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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

know, a friend like you deserves to be called something other than just ‘the python.’

with

to suit him either. Studying his face, I thought, “You look like a Pete. Pete the Python!”

me, and I decided from now

then, I noticed that Pete had nudged against a panel

circular stairwell made of iron that

was much lower inside than it appeared to

be a second story.

go up?” I asked Pete, but by then, he

one was nearby before I followed

of the stairs, 1 gasped. What lay before me was a greenhouse built into the top of the pavilion. It was unrecognizable from the ground level, but up

other plants were grown.

drawn in by the brightly colored plants, my feet started moving forward behind Pete as he crossed into the space. The scent of fresh earth filled my lungs, as well as the fragrance from the flowers and fruit

was immediately curious about them.

downstairs. Inhaling deeply, I held my breath and pressed my ear against the wooden floor, trying my best to listen and praying that it was just my imagination and I

my eyes, shaking my

here. I can protect you from my animals to a degree, but it is

288 Wauchoze,

this is a matter I

Theo! I would recognize that voice anywhere. And was he talking to

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

in the world was he

feet. I held a finger to

just at the

father and son begin to climb the stairs, my heart nearly ripped from

It always got me into trouble. And I already had so many strikes against me. What was

the python, whose name was Perceval, apparently, and not Pete, though I thought Pete suited

him a thumbs up,

to meet his master, perhaps Prince Theo wouldn’t feel the need to come up the stairs. I took a few deep

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