Locke scratched his face unhappily as he studied the princess off in her corner, both eyes glued to the window.

Although he might be her champion Locke was in a very vulnerable position. He didn't want the princess to decide against him and choose some other, seeing as how he didn't actually have to fight any dragon, he had not proved himself worthy.

Locke realized a little late that he needed her on his side, but it had been a very long time since he had ever charmed someone, much less royalty.

When he was a fresh-faced knight there was no shortage of beautiful girls who would throw themselves at his feet. Now he was a sinister looking enforcer for his menacing family and there were no shortage of persons scrambling just to get out of his way.

He could terrify people into doing what he wanted, but charming them had been one of his lost arts.

Lailoken Vaugrenard eyed the princess from his position by the bed, still sitting in his full suit of armour.

He certainly didn't want to take it off in front of her, it would only increase the apparent disgust she felt for him. Which was such a strange thing! They had been getting along well, she spoke with him as if he really were some worthy champion, and casually flirted with him on their way to the inn. Although he didn't indulge in warm feelings found outside of a mug of ale, the princess was at the very least beautiful, and she treated him kindly which Locke wasn't at all used to.

Then she suddenly withdrew from him, for no reason.

It wasn't as if he had been unkind or cruel, he carried her down a bloody mountain!

"What's happened?" Locke muttered out loud as he rubbed his face raw.

He looked up when the princess was staring at him after he had spoken aloud.

"Pardon?" Princess Fenice asked, still wearing her weary, lost expression.

Locke gritted his teeth together out of frustration and undid the strap around his waist that held his mean looking sword.

It clanked to the ground as he stood up suddenly, trying his best not glare at her since the princess was already acting coldly towards him.

He shouldn't even care! As if anyone would believe that the princess had transformed into a dragon, kidnapped herself and transformed back the second Locke had set foot on Drahomíra.

He was her only option, but he couldn't stand her being mad at him.

"You haven't said a word all evening." Locke calmed himself and did his best to speak in a gentle voice. "What has made you so unhappy?"

He immediately regretted the question when the princess stared back at Locke with disappointment in her saffron eyes.

Why did it bother him so to see that look? Just because the princess was the only one who had faith in him? Just because she had been kinder to him than his own family? It had barely been three hours since they met! 

Locke sighed, he felt like one of the gutter rats of Anir.

"You didn't need to be so cruel to that man," the princess glared at Locke as if she had expected better of him and he had betrayed her. "The innkeeper was absolutely frightened of you after you threatened him like that."

"The innkeeper!" Locke roared in exasperation without meaning to. He lowered his voice when she flinched but the feeling was the same in his tone. "That's what bothered you?"

Princes Fenice's face scrunched up again, her anger returning.

"Yes." She pursed her lips out. "It was so unlike you, Locke."

He couldn't stand her dejected looks any longer, and he hated that he felt badly for disappointing her. And worse than all of that, he knew she was wrong.

"You don't know who I am to be able to say what is like or unlike me," Locke hissed, his blue piercing eyes cutting through Fen now. "I am Lailoken of house Vaugrenard, I am not a kind man- and before this day we'd never even met!" He exploded at her, the very last inches of composure vanishing in the night. "I don't know what man you expected when you wrote my name on your list, but I am not him."

He hated the princess for ever having faith in him. It wasn't his fault her expectations of him had been too high.

Fen's face crumpled and she shook her head, unable to force the words, but Locke understood enough that she simply couldn't be around him any longer.