Chapter 32

Groaning, Charlie sank into a chair next to the bed, he spun the seat around lost in thought. Where was Ariel? What if something had happened to her? He was sure she was not with Nellie because he had asked Oliver, where could she be? He had been pacing the whole length of the room for what seemed like hours now, cracking his brain for answers to different questions but nothing was forthcoming.

For one thing, Charlie was convinced his words had something to do with her disappearance. What if she had run off after he rejected her countless times? But what was he supposed to do? She was a young maid throwing herself at him, it was only noble that he rejected her offer. But what if she had run into the hands of the Rogues and they did something to her? He couldn't live with himself knowing that.

A knock on the door brought him out of his reverie, whoever was at the door must have been knocking for a long time because the knock seemed to get louder with each second.

"Come in," Charlie half yelled.

"My Lord, dinner is served. Will you be eating up here?"

Food was the last thing on Charlie's mind, he considered declining the food but he thought of Ma'am Dodda. If she found out he was not going to eat she would likely come up here and squeeze the truth out of him.

"Bring it up here," Charlie said to the maid.

"Yes My Lord"

The maid left immediately, Charlie sat back on the chair and threw his head back in reckless abandon, if Ariel does not come back by tomorrow then he will have to issue a search for her, that was supposed to make him feel relieved but the thought that something must have happened to her only added to his sorrows.

Sighing In frustration, Charlie decided to have a bath, after informing a guard by the door to let the maid drop his dinner on the dining table, he went into the bathroom and sat in the tub for a while. This should help coax his mind at least.

The Witcher's wolf had gone missing, possibly in search of a mate, Charlie shook his head in disgust. What if something had happened to her too? Charlie didn't want to bother about that because he was sure Eyl could protect herself. What was with young ladies and finding a mate? Charlie had to stop himself from into slumber in the cold bath, he did stood up and washed hurriedly, stepping out of the bath tub, he slid into a robe that hung in the bathroom and stepped out.

It took him a while to notice he was not alone in the room, a shiny brown haired maid sat on a chair next to the dinning table, Charlie could tell she had brought his dinner because it was already served. But why was she still here and who permitted her to sit? And why did her hair colour have to be the same with Ariel's?

"Why are you seated there?" Charlie asked from where he stood, he supposed she did not know the repercussions of sitting on his dining so he was going to let it slide.

"Maybe because you want to see me?"

That voice.

With two three long strides, Charlie covered the distance between them and half dragged the maid from the seat, he spun her around to face him and he was shocked to his bone when he saw who it was.

Ariel stood there, looking back at him with steady eyes, hands crossed on her chest and her hair flowing down the sides of her face in shiny waves. Her eyes was not leaving his, it was a hard stare, as if daring him to touch her again. Charlie just stood there looking at her, his grip on her arm still tight, he had to admit she looked beautiful, almost like he was seeing her for the first time.

"Where have you been?!" He growled when he finally found his voice.

"You might want to lower your voice" Ariel smiled sweetly, her charm was unwavering.

"Where have you been?!" Charlie repeated in the same tone he had used earlier.

"That is funny coming from you, My Lord. Considering the fact that you told me point blank to stay away from you"

That was true, was he sounding desperate right now? He had asked her to stay away, why was he brothered that she had obeyed him? Maybe he was worried that something had happened to her, but she was here now and she looked alright. Maybe he should have just asked her out of his room again and not ask where she was?

"Well… I was just making sure you did not do something stupid. Besides for some reason I felt you were not in this castle" He really hoped that did not sound stupid.

"Oh is that so?, I don't only serve you My Lord, when I'm not serving you I have other people to serve" Her smile had disappeared now.

"You were definitely not with Nellie" Charlie pointed out accusingly.

"That might be true. But you see, there are other compartments in this castle that require proper handling and that is why maids like us are employed"

Something in the way she spoke told Charlie he she was not very happy, he did not want to sound too interested in her whereabouts so he decided not to add anything to what she said, he just nodded.

"You can let go of me now" Ariel nodded towards his hand that was still tightened around her arms.

Charlie released her quickly and turned away from her, she smelt nice today as usual. The familiar scent of coconut and honey filled his nostrils, he was having a hard time ignoring her closeness as it was so he just moved farther away and sat in front of the dressing mirror. He picked a towel and began drying his hair as he sat.

"You can leave now"

"I want to stay"

Charlie turned and stopped drying his hair just long enough to watch her through the mirror, she was now sitting, in a very relaxed posture. whatever boldness she had was definitely not suitable for a maid, it was annoying enough that he couldn't bring himself to punish her for her laxity.

