The Dragon's Kiss
Chapter 18 - EIGHTEEN: Maybe I Can Help

Kel shimmied along the edge of the building as she worked her way back to her room. Ten minutes flew by, and she had just ducked over the terrace railing when the guards' lamplight came into view.

She melted to the ground in relief as her feet landed and let out the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.

"I wonder what Barclay has planned.." she murmured, lying back against the cold stony floor.

She spent several minutes stretched out like that under the dark sky, pondering the night's events. Despite her earnest contemplation, she made no progress unraveling the identity of the mysterious hooded figure or Barclay's bizarre actions.

With a huff, Kel finally sat up. It was useless. Without further information, she'd never be able to piece things together herself.. For tonight, she resolved to trust Barclay and go back to bed.

Lucy's soft voice floated through the air as Kel pulled the balcony doors shut.

"Princess."

Kel jumped at the unexpected greeting.

"Y-yes, Lucy?" she smiled innocently, hesitantly turning to face the maid.

The woman was seated in one of the chairs, legs crossed and arms folded like a parent waiting up for their child to return home.

"Where were you just now?" Lucy pressed, her mouth bent in a small frown.

"Just getting some fresh air," Kel lied, gesturing to the terrace she'd just come from.

"In Sir Barclay's room?" The maid's voice was unsettlingly solemn.

"You knew?" Kel glanced awkwardly around the room, trying to avoid Lucy's eyes. "D-do others know too then?"

An uncomfortable silence settled at Kel's question, interrupted shortly by the rustling of Lucy's dress as she crossed the space between them.

Kel scrunched her eyes shut in fear, wondering what kind of scolding or punishment she'd receive. She'd really messed up this time.

A gasp escaped her lips as Lucy's hands grasped her shoulders.

"There is nothing you can do here that we won't know about," the maid said urgently, fingers digging into the skin above Kel's collar bones.

"We?" Kel asked nervously, grimacing at Lucy's ruthless grip. Was she talking about the maids? Or the guards?

"Haaa," Lucy released Kel's shoulders, bringing one hand to her forehead. "Nevermind."

Kel stood dazed, watching the woman's stern demeanor gradually melt into a more lighthearted disposition.

"You're going stir crazy, right?" she asked finally.

"I am," Kel admitted.

Lucy patted her head softly. "Maybe I can help with that."

"You can?" Kel pulled back in surprise.

The maid grinned at Kel's reaction. Without explaining any further, she excused herself from the room, simply instructing Kel to sleep for tonight.

Mentally exhausted, Kel obediently crawled into the cozy bed. She was still disconcerted about several things, but the maid's words had given her a small pang of excitement. Eventually managing to curb the whirlwind of thoughts sweeping through her mind, she drifted off to sleep.

"Hello? Princess?" Kel awoke the next morning to Lucy's normal chipper greeting outside the door.

"Lucy! Come in!" she jumped up, running to the door just as Lucy stepped inside.

"My, Princess," she giggled, "you're in a good mood today."

"Of course," Kel smiled.

A few other maids trailed in behind Lucy and proceeded with the regular morning routine. After being scrubbed top to bottom in a large wooden tub, Kel tugged one of the new dresses over her head and sat submissively while the maids brushed and twisted her golden mane.

After a chorus of "ooo"s and "aaah"s from the maids at their own handiwork, Kel and Lucy were left alone in the room.

Kel quickly moved to the table where Lucy was unpacking breakfast foods from a large basket.

"Here you g-" Lucy stopped when she saw Kel's expectant look. "Ah, yes?"

"Hmmm?" Kel tilted her head to the side. Shouldn't it be obvious what she was waiting for? Had Lucy already forgotten what she said last night?

"Oh!" Lucy's face suddenly lit up. She turned and began rummaging through the basket.

"I snuck this in today," she commented, pulling a wrapped object from the bag, "but don't get too used to it."

Kel's confusion deepened as the maid plopped the fist-sized object into her hands. While she was certainly grateful for the effort, she was expecting more of an activity than an object to relieve her boredo-

"Eh!?"

Beneath the dainty white cloth wrapping was a fluffy cake.

"W-what's this?" Kel stammered in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Lucy smiled, "It's dessert!"

Kel blinked several times. Dessert? When Lucy said she'd help with Kel's stir craziness, she meant that she'd bring cake?!

"Right. Um, thank you," Kel muttered, trying to hide her disappointment.

"Enjoy it," Lucy chirped, bowing and turning to leave. "Oh right!"

She reached into the basket again, producing a large folded bundle.

"Put this somewhere safe," she instructed, placing the bundle in the seat next to Kel. "You'll need it for tonight."

Kel whipped around excitedly and grabbed the bundle. "You mean..?"

Lucy put a finger to her lips to silence Kel and winked before exiting the room. Kel shook her head and smiled as she watched the maid saunter out. She hadn't realized Lucy knew how to tease like that.

Unable to hold back, Kel dropped the cake next to the rest of her breakfast and picked up the bundle. Thick black cloth unfurled all the way to the floor. Noticing the hood dangling at the top, Kel realized it was a cloak.

Just what on earth are we doing tonight? She wondered excitedly, clutching the cloak to her chest.

The rest of the day passed mundanely. Kel thought over the issue of Barclay and the hooded figure until she thought her brain would burst from frustration.

What had that person been doing in the west building anyway? Was Barclay working together with them? Did she and Barclay have an ally in Serin after all?

There were too many questions. Although it was likely that the figure was a friend, it was equally likely they could be a foe.

If only she could meet them again.

When the sun began to sink, Lucy's soft knock sounded at the door.

"Are you ready?" she asked, draping a cloak similar to the one she gave Kel over her shoulders.

"I am!" Kel replied, pulling her own cloak out from underneath the bed. "But for what, exactly?"

Lucy grinned over her shoulder at Kel as she lifted the hood over her loosely braided hair.

"For the night market."