Not many reviews. It saddens me, but perhaps it's the time of the season: spring break, vacations, Easter. The such.
But I do wish you would review.
And I've got another story going (though it's not nearly as bad as FaylinnNorse… you've got what, a million going right now?).
It's called How to Be Invisible. Perhaps you'd like it.
Seven
Weeks went by, flowing into the next. Rush and I still were no more better acquainted, nor had we spoken much since that lunch. I did not care; I busied myself with the music room. I studied the music carefully, sorted it, checked and double checked the stacks. The work was extremely tedious.
On one especially dull afternoon of sorting, the sun shone as if it had more strength than it ever would again. I thought if it shone much brighter, it would die out from burning all of its energy. I dearly wished for activity, but found it of no excitement to me alone- I had tried several days before. I would not ask Rush, and none of the servants would drop their tasks and enjoy a day with me. Unable to stand the musty smell of old sheet music, I waded my way out the door. I managed to get outside and just stood on the vast stone patio off the dining hall. I took deep breaths of air and grumbled at the heat. It was far too hot to venture much farther than where I stood. After getting enough air for my pleasure, I returned inside. My job with the music seemed far too lonely today. I almost felt sorry I refused Rush's help.
I found myself in my bedroom once again. I sighed and sat on my bed, which had been already made by the quiet servants. I reached for a book on my nightstand, but a flash of gold caught my eye. I realized it was the box Kaylla had given me before I left. It was fairly large and was painted ivory with gold leaf trim. I was curious as to why I could not open it when I first left. So I opened it up, and found many trinkets of our childhood. In a small bag was a lock of my hair, a few glittering marbles, a small porcelain doll, a few dried flower petals, and a locket. I puzzled over the locket. I had not seen it before, and wondered why it was put with the rest of these childhood memories.
I opened it up and was startled to find a portrait of our family on one side and had one word on the other: Soon.
I didn't allow myself to cry. I kept a stoic face as I put the locket around my neck. I clasped the chain and didn't cry as I went to the mirror. I was satisfied with the look, it was classic and simple, yet elegant.
I still didn't cry. The tears were there, but I didn't cry. I don't know how long I stood in front of the mirror.
Deborah announced her arrival with shoving the door open and letting it slam into the wall. She stopped short when she saw me. "Oh dear, I'm sorry Princess, I assumed you were in the music room." She paused then asked sweetly, "Oh honey, are you homesick? You're crying."
I wiped my face and realized the tears had leaked from my eyes. I wiped them away completely and shrugged at Deborah. "Yes, I suppose."
She smiled. "Let's go have some tea in the kitchen."
I frowned, asking, "Won't I be needing to get ready for dinner soon?" I glanced at the clock. "It's about time to do that."
"Yes, it is, isn't it?" she muttered. Sighing, she pulled out a dress for dinner from the wardrobe. For once I didn't squirm as she applied rouge and did my hair. I did not argue with her choice of dress. When I looked into the mirror of my vanity, I didn't see the beautiful girl some people would've seen. I saw a plain, boring, book-hermit staring back at me, only with a little rogue on. I saw past the rogue and the finery, not seeing what others would.
Deborah sighed. "You look darling, Shannaye." She tugged at a piece of hair loose from its bun. She quickly pinned it back. "A vision! The master wouldn't dare to be rude to you tonight." I didn't respond. I stared into my reflection emotionlessly. Deborah gave me a worried look and urged me downstairs.
I stepped into the dining hall, where Rush sat as usual. He stood and pulled back my chair for me and pushed it back when I was seated. I began to eat and for the second time ever, he also ate with me. This time, however, he did not eat as ravenously. He ate civilly and like a person with great knowledge of manners and etiquette.
We finished our meal and we stood. As I was about to bid him a good night, he asked me if I would take a stroll with him in the gardens. I stared at him stonily and said, "No, I am much fatigued." Did this man not understand that I wanted nothing to do with him?
"I understand," he said. Turning sharply on his heels, he left the hall.
I was indeed fatigued and ran upstairs after he was gone from sight. I changed my clothes despite the early hour and retired.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
I woke up extremely late again. I blinked against the sudden sunlight. Deborah was standing beside the bed, tapping her foot, looking extremely cross. I squinted my eyes at her drowsily. "I understand," she began, in a somewhat cold voice, "that the master has taken you from your home and family. It's perfectly reasonable for you to be angry and sad. However, you should not treat him so coldly as you do."
