A week had passed since Clover and Maribelle's release, and they had spent the last three to four days sweeping the courtyard as part of their assigned duties. Despite the yard's vast size, it remained remarkably clean, reflecting the elves' dedication to maintaining a pristine environment.
To complete their task efficiently, the girls woke up around four in the morning each day. Finishing their chores early allowed them to explore the wonders of the Earth Kingdom. They discovered unique rivers, breathtaking trees, and learned that the Golden Forest transformed into a silver wonderland during winter.
Rumours of a mystical tree, renowned for its ethereal glow, had also piqued their interest. Intrigued, Clover and Maribelle longed to find this enchanting tree, to marvel at its beauty and uncover its secrets.
The next day, after finishing her courtyard sweeping duties, Clover wandered over to the stables, eager to visit the horses. She made her way to Thalionel, the stable boy, who was busy feeding a group of playful foals. Clover's heart skipped a beat as she approached him, her shy smile faltering for a moment.
"Hi," she said softly, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in her chest.
Thalionel looked up, his bright eyes sparkling with warmth. "Hey, are you already done sweeping?" he asked, setting aside the feed bucket to give Clover a friendly hug.
"Yes," she replied, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. "Are you still busy? If so, I'll come later, I don't want to get you in trouble."
Thalionel chuckled, his smile reassuring. "No, I was just finishing up with the foals.
Now that I'm done, we should take a stroll around the stables. I want to make sure the foals are feeding well." He offered Clover his arm, and she took it, feeling a sense of ease with him.
As they walked, Thalionel pointed out the different horses, sharing stories about their personalities and quirks. Clover listened, enchanted by his passion for the animals and his kind heart. She found herself feeling drawn to him, her crush blossoming with every passing moment.
As they strolled through the stables, suddenly, a majestic creature emerged from the shadows, its coat as black as the night sky. The horse's mane rippled like the darkness itself, and its inky black eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intelligence.
"This is Sina, the Shadow Horse," Thalionel whispered, his voice barely audible, as if he feared startling the horse. "She is the Prince's horse, born from the darkness and forged in the heart of the kingdom."
Thalionel's eyes widened in surprise. "She never emerges from the shadows unless summoned, and only by the Prince himself. A dangerous horse, at that." Sina approached them, her hooves making barely a sound on the ground.
Thalionel instinctively pushed Clover behind him, causing Sina to neigh in response. But Clover stepped forward, her hand extended, and Sina nuzzled her gently, as if sensing a kindred spirit, a dark shadow born from the same darkness.
Thalionel's eyes narrowed, intrigued by the unexpected bond between Clover and Sina. He tried to reach out a hand, but Sina became agitated, her eyes flashing with a fierce light. Thalionel's gaze snapped back to Clover, his expression filled with a newfound interest and a hint of curiosity. What was it about Clover that had tamed the wild Shadow Horse?
As they walked away, Sina trotted behind them, her eyes fixed on Clover. Thalionel sighed, his expression anxious.
"Can't you tell the horse to return to the shadows?" he begged Clover. "I'm scared of its master, and I've never taken care of her."
Clover's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I'll try, if you tell me what's so special about Sina."
Thalionel hesitated before responding, "Sina can traverse the shadows, carrying her riders across vast distances in the blink of an eye."
"She's a loyal companion," he continued, "and those who earn her trust are rewarded with unparalleled loyalty and protection."
Clover's eyes widened in awe. "Wow, that's awesome! I want one of those."
Thalionel chuckled. "That would be a problem, because she's one of a kind. We don't even know where the Prince got her."
Sina nickered softly, as if listening to their conversation. Clover reached out a hand, and Sina nuzzled her palm, her eyes shining with an otherworldly intelligence.
Two days had passed since Sina emerged from the shadows, and Clover had tried every means possible to send her back. However, the stubborn horse refused to budge, insisting on remaining by Clover's side at all times.
Maribelle couldn't help but tease Clover, saying she had adopted a baby. Clover playfully rolled her eyes, but deep down, she was growing concerned. There was one major problem looming on the horizon: Prince Eirlys was returning home after a nearly three-week diplomatic mission.
Rumors swirled that the prince was not a man to be trifled with, and Clover worried about the consequences of Sina's unwavering presence. What would the prince think when he discovered his prized Shadow Horse had taken a liking to a young, unknown girl? Clover's heart skipped a beat at the thought of facing the prince's wrath.
The next day, Clover found herself in the sun-drenched meadow, surrounded by vibrant wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze. She had been tasked by the head housemaid to collect a bouquet of these delicate blooms, as the queen reportedly preferred their untamed beauty to the meticulously cultivated flowers in the castle gardens.
As a wood elf, the queen's affinity for the natural world was well-known, and Clover felt a sense of pride in being able to contribute to the queen's pleasure, even in a small way. She carefully selected a mix of colorful flowers, taking care not to damage their delicate petals as she gathered them into a woven basket.
As she worked, Clover couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her. The meadow was alive with the songs of birds and the gentle rustle of leaves, and she felt her worries slowly unraveling in the serene atmosphere. Sina, sensing her calm mood, grazed peacefully nearby, her ears pricked up and her eyes watchful.
As Clover walked, Sina trotted faithfully behind her. Clover spoke to the horse, "You know, it's like you're waiting for your master to punish me." Sina responded with a dismissive snort and a shake of her head, as if mocking Clover's concerns.
Clover laughed and affectionately patted Sina's muzzle. "You're teasing me, I know it." She chuckled, shaking her head in wonder. "If I were in the mortal realm, I'd have been admitted to a loony bin by now."
