Chapter 16
“Well, it’s time I got back to the palace,” Turrin said to Emmy, Yuki, Theo, and Celia as they stood outside the bakery, the sun beginning its daily descent. Their time together was surprisingly fun, though the normally exuberant Turrin craved his cot after such a confusing day.
The prince and Miss Celia seemed to know each other. How is he so popular? Though, to her credit, she didn’t seem to care about his title.
Lost in his own thoughts, he tuned out the chatter around him, oblivious to Celia’s attempts to engage him. However, there was one person who had paid very close attention to Celia throughout their meal.
Theo watched with amusement as Celia hung on Turrin’s every word. He’d never known her to be very enthusiastic about anything; it was a welcome change. He glanced at Turrin.
So that’s her type, huh?
He hadn’t expected her to go for someone with such youthful charm and optimism. But something about it made her seem more like her age. Suppressing his desire to tease her about it, he reminded himself of his vow to turn over a new leaf.
“Yuki and I have some business to attend to before heading back to town. Why don’t you walk Celia back since it’s the same direction? Don’t worry Turrin, we didn’t forget about your sister. Miss Emaline, would you like us to escort you home?” Theo ventured.
Their late lunch, almost dinner, was quite pleasant—all things considered. But the notion of walking between the two of them made her squirm.
“I’ll just pop over to Miss Abigail’s, so please don’t worry about me.”
With that settled, Theo smiled smugly at Celia who, to her credit, didn’t appear flustered at all. He couldn’t say the same for Turrin though, as a ruddy hue appeared on his cheeks.
“Oh! Uh, sure thing, boss.”
Theo squinted at him, “Hael is a bad influence on you.”
Turrin let out a nervous laugh, said goodbye to Emmy, and offered Yuki a quick bow of the head before gesturing for Celia to follow him. Theo beamed at his matchmaking skills as he watched the two wander off, but just as he was turning away Celia tossed him a disapproving glare over her shoulder.
Predictable to her core, Theo smiled at her and waved, undeterred.
* * *
Turrin and Celia walked silently, side by side as the sun gently set, its soft beams painting a becoming glow on Celia’s cheeks. He turned to look at her while they walked through the near deserted town. To him, she seemed as unpredictable as a whirlwind, doing as she willed without a moment’s notice, first bold, then bashful.
“I believe you’re staring,” Celia said flatly, though her heart was racing.
“Ah, you caught me. I was unaware that you also lived near the palace. Not that I know everyone nearby,” he drifted off, suddenly self conscious.
“But almost?” she asked, finishing his abandoned sentence.
She’d almost forgotten the concealment spell she used when she went into town. Unlike Yuki, she preferred a simplistic method to obscuring her identity. Magic users like Yuki and Emmy had no trouble seeing through it, but the average Falworthian couldn’t see through it. It was just as she liked it.
He smiled agreeably, “Well, I try to get to know everyone around me at least.”
The Finchlys were unlike any family Celia had met before. Affable, direct, and empathetic. She couldn’t help but compare them to her own dysfunctional family. Since she failed to hide her familiarity with Yuki, she figured he’d pieced her identity together—but it appeared not. She wasn’t sure if she felt relieved or disappointed.
“I hadn’t expected to see you at my parent’s shop. And you were with Commander Theo. I didn’t know you were acquainted.” Turrin looked shyly at Celia.
How do I get out of this mess? Celia sighed to herself.
Why did being a royal entail such an arduous personal life? She wasn’t sure she wanted Turrin to see her as the Royal Princess, rather than simply Miss. Celia, Emmy’s friend. Either way, Turrin’s curious eyes hadn’t left her. Was he waiting for an explanation—or was he merely making small talk? She couldn’t tell.
“Yes, we ran into each other there. It appears we both have a fondness for bread, among other things,” she replied, her voice quieting toward the end of her sentence.
Why was he there? Celia wondered.
She knew Theo long enough to know that he never did anything arbitrarily. Though, frankly, she wished he did. He seemed as bound to the palace as her and Yuki. Whatever the reason, he wasn’t there on a light lunch break, though she did see his eyes drift toward Emmy more times than she liked.
