animal form. It's fun ! Suave quickly joined us at the meeting point and we started to go when I stopped.

- Wait... Don't forget Master !!

~•°•~

Hello/Bevening/Happy Birthday- Welp lol

The last cover page in color by Encre (@encrelecookie) on Instagram and @dearencre on Trumblr) received the most votes and it's now the new cover page of this book ! She's a very good friend and when I showed her your comments, it made her extremely happy !

I hope you like the turn of events and I thank you very much for all your votes ! I had already thanked you for the +5k that we have just exceeded 6k !! It's incredible !!! Thank you !!! ♡

Small image of Wren's bat version X) (sorry for the artists, I don't know who the drawings belong to...)

See ya~