"Of course you would," Ari's voice echoed in Clover's mind, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Sometimes I think you're crazy too."
Clover's mental response was immediate and indignant. "Oh, come on! You can't just pop into my thoughts out of nowhere and give me that nasty answer. Respect my mind, Ari!" She mentally emphasized each word, her irritation palpable even in the telepathic exchange.
Ari's response was a mental chuckle, her presence in Clover's mind seeming to vibrate with amusement. "Sorry, sorry. I forgot that mortals are so fragile," she teased, her tone playful but with a hint of underlying mischief.
"Sometimes I think you forget we share the same body, my body to be exact," Clover said, a triumphant smile spreading across her lips. "If I'm fragile, the same applies to you."
Ari's response was a low, husky chuckle. "I knew you'd say that, but never mind. What are you going to do about Sina, now that the prince is returning today?" Ari's tone was laced with a hint of curiosity and a dash of mischief.
Clover's smile faltered, and her mind began to race with the implications of the prince's return. She had grown accustomed to Sina's presence, but she knew that the horse's true owner would not be pleased to find her in Clover's care. "I...I don't know," Clover admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Deep in thought, Clover struggled to formulate a response to her demoness, when a low, husky voice interrupted her reverie. "Greetings," it said. She spun around abruptly, anticipating an intruder, but her jaw dropped as she laid eyes on a breathtakingly handsome elven man.
His tall, lean frame was complemented by subtly broad shoulders. A light tan kissed his skin, hinting at a deep affection for sun-drenched days. But what truly mesmerized her were his eyes – an extraordinary, almost overwhelming shade of amethyst that seemed to hold her entranced.
"Close your mouth, you'll scare this specimen of perfection," the demoness's voice whispered in her mind, laced with amusement. Clover swiftly regained her composure, and to her relief, her momentary lapse seemed to go unnoticed by the elf.
However, a faint, enigmatic smile played on his lips, hinting that perhaps he was more perceptive than she thought.
"Sorry, sir. May I assist you?" Clover asked politely.
The elf's gaze lingered on Sina before he replied, "I was passing by and noticed your horse. He's magnificent. Would you consider selling him to me?"
Clover shook her head, gathering her basket of flowers as she prepared to leave. "I'm afraid not, sir. The horse is not for sale."
The elf's eyes sparkled with interest. "I'd be willing to pay with diamonds of various colors."
Clover's expression remained firm. "I apologize, sir, but the horse doesn't belong to me. It's the property of His Highness, Prince Eirlys."
The elf's face lit up with surprise. "Oh, I apologize for the mistake. May I ask, what's the horse's name?"
"Sina," Clover replied.
The elf's curiosity deepened. "I've heard that Sina is always in the shadows. How did you manage to summon it?"
Clover's expression was serene. "I didn't summon it, sir. It came on its own."
"Then, it seems Sina has taken a liking to you," the elf said with a gentle smile. He paused, his eyes sparkling with interest, before asking, "Are you headed to the castle or the wood elf's residence?"
"I'm a servant at the royal castle," Clover replied, beginning to walk along the path.
The elf fell into step beside her. "I'm also bound for the castle. May I carry your basket for you?"
Clover's gaze swept over him, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in his refined features and elegant attire. She suspected he might be a noble, and her instincts dictated that she maintain a respectful distance.
"No, sir. It wouldn't be proper for a noble to carry a servant's basket," she said firmly.
However, the elf wouldn't be deterred. With a charming smile, he gently took the basket from her grasp.
"I insist," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement, as they continued on their way to the castle together.
As they arrived at the castle, the prince's knights couldn't help but stare in astonishment. They had never seen their prince in such close proximity to a lady, let alone a servant. The air was thick with curiosity and whispered speculation.
Clover, oblivious to the commotion, turned to the elf noble and offered a gracious smile. "Thank you, sir, for your kindness in carrying my basket."
With a courteous bow, the elf noble replied,
"The pleasure was mine, fair maiden."
As they parted ways, Clover continued on to her duties, leaving behind a trail of intrigue and fascination in the wake of her unexpected encounter with the mysterious elf noble.
Clover was busy arranging the flowers as directed by the head housemaid, when Maribelle came to her in excitement.
Maribelle burst into the room, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Clover, you won't believe who arrived today!" she exclaimed.
Clover's curiosity was piqued. "Who?" she asked, setting aside her tasks.
Maribelle's grin widened. "My uncle, Sebastian! It seems we've come to the right court after all. He's close to Prince Eirlys, not the king, which explains why we didn't see him when we were brought in."
Clover's interest deepened. "That's intriguing," she said.
Maribelle's excitement was contagious. "And what's even more surprising is that he came alone," she added, her voice barely above a whisper.
Without another word, Maribelle grasped Clover's arm and pulled her along. "Come on, hurry up! I want to introduce you to him," she said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
However, Clover hesitated. "Maribelle, could you help me with the flowers first? We can go together afterwards."
Maribelle nodded, and together they set to work arranging the flowers along the hallway, through the visitor's chambers, and into the queen's chambers. The task required patience and attention to detail, and by the time they finished, they were both exhausted.
Their fingers were sore, and their backs ached from bending and straightening, but the end result was breathtaking. The flowers added a touch of elegance and warmth to the castle's interior, and Clover felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.
As they stepped back to admire their handiwork, Maribelle turned to Clover and smiled. "Now, let's go meet my uncle. I'm sure he's waiting for us."
Together they left to find Maribelle's uncle.