CHAPTER TWO

"Lady Callisto, it's time for you to..." My maid attendant, Gwendaline paused as she saw me brushing my unruly red hair that was very difficult to tame.

"Always early to rise, my lady." Gwen said as I nodded.

"Brush my hair Gwen." I instructed as she bowed politely and took the brush from my hand.

She stroke my hair softly as I stared into the mirror and stared into my green eyes that unlike my father were undescribable to me. 

"Is anything wrong my lady?" Gwen asked as I picked up a chess pawn on the table.

"Do you fear me Gwen?" I asked as she paused in action then continued. I studied her body language as I waited for her answer response.

"I consider you as my lady, an intelligent, strong and confident woman not to waste time on trivial matters. Plus I admire you for that." Gwen spoke honestly as she blushed a little before I held her hand.

We stared into each other's eyes and even with the silence, I could hear Gwen's heart beating fast as her breathing became erratic.

I always knew Gwen's loyalty to me was more than just admiration and if she wasn't important, I would have evicted her in a painless manner.

"My lady." Gwen's smooth voice had me breaking the contact as I stood up, grabbing a pawn piece.

"What is the most powerful piece in a game of chess?" I asked as I walked to my window and stared down.

Father was talking to a messenger boy as I faced Gwen who was seriously thinking as she stared at the board on my desk.

"The king." She responded.

"Why?" I asked as I picked up the lonesome king.

"Because the king determines if he ends the game or not." Gwen explained as I laughed.

I sat down and placed the pieces and had all the pieces fall on their faces. Gwen came closer as I rearranged the pieces.

"The most powerful piece in chess is the one who controls the flow of the game. In short, the player who wins." I responded as I used a pawn to checkmate the king.

I sat in the garden with a cup of tea in my hand as I stared at the beautiful flowers that were daily cared. My face was always stoic, expressionless as many pondered what a young lady like me would be reasoning but strangely, my mind was blank.

"My wild phoenix." Father said as he stepped into the pavillion and took my other hand. He placed a kiss on my hand as his neat beard scratched my skin before he took a seat.

"Care for tea?" I asked as he nodded.

I poured him a cup and handed him the cup as we enjoyed the scenery in silence.

"There's something I wish to talk to you about my wild phoenix." Father broke the silence in seriousness.

"Anything father?" I asked as he smiled at me.

"You know you are my favorite child."

"Certainly."

"Do you remeber the Capell's eldest son?" Father asked as I dropped my tea.

"Clearly, he left a strong impression on me."

"What do you think of him?"

"His handsome for a child from winterdale, his brave and very blue blooded but that doesn't mean I want to be involved romantically with him father. I have higher goals father, one a petty blue blood can't comprehend."

"Do tell child." Father requested as I smiled at him.

"I'm determined to ruin you father." I said as father laughed wonderfully proud.

"I thought that dream ended with your childhood. Had I known you would grow into this, I could have named you Delilah."

"It's not too late for a name change." I joked as father laughed once more.

"I have already accepted lord Capell's proposal as his son is deeply and helplessly in love with you." Father said as I snickered then cleared my throat.

I stood up as I let my long scarf fall to my elbows like a jacket and smiled at my father who seemed to be in a lighter mood.

"Do what you must but I will say this once," I took a few steps away and moved my head towards father. "Don't test me father. Have a wonderful day father...while it lasts."

I warned him before I took my leave after a respectful bow.

It was close to midnight as I stood with my sister in the dark, hoods covering us and shielding us from the strangers who worked the night for extra wages. 

A man walked up to us as Hildegard hugged him in relief before she kissed him as I remained stoic and bored with their heart-warming reunion.

"Peter I've missed you." Hildegard said as she held Peter's hand who kissed her creamy skin like he worshipped her.

"I missed you my love but we haven't much time to stay." Peter said as he took Hildegard's little property.

I followed them to a cart loaded with things needed for them for their journey that I had sponsored. I hated they were wasting my time but Hildegard's disappearance from Westoros was important to me so I was patient.

Peter had climbed up the cart as Hildegard requested for a minute before she faced me.

"Thank you for doing this for me sister." Hildegard said as she lowered her head in appreciation.

"I did not do it for you. I did it for myself. Leave Westoros for Westport and find a man named Jack Frost. He will make travelling easier for you and supply what you need, when the time is right I will write to wherever you are." I informed her and Peter who nodded in response.

"Goodbye sister mine." Hildegard said as she hugged me before Peter pulled her up and hid her inside the cart.

I stood as I watched the cart disappear in the darkness before I checked the time in my pocket watch with a smile on my face.

I can't wait to see the look on the Greyjoy household when day breaks. I thought before a sinister's smile broke on my lips.