New 1-1 with Soph x

'Yeah, I guess so. Shall we walk back up to the castle?' Sheidi asked standing up and brushing down her dress. 'I'll talk to you about how it went at dinner.' She told her kindly.

"Yeah, sure lets go back!" said Petale
Petale stood up and brushed off the remaining blades of grass on her dress.
"Okay" said Petale.

As the two girls made their way back across the lawn, Conrad and Lyon appeared out of the woods. Conrad told the Prince that he had better see Jenna before the meeting. Lyon nodded and went to greet the two girls, wondering why Conrad had seemed so edgy.

Petale saw a shadow behind her. She started to walk closer to Sheidi because she was scared.
She turned around and saw Lyon.
"Oh my, you gave me a fright." said Petale and made room for Lyon to walk beside her.

Lyon grinned and dismounted Oracle, taking his reigns and walking beside Petale. 'Sorry, I got a bit lost.' He looked around and noticed Sheidi. 'Er, hello, Sheidi.' He said warily.
'Good afternoon, Prince Lyon.' Sheidi replied. 'Can I walk with you to the meeting?'
He nodded kindly and said to Petale, 'See you later.' Before walking with Sheidi ahead.

***

Sheidi drifted into the dinner room, spotting Petale in a seat next to Conrad and Jenna. She felt a little overwhelmed at having to be so near Conrad, and hoped it wouldn't show as she lightly landed in the seat. 'Evening.' She said.

Conrad looked over vaguely as Sheidi sat down, and averted his gaze quickly as their eyes met.

"Oh, thats okay Lyon! I was really worried about you!" said Petale
"See you at dinner Lyon" said Petale and smiled.

***************
"Evening Sheidi" said Petale.
"Sorry about the seating arrangements, Conrad wanted to sit near us!" said Petale and felt like she has let Sheidi down.

Conrad blushed a little as he heard what Petale said, making him look younger than his years. He was about to say something, but decided against it.

Sheidi shook her head, tossing her angelic curls about. 'It's fine. I'm going tonight anyway.' She whispered delicately so no one else could hear. 'Father has forced me to marry one of the lords, I've never met him but... I wont do it. After dinner I'm getting out of here.'

Lyon planted himself the other side of Conrad and Jenna wondering what the two girls were saying. He wondered if Petale knew that he and Sheidi were siblings.

"Sheidi, please don't leave, your one of my closest friends!" said Petale. She could feel a tear running down her cheek.
Petale looked around and saw Lyon looking at her and Sheidi. Petale looked away and looked at Sheidi again.

Sheidi smiled taken aback by how Petale had reacted. 'I'm sure you have friends you know much better than myself here, seeing as we only met today.' She replied kindly. She snuck a glance at Conrad to see that he was staring straight at her in a confused and unhappy way, making her feel as if he'd heard what they were saying.

Petales frown turned into a shy smile.
"You will come back wont you?" whispered Petale.

Sheidi frowned. 'I... I don't think so. Not unless I can do it in secret. I'll send you letters though.' She looked away from Conrad's face and down at her lap. 'I just wish everything could've worked out for me. And for you.'

Petale looked up to Sheidi.
"Oh, thats to bad" said Petale.
Petale looked at Conrad and gave him an evil glare.
"Same here! I wish life was simple and didnt have bad things like this" said Petale.

Sheidi shrugged and pushed her hardly touched plate away. 'I'm not hungry. I'll see you.' Getting up, she gave one look around the room, then strode out and walked to her room.

Conrad was taken aback by the look Petale gave him. Wasn't she quite fond of him? Hadn't they become good friends? He turned away from Jenna to speak to her, now that Sheidi had gone he felt more at ease. 'So, are you looking forward to the wedding, the Queen Skyrah wants you, Cristal, and Lyon's little sister Leanne to be bridesmaids.'

Petale looked at Sheidi while she walked out.
"Don't go..." Petale's voice drifted away.

Petale looked at Conrad and went over to him.
"Haven't talked to you in ages Conrad!" said Petale trying to forget about Sheidi leaving

*Three years later*

As dawn arose over the castle grounds, the family awoke to another cold morn. War had arrived. The country of Reeid had declared war over three weeks ago, and King Rory's side were loosing badly. He and all the palace troops departed a week ago, following the rest of the army, and since there had been no reply. Ruling as the King in his absence, Prince Lyon, and with help from the council, he was trying to keep the country steady.

Petale opened the curtians to another day of war.
"Don't you just hate the war" said Petale to her sister Crystal.
Crystal was writing in her diary.
"Oh. Yes, it is...annoying" said Crystal quietly.
"Why dont you talk more and write less in your diary" said Petale.
Petale walked out of her room and went down to see Lyon.

Lyon looked up from his paperwork, to see Petale standing in the doorway. 'Good morning.' His voice had become graver since the war had begun. 'What can I help you with?'

"Uh, yeah...Morning" said Petale.
Petale saw that Lyon was busy with paperwork and replied.
"Oh, dont worry..." said Petale and walked down the hall.

Lyon stood up and made his way around the desk, following her into the hall. 'Wait, Petale. What did you want to say to me? I'd like someone to talk with, ruling as King in my Father's absence is a lonely and tiring job.' He smiled, feeling like a child who was trying to be brave.