VIII
Over the next couple of weeks, it felt like life in the palace had reached a standstill.
Workers continued to work. Guards continued to train.
Meetings were held among the nobility discussing the state of affairs in the kingdom.
But Y/N's world felt gray and dull. She continued her duties as an apprentice healer during the day, and sat in the garden during the night.
But only now, there was no one to join her.
With the change in Kent's responsibility, he practically had no time left for himself.
He was at Lennox's side 24/7. Whenever Y/N would pass the two in the corridors, the prince seemed to gloat at the pained expression that would flash on her face.
The man she knew started to become unrecognizable.
She saw the toll that the change had taken on Kent.
His skin seemed paler, his eyes looked duller, and he no longer smiled at her, although she suspected it was to not irritate the prince and not because he had grown to dislike her.
He looked exhausted. And it pained Y/N to witness her friend like that. Because this was not the man he was.
Which is why she was currently walking up the stairs to where the royal bedchambers were.
She knew Kent would be outside guarding the prince's door.
Having to tip toe through hallways and almost running into a group of guards doing their nightly patrol, she noted how much larger the rooms here seemed to be.
The doors were much larger and the ceilings much higher.
She suspected the room she was given was likely the size of the royal families bathrooms but she didn't think about it too much.
She thanked the gods when she saw a familiar figure leaning against a pillar, sword sheathed at his side.
He leaned his head back and stared up at the ceiling painted to look like a starry night.
The rise and fall of his chest indicated that he was ready to fall asleep any minute.
So it wasn't surprising when Y/N was able to walk right up to him and give him a tap on the shoulder.
He immediately snapped back to attention and grabbed the arm that reached out to him.
Within what felt like a single second, he had Y/N pinned to the wall.
If their height difference wasn't obvious before, it certainly was now with the way he stood over her body, arm reaching for his sword.
She could see the way his training impulses kicked in by the serious expression on his face.
But as fast as it appeared, it was gone as recognition flitted across his face. "Y/N?"
The girl sheepishly smiled. "Hi."
"By the gods you scared me. What are you doing here? You should be asleep."
"I could say the same about you." The girl remarked, noting his exhaustion.
Kent let out an exhale. "Sleep has become more of a luxury for me now. I never realized how difficult being a personal guard was, although I feel like most of it is just the prince having it out for me."
Guilt bloomed in Y/N's chest and Kent noticed the shift in her expression and quickly corrected himself.
"Hey this isn't your fault. I did what I did because I wanted to. If I could go back I wouldn't change a single thing. Besides, the pay for a personal guard is a lot better than what I was making before." He joked trying to lighten her mood.
Y/N smiled at the boy. "Glad to see your humour is still in tact. With the way you've been walking around the palace you looked as though you were half dead. I worried the prince was beginning to crack your psyche."
"No, the only thing that he's been able to crack is my sleep schedule and my ears with all the talking he has done about his investiture that is fast approaching. He's ensuring every duke and viscount will be in attendance to witness his spectacular show of power.
I worry for the day he officially becomes King."
Y/N nodded in understanding. She too had heard about the ceremony where Lennox would be formally appointed as the heir to the throne of Renetia.
It was commonly understood by many that Lennox would be the next King, but with this it would be set in stone.
Many more healers and staff were being brought to the palace to work during this special time to ensure everything would be taken care of if anything went wrong.
While Y/N didn't relish the idea of seeing the prince acting all high and mighty, she couldn't help but want to enjoy the festivities alongside all the nobles.
Especially the masquerade ball.
It was something she had always dreamed of attending ever since she was a little girl. The idea of all of those glittering gowns and masks, or d'oeuvres served on little plates, and flutes of wine filled this longing inside of her. But palace staff were not allowed to attend. Including healers.
"As do I. I assume you'll be there alongside him the whole time." She breathed out.
"Actually, no. With there being so many powerful people in attendance, security will be incredibly strict so there will be no need for me to be stuck at the prince's side. I also doubt he would want anyone else bathing in his spotlight, so I'll be free to enjoy some of the party." He corrected.
