Never Let You Down

Chapter Seven: Lacey, Part III

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A/N: I'll warn you, Anna's journal is full of sappy romancey stuff. Don't ask why, even I don't know...

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I was hunched over my desk in the Delbrays' library in the near-pitch-black. Had it not been for the candle I had previously lit using the new Fire spell Soren taught me, the task I was about to complete would have been much more difficult. Tonight, I would dive straight into the love story that would puzzle me for days and nights until I found an answer to my question.

The book I was shifting through was one of the most beautifully written pieces I'd seen in awhile. Words in the old tongue filled the pages, making what was said all the more special. Yes, it was but a journal, and one written by a simple seamstress at that, but it was genuine and sweet, and, in every way, from the heart.

The leather-bound book began with a simple quote on the cover page. De mortuis nil nisi bonum. I quickly translated the saying using the hardcover book I had previously taken from the shelf and smiled to myself.

"Say nothing about the dead but good." Clever...

After the opening, I began reading an entry dated back eleven years ago.

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Today was the most fabulous day in my whole entire life! King Caineghis had some visitors from the noble families from one of the beorc lands--Crimea, possibly? There was a count from a place called Delbray, if I remember correctly. I hadn't expected him to even pay me attention or anything, but he didn't seem to resent the laguz like some of the others. His two teenage children were with him as well. The girl, Lucia, I believe, was only a few years younger than I am. She was really nice, but her brother...wasn't fond of smiling, apparently.

Then there was the oddest man I'd ever seen. A Count Fayre, if I'm not mistaken. I really wasn't sure of what he was saying half the time (I barely even know the modern tongue...was I supposed to understand his intricate speech too?), but he smiled a lot, so I assume he was nice.

Sitting next to him was the most stunning man I'd ever seen. His dark brown hair was slicked back and his brown eyes were absolutely gorgeous! His name was Jonathan--yes, I'm so excited to be on a first name basis with a high-ranking noble. But alas, I'm nothing more than a soldier... What's more, I'm only seventeen in beorc terms, and he's seven years my senior...my father would have a fit! And still, I can't seem to get him off my mind.

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I smiled to myself. Everything about Anna's journal was so touching, so...sincere. The puzzling thing about it, though, was what she had said about Jonathan...he wasn't a noble, was he? Unless he was, and he had to give up his position for marrying a laguz. It was a possibility, but I wasn't quite sure.

Sighing, I flipped the page and read the next entry, dated a few days later.

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Such a sad day was this. I suppose I should be happy, as I've been given a great opportunity, but it comes with a cost, as all do. Tomorrow is the day that Jonathan will be leaving, which saddens me greatly, but he's offered to-- Well, maybe I should replay these events for you instead of a summary--they are so grand, after all.

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This morning began with Jonathan accompanying me on a stroll in the gardens, as we had become quite close over the past few days (much to my excitement). I had worn my favorite light pink sundress--the one my mother had designed and made for me--with the little yellow flowers dotting the fabric. My hair was pulled up in a bun fashion, and a small silver chain hung around my neck. Jonathan wore a simple white shirt and black pants--nothing like what you'd expect from a noble.

He suddenly stopped and bent down, taking a large flower between his fingers and plucking it. I gasped--King Caineghis was going to kill him for that! I smiled as he turned around and held it out in front of me. Due to my limited knowledge of flowers, I hadn't a clue what this large, pale pink blossom was (though my mother later informed me that it was a peony).

"A flower, Milady?" he smirked, handing the bloom to me.

I rolled my eyes as I carefully took it from him. "Thank you, Milord."

"You're welcome," he smiled as he offered me his arm--which I gladly took. He continued, "It matches your dress and your ears too." I shied away as he took his free hand and moved it towards my ear. He frowned. "What's wrong, Miss Anna?"

I sighed, "Doesn't the fact that I'm a laguz bother you?"

"No, not at all. In fact, I'm going to miss you quite a bit when I return to Crimea," he replied.

I stopped, and put my hands on my hips. "Please! I'm sure that you have women surrounding you all day long, being a noble and all--" He laughed at me. I didn't see what was funny at all! "What?!" I glared at him and folded my arms across my chest.

"First of all, I'm not a noble; I'm only a butler. Disappoint you any?" When I shook my head, he sighed, looking a bit relieved. Before I could speak up, he continued, "I glad of that then; what I'm about to ask you next wouldn't have really gone with a 'yes' answer."

I cocked my head in confusion. "Whatever could you mean, Jonathan?" I questioned.

"Well, the Count Delbray has been looking for someone to be his new maid. When I suggested that maybe you could come back to Crimea with us to fill that position, he was ecstatic," he explained.

I stared at him in shock. "Me? Why would he want me? I'm only a soldier! And a laguz at that...the other workers would have a fit," I mumbled, looking away from him and towards the ground.

"Look," he started, using his hand to push my chin upwards to face him, "anyone that has a problem with you or your race can take it up with me."

I could tell that he was serious--his eyes said everything. I sighed, "But...what about my family?"

He sighed as well and ran his fingers through his hair. "I-I hadn't thought about that," he admitted. "I suppose they could come also."

I shook my head. "They wouldn't." It was the truth. So many times before had I heard both of my parents say that they would never leave Gallia again. I didn't know what the "again" part meant, but that didn't matter to me. If I wanted to leave, it should be my decision, not theirs.

