The King's Mistress

Chapter 78: The Knightess And The King

"What’s wrong, sweetling?" He asked without much thought.

He was more worried that perhaps Sierra caught a cold from being out in the open night air. Before he could say or do anything else, Sierra sidestepped away from him and hurriedly made her way back into the ballroom.

She stopped at the entrance of the balcony, where he stood just moments before, and turned back around.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. But I think it would be best for us to keep our distance." With that, Sierra curtsied and left the ballroom.

Ida followed her closely behind as they made their way back to Celestial Lodge. Ida remained silent throughout, uncertain of what to say or what to make of what had happened. When they finally got back to Sierra’s room, she went to start a hot water bath for the princess.

"There’s no need for that, Ida," Sierra said absentmindedly as she quickly changed out of the dress, "You can start the bath later. I... I need some fresh air."

"Fresh air? Now?" Ida asked, confused.

Sierra slipped into her casual attire swiftly and put on her boots. She needed to clear her mind and be with her thoughts. She needed some time alone. fгeewebnovёl.com

"Yes, I’m going out for a ride. I won’t be long," She said swiftly before leaving the room altogether.

Sierra headed straight down to the stables and took Midnight out. She saddled her horse and got on its back before taking off into the nearby forest. Though it was dark, it was also a full moon night. The moonlight guided her path as she continued her ride through the forest.

She did not stop until she came into a clearing. Midnight slowed down to a trot as they came up upon a hill. Sierra looked back. She had never come so far out in the forest before. She directed Midnight towards the hill and got off when they neared the top.

The cool night breeze was much stronger since she was so high up. Lucky for her, the long sleeves of her casual attire helped keep her a little warmer. Alistair came to mind immediately.

She recalled how he had taken her hands into his to warm her up. Her heart was pounding in her chest when he did that. Sierra brought her hands close to her heart.

"Is that what love is?" She whispered to herself. freewebnσvel.cøm

Looking over the hill she stood on, Sierra could see the Vargos castle in the distance. Beyond it, was the capital city that surrounded the castle. She turned to the other side.

Forest cover spread far out into the distance, as far as she could see. But over yonder, she could see there was another city, or perhaps another kingdom. Sierra turned to her horse.

"If I were to leave now, they would never be able to find me," she mused.

Sierra had everything she needed. Her twin swords were belted to her waist. Her casual attire was well suited for traveling long distances and she had Midnight with her. Opal was coiled on her wrist, sound asleep.

She took one step towards the view she saw of the Kingdom far out in the distance, but she dared not take another step. Memories of the times she had spent in Drakin flooded her mind.

She remembered the first time she met Ida. She remembered how she became friends with Myra. Most importantly, she remembered all the moments she shared with Alistair.

"I... I have feelings for him," she came to a realization.

The emotions she felt each time they met were always ever-changing. She could always hear her heart pounding in her ears. Sierra bit her lip. She knew what it was like to love someone. She had done it once before and it backfired in her face.

Sierra crumbled to the ground. She huddled her knees close to her face as she buried her face in them.

What if things turned out the same way again?

What if she gets manipulated again? Was she willing to take the risk and fall in love again?

"Are you thinking of escaping, sweetling?" Alistair’s voice rang in Sierra’s mind.

She did not know why or when he popped into her mind but that was the least of her worries now.

"I just want to live a carefree life, that’s all I want." She mumbled.

"What makes you think you can’t?"

The reply surprised her. At that moment, Sierra was certain she was hearing Alistair’s voice in reality, not just in her head. She looked up, only to see Alistair looking right back at her.

Was this all a dream?

Perhaps, in reality, she was just sound asleep in bed at Celestial Lodge, murmuring like a madwoman. Perhaps Ida might wake her up soon. Sierra pinched her own arm. The searing pain made her wince.

She wasn’t asleep.

Alistair really was right in front of her.

"Alistair? What are you doing here?" She had forgotten all of their formalities at that moment.

They were in the middle of a vast forest. They were alone. Alistair could not help but smile as he caressed her cheek. When she left the ballroom suddenly, he did not know what to do. His feet did the thinking for him. He did not care about the ball or the Royal decorum he had to abide by.

He only wanted to be with Sierra

Nothing else mattered.

This time, Sierra did not move away. Neither did she flinch from his touch. She stood still, gazing into his eyes under the moonlight. Alistair was still in his Royal garments, the ones he had worn earlier. He still had the mask on his face, the one that kept his real face hidden from the rest of the world. The face only a few had seen but many had rumored about.

"I...," he was tongue-tied, unable to piece the words he wanted to speak.

He had everything planned out, he swore. But the moment he saw Sierra looking out in the far distance, the moment he heard her utter those words; everything faded away.

"Shouldn’t I be asking you the same thing?" He whispered to her.

Sierra bit her lip, "You don’t have any control over where I can and cannot go, Your Majesty."

In a single sentence, the wall that had separated was rebuilt. Alistair shrugged his hand away, not knowing Sierra was yearning for more. She cursed herself internally for adhering to the rules that separates them.

Could a knightess really fall in love with a King?