The Tower of Nearness

Chapter 11: What was a Curse

Lucian sifted through the millions of questions and accusations (He was not so good as not to be angry about the deceit. He could understand her reasoning, however) racing through his mind as he ate his stew. He was, however, not so distracted that he couldn't enjoy her cooking. She was good, not palace chef good, but good nonetheless. It was a beef stew, steaming with rich flavours and well-seasoned vegetables; holding just the right balance of salt and spice. He suspected that the vegetables came from the garden. The beef practically melted on his tongue and the rich gravy lingered long after he swallowed.

He glanced at Seren, his quiet dinner companion, and quickly averted his gaze when he noticed that she was looking at him. A strange flush stole across his cheeks and down his neck. He put it down to his sprained ankle. It was starting to feel better, but it still throbbed with a dull ache.

He swallowed his last bite of stew. He closed his eyes for a brief second. It was strange how at ease he felt around her. Even in complete silence, there was no pressure to make conversation. He could feel sleep gently tugging at him; whispering soft tones in an attempt to lull him into the deep darkness.

Yet, he was not done with Seren. He forced his eyes open.

"Seren," he called for her attention, "I've been wondering."

"Yes?"

"In all the time you've been here, have your parents never visited?" He asked softly.

The silence turned from comfortable to stilted in a flash. Seren hung her head as if she was trying to read the future from dinner's remnants.

"If you don't wish to speak of it, you don't have to." He offered.

"No, it's alright." Her voice was barely a whisper. She took a steadying breath and spoke louder.

"They haven't visited me, but not out of choice."

He raised his brow, intrigued.

"As I've told you, the Tower is magical." She explained, "one of its many magically properties, I suppose you could actually say part of its curse, is that once you leave the village, you forget where the Tower was."

He paused and considered her words with some surprise.

"I've never heard that about that..." he admitted. This changed everything.

"From what I understand, most of the people who've tried to rescue me," she gathered the bowls, "either move on to easier quests or give some story of what happened at the Tower."

"So your parents haven't been able to see you because of that?"

"Yes," she answered and turned to walk to what he assumed was the kitchen, "we send letters to each other occasionally. In a way, I think it worked out for the best, I got my freedom and they no longer have to be embarrassed."

"I'm sorry..." he apologized, although he wasn't quite sure what he was apologizing for.

She waved it away with her back still turned to him. "Don't get me wrong, Lucian, I love my parents and they loved me, in their own way, but we're different people. I needed to live my life the way I saw fit, regardless of if I failed or not."

He closed his eyes again as Seren went to the kitchen, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do now? Although there was a princess, she didn't need rescuing. He didn't approve of the fact that she lied to him, but he did understand why.

He wondered what it was like, living your life in a way that made you happy...

Without realizing it, he fell deep into sleep.

***

"Lucian, I actually have a que-" She stopped short as she re-entered the room. She couldn't help but smile at his prone form. She wasn't at all surprised that he'd collapsed. It had been a long day for both of them and he was wounded. Frankly, she was exhausted as well. Emotional outburst often did that to her.

She grabbed a blanket off the corner of the couch and draped it over him gently. She tucked the blanket in around his shoulders and under his chin.

"Sleep well, fair prince." She whispered and then went to her own bed. Curling up under the wool blankets, she couldn't help but think that this having company thing wasn't so bad after all.