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•

Chapter Thirteen

      "You know," Peter said as he ruffled his dark auburn hair. "I am considering joining the King's army."

"What– Peter why?" Yasmine asked, her brown eyes wide and Juliette thought her tone was slightly hurt.

"Ah, I dunno. Seems everyone likes dangerous men." He grinned as color rushed into Juliette's entire face. He and Gregg must have talked about Xander.

"Or maybe you are in need of getting your face reconstructed. Seems like a bruise wasn't enough!" Juliette mumbled quickly avoiding her friend's eyes. Peter raised his eyebrows in surprise and laughed heartily, resting his arm on Yasmine's shoulder.

"See, small mina, I told you she's not as angelic as she looks." He snorted as Yasmine pushed his hand aside.

"Do not call me that!" She scowled, a pink flush spreading on the apple of her cheeks.

"Fine, fine. I forget you are fond of my pet names. My apologies, mon amour."

"Juliette hold his basket right now because I am going to commit mu–""

"Why not just leave him to join the King's army." Juliette innocently suggested.

"You've turned her into a monster." Peter gasped as he dramatically placed his hand on his chest.

"Listen you Satan's spawn," Yasmine approached him, her finger pointed as if scolding a child. "You" she poked him hard in the chest, "better tell us why you are joining the militia or-"

"Or what?" He challenged, his wicked grin stretching further.

"Let's say someone is going to lose one eye in their sleep."

Peter tsked and eyed Juliette. "Well that's good you two don't sleep on the same floor." Juliette giggled as Yasmine looked at him incredulously. Then he sighed.

"Well why not?" Yasmine didn't blink.

"Why not? Most people who join the army end up dying, Peter."

"Everyone dies. Not everyone dies a hero." Juliette watched Peter as they walked the dark hallway of the castle. The light coming from the windows contrasted against the sharp planes of his face, and despite him always being in a silly mood, she hadn't missed the slight crease created by his furrowed brows. She hated how his voice didn't have a teasing hint to it. And most of all, she was afraid.

"But P-peter!" She looked down on her hands, there was a faint scratch she had gotten when she was plucking the rose earlier.

"It's not official yet. I haven't decided." He admitted, looking down at them. "It's good to hear you guys worried about me." His voice sounded so sincere, despite his wink.

"Well of course we are worried about you, silly carrot. Who else would me and Juliette plan to murder?" Yasmine's retorted, her voice kind of high.

"You always forget to add Gregg." He noted as he shook his head. "My cousin seems in a tough mood lately."

"Fine Gregg too. That's three people you upset." Yasmine replied but Juliette couldn't help but feel slightly guilty. Maybe Gregg was upset because of her.

"Ah well, let's say I survive." He continued, as they entered a faint corridor that had lit torches on each side. "My rank would increase."

"You always forget Volkeii is going through a bad time at the moment." Yasmine answered, crossing her arms.

"Not if the King forges an alliance with another kingdom. I've heard rumors that the Noirsèmers are here." Juliette thought of the name. Since she was secluded to her farm house her entire life, she hadn't learned about the other kingdoms surrounding them. Her mama never liked to talk about politics and always told her it's "something she shouldn't be concerned with."

She remembered faintly finding a map of her kingdom in one of her mama's old books. She thought she glimpsed a drawing of a medium sized Kingdom on the East side of Volkeï. It was almost faded and she thought she recognized the name of Noirsèmer underneath the sketch. A Black Sea surrounded the Neighbourhood kingdom's entire shores making it almost seem like it was being swallowed by darkness. Noir, meaning black and mer, meaning sea. A grimace formed on her face as she remembered her mama catching her in her room, the map spread wide in front of her. "Bad child!" She chided, yanking the map away from her. "A lady would never touch stuff that do not belong to her!" But she was only nine then, and she never thought she had to ask permission to open one of her mama's possessions.

Juliette was so caught up in her thoughts that she was silent as they climbed the stairs to the maids' hallway. Her friends' conversation was blurry but then she decided to focus again.

"–it would offer many advantages to us." Peter explained and Juliette listened cautiously as she tried to make out what he was talking about.

"I heard the Noirsès are also good at aiming and shooting with knives." Yasmine said.

"Quite." Peter agreed. "Would be very disappointing if it's just rumors. The pirates and the ships mostly come from their side. I plan on learning some of their tricks if the militia gets mixed." Yasmine rolled her eyes.

"Pirate Peter," Juliette found herself whispering.

"Pirate Peter." He repeated. "Mhm, I like the sound of that."

"It's all fun and games until Captain Hook gets his hands on you." Yasmine joked, poking her tongue out at him.

"Wouldn't you like me to get my hands on you?" Both girls scowled and told him to shut up.

