Arabella had a servant from the castle to come and bring Kefi to my room, and get the things necessary to raise him. Kefi didn’t seem too happy about leaving my side, but I wanted to look around some more and I didn’t need him tripping me or anyone else.

I’ll bring him something back for him as an apology.

The laughter of young children and adults fill my ears, young fauns and centaurs dash by. It looks like they’re playing a form of tag. The sight of them frolicking warms my heart, the rear back on their hind legs before dashing off again.

A pair of young female fauns and centaurs trot over, stopping once they spot me. They all look stunned for a moment, and I worry if I have something on my face.

The blonde long-curly haired centaur steps forward timidly, slowly making her way to me. The others look at her like she’s crazy, they stay close together like I’m gonna eat them or something.

I fall onto my knees to seem less threatening, the blonde pauses watching me. Her beautiful tail swings from side to side, her coat is a pale cream color making her skin glow. She has beautiful blue clear eyes, curious with wonder.

I smile at her once she moves closer “Hello.” I greet her softly, trying my best to not spook her. “Hi.” She smiles a rosy smile at me, her tail swinging faster. “My name is Beatrice.” The young girl nods, a smile still on her face. “I know! Your one of the chosen!” She says happily, looking me all over like I’m a painting on display.

A smirk reaches my lips “Why are you and the others so hesitant to come to me?” I ask as she sits next to me, she looks at me then the others before back at me again. “We were nervous, Ma says, not to bother the chosen.” She blushes, gesturing for the other girls to come over. They automatically dash over and surround me.

“Your hair is really pretty.” A faun says, her little deer tail flicking with silent excitement. I smile at all the young girls, all of them very beautiful and cute. “Thank you, I love your spots.” I say to the one that complimented my hair.

She blushes and looks away bashfully “May I braid it?” Another asks, looking up to me for permission. I smile and nod “Of course I would love that!” All the girls glow up with excitement, all of them getting straight to work.

We talk and laugh about everything and anything under the sun. They asked if I met a lot of males and if I already have a favorite. They even gave me suggestions, which blew my mind! These girls are too young for such talk, though nothing inappropriate has been mentioned thankfully. I don’t think I could have a talk like that with them just yet, maybe when they’re older.

Two older looking boys trot over “We were looking for you all. What are-” The older boy pauses noticing me, he blushes at seeing my braids, stumbling back slightly. “Doesn’t she look pretty!” One of the girls asks, both the boys too stunned to answer. The girls glower at them in distaste, but the eldest nods his head.

Older fauns and centaurs gallop over the hill, stopping once they see us. “There you girls are, we were looking for you.” One of the older female centaurs says, looking to me with shocked eyes, just now realizing I’m here.

The girls get up and trot over to those who look like their parents. I get to my feet smiling at them all, I look about just now realizing that a lot of eyes are on me from all over the field. I guess I got too distracted with the girls.

“I’m sorry I kept them too long!” I bow my head in respect, my new braids dangling down my face. “Oh not at all! Thank you for keeping them company, we know they can be a handful.” One of the women speaks up with a chuckle, the others laughing light heartedly as well.

A grin finds my face unable to contain it. The girls and their parents wave me off as they leave. I do the same with a smile on my face.

Not yet ready to leave I decide to go to one last stall, remembering to get something for Kefi. Right when I was about to leave, a deep voice fills my ears. “It was well nice of you to entertain those young fillies.” I turn to see a big centaur male, his coat a sorrel color. Deep blood-red long hair hangs down his torso. Braids similar to mine hanging here and there. His crystal blue eyes standing out from all the red.

He stands out like a sore thumb from everyone else. “It was nothing, I love playing with little kids.” He smiles down at me, he really is big. “Kids are the satyr’s young along with some fauns.” He grins, my face flushing from my mistake. I forgot they all call their young different things. “My apologies!” I bow slightly in apology.

He chuckles a deep rich laugh, one that can warm you from the inside. “Do not worry, some know you also call your young kids.” He leans forward slightly, taking one of my braids in his hand. “My peoples braids shoot you.” He says, a meaningful look in his crystal eyes.

“My name is Yvaine, I’m known as the scarlet warrior.” He says softly, bending down to kiss my braid. I don’t know why the action feels so intimate. So he’s a warrior centaur, I know a little about his people through the books I read. They’re very just, proud, honest, loyal, and honor driven. 

I find them very pleasant, the first race I’ve gotten a little closer with since coming here, besides the fairies of course. I would like to get to know them better, I can’t help but be curious about them.

“I’m Beatrice, one of the chosen. But I’m sure you already know that.” I look at him through my lashes, he grins “Yes, indeed I do.” I bite my lip, looking up at this massive male. “May I take you for a short stroll?” He asks, gesturing with his hand for me to take. 

I look back at Arabella who nods her head excitedly. This male must be someone that can help me if Arabella is encouraging me to go with him. I take a deep breath to calm my excited nerves, taking his hand, he gently holds mine in his as we move on.

Yvaine leads me on a small trail through the forest. Some glowing bugs, already rising from the grass and plants. My hand feels warm in his, for such a big male he is very gentle. 

“I hope your time here has been pleasant so far.” He says, his eyes glowing in the falling day. “It really has, I was worried before, but now I’m really happy and excited.” My hand clings to his slightly “I’m really adventurous and I wasn’t able to do much in my old village. So all of this is really magical to me, though I just miss my family.” I say looking down the path, remembering their smiling faces.

