[center [b "Thank you..."]]
[center The words were so soft that Saylin wasn't quite sure either of the men had heard her say it. She truly meant it, though. If it hadn't been for them... well, it wasn't hard to figure out what would've happened. Her home would be in total chaos, more so than it already was. That was a little fact she was reminded of when she saw them go for their swords. She quickly tensed up, taking a step back towards her bed. It was almost like she could hide under the covers and the big bad monster wouldn't be able to get her.]
[center A childish thing, really, and something she'd grown out of long ago.]
[center Or so she thought. In truth, it was all she really wanted to do.]
[center She was filled with relief as soon as she knew that there wasn't another threat beyond the door, relaxing just a little. Tearing her gaze away from it, she looked at Klaus and Tristan, tilting her head as they spoke in hushed whispers. She was tempted to step closer to listen or even ask them what it was they were talking about, but it didn't feel right. Eavesdropping wasn't her thing, anyway. Not if she could help it.]
[center Instead, she turned away, moving towards a window and looking outside. It was such a beautiful night... How sad that it had to be filled with such an awful experience.]
[center She didn't stand there long, moving way just as quickly to open the wardrobe. As she walked, she could feel someone watching her. She glanced over long enough to catch Tristan's gaze, which immediately sent a wave of heat through her and caused her cheeks to flush a bright pink. Why was his gaze so intense? Had it always been that way? Or was it because they were in her bedroom? The light from the candles didn't help. It was too...atmospheric. Like a scene in a book she'd read one time...]
[center Her cheeks flushed even more at the thought, quickly pushing new images from her mind. Her father would crucify her if he knew what occupied her thoughts. It'd be far more embarrassing if Tristan could read her mind. He'd probably run far away.]
[center Then he spoke and it made her thoughts all the worse. She was almost like a lovesick teenager. It didn't help that she now held a nightgown in her hands, holding it close to her chest, almost as if it would somehow keep them from seeing her heart pounding.]
[center She opened her mouth to respond yet didn't have a chance to get a word out before Klaus jumped in, the two leaving her alone. A gasp escaped her lips as her eyes widened. She nearly let out a squeak before she buried her face in the fabric of the gown. [b "By the stars..."] She was hopeless. She knew she was... and yet, the way he had been watching her... It was enough to make her stomach flip.]
[center She knew she shouldn't be indulging in the possibility that he fancied her, knew she had to push the idea from her mind, but it was sticking with her. If there was even the smallest chance...]
[center [i Enough of that. Don't even go there.] He had simply been doing his job. That was all.]
[center With a deep, shaky breath, she quickly changed, setting the dress she'd worn for dinner on the back of her vanity chair. She was almost embarrassed to go get them once she was ready, having taken her hair down and allowing the curly mess to hang around her shoulders and face. Having two men in her chambers...surely some prick would try and twist that.]
[center Regardless, she went to the door, opening it a little to let them know it was safe. With the door shut behind them, she made her way to her bed, keeping the curtain open once she was sitting, one leg bent on the mattress while the other hung over the edge. It was comfortable and kept them from being able to see anything beneath the skirt.]
[center Tristan's question was an unexpected one, but not unwelcome. She could only shrug before she looked down at the floor. [b "If I am to be honest, no. What happened was truly frightening. My father is far better equipped to handle such a thing..."] Tears welled up in her eyes. [b "This will sound naive, but I didn't realize that someone could hate me so much to want to see me killed. I've never done anyone any harm, have I?"] She looked up at him then, the tears glistening in the light.]
[center Alexander's reaction hadn't helped her at all. He'd been so offended by the fact that they hadn't offered [i him] protection. It shouldn't have, but it hurt. She was important too, damn it. She wasn't just some bargaining piece for whatever political games her father was playing.]