"Alright, alright!" He snickered as he raised his hands in surrender. "Time to back down before I get murdered."

"Good decision." Yasmine grunted, her face blazing red.

"Well then, ladies," He bowed as they paused in front of the large door separating the maids wing from the rest of the buildings. "Have a Goodnight." He winked, his eyes lingering a few seconds more on Yasmine's.

"Goodnight, carrot head." Yasmine answered while Juliette waved at him. He slid behind the door and shut it with a thud.

"He is such a jerk!" Yasmine sighed in exasperation as they made their way back towards the maids' chambers but Juliette hadn't missed the soft smile she tried to hide.

"I hope he doesn't actually mean what he said." Juliette said sadly.

"Me too." Yasmine nodded, her hand resting on the doorframe of her chamber.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you to your chamber?" Juliette shook her head.

"Besides, Lucia would be back inside. I left her at Gregg's and he probably would have led her back."

"She seems..nice?" Yasmine attempted.

"Yeah, she is!" Juliette agreed. "I'm so happy I get to now share my chamber with someone!" – that was all Juliette could think about as she descended towards the first floor of the maid's building.

It was eerily dark now and the shadows of the torches played tricks on the ground. She suddenly had the urge to ran back to the third floor and ask Yasmine to guide her back to her room. Instead, she squared her shoulders and stood straighter as she tried to move as fast as she could. She didn't want to keep the naive and weak image Gregg and Yasmine had of her and so she was going to make it through by herself.

She made a turn and entered the very long corridor leading to her room. Her chamber was in the end of the hallway, nestled between a storage room and one full of medical supplies and tools – the same one she had entered when she searched for more bandages to heal Xander's wound.

All of the chamber doors were closed as all the maids slept early since they always wake up at dawn. It was considerably late now but Juliette didn't mind spending some time with her friends at night- especially since she doesn't wake up as early as the others.

A movement at the end of the corridor caught her attention, and she froze in alertness as a tall silhouette of a man emerged from the darkness.

"Xander!" She ran towards him eagerly.

"Hey." He greeted her, his voice deep. She looked up at him, his eyes were completely dark and they were calculating, as if studying the cost of abandoning his duties. He was frowning, and his jaw was clenched.

"I-is everything okay?" She asked shyly, as worry started to rise within her. She could see veins poking out of his arms as they balled into fists then they were suddenly twisted around her, encaging her against the wall.

"Where were you Juliette?" He nearly growled, his warm breath fanning her face.

"W-with my f-friends." He didn't sound like he wanted to hear an answer but she replied anxiously anyway, avoiding eye contact.

Maximus' gaze softened as he recognized fear in her eyes. He always forgets he has to be careful and cautious around her. He retreated a bit and ran his fingers through his hair. He didn't come to her so he can frighten her, that's the least thing he intended to do.

"I'm not fond of how I abruptly left you last night." He admitted slowly, trying to ease her. "I came to check up on you." Sure enough, her eyes lit up and then the unexpected happened: she started to giggle. It was a very light and girly laugh and he wanted to keep hearing it forever.

"What is so funny?" He scowled as the little angel in front of him stared at him in amusement, two red circles accentuating her cheeks.

"N-nothing!" She giggled again as she twirled in her equally adorable little dress. If she didn't stop acting cute, he was going to end up going back to his royal chambers– and not on his own.

"Juliette," He warned, but the teasing glint in his eyes told her enough he wasn't going to harm her.

"Hehe n-nothing!" She laughed, then he advanced towards her like a predator again, and she forgot that the wall was behind her and he was probably going to cage her again. "It's just funny to hear you s-say that!" She quickly told him, attempting to halt his approach.

"Hm?" He continued challengingly.

"Th-that you wanted to check up o-on me! Because!"

"Because?" He went on, he was so close to her now, and he towered over her so she craned her neck to meet his gaze.

She avoided his eyes shyly as she mumbled quickly, "you'resirtoughsoldier!"

He chuckled as she hid her face with her hair. God, she was so oblivious about her effect on him. His hand stroked her cheek and placed a strand of her golden hair behind her ear.

"Come with me." He demanded then realized after a few steps that she wasn't following him. "Juliette?" He called, his back to her.

"I-" she hesitated. "My- my aunt doesn't approve of me g-going on my o-own at night." She told him, gazing at her ballerina flats. She needed to scrub them clean, she noted as she glimpsed some spots covering them.

He stood there for a few seconds then finally said, "I won't take you far." Then he paused and turned to face her again. "Would the balcony be okay?" She gingerly nodded and ran to him when he mentioned for her to come.

He guided her towards another corridor, with her by his side. He could feel her soft petite silhouette brushing against him as they walked, the soft swish of her golden blonde hair trailing behind her. She was starting to grow comfortable around him and he liked the idea of that.

