Chapter 217 - Home is where the heart is

For all the rushing forward, Cam froze once she reached the second closest door to hers. Her hand trembled as it hesitated over the knob. Her eyes darted back down the hall to her own room forcing her to swallow hard. {What if whatever caused the noise was still in there?! Nope! Not tonight monsters!} Cam thought as she puffed out her chest and quietly turned the knob. When no sound was made and there was no noise from inside, Cam let out the breath she'd been holding. A faint light helped guide her through the equally lovely room. When she neared the bed, candlelight from the table lit the angelic face of the sleeping boy. Cam nudged his shoulder as she bent closer to whisper, "Ales, Ales..."

"Hum?" A groggy voice replied.

"I... I had a nightmare... I believe..." Cam whispered.

Ales rubbed at both his eyes as he sat up in the bed. "Cam?"

She nodded. "I... I think I heard a noise... or had a nightmare..." Her cheeks heated. "Could... would it be alright that is... if I stayed in here with you for the night?"

Rubbing the last bit of sleep from his eyes, Ales pulled the covers back. "Sure, climb in." He held them up as he waited for her to climb in. Once she was lying flat on her back beside him, he smiled. Flicking one of her two braids, he chuckled. "Cute, I like them." He leaned over her and blew out the candle. "Sleep well, princess." He pulled the covers over his shoulder as he rolled onto his other side facing away from her.

"Thank you," Cam whispered as she snuggled into the bed more.

Ales rolled back onto his back and found her cold hand under the covers. He gave it a firm squeeze before lacing his fingers with hers. A smile colored his sleepy words. "Any time."

Ales woke at first light, quickly sitting up in his bed and turning toward the tiny warm body snuggled up beside him. Her pale features reminded him of all the angelic art and statues he'd seen during one of the trips he'd taken with his parents. Her nearly white double braids rested on either side of her face-framing it against the dark blue of his bedding. He felt his cheeks heat as her long featherlike eyelashes fluttered open. He quickly turned his face away towards the window, hoping to hide the blush he knew tinted his face. "It's getting early. I should see you back to your room before the maids come in for the morning." He whispered hoping his words would move her focus to the window as well, instead of his hot cheeks.

"Ok." Cam whispered sleepily as she pushed herself up with one hand and covered a yawn with the other. She kicked the covers back and let her bare feet settle on the floor before standing and giving a big stretch.

Ales's eyes bugged and his whole face heated as his eyes landed on her bared calves as she stretched. He quickly rushed forward and retrieved his dressing robe from a nearby chair and gently set it around her shoulders. "Here, the halls can be drafty this time of morning." He gave her a nervous smile as he watched her slide her arms through the garment. "I'll step out first." He said, turning the knob of the door and looking around the hall. He sent her a smile over his shoulder. "All clear." He held his hand out for her, leading her from the room and to her own door a short way down the hall. He stopped before the door and faced her. "Sleep well, princess. There is still three more hours before the rest of the house is awake and breakfast is served."

Cam blushed slightly as she looked from him to the door nervously. "Could... could you come in and check the room first?" She asked. "I swear I heard something in there last night." She looked shyly down at their hands.

Ales nodded. "Sure, no problem. Come on." He pulled the door open and led her inside. After a quick search of under the bed, inside the armoire, and the bathroom, he sent her a warm smile. "See nothing to fret about. It was probably only a mouse." As Ales was about to turn and leave the room, his eye caught a slight indent in the carpet where the dresser on the other wall seemed to be moved. He walked toward it and bent to get a closer look. Two of the legs had been moved but the others seemed to still be in the same place. Ales stood and searched the wall behind the dresser. Everything seemed normal. He shrugged as he turned back to Cam. "One of the maids must have bumped it when unpacking your bags. Enjoy your rest. I'll see you at breakfast."

Cam's eyes followed the boy out of the room before moving to the dresser in question. A chill ran down her spine causing her to shiver. She pulled the robe tighter around her as she crawled back into her own cold bed. She laid there for several long minutes unable to fall back to sleep. Letting out a heavy sigh, Cam decided to get up and begin preparing for the day.

