I step into the hall, but she's gone. I was too slow to realize things. I touch my lips again. I refuse every kiss suggested. It felt weird to be told 'kiss her' as part of a mission. It wasn't our first kiss.
Our first kiss was when she had the thousand year sleep curse on her. Put there by my father. True love's kiss is the fastest way to break the curse. Then she kissed me after I wasted myself with magic.
This was... The first time... It wasn't because of...
"Thomas?" William stares at me.
"Why are you still here?" I face my friend. William is not a knight. As a future head of household, he isn't allowed to be. His grin says a lot. "You have permission to bother me whenever." I sigh.
"Yup. Which means if you are in the knight halls, I can be too. If I have a reason to reach out to the halls for your sake, I am allowed." He looks about. "Nice place."
"This is my room." I allow him in. "You know where I am always."
"I do. Part of my job." William drops on a free bed. "Comfy. I may want to put myself on your direct guard."
I groan. "William..."
"Better a friend, right?" He sighs watching me. I plop back on my bed. "Your father..."
"So you told him everything."
"Kinda have to." William shrugs. "I will be limiting certain pieces, but over all, he gets everything." He shrugs. "What other option do I have? Odin and the queen can read things. So if I leave anything out..." William looks away. They'll learn anyway and William will not have the same allowances. "They were worried about a lot of things. I am supposed to pressure you into a relationship with Jessica too. I am not telling them about your feelings."
I shiver and touch my lips. "I..."
"Yeah. Like her. I get it."
I glare at my friend. "We're true loves. That's how we broke Father's curse on her."
William whistles. "Lucky." I roll my eyes. "I always saw her in my mind's eye. It was often I dream about her while I stayed with you at the castle. Since they were nice dreams I never minded. The spell is blocked on you though. Luck was the only way to find out the truth."
I sink. My parents think she is my true love because we met as children. And even recently, she never saw her true love after seeing me. I cannot be seen in such a spell. "What's her name?"
"Nope." William grins. "You can't trick me. I may explain things if I pull off a relationship with her."
I chuckle hiding my mouth again. The kiss... Was so light... That's all we've had so far.
"You're thinking of Jessica."
If I admit to that... I sigh. "She's not joining Harvest Mission."
"I will be in the area, but I won't be at your side during. I know Butch will be with you. Any request for others? Or who your lead will be? Which red?"
"Tough questions." I close my eyes. "Are we testing any knights during the harvest mission?"
"Yes. Several. Raida has the full details. You are just another white knight there. Don't try to act like you're leading things."
Don't act the crown prince. Just be a knight for now. "Jessica... Hated the fact I murdered Lord Telligence. He wasn't a threat right then."
"But you have more history than she does. I trust your actions. You don't just murder others. Even if we tease you incessantly."
I stare at him. William is bubbly today. "Sorry for how I acted during the mission."
"You were cranky that you weren't lead. And that you had to be surrounded by threats every moment of every day. And that you couldn't have a relationship with the person you really want." William grins. "Sorry myself."
"You aren't sorry." I scoff at him.
"You hated the fact your best friend was leading the mission when I am not even a knight." William touches his chest so proudly. I grunt. "You don't want to be leader, but hate following. I always knew that. Butch and Jessica were confused, though. It's why I didn't mind." William knows me. "I should tell them the story of how you treated Odin right off the bat. I'd be seen as treated angelically then."
I shiver. "Please don't."
"Alright. I'm glad you treat those ranked above you differently."
I frown. Even when I went about with Hydrangea and Raida... I Didn't see myself below them. And they did give me respect as per my position.
"Jessica is going to force you into acceptance."
I close my eyes thinking of that light peck she offered me. She wanted.
"So... Should I request being your main guard for a while? Or will you take a chance?"
I look at my friend. If he's offering then then he thinks it's likely I will be given a full time guard. Those days were always the worst. And given my current position... They'll live in this room with me. I grunt. Take a chance. Jessica will make sure I have a full guard going anywhere. Will my parents require constant watch? "Yes, William. That would be better."
"Alright. I'll be back then." William salutes and disappears.
It wouldn't be the first time I had William in my space. And if I must have a full time guard I would rather they be a friend.
William understood why I acted as I did. And Jessica knew I'd feel safer with a full guard surrounding me. But only if I could trust that guard.
I sit up watching the mirror. "I need to create a full guard team that I can trust." My friend circle is too small. I need more people I can trust. I don't mind if we fight occasionally, but I need to know they won't join the enemy or use their position to cause me harm.
How do I? I feel so limited in who I can trust.
I close my eyes thinking of that kiss again. "I trust Jessica."