Hello, my lovies!! ♥
I have missed you all soooo much, and I can never ever e v e r thank you enough for your amazing support for my book!!
Your lovely comments, your messages, your votes all are more than I could ever ask for! I love you!! ♥
I am really sorry again for the late update, I had recently a lot of university work and it stressed me out a lot.
But I never forgot about you guys (how can I) and I tried my best to give Juliette and Maximus some time for themselves in this chapter ♥
I hope you enjoy!
–Theladyandthefox
•

Chapter Eight

      "Come buy, beautiful ladies!" the old merchants beckoned, their stalls full of glazed and juicy peaches and apricots, "Come buy!"

Juliette felt as if she stepped into a place of magical and eccentric wonders. The village market, as her newly formed friend called it, was were the maids picked the castle needs; from fruits and vegetables to clothes, brims and even médecine. She gasped in awe as she looked from left and right, trying to memorize as much as she could the name of products the vendors offered. They had fur, spices and even magical mirrors which claimed to foretell the future!

The place was packed with people, so much that she barely had space to move but somehow, this made her feel excited– almost as if she had been from her cage for the first time.

She had been locked away for so long, she didn't know the world could have such beauty, such splendid creations.

She sighed as she gazed at the other gobbled streets facing her. It had a row of magazins shops, many of which people of bourgeoisie were stopping by. They were the easiest to spot from the crowd. Many of them wore fabulous and vivid dresses, their fabrics made of silk and ornamented with jewels and gemstones. She imagined how lovely it would be to have such fine clothes, and so many too to be able to wear a new one everyday.

"Juliette, here, hold this." Yasmine, the girl who talked to her when she first entered the royal dining hall gave her a basket full of shiny strawberries. "For the tarte."

"Oh–yes." She said, her eyes focusing back on her friend. "They look lovely." She said eyeing their vibrant red color. "They remind me of the ones I used to have in the garden."

"Wait until you get a taste of Lady Bonita's Savory Dried Lemons. Once we add them to the truffles, the neighboring guests will have a hard time leaving our kingdom." Yasmine said proudly as she herself carried two giant baskets of vivid red berries.

"And don't you want to pay a visit to the boutiques? Oh, Juliette, don't tell me you are not going to attend the festival." Her friend widened her eyes in disbelief, the kohl surrounding them giving them a more intense stare.

"I-I d-don't know." She muttered nervously as her thoughts snapped back to the declarations she heard earlier. Remond and three other traitors have been caught a few nights ago, and the King wasted no time in implementing their executions in front of the whole Kingdom. She couldn't shake away the image of the tall muscular figure of the king as he gave his threatening speech, targeted to every soul who risks to defy him. She could never forget how the whole kingdom stared at him in terror as he directed his sword towards the traitors.

She didn't know why she hid and cried in her room for hours. She hated Remond, the man who made her seem like a traitor in front of everyone, but she hated the way he met his end. She was shocked and scared of the King's cruelty. The way his speech reverberated within the walls of the castle and the way he killed with no remorse made her recoil in fear. She has never seen such atrocity in her entire life and it made her want to be away from him as much as possible.

Oh, how terribly she missed her mother's hugs and warmth. Mama would have protected me from the king.

How come she had thought that he might be good?

The king is a monster.

She remembered how he moved dangerously, the way he stalked towards her and spoke of Remond's death with such easiness. As if it was a normal everyday routine of his. What if Xander wasn't able to change his decision? She would have been executed along with them. 

But what if Xander was like him? What if he was as capable of ending the life of others as the King is? He is his personal guard after all, and guards are trained to be as violent as war soldiers.

He probably saved her life solely for the reason that she saved his.

Bile formed in her throat as fear enveloped her senses.

"Tout va bien, ma Juliette?" Her aunt nudged her softly, awakening her from her trance. Everything okay, my Juliette?

"Oui, ma tante Mabel." Her aunt grabbed the baskets from hers and Yasmine's hands.

"Alors, then how about you girls visit Veronica's Magnifique Dresses and prepare for tonight's festival, what do you say my lovelies, mhm?" Aunt Mabel had never children of her own but she loved her niece more than she could possibly love anyone. She had given Yasmine, a sum of coins so they can buy whatever treats they liked. Yasmine was an orphan from the Far East and she cared for her much as well.

Juliette played with her golden hair nervously and twirled it around her fingers, scared she might encounter the King or Xander there.

"Juliette, don't be silly!" Yasmine said, sensing her reluctance. "We rarely get festivals in the kingdom! It's good to be away from work for a while!"

"We will have so much fun! They're so many games and feasts. You needn't worry about meeting the royals. They would be too busy welcoming their fancy guests anyway–if that's what you're worried about." Her aunt gave her a reassuring smile as Yasmine grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the medieval gobbled streets.

•

"Golden long hair, big blue eyes, soft red cheeks, Oh mon Dieu! You must be Mabel's!!" A fabulous lady with very fair skin and striking dark hair shrieked, as she ran in their direction. She was wearing a plum colored dress that gave her face an ethereal glow.

