His hand was warm as he held hers, he was leading them out of the maze garden she had followed him into.
Her shoes were in his other hand she wiped her still-falling tears as she gazed at his back.
His hands were back to normal, and his fangs were gone, but the colour of his hair was still red like it had been stained in blood.
"Sebastian" she called.
"We are here " he muttered.
Anabel realised they were out of the maze and standing in front of the imperial palace.
Henry and the two guards noticed them.
"Your majesty, your back so...." he stopped, realising how angry Sebastian looked.
What happened to make him this mad and turn ...he thought.
"Escort her to her chambers and let her get checked," he said to Henry.
"Yes, your majesty ", he glanced at Anabel, gesturing for her to follow him.
But when Sebastian tried to let go of her hand she didn't let go.
"Please Bel, let go. We can talk tomorrow morning after you get some rest " he pulled away.
But she didn't let go.
"Am fine ...but your not. I know you not," she cried.
"I will be, so just let go " he didn't want to push her off.
"Can't I stay with you until you do ?"
"Your neck and throat are hurt. You need to get it treated ", he said back.
"Then can you leave after " she gently pulled him back to her.
He sighed.
Henry watched the two walk hand in hand into the palace.
Lia and Hope waited outside her room, and the physician checked on her, her hands wrapped around his arm, not letting go.
"You shouldn't strain yourself when you speak, Your Highness. Warmwater will help, and this will help with the swelling on the neck,", he said.
After he was done he left, telling the impatient maids outside that Anabel was okay.
"Lay down," he said helping her lean back, "let me get those two to help you change "
She pulled him back, "No, am okay and I don't want to take this off yet "
"Why isn't it uncomfortable?" he asked sitting back down.
"Because it matches yours " she smiled.
"I noticed; I guess they changed the designs to match yours," he said.
"I did that," she said.
"Sorry ?".
"I said I did that...I was the one who made them " she beamed.
"You...but why? This isn't your job we have " she stopped him.
"I wanted to ...it was your birthday present from me. At first, I wanted to get you another shirt since I took one from you, back in the forest, but then I changed my mind " She sat up, pulled up her trail and then his robe.
"See, they look alike. I wanted to give you something I made myself but had no time to start making one, so I chose this. And I was so happy when I saw you in it, but it made me happier cause we matched ".
Sebastian's eyes glanced down at the embroidery and sighed. He had wondered why it was different but it was because of her.
"Don't you like it ...I know it's not the best but I "
"I do it's the best gift I have ever got ", he hugged her.
She smiled, ever got. Did he mean all the other gifts he had been receiving for years didn't matter?
"Happy birthday, Your Majesty ", she let out, holding him.
"Thank you, Bel ", he muttered.
Anabel noticed his hair changing back to black and pulled away to face him.
"Your hair, it's back to normal " she muttered.
He chuckled pulling her back in his arms.
She giggled hugging him.
...
Lia opened her eyes when she heard the door to Anabel's room open.
"Hope, wake up ", she tapped her friend. Hope sprung up.
Sebastian walked out of the room
"She is asleep now, help her change and let her rest," he said.
"Yes, your majesty ", they both muttered.
....
"Son, I thought you were with Anabel ?" his mother asked.
"I couldn't sleep after what happened "
"Is she okay ?".
"She is fine. I got there in time ", he sat down.
"I meant about seeing you change. I heard Karl tell his father about it, how you changed in front of her, and she still ran after you," she muttered.
"She is ..." he sighed.
"She is a peculiar girl " his mother finished.
"She didn't look away and kept holding onto me as if nothing had changed ", he breathed.
"You're back to normal, I thought it would take a while since it's been so long since you turned ", she said.
"I am okay ".
"Your other features disappear as soon as you calm down, but not your hair it always takes longer. So how come it's back to this colour ?"
He smiled his eyes peeking at the clothes he was dressed in.
"Hmm, so it was also her" his mother chuckled.
"She was the one who made the embroidery on this and matched it with hers 'cause she wanted us to be the same "He was tired but couldn't hide his smile.
"I did notice in fact, everyone at the dinner noticed . I Am sure apart from those two bullying her, your matching outfits will be the talk on everyone's lips ".
"Mother " he called her
"Yes, son".
"Is it right for me to feel this way ".
"And how exactly do you feel son ?"
"My heart beats so fast when I am with her. I hate it when she cries that my chest hurts. I love being with her that I feel cold when I leave her side and..".
His mother bent down next to him hugging him.
"You don't need to say more, son, You're in love ", she said to him.
"Oh...what ...that can be " he pulled away.
She chuckled, "You like her don't you ?".
"I do but ..".
"Son, your feelings are going to keep growing until you can't contain them anymore, so I suggest you act on them soon and tell her how you feel", she said.
"But mother do you think she feels the same way ?" he looked back at her.
"How did I raise such a fool," she laughed.
"Mother please ...".
"It's so obvious. How can you not see it Anyone can see how much she likes you ", she said.
"Mother what if she only does all these things cause she is grateful for what I did for her? " he asked.
"Sebastian, trust me. She does feel something for you. But I think you need to hear it from her lips to believe it, "his mother said.
He sighed; what was he scared of, rejection or her accepting him for who he was?