I must thank you all for your feedback. Never have I gotten such a big amount of reviews on chapter one (yes… it's only 8, but it's a start)! I am thrilled and hope you all keep up with the story. As always, try to review if you read this, I will accept any kind of review- especially those that tell me in detail what they liked about it or suggestions (but just plain mean or ignorant reviews I won't tolerate… if you hate it, don't waste your time leaving the review). And- of course- correct my typos, mistakes in the story line, and anything of the such.
Danke!
Two
I waded through the water in the small pond of a secret garden my grandmother pruned and took care of so lovingly during her life. The cool water felt good in the heat of the afternoon and it helped clear my head of the junk jumbled up inside of it.
This trip to Glenlow could cost me my younger siblings. Kaylla could become a queen and Edmund could receive one. I was the eldest, shouldn't I be leaving first? Shouldn't I have the privilege to be married off first? It wasn't like I wanted to, but I didn't want Kaylla to be gone so suddenly. I would rather leave first than her being the one to do so.
I stepped from the pond and went to the swing. I sat down and stared at my wet feet, the water dripping below me. My short legs barely reached the ground and I wasn't able to push off to get myself swinging. I inched to the edge of the swing, pushing myself back with the balls of my feet. I managed to get myself swinging fairly low, but swinging all the same. The feeling of the slight breeze cooled me off, and felt weird through my short hair.
I heard the gate door squeak open behind me and I quickly tried to stop, but my feet were no longer letting me reach solid ground. I felt the swing stop and I slowly turned around. I looked up at an esteemed courtier my mother had trying to match me with for several months now. Standing quickly, I covered my feet and, more importantly, my bared ankles.
"Princess Shannaye," he said, bowing.
I dipped my head slightly, returning the greeting. "Duke Malvolio."
"How are you today, Your Highness?" the duke asked.
My bare feet, although covered by my dress, was all my mind was focused on. "I'm… fine," I answered distractedly.
"Would you care to return back to the palace, Princess?" he asked.
I opened my mouth to reply, but hesitated. My shoes were still all the way across the garden, and there was no way I was about to admit outright that I had been barefoot, especially not to the duke. "No, I think I'll stay here for a bit, but thank you."
He frowned. "Alright then, perhaps you'd like some company?"
I stared at the ground, still conscious of my bare feet. "Um, actually, I would rather be alone."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Perhaps some other time, Princess Shannaye." He bowed and exited.
I sighed and sat down on the swing again. Nobody understood why I wasn't interested in him. He was kind enough, plenty handsome, skilled at many things, and he wasn't many years older than me, only a mere six years, making him just barely twenty three. He wasn't really interesting, though. If he had been a crown prince of some country, I could've given him more time- a marriage could have brought a strong treaty.
No, I decided, I must wait for the right one. He'll come along, and when he does... I'll know it's him.
Just then, a raven flew right over my head, screeching and cawing like the devil himself. I stifled a yelp of shock by covering my mouth. I watched as the raven flew through and darted past various trees until I could no longer see it.
I looked back at where it came from, but saw no predator that it could've been trying to evade. I glared at the direction in which it had fled and jumped off the swing. It was due time for dinner any moment, either way.
o.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.o
Hours later, dusk found me on the balcony adjacent to the library, sitting on a bench with a fairly large book balanced on my knees. I read line after line, oblivious to all around me. Subconsciously I made note of the creaky French doors opening and closing, but paid no heed. The person made no move to disturb me, so I did not let myself question their presence. I continued with my book and it seemed like forever until I finally set it down from curiosity of my intruder. The sun had lowered significantly and I glanced around for my guest. Leaning against the railing with his back towards me was Edmund. I set my book down and stood next to him.
"What are you thinking?" I asked him curiously.
He took his time to answer. I waited patiently until he replied, "I'm not so sure about this whole Glenlow trip. I realize I need to begin searching for a wife, but Glenlow is so far away. And if Kaylla marries their prince, we'll all be so scattered."
I smiled sympathetically. "I agree. And I haven't any idea what going to happen to me. Perhaps I should run off to be a hermit in the dark woods near the mountains. That's something I really wouldn't mind."
He laughed. "That sounds like something I should do. Maybe not become a hermit, but travel out in the woods for a bit. To clear my mind, relieve some stress and get some good mountain air."
"Perhaps you should. It would do you good," I agreed. It was true, he was working so hard at working for the country and learning to run it, he barely had time for himself. "I doubt father would mind."
"You think?" he asked, then nodded, answering his own question. "You're right. I haven't done all that much for myself lately. Maybe I just need some fresh air and solitude." He straightened and continued, "I'll ask him tonight and if he says it's alright, I might head out tomorrow so I can get back in time to leave for Glenlow."
I grinned. "Wonderful. Good luck!"
He nodded and ran back inside.
I stared out at the grounds and at the moon that shared the sky with the setting sun. Despite the fact that the sun was indeed setting, the weather was still hot, sticky, and humid. I frowned and picked my book up from the bench and went inside the castle, where it was just ever so slightly less humid.
You know the drill!
How about... some yummy virgin piña coladas if you review!
...Yeah, there's no way of getting it to you, but whatever... It's nice to think that you would receive one, yes?
