Chapter 2
A/N: Hey guys, I'm back with a new chapter! PLEASE review, I can't even say how much they rock! I will send you virtual cookies if you do! :) By the way, the name Ferbian was Lily-Belle's idea, and I took it from her Ferbella fanfic called Enough. I highly recommend it! Also, the cover came from Deviantart. Anyway, this chapter is a bit angsty. Just warning y'all.
FERB
1 MONTH EARLIER
I was galloping as fast as I could toward the Doofenshmirtz castle. "Keep going, Silver!" I begged my horse to keep up his desperate pace. This morning I received a letter from Vanessa, my bride-to-be, that something terrible had happened. She had said that there was no time to write more.
We rounded a bend and I found myself staring at the gigantic fortress. Not wasting any time, I urged Silver towards the drawbridge. Thankfully, it was already lowered.
Once I entered the huge, dark castle, I handed my horse off to a startled servant. "Prince Ferbian, what is the matter?" he exclaimed. I didn't bother to answer.
I ran towards Vanessa's bedchamber. Before I could reach it, a nobleman stopped me. "The princess and her family are in the Queen's quarters." He seemed terribly sad.
"Is she okay? What's wrong?" I questioned frantically.
"Yes, the princess is fine. Unfortunately, her mother is deathly ill. It's a terrible, terrible tragedy," he said. "The royal doctor is doing all he can, but he's not certain that she will make it." And with that, he walked away, shaking his head.
Now at least I could stop worrying about Vanessa, but I still needed to see how she was doing. I strode towards the Queen's room and opened the door. Vanessa and the King were gathered around the bed, along with the doctor.
"Vanessa, darling, are you okay?" I asked, very concerned. She looked up at me through tear stained eyes. I stepped over to her side, wrapping her in a hug.
"I'm- I'm all right, but Mom..." She got out, before dissolving in tears again.
"It'll be okay, Vanessa." I prayed that Charlene would recover. She had always been so kind to me, ever since Vanessa and I were promised to each other. We had grown up together, almost like siblings, and had always been really close. Somewhere along the line we fell in love. Seeing Vanessa so devastated absolutely killed me.
"She's always been so strong, and now she's on her deathbed. H-how did this happen?" She whispered, laying her head on my shoulder.
"I don't know," I whispered back, stroking her dark hair.
The King finally turned away from his beloved wife to acknowledge me. "Ferbian, I'm glad you are here in our time of need. Thank you," Heinz said tiredly. There were dark circles beneath his eyes.
"Anything for you and your family, Your Majesty," I replied, gently releasing Vanessa to bow to the King. I put my arm around her shoulder and turned to the Queen. She was very pale and could not stop coughing. "Is there anything we can do to help her, Doctor?" I asked.
"No, I'm not sure what is wrong with her. There's nothing I can do for her," he said worriedly, applying a wet rag to her feverish forehead. Now she was mumbling incoherently, seemingly stirring a bit.
"Mom, are you awake?" Vanessa darted to the bedside. "Can you hear me? Mom!"
"Yes... Vanessa?" Charlene uttered weakly.
"Mom, it's me! Don't go, please! What could I do without you? You'll get better, right? I-I love you, Mom. Don't die! Vanessa cried as she sat on the edge of the bed. Holding her hand, begging her mother to recover, I realized just how much my fiancé loved her mother. Much, much more than she let on.
King Heinz sat on the other side of the bed, eyes closed. I only stood there, feeling like they needed to have this moment.
"Charlene,I know I wasn't always the best husband to you," the king began, "but I just want you to know that I always loved you, even if I couldn't show it," he finished, finally letting the tears escape. "I would do anything to change."
"I... love you... both," the Queen gasped out. She coughed again, and blood dribbled from her mouth. With one last ragged breath, she was gone.
Vanessa whimpered, collapsing next to her mother. I went to comfort her, but to my confusion, she pushed me away! What the heck?
"Stay away from me! I... need some time," she muttered brokenly. Her ever-bright eyes were dull and empty. "Just stay out of it! This isn't your family!" This time she yelled the words, tears still pouring down.
"Okay, if that's what you want, I'll leave," I exclaimed, trying not to be hurt. She was bereaved, after all. "Send me a letter when you want me back!" With that I stormed out. The king didn't even notice, he was too grief-stricken. The doctor opened the door for me, seemingly apologetic about Vanessa's behavior. I passed through the doorframe without looking back.
I took my horse back from the servant, who'd had to hold Silver for over an hour. "Sorry about that," I said, tipping him.
I mounted quickly, and galloped away. Far away from the German kingdom, and toward my home. I couldn't stop thinking about Vanessa and how she had snapped at me. I was worried about her. My plan was to wait for her to write to me, then I would come back. I never could've imagined what happened next.
A/N: Are you all thoroughly confused yet? Good! *evil laugh* Is Ferb marrying Vanessa and Isabella? What's going to happen next? Why am I asking you all these questions? Don't worry, everything will be cleared up... eventually. As always, R&R!
-Storm
