In The Distance - Fallacy x Encre (Book One)

Chapter 25 - An Invitation?

Leocade has been out doing meetings with Lord Night and Lord Furry for the past two weeks, sending me a letter every day to make sure I am okay.  Right now I am walking around outside the castle in the courtyard.  I am thinking heavily on multiple different topics.  I get bored of walking then turn into a bat and fly till I am on top of the castle.   I transform back and just lay on the roof.  I stare up at the stars that twinkle innocently in the midnight sky.  I lean forwards and close my eyes, I don't even realize I am crying till I see the multi-coloured tear drops, landing on the roof.  I wipe them away, feeling confused.  Then all can think of is Fallacy.  I let the tears just slip from my eyes, not fighting them anymore.  'I had been with Fallacy from the time I was 18 till I was 23 or was it 27?' I think frowning.  'I've been with Leocade since I was 26 I know that for sure... But... Fallacy never loved me... Or did he?  Is this just a demented dream?  Maybe I'm dead... Well... Yeah, I am a vampire sorta half dead, now that I think about it.'  I think before sighing.  "Lord Encre!!!"  I hear a familiar voice yell.  I turn into a bat and fly down.  I see Lord Dream and Lord Night below.  I fly down transforming so I tackle them both.  They both are startled by me.  "Encre?"  They both say confused.  I smile happily.  "He is smiling!"  I hear a maid scream happily.  They both help me up.  "Where is Leocade?"  I ask.  "He's not here yet?" Lord Dream asks.  

My soul sinks, feeling heavy in my chest and my face goes blank again like when it does when I am thinking.  I turn away from them.  "I bet his carriage is stuck again!" Lord Night laughs.  I transform into a bat and fly away from the two lords, not wanting to cry in front of them.

I am in the Castle heading towards my painting room to try and relax.  I am walking fast clearly upset by something.  I see Eldric coming out of his room.  "Father?"  He says.  "Y-Yes?"  I say slowing to a stop turning towards him.  "Is Father home yet?"  He asks.  "No, Lord Dream and Lord Night beat him here.  He should be here shortly, do not fret."  I say smiling gently before my face returns to being blank.  I turn around and start to walk off.  "Father... Is there something wrong?"  Eldric asks.  "No... Nothing is wrong."  I state disappearing into my paint room. "father..."  He says softly, worry clear in his voice from the other side of the door.  I go up to my painting I am working on.  It is a rose with dripping colour as it is held in two hands.  I put on my apron and get to work on it.

Hours later...

I finish it stepping back to look at it.  I sigh looking down.  I start to clean up my materials and clean my brushes with a blank expression on my face.  I look up at the ceiling before finishing putting my things away.  I then take my apron off before exiting my paint room.  I pass by the band room and hear the violin playing.  I have always wanted to know who plays it, since they are still alive.  I enter the band room to see them all start to play again. I smile hearing it all so loud instead of muffled like it usually is.  I can hear every single note of, every solitary instrument.  It soon quiets down and the conductor looks over to see me.  I watch as his eyes widen in surprise.  "Lord Encre!!!"  He says bowing.  "No need to bow..."  I say nervously.  "It is an honour to see you in person!!! I heard many things about your art and I have seen it in the royal castle, but it is an honour to finally meet you."  The conductor says.  I laugh softly seeing the kids look at the mirrors along the walls not being capable of seeing me.  I step forwards into the sunlight streaming in from the huge windows that line the far wall.  There are gasps and looks of astonishment.  "My lord..."  I hear.  I see Jean holding the violin.  My eyes widen.  "My favourite butler holding my favourite instrument..."  I mutter.  "Jean?  You know Lord Encre?"  "Butler?"  I hear others say. Jean comes over to me and bows respectfully.  "My lord has Lord Leocade not arrived yet?"  He asks.  "The last time I was down in the main area was hours ago, I would have to ask a butler that travels up and down."  I say laughing softly.  Jean blushes slightly.  "Oh my god..."  I hear.  I turn to see girls looking at me.  I blush slightly.  "Jeez what is with girls and staring at me all the time... I am not a puppy or kitten."  I mutter.  "Jean!!! I am so jealous!!!"  I hear a guy say.  "It is a rainbow!!!"  I hear girls squeal.  "Lord Encre?"  Jean says noticing my lack of reaction.  "Oh... Forgive me, Jean... I must have gazed off again."  I laugh softly.  "My lord... You must be exhausted due to it be midday.  Have you been having trouble sleeping again?"  Jean says worriedly.  "I have just been thinking a lot is all Jean... I should let you all get back to practice now."  I say blushing.  "ENCRE!!!!"  I hear someone shout.  I jump at the scream.  "Who the fuck was that!?!?"  I curse before covering my mouth.  "What?" Most the people look confused.  Jean sweat drops.  "My Lord..."  Jean laughs knowing the curse word from when I gave birth.  "It's been decades since I heard you curse."  Jean laughs.  "AH!!! LEOCADE IS MAD!!! HIDE!!!"  I hear from the hallway.  "Okay... I have to go before he comes in here."  I say panicking.  "Hopefully see you all soon again!!!"  I say smiling.  "Do not hurt yourself my lord." Jean says.  "I might be a klutz but not as bad as you!"  I laugh before rushing into the hallway.  "ENCRE!!!"  I hear again.  I am shaking slightly buy I turn into a bat and hunt Leocade down.  