"I'm right, my belle, am I not?" She winked. "Or shall I say Ma-bel?"

Yasmine muffled a laugh as Juliette nodded shyly.

"Oh hello, my dear, Yasmine, did you like the dress I picked for you?"

"Oh yes! Thank you! I can't wait to try it on tonight." Veronica frowned.

"Though, I didn't know you were friends with Mabel's lovely niece!" She chided. "Why am I always the last to be informed!"

"I'm sorry Madame Veronica! I really had no clue you were friends with Aunt Mabel!"

"Friends?! My dear, we are family! We grew up together!" Her eyes widened as she gazed sadly at the golden haired beauty.

"Ma jolie, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother." She hugged her. "She was a wonderful lady. " Juliette hugged her back. "Now let me show you what magic my marvelous dresses hold."

•

"Juliette, my dear, are you done?" Her aunt knocked softly the door of her chamber, concern obvious in her tone.

"Mhm," She hummed as she placed her comb back on her small wooden dresser and gazed at her reflection in the mirror.

The dress Veronica picked for her, was an off-white really long dress that flowed after her whenever she walked. The sleeves exposed her shoulders and the bodice hugged her small waist. It wasn't anything extravagant or extraordinary, really, but she felt like a fairy as the color of the dress complimented her rosy complexion. Her hair that was tied earlier into a braid, now cascaded freely to land a few centimeters past her waist, it's bouncy curls resembling those of a doll's. She didn't apply any blush as she knew her face surely didn't need any.

"My, my, you look like a princess." Her aunt gushed, her eyes teary.

"Auntie Mabel! You look more wonderful!" She ran towards her as she saw for the first time her aunt dressed up well. She wore a dark red dress and her hair was brushed nice and silky.

"Thank you, my dear." She said as Yasmine entered her room wearing an equally beautiful cobalt blue dress, that brought out her beautiful golden dark skin.

"You look wonderful ladies." Gregg spoke as he leaned against the door frame of Juliette's chamber.

"May I come in?" He inquired, his behavior suddenly gentlemanly instead of his usual playful self.

"And what happened to you?" Yasmine said, rolling her eyes.

"What do you mean m'lady, have I not always been charming?" He chuckled as he bowed playfully.

"You might as well dance the waltz, it'll complete the ball look."

"What do you say Juliette, shall we?" Despite knowing that he's only joking, she couldn't help but feel her cheeks turning red.

"You evil thing, leave Juliette alone. She's too innocent for you." Gregg grinned as he approached them.

"Now if you all excuse me, I want to see what the King has to say! Hurry! The festival is about to begin!"

"We'll see you at the feast. I need to hear your opinion about the tartes."

"Alright!" She yelled from outside the chamber.

"Juliette if you need me I'm going to be helping in serving the feast." Her aunt began, as she moved towards the door.

"I want to help too, s'il te plait ma tante, please my auntie!" Her aunt shook her head.

"Non, non, you enjoy your time this evening. "

•

"We need to hurry," Gregg started as she stepped out of the maids building. "The king has already began his speech." And sure enough she could hear a booming dominating voice from the royal building. It was very far though, and she couldn't see or hear anything.

"I promised you deserts, didn't I?" He continued. "I've baked the most lovely cakes." He paused. "They're not as lovely as you though." He winked. Juliette nudged him lightly and he let out a little laugh.

"This festival has been going on for centuries." He began, changing the subject as he felt her shying away from him.

"It's originally called 'Fête de la Grande Victoire,' Festival of the Great Victory, and it was when the ancient King saved our land from being invaded."

"So it was the peak of our kingdom?" She asked, her eyes round and curious.

"Not peak, no. You can say, reclaiming it back to us. Legend says Maximus the Great made a deal with the devil and sold a part of his soul to gain such power." So this is where the current King has his name from, she concluded.

"Now that I think of it, it might have also been the peak of our kingdom. The golden age of our rise. The height of our power."He grinned cheekily, as he ran his hand through his hair.

"Our kingdom hasn't had its glorious days in decades."

"B-but Gregg!" She argued. "The old king of Volkeï was a good man!"

"He was good yes," He retorted. "But being good is not the key to rule a kingdom. He was too good." She placed a strand of hair behind her hair as she thought his words regarding the kingdom.

"King Maximus is scary!" She concluded as he burst out laughing.

"Scary? He was doing what should have been done decades ago." He shook his head as she frowned.

"Ah–well." He didn't know why the king petrified her so much so he grabbed a piece of chocolate cake and handed it to her.

"Let's not ruin our time, little one."

"I love these ones the best!!" She said, easily distracted with the cakes.

"Mhm." He smiled as people started the feast and musicians grabbed their flutes and lutes, thus declaring the start of the festival.

•

It wasn't long until the games started.

Dancing around fires, drawing on faces with charcoal, arrow shooting were all traditions related to the Great Victory festival. Hundreds and thousands of men and women danced together, and it became harder for her to distinguish familiar faces.