"Well, I guess we don't have much of a choice then. You'll either have to stay or become a runaway. I couldn't ask that of you, no matter how much I'd like to see you daily. You're too young to leave on your own."

I glanced at him defiantly, placing my hands on my hips once more. "Oh, am I?"

He rolled his eyes and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Think it over, okay, Anna? We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning, so if you decide that you want to come, meet us by the main entrance of Zarzi before seven." He paused for a moment, "But don't worry your parents too much. At least leave them a note to let them know where you are and that you're safe."

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I honestly don't know what to do. I want to go with Jonathan so badly; I want to experience beorc traditions, but my family won't be there... I haven't known a time where we were separated for more than a day my whole life.

Glancing over at the peony sitting on my desk, beside my hand which is currently writing this confession, I know exactly what I must do. My family if my life, but Jonathan...Jonathan is my heart.

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I sat there, shocked. Anna had actually run away from home? And Jonathan had encouraged it? That was nothing like the quiet seamstress and refined butler that I knew. It was so uncharacteristic of both of them, I wasn't sure whether or not I should believe what I had just read. There had to be more to this... There had to be some kind of explanation.

As I went to flip the page to read on, I noticed that something red had been spilled all over the next few pages. I was stunned...was that blood all over the pages? Regardless of what it was, it had made the next few entries unreadable.

Sighing, I decided to skip to the next un-bloodied page. This page had blood splattered on it in places, too, but it was at least comprehensible. The numbers at the top dated back only a little over a year. Wait, where had the last ten years gone? The handwriting on the page wasn't as neat and unstressed as what I had known the others to be. It looked almost...rushed, worried. I didn't know a proper word for it really.

I scanned through a couple pages in my translation book and began deciphering the ancient tongue.

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I know I haven't written in such a long time, but there honestly hasn't been much time. I don't have much time now--oh, something awful's happened. I knew that I never should have come with Jonathan! Our next bad move was coming to the Grann Desert with Soren and Lucia. If I had known something like this would happen, I would have never come in the first place! Those human scum are so cruel!

But the countess...I feel so sorry for her. I know how alone she feels, and it makes me so guilty. I have Jonathan to take care of me, but now that they've taken Soren away, she has to fend for herself. Then there's Kiana... Oh, I wish we could have helped them!

But Jonathan only insisted on keeping me safe. He didn't even care for himself! I don't even know where he is right now... He hid me here in this tiny little cabin a ways away from the settlement and then took off. I fear for his safety, but I know that going to find him would only be foolish. Oh, why did those beorc have to ruin everything?!

Mother, Father, I'm so sorry for ever leaving you. I-- Wait, I think I hear something. Jonathan must be back. No...it doesn't smell like

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I stared at the page blankly. That was how it ended? But what happened to her after that...had she been harmed? I shook my head. Lacey, you're insane. She's still alive... Still, something didn't feel right. Maybe the next entry would explain the situation better. But what was that awful thing that she mentioned? I hadn't heard of anything awful happening in the Grann Desert. And anyway, who was Kiana?

As I went to flip the next page, a hand suddenly slammed down on the journal, nearly crushing my hand, had I not moved it out of the way in time. Looking up, I found Jonathan towering over me, his eyes filled with anger.

"I don't believe this belongs to you," he spat, glaring at me and snatching the book away.

I returned his glare. "I know that, but Soren said I could read any book in the library," I bit back.

"Soren..." he paused, "wants to speak with you in his office."

He smirked, turning and walking towards the exit of the library. I was about to just let him leave when I remembered the last thing I had read. "Wait! Jonathan, what happened in the Grann Desert?" I called after him.

He didn't turn around, he only responded with, "I...almost lost my wife. That is all you need to know." I thought I could detect a slight sniffle in his voice. For that reason, I didn't press the matter further and allowed him to retreat from the library.

I sighed. So he had told Soren about my investigation after all, had he? I mean, why else would the count want to see me? It wasn't time for him to give me a new assignment, and rarely ever did he call on me for something not related to my studies. The investigation was the only other likely explanation.

I stood up, pushing in my chair, that annoying sound of stone being scraped by something filling my ears. I picked up the translation book and slid it back into its spot on the shelf. Heading for the door, I noticed a piece of paper lying on the floor. Jonathan must have dropped it, I thought.

When I reached it, I bent down and picked it up, finding that it wasn't just a piece of paper, but a tiny portrait instead. Seated next to that huge dog that likes to terrorize all the workers here--Ace, or something like that--was a little girl. She looked to be only two and had pitch black locks framing her face. Her blue eyes looked so peaceful, and she bore the same mark on her forehead as Soren did.

I flipped the object over, and noticed on the back that a name had been written on it in Anna's elegant handwriting. Kiana. Well, that answered one question...now if only I knew who this Kiana was...

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A/N: Yes, I used Latin for the ancient tongue. And I'll apologize if that's not the meaning of the phrase--I took it out of one of my school books (though I'd hope they'd know what they're talking about). Anyway, this chapter seemed kind of choppy to me. It didn't seem to flow very well, and I'm sure changing from Lacey's view to Anna's journal view was confusing. Hopefully the next one will be better...