~Lucille's Point of View~

Moonlight spilled into my spacious bedroom through my balcony doors illuminating the room in an ethereal light. It was time. Silently, I crept from my bed and changed into a simple dark grey riding gown and a pair of black riding boots. Securing a short sword to my hip, I turned about my room for a last look to make sure I had all essentials. I secured my warm black traveling cloak around my shoulders and scooped up my satchel before making my way to the balcony.

The crisp night air instantly chilled me to the bone as I opened my balcony doors. Pulling my traveling cloak closer, I scanned the courtyard below for movement. After I was certain the coast was clear I climbed onto the ledge of my balcony facing the Cyprus tree in the courtyard and gracefully leapt to one of its higher branches.

Hurriedly I scurried down the base of the Cyprus tree silently leaping from branch to branch before landing in the courtyard below in a low crouch. I skimmed the dark courtyard once more and paused as I noticed the poetry book I'd been reading earlier was no longer on the bench where I had left it. Perhaps one of the maids wanted to read it, though they usually asked me before taking books.

I shrugged it off and stealthily slunk toward the main gate. Opening the gate would be too noisy I'd have to scale the fence. I spotted a lush patch of ivy scaling the side of the stone fence and smiled to myself as I swiftly darted for the fence. Smoothing myself to the side of the fence hidden within the shadows, I paused to catch my breath.

"Lady Lucille, it's been quite some time since we've played this game." Silas' smooth voice sounded from within the shadows behind me nearly causing me to scream, I hadn't sensed his presence.

"Silas!" I hissed angrily as I turned to swat at him, "What are you doing?!"

He smiled mischievously down at me as he extended my poetry book to me. "Thought you would miss this."

I shot him a glare.

"What are you doing, Lady Lucille?" He asked me with that mischievous grin still dancing across his lips.

"I was escaping." I sighed as I snatched the poetry book from him and shoved it into my satchel.

"Without your shield?" He asked sounding hurt.

"If I asked you to run away with me?"

"When do we leave and what's our heading?" He smiled.

I shook my head. "You can't come with me; if we ran away together my father would have us hunted down like animals."

"And if you escape on your own?"

"Then only I'd be on the run." I noted.

"And I'd be left behind worrying about if you were safe, eating right, or dead in a ravine." He scolded me. "I will protect you, Lady Lucille." His tone softened as he reached for my hand. "If we're not escaping together I suggest you get back to bed."

Sighing, I allowed him to steer me back to the manor. A selfish thought crossed my mind and I paused as we got halfway across the courtyard. Silas paused and turned to me curiously his silvery moonbeam hair aglow in the brilliant rays of moonlight. His wild forest eyes were beautiful swirls of green and gold as he gave me an inquisitive look.

"Lady Lucille?" His smooth rich voice was comforting and gave me the resolve to make my selfish request.

"Will you truly stay by my side?" I asked him.

Silas bowed his head causing his long silvery ponytail to fall over his shoulder. "Of course, mistress."

"Forever?" I challenged. Would he truly forsake his freedom and happiness to stay by my side?

He straightened up and his breathtaking gaze was upon me, there was laughter revealed within his eyes. "Forever."

I stared at him in awe. How could he swear such a thing to me so earnestly how could he selflessly agree to give up the life he had here and follow me into enemy territory? "Why?" My voice sounded somewhat defeated.

"You have the most beautiful laugh." Silas smiled.

"Eh?" I was completely bewildered by his response, "What kind of answer is that?!"

Silas chuckled, "An honest one." He offered me his arm with yet another graceful bow, "Lady Lucille, you should retire for the evening before you catch your death out here in this cold."

Sighing, I slipped my hand into his and allowed him to fold my arm neatly in his and whisk me inside the manor. He was always so mysterious. Silas managed to escort me to my room without us being noticed and followed me in to secure my balcony doors shut.

"Are you confining me to my room, Silas?" I pondered as I paused in the doorway with my hands on my hips watching him secure the doors.

"Only until I retrieve you for breakfast." Silas smiled softly as he turned to face me once satisfied the doors weren't budging. His smile widened as he took in my appearance. "Were you running away, going on holiday or riding into battle, milady? It's difficult to tell with that outfit."

I folded my arms in front of my chest indignantly, "Well I wanted to be comfortable and prepared for anything."

His bright woodland eyes lit up, "I assume there is an arsenal of weaponry in your satchel as well."

"There is." I retorted shortly.

"Planning to take out the English?" He asked with a grin.

"If need be." I huffed as I tossed my riding cloak onto the simple pale blue chaise lounge placed in front of my fireplace. "I don't want to marry some English fop." My satchel landed atop my riding cloak and I kicked my boots off in annoyance not paying attention to which direction they were soaring before heading toward my bed.

Silas snickered, "Taking the short sword to bed, Milady?"

Heat flushed in my cheeks as I realized the short sword was still secured to my hip. Hastily I removed it and refastened it to one of the four posts on my bed before flopping atop my plush warm bedding. "That will be all, Silas." I grumbled bitterly as I hugged my pillow tight.

"Marriage doesn't suit you." Silas noted casually as he checked my windows and proceeded to sit at the foot of my bed.

"So, you're saying I'm more suited to being a spinster?" I challenged.

Silas laughed a warm laugh that instantly brought a smile to my lips. "Not at all, Lady Lucille. I just have a hard time envisioning you tied down. You're much too willful for married life. I'd much prefer to see you running wildly about as you do now."

My heart swelled at this. Silas was too good for me; I did not deserve to have him as my guardian. I smiled as he pulled a warm fleece blanket over top of me before gracefully stretching to his feet.

"We'll be leaving soon; we should have your things packed tomorrow." Silas noted before taking his leave. I'd be leaving France behind; my father was throwing me to the pit of dogs that were the English Aristocracy.