The next few days at the palace were full of activity. First, Delvin's cloths and personal items were moved from his room to the king's chamber. Second, Dolores ordered for her chamber to be designed in a mother ad child contained design. Finally, for Sheila, she had to move all her things into a servant's chamber next to Delvin's room. For two weeks the castle was in uproar.
After that the days went by with meetings upon meetings and Sheila found herself standing for most of the day. If he wasn't in a meeting, Delvin was no where to be found and wouldn't return till dinner drenched or injured..
One night Sheila sat on the Balcony to Delvin's room. She enjoyed the view of the flowers in the garden and the wind in her hair. as she enjoyed the silent scenery, she spotted Delvin trudging toward the building. A few guards rushed towards him and carried him into the room. They laid him on the bed and a bowl of water was brought for her. she sat beside him an quietly cleaned his wounds. i removed the sword he was carrying and admired its shiny surface.
"Did you get hit by a human or an animal?" she asked no one in particular and examined his wounds closely. . there were huge claw marks and deep stabs, but his sword was still clean, was he attacked? Sheila rinsed the towel and squeezed the water out.
"Well, i can't abandon you like this" she thought to herself and sat on the chair beside the bed. She watched his breathing rise and fall for a while before she fell asleep too.
"Sleeping on duty?" a voice asked, Sheila opened her eyes slightly and saw Delvin by the mirror trying to comb his hair. She walked up to him a nd took the comb. "You'll loose all your hair if you comb it like that" she said and started to comb the hair, but after fighting with whatever he fought, his hair was more tangled up than a bird's nest.
"Do you mind if i wash your hair?" she asked and he walked into the bathing chamber. she made him rest his head on the edge of the tub while she let his hair into the water. the water instantly turned red and Sheila had to change it twice before really washing the hair. afterwards, she realized she didn't know how to style hair. Delvin sighed and quickly packed the hair into a ponytail.
"One, i'm a guy, not your baby sister, two, simple is fine and three your turn " he said and motioned for her to sit down.
"Your majesty, I couldn't"
"I insist" he' said and pulled her to sit. He positioned the chair in front of the mirror and began to comb it, applying oils and massaging them into the hair.
"What is one my schedule for today?" He asked as he clipped a section of her hair.
" Nothing official, a few fencing sessions and then a ride through the western village." She replied and looked at the hairpin in the mirror. It was beautiful, with a combination of rubies and emeralds creatively arranged to form a rose. She attempted to remove it, but he stopped her.
" You do not pla to reject a gift from he emperor, do you now?" He asked and she shook her head while staring him blank in the face. He stared at her intensely as though trying to tell her something. She never shirted her gaze and looked him straight in the eye. "It's funny" he said walking away
"What is?" She asked and stood up.
"No one ever looked me in the eye" he said and turned away. Sheila suddenly realized her mistake and was about to apologize, but he stopped her.
" I like the boldness, just not in public, okay?" He said with a calm smile. And headed for the door. She hurried towaeds him and opened it. Then closed it as she followed him out.
They got to the courtyard and met Dolores and Stel watching some dancers perform. Delvin walked up to his sister and sat beside her. "Good day sister" he said. She turned her head slightly
" Good your majesty" she replied and returned her gaze to the performers. Sheila walked over to where Stel was seated and stood beside her. Dolores noticed this and cleared her throat.
" How are you two related, I mean same dad, I know, your mom?"
"We are of the same mother your highness" Sheila replied with a slight bow.
" Speak to your sister if you wish, I cannot stop you now can I?" Dolores said and chuckled. Sheila knelt down beside Stel and held her hand. Stel didn't wait for her to speak and began to tell her how she had been.
" Oh sister, these past few weeks have been amazing. I have my own room and another for my cloths. I get to eat at the princesses table and... And... It's been awesome." She said and hugged her sister " im glad your okay. I hope the mean man didn't hurt you?" Stel said out loud.
Delvin turned his head towards the sisters, his face bore a blank expression, " what do you mean by mean?" He asked. Str shrugged and then sighed." What do you expect me to say if the man who beheaded my father right before my eyes?" She said and Delvin shrank back into his seat. Everyone around seemed to notice the change in his mood. Dolores gave Stel with a disappointed look and sighed. Delvin suddenly stood up and left the courtyard. Sheila had to run to catch up with him . All the other servants around fell on their faces and the performers bowed till their faces touched the ground. Dolores stood up and walked away. Stel suddenly realized the weight of her actions followed her.
Delvin walked into the place temple and stopped in front of the curtain. Sheila caught up with him and stopped just beside him, gasping for breath. " You can't follow me past this point" he saidand walked forward alone. Sheila stared at him as he left her behind. All that running and you just tell me to stop here, how... How.. just forget it. She thought and sat on the ground. A while later, she heard a scream from behind the curtain," Your majesty are you all right?" She asked and approached the curtain. She heard a quiet groaning and her mind began racing. What was going on in there? She asked herself and slowly pushed back the curtain.
No, held said to stop here, but he could be in trouble. If he gets hurt within the palace, I'll be punished. She thought before finally stepping behind the curtains.
She walked further and saw Delvin pinned against the wall by a giant clamlwed paw. She walked closer still hidden by the many veils surrounding the area. One of the claws was lifted and then sunk deep into Delvins side where the old wound was. He groaned as quietly as he could but still couldnt keep the whole sound in. Sheila heard growling coming from the ceiling and looked up. The dragon, Tan'y'ju was there, only now he was bigger and all the more terrifying. He grabbed Delvin and threw him halfway across the room. He was about the stab him again when Sheila rushed out and blocked him. Delvin and the dragon both paused in shock. the mark behind Sheila's neck glowed slightly. Delvin stumbled to his feet and walked up to her.
" How did you get that?" He asked while holding his wound.
" What?" Sheila asked. Delvin attempted to touch the spot, but was swatted away by the dragon's tail.
" Do not touch her" the beast growled. ""She is mine" it added. Sheila froze in horror
" What?" She exclaimed and the mark emitted an even brighter glow.