He looks panicked looking around.  I transform far from him.  Rouge Lords are looking at how bad I am shaking.  "I... I-I a-am r-r-right here-here."  I stutter scared of him, remembering the times Fallacy did this and would hit me hard.  Leocade turns to see me shaking.  He rushes over and I flinch hard.  "No... No... Do not be scared."  He says worriedly watching me.  He hugs me gently.  "It is alright... Remember... I will not hit you or abuse you... Remember?"  He says panicked.  I am holding onto him tightly not allowing myself to cry.  "You were having nightmares again were you not?"  He says soothingly.  "I have not been able to sleep for a few days..."  I mutter.  "Why did you not tell me?"  He says.  "You were in meetings I did not want to disturb you..."  I say gently.  "You come before anyone else."  He says gently.  I look away accidently.  "Encre."  He says placing a hand on my cheek.  I flinch again looking up at him.  A tear leaks from my eye.  "Encre..." He says gently.  He kisses me softly and I kiss back gently as well.  He then helps me up and brings me into him gently.  "Is Lord Encre alright?"  I hear.  "It is the thing we were talking about during our ride back, before... The carriage got stuck... again."  Leocade states, with a sigh.  "Leocade?"  I ask softly.  He looks down at me.  "So Lord Night... Was telling the truth... You only got stuck right?"  I ask him fear clear in my voice.  "Why would I lie to you?"   He asks me.   I look down nervously.  "Encre."  He says softly, while gently guiding my face.  "Do not fret, I will never leave you for anything or one, to me you are the best thing that I could have ever found, while taking a stroll."  He says.  I smile gently.  I hear another squeal.  I see Fallacy with Suave and Gazelle.  Gazelle looks like she hasn't aged a single bit. "Elizabeth..."  Suave says.  Then Gazelle looks down.  'She must have passed away.'  I think looking back at Leocade.  Leocade wipes away any tears leftover from my panic attack.  At least those are slowly dying out.   I place a hand over his hand.   He smiles at me.   "You see the king?"  He asks.  I look over at Fallacy.  "Yes."  I say looking back at Leocade.  "Kings are cowards... I am a leader, not a king... Because no matter who it is, my people have a leader not a coward that hides behind a fake smile and I stand beside someone I think as my equal not someone a level lower than me.  Encre... You are beautiful no matter what anyone says.  You are an amazing artist and I hope... I can spend every last living moment I can, ever exist spent with you."   Leocade says before getting down on one knee in front of me.  "I want to take you with me to the forever ball being held at Lord Furry's..."  Leocade says.  I smile happily and nod at him.