Soon enough, she found herself lost, and the faces colored with charcoal around their eyes–almost like a masquerade mask– made it even worse.

A familiar glint of auburn hair caught her attention near the forest and she sighed in relief as made her way towards it.

"Gregg!" She breathed as she touched his back, but it was not Gregg she realized as he turned, but a complete different person with similar hair.

"Oh–S-sorry, I thought you're my friend." The man simply glared at her and moved away from her view.

Feeling helpless within a sea of unknowns, she walked deeper into the forest while hugging her arms to her chest. The large number of people made her feel uneasy and she wanted to refuge back to a quiet little corner.

She decided to not go deep inside the forest but only on the borders, where she could get a decent view of the festival quietly.

A very large tree branch rested on the forest floor and she quickly rushed towards it, happy she finally found a place to rest on.

She thought she heard the sound of crunched leaves but she immediately got distracted by something hitting the branch she was about to sit on.

She went to down to grab the thin wooden object that missed her, turning it in her hand to realize it was an arrow.

Another one landed right next to her ankle and she turned immediately to see a bunch of men playing arrow games, some of them snickering as the biggest one among them aimed one in her direction.

But it was too late to run, for one was already heading right towards her heart. Her breath hitched in her throat as it got closer, faster, she could almost feel it tearing her skin–

"You seem to always look for trouble." A deep voice growled as a muscular arm caught the arrow heading her away. 

His intimidating posture had a defense stance as he snapped the arrow in half and threateningly gestured the men to leave, making it clear they would meet their doom if they persisted. The men, daunted by him, immediately headed back towards were the feast was. 

Butterflies filled her stomach as his tall dark figure, turned and towered over her.

"T-the last time I looked," she whispered softly, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks, her vision fixed on her trembling hands. "I f-found you."

"Were you not troubled?" She could feel her cheeks bursting in flame from embarrassment as she realized that he had heard her.

His large hands cupped her chin and raised it so she can meet his gaze.

An arrogant glint in his charcoal masked eyes. A familiar tone. A dangerous era.

For a second, she imagined something silvery shine in his eyes–a sword– before it was aimed at her throat. She was now kneeling besides Remond and the other three men as he played with her life as he did with his golden sword. There was no King anymore, but only him, Xander, the Royal guard, and her life was trapped between his hands. She was now at his mercy and then all of a sudden the King and the guard became o–

Everything crumbled as a mischievous smile crossed his lips. A wolf out for hunting.

Her look of disbelief must have betrayed her.

He had invaded her thoughts.

And he had won the war.

And so she decided to flee, for her life.

"I'm–I am not looking for trouble tonight." She murmured swiftly as she turned and was about to sprint back to her quarters.

"Then trouble is looking for you." He caged her in against a tree bark, his very tall silhouette looming over her.

His face was almost completely hidden by the darkness and the hood that covered his head added to his intimidating demeanor.

He lowered his head slowly towards hers, so his gaze can meet hers. She looked away timidly, unable to make eye contact with him.

He was the predator and she was the prey trapped, encaged, holding on to whatever courage she had left.

His dark eyes rested over her for a while, and she felt gullible as he scrutinized every bit of exposed skin of her.

"You look beautiful." He finally said. Butterflies exploded in her stomach as she nervously tried to answer him.

"I-I–"She was sure she was speaking gibberish and her flushed tomato face wasn't doing her good either. His daring stare was replaced with an amused one and she was sure he was laughing at her again.

"Come, it's dangerous here." He placed his hand around her waist and helped her cross the large mess of branches. She looked at anywhere but him, and she could feel her hands shaking terribly.

He paused and looked down at her. "Are you hurt?"

"N-no," she managed to utter. She was even more shy than the day they met. Perhaps it was because she carried his letter everywhere and the fact that she wanted to meet him again. Yet, as he stood near her now with all his glory, all she wanted to do was to hide in her tiny cozy chamber.

They now crossed the border of the forest, and entered the castle's huge territory.

"Oh–finally! Gregg!" She whispered in relief as she finally saw him talking to another man with similar features.

"Gregg?" He asked darkly as he tightened his grip around her.

"'He's my friend! I've been lost and searching for my friends ever since the games started." She explained, twirling her hair around her fingers–it was a bad habit of hers when she got nervous.

She looked up at him and found him glaring at her friend. Did he know him? Well either way, he didn't look happy seeing him. Just as he was about to answer, a trumpet noise sounded in the very far side of the festival. He cursed under his breath.

"Juliette, I have to leave." He said roughly, the charcoal masking his eyes messy yet suiting his very dark eyes. "I–have to be near the King."

Realizing she was keeping him from doing his responsibilities, she thanked him and nodded in understanding, not wanting to him to get in trouble with the King. She definitely didn't want him to test the King's temper.

"Itwasgoodseeingyouagain–sirtoughsoldier." She added softly, her face burning in shyness and then quickly turned and ran in the direction of her friend.

•
And so, hehe, Juliette's and Maximus' little moment ♥
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Take care, I love you ♥
–Theladyandthefox