Suddenly awake, I sat up at her, wide-eyed. "I'm sorry, Deborah. I didn't realize I was treating him in such a manner. Is he terribly mad?" This made me nervous. What would Rush do? Put me in a cold, hard dungeon?
She shook her head, a frightening look in her eyes. "He has not mentioned anything. I have observed you, and you're quite rude, to say it bluntly. He has been a kind person so far towards you. The least you can do is be somewhat civil."
I shivered under her stern stare. I whispered, "I'm sorry, really."
Her unfeeling expression left and was replaced with her normal, cheery smile. "Come now, the master was late and I told him you had not yet eaten, so you are to have brunch with him."
I nodded and again let her do what she wanted. To my relief, she used no rogue and the dress was simple. She tied my hair back with a ribbon and sent me down to eat. Truthfully, I wasn't hungry, but after my encounter with Deborah, I was afraid to do anything out of her line of expectations. I was no longer worried about Rush, it was Deborah.
Rush smiled at me warmly when I entered, and I returned it. He looked surprised and as usual pulled out my chair. I thanked him and we began to eat. He took several bites before finishing, and I followed suit. Rush sighed, looking out the window. "Today is a lovely day, yes?" He didn't seem to want a response. However, I was to give him one, and not make Deborah angry again.
"Absolutely. I plan to go out later for a stroll." I paused, then reluctantly said, "Since I was so tired last night to miss out on a stroll, perhaps we can do that today."
He turned towards me and stared for a bit. "I'd like that," he said. "Is now alright?"
I nodded and we stood. He offered his arm and I grudgingly took it. We stepped out from the dining hall to the patio and out onto the grounds. After a little walking in silence, Rush spoke.
"It's Deborah, isn't it?"
Startled, I shot a glance up at him. "I'm not sure what you're asking."
"You're sociable, nice, and civil towards me. You've not been like this for the time you've been here. It's Deborah's doing, is it not?"
I gaped up at him, and asked as nonchalantly as possible, "What makes you think that?"
"She always does this. Takes charge of my guests. Scare them. She says they're too cold towards me and that she is only looking after me." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I realize you won't tell me, but if it is her, please, forgive me. I can't particularly control her as I can with the other servants."
I looked forward again. "Any reason why?"
He shrugged. "I haven't a clue why she's like this. Really moody."
"Oh." I puzzled over this. It was true, she was extremely moody. Her mood changed as fast as the weather in the forest.
"Rush!" I looked wildly around for the speaker, but found it was the raven that sat on a nearby statue as it again called, "Rush!"
Rush stopped and stared at the raven. "Now what?"
"You're needed." The raven shifted its weight, seeming nervous as Rush stood, contemplating.
"Again." This wasn't a question. It was more of a statement of defeat. The raven seemed to nod. Rush sighed angrily. "Alright." He turned to me. "I'm so sorry Shannaye, but I've got urgent things to deal with. You can get back well enough I assume?" I nodded and he released my arm. "Dinner, perhaps," he said.
I nodded and turned to go. I turned back after a few steps and saw two ravens fly away and Rush nowhere in sight. I had not seen him in another form since the first time I saw him. Confused about the meeting, I turned back to the castle.
Deborah was sitting in my room cheerily hemming a dress. She smiled at me as I walked in. "Much better at brunch."
I nodded, getting a fan. "I'm going to sort some music, if you don't mind."
She kept smiling. "You needn't say 'if you don't mind.' Why, you're practically the mistress."
I didn't know how to respond. So I just said, "Oh." I paused a bit then said, "Then I shall head to the music room."
The music room was getting along better after my weeks of work. I still had many piles of music to sort, but the room looked halfway organized.
As I went to bed that night after having a decent meal with a famished Rush, I contemplated the day. I thought about the music room and realized I needed shelves or something to hold the music and keep it from being mixed up, so my work wouldn't be completely fruitless. I would have to find the woodsman so I could tell him what I wish for, but make sure it was alright with Rush at breakfast… or lunch if he didn't show up.
Sighing with the satisfying knowledge of my progress with the music room, I fell asleep.
It's not my best, nor is it very long. All the same, I hope you enjoyed it.
So, if you see a mistake, tell me.
Review!