"Good morning, dear!" Reighley's sweet voice called out from the far end of the dining room table. "Come, have a seat, dear. It is only Ales and I this morning, but that is quite alright. It will give us time to discuss your curriculum and allow me to lay out the expectations of a queen in training. She smiled brightly at Cam as she neared the table opposite Ales. "How was your first night, dear?" Reighley asked once a servant set a covered tray in front of Cam and lifted the lid.

Cam's face heated with embarrassment as her eyes met Ales's from across the table. She swallowed hard as she tried to thank of something to say, but to her surprise Ales answered instead. "She had a bit of a fright early this morning, but not to fret Mother, I investigated and I'm sure she slept soundly after."

"Oh? Is that so." His mother arched an amused brow toward her son. "You better not let your brother hear of you banishing monsters from beneath his betrothed's bed." She snickered as she took in Cam's face as it began to flame red. She let out an elegant snort of laughter. "I jest, dear, I jest!" She rested a hand atop Cam's. "At your current age gap, I doubt Fern will have much interest in your coming and goings but don't fret when the time is right, he'll take proper notice." The queen bopped Cam's nose as she straightened back in her seat. "Anyways... where were we? Oh yes, expectations." Reighley watched as Cam's nervous eyes moved over the set of silverware on either side of her plate before finally deciding to take one of the shorter forks. "I see table etiquette hasn't been one of the subjects strongly pushed." She tilted her head. "How are your studies, my dear?"

Cam swallowed the large bite of sausage she'd bitten off, before answering. "I read and write above average, momma says, and my drawing is well. I am also proficient in mathematics. Dauddy saw to that."

The queen nodded as she continued to study the young girl. Her hair was pinned back, the majority streaming over her back in waves. The pale peach dress she wore accented her pale complexion and light, bright blue eyes; but she could tell the dress hadn't been made for the girl. It may have been altered to fit her but was still slightly too large and the fabric seemed older and worn. "I believe we will start by having you fitted for some new gowns and slippers. The climate here is far more tropical than what I'm sure you are used to. We will also have you a riding habit made..." The queen stroked her chin thoughtfully. "Is there anything you can think of you would like or need, dear?"

Ales interrupted. "OwOw! Bedroom slippers and a dressing robe! The palace gets way too chilly at night." He threw in.

The queen's lips turned up in amus.e.m.e.nt as her eyes sparkled over to her son. "Is that why you lent her yours? The maids mentioned it this morning."

Ales swallowed hard as he turned his attention guiltily to Cam. "Well, she was cold when she... um had the nightmare..."

"Is that so." His mother chuckled. "Best not leave your clothes in a lady's room when visiting at night, son." She teased as she bopped her son on the nose. She laughed as both children looked at her in utter confusion. "Heed my advice, it will come in handy when you're older."

Both children looked at each other in confusion before turning their attention to the queen and nodding.

Reighley laughed once again. "Alright, now back to business I've teased enough. Camilla, dear, you will be joining Ales in his studies from now on. You will do mathematics for an hour of the morning, followed by history of our clan until lunch, then literature, writing, and the arts of the evening. Etiquette classes will be three days a week and will include ballroom dance, and you may select any instrument for tutoring on the other two days." She smiled at her son. "Ales is currently taking piano and violin if you like to sit in on a few of his classes before deciding."

Cam nodded. "Wh...what about Fern..." She stuttered sending a nervous glance to Ales before quickly adding. "It's just that... well you haven't mentioned him."

Reighley sent Cam a warm smile. "You do not have to explain, dear. It's only natural to ask. He studies outside the palace for the most part now, either at university or by working alongside his father. He has trained for many years now to take over when his father can no longer rule. You will most likely only see him in passing around the palace during the evening or your days off from tutoring." She filled in.

Cam nodded. "When will I begin?" She asked shyly.

Reighley smiled warmly. "You will begin today, dear. Ales will show you where to go and help you acclimate. I will send for you once the seamstress is here." She had lifted her fork halfway to her lips before breathing in suddenly. "Oh, I'd almost forgotten to ask. How do you like your rooms, dear? Are the colors agreeable? We can also change them if you'd like."