I really hope that they are ok and are not in pain. My leaving wasn’t the best, but if I knew what I was being thrown into I wouldn’t have fought so hard. It’s awful to say but this place gave me freedom, freedom to be who I wanted. Freedom to do what I wanted without the weight of my family on my shoulders.

“I believe anyone with strong family ties would miss them. If you could, would you go back?” He stops us in the middle of the path, looking down at me sincerely. I look up at him, my answer already at the forefront of my mind.

“No, I wouldn’t go back.” I look away, unable to hold his gaze as the words leave my mouth. “I felt trapped. For some reason my mother didn’t favor me so much. She believed that I was just a dreamer and trouble maker. My younger sister Camila was her favorite, she was more ladylike than I. She was beautiful and a lot of the young men in our village liked her. I wasn’t able to compare when I didn’t mind doing the hard labor or getting dirty.” I look down, my heart throbbing with pain.

Yvaine tilts my chin up to look into his clear blue eyes. He holds my dull ones with such passion and seriousness. “I am very thankful that you were brought here then. It gave me the chance to meet you, and get to know your gentle adventurous heart.” He declares, bending his knees to lay his body to the earth on my level.

Without realizing it I feel tears running down my fair cheek. Yvaine wipes away the treacherous tears with his gentle thumb. 

This is the first time I’ve genuinely cried since coming here. I don’t know what it is about this scarlet centaur that lets down my walls. In front of him I feel so bare and raw.

“A lady such as you should never shed tears.” He says, bringing his lips to my soaked cheeks, brushing them gently across my skin. The action and his words causes more silent tears to fall.

He brings me into his arms, cradling me into his hard bare chest. He lets me cry, whispering sweet words into my ear, treating me like I’m the most precious thing he cares for.

My eyes flutter open to find myself in a bed. Kefi is curled up in my arms, snoring softly. I blink away the haze, looking around to find myself in my room. What happened last night?

I remember walking with Yvaine and then-, my face turns red. Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I cried in front of a male I just met!

I pull Kefi into me tightly, trying to hide myself from the world. Kefi groans in annoyance, wiggling in my arms, he squeaks at me. He falls out of my arms huffing at me, before snuggling into my cheek.

“My lady.” I turn to see Arabella smiling at me warmly from across the room. “Good morning.” She says walking over to the side of my bed. “Good morning.” I blush looking up at her, Kefi getting comfortable again between my neck and shoulder.

“Arabella what happened last night?” I ask, truly a little nervous to know. She blinks at me then smiles again “Would you like to know the full story?” Oh no, what did that mean?! I nod not sure how to proceed with that information.

She nods “Lets see, after you and warrior Yvaine walked the tail alone for a bit. The scarlet warrior came back with you in his arms, passed out. At first I thought something had happened and I was about to show him a thing or two of why I’m your maid and no one else.” Arabella looks a little scary before she smiles “Though he smartly explained what had happened. After all he is the leading male of the centaurs, but you can never be too careful. Some of those bigger races don’t know how easily it is to hurt the chosen.” She says slightly annoyed.

My lips lift up in a smile, not able to help myself. I’ve never seen Arabella like this before, she’s always so composed and refined.

“Thank you for worrying Arabella, but it wasn’t anything like that. I feel embarrassed and sorry that sir Yvaine had to carry me back to you.” I say leaning up, causing poor Kefi to groan in annoyance again. I pick him up in my arms, he’s still so small. I pet him back to sleep, his little snores starting back up again.

“Today you will eat breakfast here and get ready for your lessons.” Arabella says, getting my dress ready for the day. “Lessons?” I ask, putting Kefi down, making sure not to wake him. 

She nods, sitting the dress down before coming over to me. “Yes, I think you’ll be excited to learn my lady!” She takes my hand, leading me over to the mirrors.

“What do I need to learn about?” I wonder, of course I know I still need to read more about all the races in Kroba.

“You will learn of our magic, and of our ways. Some of the creatures as well and their meanings. You may even learn of your affinity!” Arabella claps her hands excitedly, getting straight to work on taking my clothes off and putting my dress on.

Like always Arabella does magic, she always works fast, it’s no wonder she doesn’t really ever need help from the other fairies.

I look at myself in the mirror, liking what I see. The dress is very similar to ones I wore back at home. The corset isn’t too tight and the hem of the dress is just above my knees, long outdoor boots going up my caves. It’s a dress that’ll be easy to move and work in. The color is something I never owned though, it’s a ruby red.

“You look very nice my lady. I knew it would suit you.” Arabella says, looking proud of her work. I do really like it as well.

“You spoke of affinities before. What do you mean by it?” I ask, turning to her. She smiles elaborating “An affinity is something that everyone has. It can be magic to simply be able to do normal things very well.” She says.

“How do you find out your own?” I question.

“Most take a test. One you will take today! It’s simple, you’ll put on this magical hat and it’ll tell you!” I look at her shocked, that sounds crazy but fun. I wonder what the other girls will have?

“After you find out you can start training and learning more about it!” She says excitedly “Do you have any idea what mine will be?” I ask, genuinely curious about her thoughts.

She thinks for a bit before speaking “I honestly have no idea. Though I can tell you the affinities of the males you’ve already met!” That definitely peaks my interest!

“Yes I would really like too know!”

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