The wooden door Xander opened was positioned just next to the corridor leading to the maids' hallway, but it was the first time she had spotted it and she gazed it for a few seconds. Maximus studied her reaction.

"You don't seem familiar with the place." He surmised inviting her inside. She shook her head confirming his suspicions.

"I-I moved here around a month ago." He closed the door as he walked across the old balcony. It was very dark here, and the place was kind of messy but it offered a wonderful view of Volkeii. The tiny villages looked like little light bulbs framed by the magnificent forest their kingdom is famous for.

"Xander!" She sprinted to the front of the balcony as she stared dreamily at the spectacular view. She gripped the balustrade as the air rustled her golden hair. She didn't mind now standing in the dark as she gazed at the glowing moon. She then remembered her company and quickly turned to face him.

Instead of admiring the view like her, Xander was watching her silently, a soft smile stretched on his face. It seemed so genuine and she thought it made him look younger and more carefree.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" He asked her calmly, joining her. His hand rested on the balustrade besides hers, and she remarked how large it looked compared to hers. She gulped and diverted her gaze.

"Volkeii is wonderful!" She admired in awe. She had never gotten the opportunity to visit places outside her farm and she wondered if it was as dangerous as her mama had proclaimed.

"The best in the world." He said proudly, standing taller. He seemed in deep thought as he gazed at the tiny villages ahead. He looks so serene now; she thought as she watched him, and he didn't look like the scary soldier he always seemed to be. He seemed at peace for the first time.

He's handsome, she thought. She never got the chance to actually stare him in all of the times they met. Something always seemed to happen in the middle of their moment, but yet now as she really looked at him, at the thick dark brows framing his darker onyx eyes, the very slightly crooked nose, the beard growing across his chiseled jaw, she couldn't help but admire his good looks. When had she missed those details?

Then he thrust his chin towards the tiny houses on the right. They were accentuated by their red roofs and old bricks.

"That's my hometown." She could feel him waiting for her reaction but she never visited any place outside her farm cottage so she nervously stared down at her hands. "Have you been there?" She shook her head sadly.

"I'll take you to visit someday." He promised and she smiled at him excitedly.

They stood there silently for a few minutes, then he shifted his position a bit uncomfortably, a slight frown creasing his forehead.

"Have you seen the other kingdoms, Juliette?" He abruptly asked, his eyes still trained on the villages ahead. She shook her head and watched him curiously.

"I've visited every single one out there." Then he paused. "Because I've went to many wars, of course." She eyed the nasty scar stretching over his face and the muscles that bulged underneath his clothes and didn't doubt a word he said.

"I've went to the lands of the East then diverted back to west. The north and the south." He continued, his eyes never leaving the scenery.
"None is compared to the beauty of Volkeii."

"We share the seas of the Noirsèmers, the mountains of Svėna, the golden sands of Toharyan...Volkeii shouldn't be.." His jaw tightened, "facing what it is now."

"I-it will be okay." She tried to reassure him but he barked a harsh laugh.

"That's the thing, Juliette. Volkeii isn't only.." he ran his hand through his face then he looked down at her. "It's not necessarily in need of treaties. Perhaps it needs balance. Perhaps it needs another pillar to support its structure." Juliette stared at him questionably and bit her lip. She didn't understand what he was pointing at and felt vulnerable at her lack of political knowledge.

"Like w-what?" She asked anxiously but he didn't answer and gazed back again at the beautiful villages.

"There are enough resources in Volkeii. The other kingdoms should be a liability— not the other way around." Then he suddenly turned to her, his dark eyes somewhat cruel. It reminded her of something– or someone but she couldn't pinpoint what or who. "Would you believe in everything you hear, Juliette? In rumors?"

She froze at his sudden question. Why was he asking her that? Did she comment something wrong? Did she misunderstand him? Perhaps she didn't react how he expected to his political comments but she couldn't blame herself as she had no clue about the topic.

He waited for her answer seriously, and she nervously searched for one. What did he mean by that question?

"I-I don't k-know." She finally said.
Xander watched her silently as if gesturing her to go on.

"Maybe there's a r-reason why rumors e-exist." She found herself adding, yet as she gazed back into those deep black eyes of his, she couldn't shake away the feeling that she failed some kind of test.

•

Dun dun duuunn :D
I feel evil about how I ended this chapter but I think you guys got used to me by now hehe ♥

So what could Maximus mean by this question? Could there really be a hidden meaning like Juliette thinks?

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and please as always vote and tell me your opinion and what you think would happen next ♥
I love love reading your comments, you guys are amazing! Ps. I missed you! ♥

Take care you guys! ♥
–theladyandthefox