"Oh no, my room is beautiful. I like it quite a lot, thank you." Cam said around another bite.

"Very well, dear." She nodded to Ales. "Perhaps Ales can spare some time one day this week to take you into town and shop for other items for your room, to make it more personal for you. There are several shops. It would also give you a chance to see the town and get to know it."

Ales nodded. "That could be fun. I can take her to the shop with the shaved ice!" He began rambling on about other shops in town and the things he liked the most about them.

Reighley laughed. "Oh well, now I want to go, even!"

"You should, Mother! It would be super fun and the shop owners always give extra treats when you or Father are around."

Reighley chuckled at her son's enthusiasm. "I will try rearranging my schedule and see." She turned to Cam and winked. "Anything for extra treats."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of activity. The mathematics teacher was an older, rather lively man with short gray whiskers lining his jaw from ear to ear, growing bushier by each. The oils of his balding head often caught the glint of the morning sun and reflected it causing Ales to giggle every time a ray would cause Cam to squint. The history lessons were surprisingly interesting, and Cam discovered this wolf pack's history wasn't so much different than her own. Lunch came and went with her and Ales sharing finger sandwiches and a tray of fruit out on the beautiful veranda that overlooked the ocean. Her attention stayed so focused on the waters below that Ales had offered to take her down to the beach sometime soon. Her amazement hadn't ended there. Once back inside she had first been surprised at how well Ales read and at how pretty his calligraphy was, but neither had prepared her for what was to come. The beautiful melody of the violin filled the room. Her attention stayed trained on him the whole time, enjoying every expression of his closed-eyed face and the agile stroke of the bow over the strings as his finger moved nimbly across the cords at the handle. She couldn't help but clap when his practice was over causing the teacher to clap as well.

"I want to learn that one!" Cam said in excitement as she reviewed her day to the queen as they walked hand in hand down the sloping road leading to the town with Ales skipping along beside them happily enjoying her praise.

"If it is what you would like, Dear." Reighley chuckled sending her son a pleased smile. She continued asking the girl questions and enjoying the easy banter between the children. "Ah, here we are." Reighley announced as they rounded the last turn leading into the booming town.

Cam's eyes took in the bustling streets lined with busy shops. The scent of fresh baked goods mingled with the scent of the many flowers overfilling the many flower boxes in each of the businesses windows and hanging from baskets attached to the shop signs. "Wow..." Cam murmured in amazement. "It's so pretty..."

Ales grabbed her free hand and dragged Cam and his mother toward his favorite shop. Pushing up on tip-toe over the counter, he called out. "THREE shaved ice's today, Mr. Ginio!"

"Oh? Is that Prince Ales I hear? And did you say you brought friends?" The shop owner said as he turned away from the counter he'd been working at, a gentle smile spread across his face. The man paled briefly as he suddenly straightened and bowed his head. "Your Majesty! I didn't realize-" Reighley's cheerful laughter brought the man's blushing face back up to meet hers.

She patted her son's shoulder. "Prince Ales insists you have the best treats in the entire kingdom. So, we simply couldn't resist." She said, moving her smile down to Cam.

The shop owner smiled nervously back at the queen. "I hope I can meet your expectations, My Lady."

She chuckled as she patted her son's shoulder again. "Ales is never wrong about these things. If he says your shop is the best, then it must be so." She winked down to her son. "What flavors would you recommend, Dear?"

Ales thought it over for a few seconds. "What is your favorite fruit, Cam?" He asked. When she only shrugged, he thought harder, tenting his brows and rubbing his chin. "I have an idea!" He called out before smiling brightly as he pushed up onto his tip-toes to see farther into the shop. "One of each, please!"

The older shop owner chuckled as the queen giggled merrily and nodded in agreement. "Here you go, it's on the house." He said as he handed several cups out the window to Ales.

He quickly grabbed the spoon from one of the cups and scooped a large amount of the red tented ice onto it. Shoving it toward Cam, he declared. "This one is my favorite, so you must try it first!"

Reighley laughed happily as she watched the children sample each of the cups and rate which were each of their favorites. Her worries of Cam's transition to their palace quickly melted away as she reached out and stroked her hand over the girl's soft hair.