Skylar stood up first, and brushed off the grass and dirt from her dress. She noticed there was a tear along the skirt, and a few loose leaves and sticks entangled underneath.
"I was intending to be a gentleman and let you win, but you cheated. Somehow," Lucian complained, his eyes glued to the maze like he would find his answer if he stared long enough.
"First of all, I did not cheat, I had a strategy. And second, let me win?! I am perfectly capable of winning on my own, thank you very much, and I have proved as much."
Skylar huffed and turned her attention to the lillies she'd run over. The damage was not too terrible, but enough for the royal gardener to notice.
"You must have done something to get ahead of me because—
"Because?" Skylar looked at Lucian with her arms folded, and brows raised. There was a moment of silence from the Sunborne heir, and Skylar scoffed because he was looking at her like the answer was painfully obvious and dancing right in front of them.
"Well, if you must have me say it... I am much faster than you, Skylar."
"You are impossible. Just admit that you've lost, Lucian."
"Yes, alright, I admit it. I accept my failure. But I would also like to know how I lost. So, tell me. How did you do it?"
Skylar hesitated, wondering whether she should tell Lucian. With a closer look, he'd find out anyway.
He chimed in again. "Very well. If you won't tell me, I will figure it out on my own." He stepped closer to take a leaf out of her hair, and returned his gaze to the maze. He could not accept that Skylar had been faster than him, and he was desperate to know her secret. He did not let it go, and to anyone else, it might have seemed cruel or arrogant of Lucian. But Skylar knew that wasn't the case.
There had always been a rivalry of sorts between them, and it began in childhood, with the cherries they had eaten to formalise their alliance.
It had been too dark back then to see who had thrown their pits the furthest, but they tried again during the day. Skylar won. Then they climbed trees and Skylar won again. Skylar won at many things, including races on horseback and who could eat their meals the fastest. Everything became a challenge, and Skylar won nearly everything, until one day, she stopped winning entirely. And then one day, Lucian stopped winning, too, because he didn't have the time to stay by her side.
"I hope you do not plan on going back on your word, Lord Sunborne. I have a ball to flee and I am counting on you for your help," Skylar reminded, beginning to lead the way back to her chambers.
"Of course, not, my Lady. I'm a man of my word." Lucian took a final glance at the maze, stowing away his curiosity and questions for another time, and joined her. He took his glaive out again, the thud of its handle announcing each of his steps. "Even though your victory is questionable, I will honour it and help you."
"How kind of you, Sir. I wonder, does that include helping me flee from my betrothed? He asked permission to call on me before the ball, and father agreed."
Lucian stopped so suddenly that it took Skylar by surprise. Her eyes fluttered as she tried to keep Lucian in her sight, but he had fallen behind. Before she could turn to face him herself, his hand found her wrist. She was pulled towards him, greeted by his unsettled expression.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"What did you just say, Skylar?" Lucian snapped, and it wasn't intentional because his expression softened with realisation shortly after. "I'm sorry... you said something, about your betrothed?"
"Oh. Yes. He's here in Astros. He will be attending the ball this evening," Skylar looked down at her dirty and torn dress. She would have to change before Caspian arrived, or her mother would lose her mind. There was no time for another bath, but with enough handmaidens, she would be prepped and ready in no time. She dreaded the crowd of hands that would be all over her, painting her face, pinning her hair and squeezing her into a dress that looked as heavy as a house. But Skylar stuck to her decision. No more running.
She began to make her way again, but she did not get very far. Lucian still had his hand around her wrist, and he gripped tighter and pulled her toward him again. This time, she was brought in closer. Her shoulder fell against his chest. Skylar felt warmer and instinctively moved her body towards him.
Skylar looked up to see the Sunborne heir already looking down at her. His expression was heavy, and his green eyes glimmered with something unspoken. Skylar had never seen him look at her like that, and she grew worried. She searched his face for an answer, for even a hint of what he might be feeling or trying to say to her.
"What is it, Lucian?"
Lucian said nothing. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and Skylar felt it, her shoulder moving along with his chest. And then he stepped back, his hands were placed behind his back, and he didn't meet her eyes.
"It's nothing. I didn't expect it, is all. His arrival must be why Commander Rowan left the castle earlier."
"Oh, you didn't know?"
"No. I was busy greeting the guests as they arrived. I thought I might keep them busy while Lord Astros finished his duties for the day. They had a lot of requests and questions, as nobles do," Lucian joked, but it did little to change the strange mood he had created.
"Are you sure everything is alright, Lucian?" Skylar placed her own hands behind her back. "Something has upset you, I can tell. Have you met Caspian Everus before?"
Skylar could only assume the two men didn't get along because of the way Lucian reacted. But she had never known the two to meet before. Of course, she didn't know everything about Lucian. He had his own world outside of the Astros Castle walls, one she was not privy to, one that Lucian rarely liked to talk about.
"It does not matter. We should head back, the ball will be starting soon," Lucian replied, clearly avoiding the question. Skylar did not press the issue further, and nodded in agreement.
"Yes, if I'm any later, Vera will find it difficult to get me ready in time. I can only imagine how frantic she is," Skylar said fondly. Vera had been by her side for as long as she could remember. She was like an older sister, but she never complained, even when Skylar caused trouble and did whatever she pleased. Skylar was glad that at least Vera would be by her side when she moved to Xoras.
Leaves rustled from a nearby flowerbed. It caught Skylar's attention, and she saw Lucian plucking a few from a stem. He approached her and entangled them into her hair.
"I'm not sure I want to know what you're doing."
"I'm buying you some time. You are meeting Caspian Everus before the ball. This will give Vera more to clean up but… at least you'll have less time alone with that..."
Lucian didn't finish his sentence, whether intentionally, or because he was too focused on what he was doing, she did not know. It wasn't a very good idea, a last desperate attempt to avoid the meeting, but it was useful, because helped Skylar think of something even better.