“I see. Would you mind me asking how you know each other? He spends most of his time training or studying by himself. Does he have a secret life I know nothing about?” he asked wryly, trying to lighten the mood.
This was tedious. She didn’t wish to lie to him, but did he really need to know the extent of their relationship? She wasn’t one to dive into backstories, and even an adorable plea from the boy next to her wouldn’t change her mind.
“We’ve known each other for a long time,” she said simply. “If you’re so interested in the Commander, you should ask him yourself.” Celia found her feet moving faster than before, putting her ahead of Turrin.
Ugh, what am I even mad about? It’s not like he meant anything by it. Besides, Celia cupped her cheeks with her hands, it was her first time alone with Turrin and she was blundering it!
“I’m not interested in the Commander,” a voice called behind her. “I’m interested in you.”
Celia slowed her gait and whipped around, practically nose-to-nose with Turrin.
Eep! So close.
Turrin inched back. “I just mean, I’m curious about you is all.”
Celia remained still, her big eyes bearing into his. Desperate to fill the silence, Turrin continued, “Anyway, please don’t rush ahead. It’s getting dark. The road is uneven and I’ve even tripped a time or two. Near broke my nose once.”
Without moving her body, Celia closed her eyes.
Wait, what is she—
“Luminesce.”
Suddenly a ball of light emerged from her upturned palm. Turrin's eyes bulged. A magic user?
Celia’s face glowed in the orb’s blue-tinged light, beautiful. Snap! With the flick of her fingers the orb separated into twenty or thirty small orbs, floating around them.
“That should do,” Celia said, with a satisfied gleam in her eye. Her former uptight body language relaxed as she admired the orb’s light. To Turrin, this woman was – in a word – a conundrum. Celia slowly resumed walking while Turrin continued to admire her handiwork.
“They’ll follow us as we walk,” Celia called over her shoulder.
Turrin picked up his pace, though began walking in a circle, his head craned to watch the orbs as they followed his every direction. He appeared like a dog chasing its own tail. Celia couldn’t help but enjoy watching him flail around, acting ridiculous and yet endearing at the same time.
So cute! Celia delicately placed her gloved hand on her heart to quell its overactive beating.
“Look! Celia, they like me!” Turrin said with undue jubilance.
“Be careful, you might—”
* * *
“I can’t believe I took a tumble right after my warning to you. How embarrassing,” Turrin moped, sitting inside the palace’s infirmary. It was a location he was quite familiar with, considering his scrapes and wounds from training and surveillance missions. Nevertheless, he’d never come for something so menial as a scratch.
“You don’t mind that the physician is out?” Turrin asked cautiously. It was customary for men and women to keep some distance if secluded, not that Turrin would try anything.
“I prefer it this way, don’t you?”
Turrin’s mind whirled. Is she saying she likes being alone with me? Surely not… we’ve just met.
“I know I’d be embarrassed to tell a medical professional that I fell flat on my face running in circles on the town square.”
Turrin’s fanciful imagination dissipated immediately. You dummy!
“Well, you’re not wrong about that Miss Celia,” Turrin said with an awkward laugh. “I guess the Commander wasn’t exaggerating when he said you lived near me. I’d never guess that you work here too!”
Celia focused her eyes on the scratch on his hand. She hadn’t even known where the infirmary was before today. Whenever she was sick, a physician would personally visit her in her chambers. And yet, here she was, in the quiet of the infirmary, gently holding his hand steady. She knew Turrin’s life had troubles, just like anyone. Yet, she’d spent two decades perfecting her iron-clad wall; surely it couldn’t break so easily.
“It’s quite a large palace. It’s not surprising we haven’t seen each other before.” It was an indirect response, but it was the only thing she could offer.
Turrin was cuter than Emmy's decorative button jar—but Emmy had urged her to be cautious when letting someone into her heart.
Yes, lest he thinks of me as another mere porcelain doll, to be painted and left on a shelf.
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