"You can't stay"

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you to. I suppose you have more important things to do around the castle order than being a nuisance before me" Charlie seriously hoped the words were as menacing as he intended it to be.

"Your dinner is getting cold" She completely ignored the harshness in his food and began dishing the food, "It's part of my duty to serve you, My Lord"

The aroma of the food made its way to Charlie's nostrils, for the first time in a while he had to admit he was famished, he swallowed whatever he intended saying to Ariel and found his legs leading him to the dining.

Taking a seat away from Ariel, he began eating slowly, the meal was more delicious than he imagined. It wasn't long before he finished everything on his plate and gulped down a full glass of juice, his appetite was really something that night.

Picking an apple from a basket of fruits on the table, Charlie closed his eyes with his head laid back on the chair, taking one bite of the apple he chewed on it silently.

With eyes still closed, he said, "You can take the plates and leave now"

"Charlie… please let me stay here with you for a while" She was pouting as she said it and that made her look cuter than he liked to admit.

Charlie ignored the fact that she called him by his first name, "Why? I believe you have your room or a house to return to if you are tired of staying here" Did he mean that? He didn't know.

"You don't have to be so stiff, loosen up a bit. Just let me stay for a while please" She pouted again.

Sighing in frustration, he leaned back on the seat quietly for a while. It was not noble for a lady to just 'stay' with a man she was not engaged or married to, Ariel was probably still holding onto that silly assumption that he was her mate. Just how can he keep her away?

"You will have to return the plates first, clear the table and you can have your way. But avoid my things and don't disturb me" He didn't know why but he felt compelled to agree.

"I appreciate it, I'll be right back!"

Ariel hurriedly cleared the plates with her wolf speed and hurried out the door in the same energy. Strange woman, he thought, the folks rarely used their powers when a royal was around but Ariel had no regard for rules.

Just who raised this girl? Even as she left the room, her scent lingered on. Charlie found himself inhaling the air deeply and soon he was humming softly to himself still rocking the chair.

He was almost in dreamland when the door swung open, jumping out of his seat he reached for his sword which he kept handy.

"Relax, it's just me" The familiar voice rang in his ears.

Ariel closed the door gently this time and walked in, she had changed into a beautiful floral pink night dress, the robe of the dress hung loosely in her shoulder revealing a shorter silky camisole of the same color. Charlie swallowed hard and looked away.

"Why are you dre …"

"I came to be with you"

Charlie sank back in his seat.
••••••••••••••••

Bella watched Piere train with the guards from where she stood in a shade, he didn't seem the least bit pleased with whatever it was he was doing there. She had to do something about the gloomy look he carried about his duty these days, sometimes she regretted that she had to be stuck with him because he was a vital key in her plan.

She watched one guard slice the other's skin with a quick move, she nodded in satisfaction. That was how to do it, attack when they least expect and show no mercy. Lily stood beside her watching and fanning her at intervals. She needed Piere and every other person to be as loyal to her as Lily was, but Piere seemed to have a rebellious spirit and was always disagreeing with her judgements.

"It's been two months already, Lily," Bella said for the first time since they came out.

"Yes, My Lady" Lily bowed slightly.

"Still no news of the witch's death" Bella added in disgust.

"The Blood pack is a very big and powerful one My Lady, one has to plan careful before attacking them"

"But the Rogues should do something soon, I can't stand the thought that she is still there… breathing"

"I only hope the Alpha is treating her with contempt, My Lady. Wouldn't you like for her to suffer a bit before her passing?" Lily grinned mischievously.

A smile curved Bella's lips, Lily always had a way of making her happy with words or actions. If the Alpha of the Blood pack was holding Nellie captive then it wouldn't be a bad idea for her to live just a little longer until the Rogues take over the castle and finish her off, that was not that bad.

"That is a good idea, Lily. There's no doubt the Alpha took her as a slave. How ironic, from being an Alpha to serving as a slave for another Alpha." Bella let out a throaty laugh.

"Now you just have to relax and wait for the Rogues to get their hands on her, My Lady"

Before she could reply answer Lily, she found Piere strolling towards them, he must have ordered the guards to take a short break because they were dispersing I'm groups and some were resting,

"My lady" He took her hands and kissed her knuckles with a faint smile.

"I have been waiting for you" Bella gave him one of her most charming smiles.

"You didn't have to, My Lady, I would have come up to meet you later"

"It's an urgent matter that couldn't wait, Piere. I had to come"

"Oh, is that so? Let's go in then" Piere motioned to the door.

Bella brought his hands down and stood in front of him instead. "We can talk about it here"

Piere's eyebrows twisted with a curious look, "What could be so urgent, My Lady?"

"We are getting married this weekend"