She stood firm at her post, in front of the nice larger on the inside house. She always loved being here, the sunshine being only really present in this nice way in her court and the house giving the lovely feeling of summer and kids playing. She closed her eyes and was blissful for a moment as a summer breeze ruffled her hair. She knew it wasn't exactly the most real sensation, the Fae Realm being an odd one but it was what she grew up with and her young heart longed for the loving caress of the heat.
When she opened her eyes it was to the past, to the sound of footsteps on the cobble path heading towards her, the Summer Prince. She gave him a small smile and a slight bow, her eyes twinkling as he gave her that look that she was certain he only ever gave her. The look that caused her to start sneaking out of her own home in the middle of the night to meet in the midst of the meadows. The look that made her feel like she was worth more than just as a sentry.
It started months ago, years after she had started her sentry post but weeks after she started to loosen up a little more while on duty. Not to the point of letting those past who were not permissible but enough that she started actually taking in her surroundings instead of looking as gruff as she usually did. Her appearance had slowly started to shift, fitting more into the appearance the guards around her took as well. A few of her scars remained on her face but she didn't look as frightening as she took on the persona of summer that she was meant to have. It wasn't long before she noticed the Prince's gaze upon her own, that escalated into light brushes as he passed her that evolved into note passing.
The first time he passed her a note she was certain he had given it to the wrong person. A call to the meadows at night. And of course she went, and of course she let her heart be led by him. She was foolish in this. Slowly the notes stopped, as the meadow became a constant norm. Her heart swelled with pride and mistaken love as she walked through the halls, haven been traded posts for the day. Of course in her foolish youth she looked for him, tried to see him. And see him she did, when upon turning a corner she witnessed that gaze being turned towards someone else. Someone with lighter hair and less scars. One of the kitchen maids, who had never seen battle in her life.
Adelaide was, somewhat reasonably, crushed, as that night she made her way to the meadows, falling to her knees amongst the flowers and sobbed. At the sound of two people making their way towards her, a ring of fire came up around her and she held her eyes shut tight.
When she opened them she was jolted back to the present, to the sound of footsteps on the cobblestone. The Summer Prince. She gave him a curt nod and returned her gaze outward, not truly looking at him, the man who ruined her naive innocence.
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