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Chapter 8: His New Personal Attendant

*Ciana*

“Wait for me!”

My new friend, the python, led me along winding paths, through beautiful trees with green, vibrant leaves, and enchanting gardens the likes of which I’d not seen closer to the main castle.

The colors were more vivid, the blooms in shades of purple and red that shimmered in the sun like gemstones, and the scents that filled my lungs were intoxicating. I felt like I was in a fairy tale.

It was so worth it to skip meeting the king. Instead of trying to please the two dreadful royals, I was able to experience this lovely place instead. I couldn’t help but smile to myself-it was certainly the right decision.

After half an hour of meandering about, I began to see a structure in the distance, rising up out of the ground like a beacon of enchantment. Wooden and weathered, it appeared as if it had been standing there keeping careful watch over these parts for many years, and since the python was slithering right toward it, I began to understand that this was where we were headed.

“Do you want to show me what’s hiding there?” I asked him.

He turned and looked at me, his eyes still gleaming, and his fork tongue flicked a response I had to assume was an

affirmative.

I continued to follow him toward the hexagon-shaped building, and before we arrived I realized it was a pavilion, a place where one was meant to sit and enjoy the beauty of nature that inhabited this place.

I wondered how many people had ever had a chance to visit here. With it nestled in the heart of the prince’s private courtyard, it was not easily obtainable to just anyone.

The python glided up the stone path, right to the opening, and then lingered on the steps, waiting for me to come in.

I hesitated. Just because Prince Theo assigned me to care for his animals in his zoo, that didn’t mean he’d approve of me taking liberties with the rest of his territory.

Yet, no one was around, and I couldn’t see the harm in just peeking my head in. If someone did come near, I could always tell them that I’d followed the python inside and wanted to make sure he wasn’t causing any problems.

Tentatively, I climbed the three steps that led to the open door. Inside, plenty of plush seating invited one to sit and relax while listening to the sounds of the birds chirping in the trees, the animals playing in the distance, and the soft buzz of

insects.

If the prince truly enjoyed visiting this place, perhaps he and I had more in common than I ever would’ve imagined.

I wasn’t sure how to digest that thought. The Dark Prince was cold and cruel, and I had never thought of myself even a tiny bit as either of those things.

knew them.

“Thank you for sharing this place with me. You’re a kindhearted friend.”

be called something other

had no way of communicating that name with me. Tapping my chin, wondered aloud, “What’s a

guess. “What about… Robert?” That didn’t seem to suit him either. Studying his face, I thought, “You look like a Pete. Pete the Python!” His eyes lit up

I decided from now on, that’s what I would

looking at the intricate carvings in the wood, but then, I noticed that

the door, there was a circular stairwell made of iron

noted that it was much lower inside than it appeared to be outside and thought

be a second story.

but by then, he was

no one was nearby before I

the top of the pavilion. It was unrecognizable from

other plants were grown.

as he crossed into the space. The scent of fresh earth filled my lungs, as well as the fragrance from the flowers and

way, I saw a variety of berries and was immediately curious about them. They looked delicious, plump and

ear against the wooden floor, trying

and I closed my eyes, shaking my head in dread, because I recognized

can protect you from my animals to a degree, but

288 Wauchoze,

is a matter I can handle on my

recognize that voice anywhere. And

voice say. Yes, it had to be King Sebastian himself! “I’m not frightened of your animals. I might be older than I was when my wolf used to fight on the battlefield, but I can defend myself, I assure you. Besides,

What in the world was

I held a finger to my lips, silently begging

muttered just at the bottom of the stairs. “I

heard the royal father and son begin to climb the

into trouble. And I already had so many strikes against me. What

python, whose name was Perceval, apparently, and not Pete, though

thumbs up, I

Prince Theo wouldn’t feel the need to come up the stairs. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself

L