Cake
Ella
Clementine was sitting on the balcony fiddling with her shawl when there was a loud knock on the door. She slowly stood up and walked to the door brushing the creases from her silk dress. Carefully she opened the door. A furious face met hers. She stepped back in surprise as a fuming Elizabeth stormed in and sat down on her bed. Clementine closed the door carefully as the Princess gave a little hmph and crossed her arms.
“That man! That man! Urgh.” Clementine crossed over and sat down next to Libby as she fell back on the bed with her arms sprawled above her head. “He’s trying to marry Leo and I off. Sure I understand Leo; but me? What would anyone want from a princess other than to warm their bed.” She made a disgusted face.
Clemen put her hand on Libby’s wrist and said quietly. “I know what you mean.” Libby’s head shot up and she looked at Clementine in a mixture of shock and wonder. A smile spread across her face and she jumped up.
“You talked!” Elizabeth nearly screamed. Clementine flinched and started to blush. “Ooo! I just know we’re going to get along.” Libby sat back down. “I have sooo many questions.” She grabbed Clementine’s hands, “First, What’s your name? Leo and I hate calling you “The Girl.’” She pouted her lips playfully.
Clementine ducked her head “Clementine,” she said softly “B-but my friends called me Clemen.”
“You can too, if you want.” She added almost as an afterthought.
Libby gasped “Clementine! That's such a beautiful name!” She pulled her hands away from Clemen’s and leaned back. Propping her body with one arm she used the other to twist a lock of hair. “I got Elizabeth.” She stuck her tongue out “It's so…” she thought for a moment. “Un-unique.” She said “Is that a word? I don't know.” She set her hand back down, shifting her weight.
“I think it's elegant.” Clemen said, barely a whisper.
“You think so?” Libby said lounging back on her elbows. “I prefer Libby anyways. It's less proper, if you catch my meaning.” A polite knock interrupted. “Come in!” Libby yelled, annoyed. The door opened and the head maid came bustling in. She spotted Libby and put her hands and her hips.
“Time to leave Missy. Give the lady a bit of privacy with the doctor” Libby stuck her tongue out and put her arms around Clementine.
“She's my friend. I'm not leaving her.” The maid rolled her eyes.
“You have dinner to get ready for. You wouldn't want his Majesty waiting.”
Libby's face clouded over and said darkly. “Fine, but after today I'm not eating with him anymore. I'll be eating with Clemen.” Libby squeezed Clementine once more and got up. As she walked out the door she ran into the doctor.
“My apologies, your Highness.”
The doctor stepped in “How are you feeling today Miss?” Clemen looked down. “Ah, same as always I see.” He crossed over the room, sat his bag down and shooed the maid out. The maid walked to the door and stopped.
“Oh,” she said “The Prince would like to meet with you in the garden after the doctor is finished.” She left.
The doctor opened his bag and rifled through it. “Alright, let's see how your little one is doing
The bitter wind bit into Clementine’s cheeks as she sat bundled in a thick fur coat. She rose as the figure of the prince came into view. He was wrapped in his own cream coloured coat with golden dyed fur. His hands were bare and pink from the chilling air. Clemen curtsied and the prince motioned her to sit back down with a tilt of his head. Prince Leo walked around the bench and sat down next to her, his back facing the entrance to the garden. He twisted so his body was facing hers. “Thanks, for joining me out here, Clementine.” Clemen looked up when he said her name. “Oh, sorry,” Leo laughed “Libby told me your name. I hope you don’t mind. She was very intent on bragging about you telling her your name.”
Clementine shook her head and a stray piece of hair fell over her eyes. She quickly brushed it away, tucking it behind her ear. Clementine looked down and noticed the prince had been carrying a box. Leo followed her gaze. “That’s right,” He remembered the box sitting in his lap. “I snagged these from the kitchen.” He opened the box and took out two thermoses. He opened one, handed it to Clemen and opened his. Steam poured from the opening and he tipped the thermos back and a took short drink. He choked and spit the steamed milk out. “That,” he said fanning his mouth, “Was hot.” Clementine stared at Leo as a smile tugged at her face. “Huh?” Leo looked confused. Clementine covered her mouth and started to giggle. “What's so funny?” The prince asked, confused. Clemen pointed above her top lip and started to giggle again. Leo put a finger to his lips and pulled them away. White froth covered his fingers. He grinned.
“And Libby said I could never grow facial hair.” Leo smirked. He put the thermos to his lips and blew on it before drinking from it again. “Try it,” he said waving to Clementine.
Clemen put thermos to her lips and blew on it mimicking Leo. She took a big gulp and her eyes widened. “Good, isn't it?” Asked Leo. Clementine took the thermos from her mouth and nodded. Then she turned bright red and covered her mouth, but not before Leo saw the milky mustache on her upper lip. Leo grabbed the hand hiding her mouth and set it down. His lips quirked in a lopsided grin.
“I guess this makes two of us.” He laughed. Clemen couldn't help herself and she started to laugh. Her hand shook and the steamed milk splashed out and landed on Leo's coat. Her eyes widened in horror but this only made Leo laugh even louder. Soon Leo was doubled over and Clementine started to giggle again. After a minute of laugher Leo sighed.
“It’s nice to hear you laugh. Libby was telling me about how your starting to come out of your shell.” He folded his hands. “I guess I’m secretly jealous of her. I’ve kind of been hoping that I would be the first person you would talk to.” He looked down at his hands. “It’s silly I know and Libby has always had a way with people, so it’s no surprise that she beat me to it.” Leo gave short laugh. “She can be a little… abrupt at times but, she really is loveable.”
Clementine placed her hand on Leo’s shoulder “Thank you,” Leo raised his head. Clemen's voice was soft and warm like snuggling up to a fire with a mug warm drinking chocolate. His face softened.
“For what?” He asked quietly.
“For everything.” She placed her hand back in her lap. “For saving us.” At us she looked down and wrapped her arms around her stomach. Leo looked down as well.
“May I?” he asked cautiously. Clemen nodded and unwrapped her arms. Prince Leo placed a hand on her rounded belly and felt a little kick. Clementine smiled.
“I think the baby likes you.”
Leo smiled. “Ha, that would be a first. I’m good with children, but babies, not so much.” Clementine sneezed daintily. “Bless you,” Leo took the empty thermos from her hand and placed it back in the box. “We should probably go back inside. It’s oftly cold and we wouldn’t want you getting sick.”
Leo placed his own thermos back in the box and closed the top. Standing up, he stepped over the bench a offered his hand to Clementine. She took it and stood. Clemen smoothed her thick coat and placed the hood on he head. Leo noticed as Clementine stood that she leaned slightly to the left. Clemen caught his gaze and smiled sadly.
“Does it still bother you?” Leo asked.
“A little.” Clementine said gently. The Prince held his arm out to her. She leaned on it slightly. Together they walked back to the warmth of the castle.