Y/N reacted with slight surprise. "Really? Do you think you could help me sneak in?"
Kent let out a huff. "What? Sneak you in? Why would you want to be there, I didn't exactly take you as someone who would enjoy these flaunts of wealth from society."
"Trust me, I'm not the nobilities biggest fan in the slightest. Especially with the way Farnellian's look down at those of us from the outer provinces. But I suppose a part of me just wants to indulge in this small fantasy if only for a little bit.
And it also helps that it'll be held on my birthday and I hear the food will be top notch." She winked at him.
An unreadable expression flitted across Kent's face before promptly disappearing. Y/N couldn't tell exactly what had just happened but it seemed like the light inside of him had lessened a little bit.
"Well, I suppose it would be wrong of me to deny a lady her fantasy. I'll help you get in when guard rotations shift but you must be swift. And you'll also need a costume."
"That won't be a problem. I've heard many of the boutiques in the city will be open much later with all of the parties and celebrations that will be taking place outside of the palace. I just need the right partner to help me find the perfect dress." Y/N smiled up at him.
With all of her attention on him, it was then that Kent realized what a compromising position they were still in.
With him pinning her against the wall and her peering up at him with her eyelashes and that spellbinding smile dancing across her lips.
The tips of his ears turned pink as he quickly retracted himself from her.
"I am so sorry, I didn't realize that I was still..." He trailed off.
Y/N let out a quiet laugh. "Don't be. I didn't mind."
Kent looked at her and Y/N noted the pink dancing across his cheeks.
She was about to make another teasing comment when a thought struck her.
Was this really just friendly banter they had going on?
From another person's perspective it might seem differently.
Perhaps she was overstepping since she wasn't his soulmate and he would have already received his mark.
"Sorry, I should stop. Don't want to make things awkward for you since you're still actively looking for your mate.
Kent paused at hearing that, and Y/N worried that she had somehow offended him with what she said.
But before she could ask him what was wrong, there was a shuffling sound that grew closer and closer.
And it was to her horror that she realized it was coming from behind the door that Kent was guarding.
Both gazed at each other in panic and Kent quickly grabbed Y/N's arm and brought her to a smaller door in the hallway before throwing it open and pushing her inside.
The room was completely dark and she could see the outline of Kent's feet move away from the crack under the door.
She heard another door open from outside and two voices speaking.
One sounded irritated while the other sounded apologetic.
The conversation continued for a few more seconds before the sound of a door slamming was heard and Kent returned to the door that he had so graciously thrown her in to avoid getting caught sneaking into an area she was not authorized to be in.
Opening it up, light streamed into the room and it was only then that Y/N got a good look at the supply closet she was in.
She looked at him in question and he responded "The prince wanted to know why I was causing a ruckus outside. Apparently I had disturbed his precious sleep, which that makes two of us. So I've been dismissed for the rest of the night."
"Ah, I see." She responded.
The atmosphere between the two of them had grown awkward and deciding this was as good a time as any, Y/N began digging in the satchel she had brought alongside her on this mission and handed Kent multiple bottles and jars.
When Kent looked at her with a questioning gaze she answered "These are for your injuries and to help with the soreness and bruising. You might not realize it but you walk like a grandmother when you're in pain."
"Ouch. But thank you, Y/N. You know you have this rare gift of noticing the small things that no one else does. You really are a special girl."
Y/N felt her cheeks warm at his compliment and turned her head to the side. "R-right. Thanks." She walked out of the closet and started heading back from the direction she came. "Goodnight, Kent."
"Goodnight, Y/N." he whispered, watching the girls back retreat from his view.
He glanced down at the many different jars and bottles that were messily labelled with a pink marker.
And it seemed like she had had extra time on her hands as she had even drawn different illustrations to further explain each items purpose.
But his favourite had to be the simple drawing she had done of herself giving a thumbs up with the note "Take whenever you need it!" scribbled next to it.
A smile tugged on the corner of his lips. She really was a special girl.
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