Chapter 2

"Spring"

When spring finally came about, everyone could not have been happier. All except for the Prince and Princess, who felt cheated from the snowless winter (and even I must admit I felt a bit cheated as well).

"Does it not just feel so marvelous, Petal?" Pepper asked. She was holding her gown up to her knees as she dipped her feet into the cool stream a few minutes' walk away. The two of us had gone to do laundry and could not help but take advantage of the beautiful spring's day.

I followed her act by taking off my boots and rolling up my breeches, dipping my feet into the cold stream.

"Yes, Pepper. It feels wonderful." I replied. The two of us stood there in our own thoughts, enjoying the day. I looked over at her and suddenly got a somewhat evil idea. I thrusted my hands into the stream and splashed Pepper. She opened her eyes and gasped softly, reacting to the cold water.

"Oh, it is on!" She screeched, and so began our water fight. Pepper even fell, and I took advantage of that by kicking water into her face. The joke was soon on me, though, when I fell myself. We sat there, drenched, and laughing. We helped each other up, and went back to our laundry.

I smirked. "So, has he asked yet?"

"Has who asked what, Jane?" Pepper asked, but I saw she was blushing.

"You know full well. Has Rake asked you to become his bride?"

Pepper now became as red as a strawberry.

"I am jesting you, Pepper," I grinned. "But you will tell me when he does ask, will you?"

"Of course, Jane. You will be the first to know." Pepper replied. We stood up and began to make our way back to the castle.

Pepper continued. "But it probably will not be for quite some time. We both have our work to think about."

I nodded. "I agree. Take your time, Pepper. Rake is such a sweet boy, but you should not rush anything."

"We will not, Jane." Pepper said, blushing again. "And what of your sweetheart?"

I laughed. "What sweetheart?"

"Exactly! You should at least be looking…"

"Pepper," I shook my head. "You know full well that I could never find a sweetheart. No man could stick with me, even if he wanted to. I will be a knight soon! He would not have the wife he imagined."

"I am sure there is someone." Pepper smirked. I knew that look.

"Not this again." I replied, slightly annoyed. "Jester is a sweet man and my best friend. I mean, I would trust him with my life! But—"

"I was not referring to Jester."

I blinked. "Then who?"

"Why, Gunther!"

I snorted. "Pepper, you cannot be serious! Me with that…weasel?"

"I thought the two of you have been getting along quite nicely." She retorted.

"Well, yes. I would say we have become more gentle towards each other. But that does not mean—"

Pepper suddenly stopped walking. She tossed the basket that was carrying the clean clothes onto her side. "Now that I think about it, Jane, it seems to me that you two became friendlier right after the two of you got lost last year."

I closed my eyes and inwardly groaned. I did not like being reminded of that mishap. I had been so confused about Gunther and had run away into the forest to spend some time by myself. It was Gunther who found me, and before we could get back to the castle, a storm came about. It spooked the horse, and I ended up falling off and hitting my head. We had to make our way back to the castle on foot, all the while I was ill. Gunther had shown me that he was a gentleman. Some of the time.

"Well, I suppose." I replied. "I mean, he did help me a lot and showed me he could be kind…somewhat."

I chuckled at the ending joke, but Pepper still stared at me skeptically. "Are you sure there is nothing you have not told me?"

"Nothing I would not trust you with," I smiled at her. She nodded and we continued on our way.

Of course, there was something I was not telling Pepper, though I dare not ever.

"There you are, Pepper!" said Smithy.

"Oh, sorry, all." Pepper grinned apologetically. "I lost track of time. I will get the soup ready right away." She turned to me. "Do you mine taking this to your mother?"

"Not at all." I replied, taking her basket of clean clothes with my own basket. She thanked me and rushed into the kitchens. I began walking, when suddenly Jester showed up beside me.

"Here, let me take one." He offered.

"Thank you, but I can handle it, Jester." I said, smiling slightly.

"Please, let me."

"Jester, I—"

He grinned at me. "Lady Jane, I am attempting to be a gentleman."

I shook my head and handed him a basket.

"It has been a long while since I have seen you do the laundry, Jane."

I nodded. "Yes, but I thought I would take my mother's place."

Jester frowned. "How is she doing?"

"Better, I suppose." I decided my feet were better than looking at Jester's compassionate face. He was such a friend, but I could not bear to look in those blue eyes.

My mother lost another child. She and my father had been wanting a child for a while, and she finally conceived, only for the baby to be born too early to survive. It had been three weeks, but it was still hard on her. She was usually strong about what happened, but today had been one of those few days where my mother found herself struck with grief.

"It is not your fault, Jane." He said. I sighed. I knew that. But if I had been the daughter they wanted, my mother would never feel this pain.

I simply nodded. We finally arrived at my parents' chambers. I took the basket from Jester and he left as I walked into the room. I found my mother laying in her bed, asleep. I set down the baskets and went to her side. I bent down on my knees and took her hands. She awoke with a start.

I shushed her gently. "Mother, it is just me."

"Oh, Jane." With her free hand, she caressed my face. She began to stroke my hair. "Oh, my lovely daughter."

I began to feel guilty. I would never go back to being a lady-in-waiting; I would become a knight. But that did not mean I felt nothing about my parents. I lowered my gaze, feeling wretched as I realized I could not even give my mother a grandchild.

"Jane, I love you." She began to stroke my cheeks.

"I love you, too, mother."

"No, Jane." She said, closing her eyes. "I love you so much. Much more than you know. I may not like what you have chosen for your life, but I love you so much. And I always will."

I smiled wistfully. "Yes, mother. I love you equally as much."

And with that said, she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

Disclaimer: I do not own Jane or any other character. ;( I do, however, own the plot.

A/N: Ooh...heh. It's been awhile, hasn't it?

I'M SORRY! I've been lazy-but, don't worry! I've been writing a lot lately. School's in two weeks, though (AHHHHH! I love you, summer 3333), so I hope I won't get lazy on you guys again. Please forgive me. D;

Please review! It makes me happy and makes me wanna write more! Also, if you see any typos, grammar errors, etc., feel free to tell me! It improves my writing. :)

P.S. Does anyone know how to indent on ? (...lol, that rhymed...)