"Moon has come up for you,

  Twinkling stars y beside it too

  They rejoice and sing you goodnight

  Seep well, my little light."

  Humming my mother’s lulby, I sat by the pond. Despite training all day, I was far from tired. It had been a year since I came but ever caring Gabriel told me to not wander outside alone. I was right behind the main building. I would be fine —or so I thought.

  Heavy footsteps echoed behind me in the dark, followed by a tall man stopping at a little distance. I tried to ignore him, hoping he would do the same. He cleared his throat, trying to get my attention. There goes my intention of being alone.

  I lifted my gaze to see a tall man with lean built. But his hair struck me the most. They were the most beautiful white I had ever seen. They messily fell on his forehead, giving him a boy like charm. What possessed him to come here dressed in a silk night wear? Was her perhaps, walking in his sleep?

  Anyhow I should be leaving. I do not want to give Aunt Lily a chance to fuss. Specially not because of some boy I did not know. That is when he finally decided to speak.

  “What are you doing here at this hour dy?” His tone, too casual for someone unnamed. Not the kind, I would engage in a conversation with at midnight. I gathered my bow and quiver, and got on my feet.

  “Retiring to bed. I bid you good night.” Without waiting for his response, I strode towards the gates. Not pnning to leave my room again at such odd hours. In all likelihood, Gabriel was right.

  It was the next morning when I found out the real identity of that creep —heir to the dukedom . Thankfully he hadn’t taken any offense and accepted my apology. I was expecting him to be more conceited than that. An interesting man, that Xavier Seymoure.