So Close, Yet So Far
By: Jaded Image
AN: So, I've decided that I adore long weekends. It gives me time to things that I otherwise have no time for. Such as update. Which is what I'm doing now :) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Someday, I'll get rich enough to buy the copyrights from Ms. Levine. But until that day comes...
Chapter 7
When I woke up, I had no doubt that Mandy must've done some fairy magic on me. My mind was clearer, and I didn't feel the need to cry the moment I opened my eyes. Seeing as Greta was sleeping soundly in her bed, I guessed that it must be a little before dawn. Greta always got up minutes after the sun rose like clockwork.
Changing quietly into a clean dress, I made my way down the hall to the kitchen and then through the door leading into the courtyard. At this time, few people were up and I didn't meet anybody on my way to the labyrinthine garden.
It was only a few days ago that I discovered this garden. It was full of fragrant flowers with names that I've never heard of and stone benches hidden in the hedges. There were paths that wound around the garden, but they all lead to an opening in the center of all the greenery. There, a glittering fountain of a majestic rearing centaur spouted clear water from its ivory horn into pools.
This garden was right next to the parrot cages, and I had to take care that Simon did not see me. It was hard to believe that I had only been at the castle for nearly two months. The towering structure had become like a second home, and I didn't regret my decision for a minute. Avoiding people who might have recognized me was relatively easy, especially since I spent most of my time in the kitchen.
As I slowly wound my way towards the center of the garden, I heard soft voices traveling over from a different path. By the looks of the sky, it was still early dawn. I don't know who would be out at this time.
Rounding a corner, I was stopped in my tracks at the couple before me. Their backs were towards me, but there was no way I wouldn't have recognized that lanky build, the way the man's hair curled at the end, or the slight tilt of his head when he was listening intently.
"Father wants to delay the marriage. He worries over me constantly and wonders whether or not this union is suitable for the daughter of a duke." The woman beside him spoke, and her voice reminded me of sweet honey. Her golden hair was pulled back and pinned with a glittering rhinestone clip. There was something about her that was strangely familiar, but my mind was too preoccupied to follow that trail of thought.
Char! He was but ten paces away. I felt the sudden urge to run forward and beg for his forgiveness. My restraint nearly slipped when I heard a low chuckle that was distinctively his. "I believe Duke Edwarde has nothing to worry over. What can be more suiting than a marriage out of love?"
Something about his tone of voice made me flinch. He was still hurting, just as I was. But he had decidedly moved on to someone better, someone who is much more fitting for him.
The woman turned her gorgeous golden head to smile at him and noticed me standing there. "Do you need something, miss?" Her polite voice jerked me out of my trance-like state. I saw Char begin to turn and a panic gripped my heart. He couldn't see me; I can't let him see me. I refuse to ruin another happy moment for him.
Whirling around, I ran back the way I had come, the segment of their conversation burned in my mind. My vision clouded, and I lost my footing several times.
I don't know how, but somehow my stumbling feet carried me back through the doors to the kitchens. Bursting through, I saw Greta and Ethel working a large bucket of butter while Mandy was placing a pie into the hot oven. Various other servants were fluttering around with dishes and linen napkins.
"Elli? What's the matter, dear?" Ethel asked, looking startled at my sudden appearance. I probably looked a mess with all the dirt and scrapes from my falls.
Greta rushed over and brushed dirt off of my cotton dress. "What happened to you? You looked like you've just seen a ghost." Many of the servants were watching with blunt curiosity. I don't suppose this sort of thing happens often. Manners Mistress would be appalled by my behavior and ragged appearance.
"Oh, come to me, sweet." Mandy held out her arms, and I was only too glad to obey. She guided me back to my room and once again I sat on the bed. This time, Mandy sat across from me and waited patiently for me to regain my speech.
"Now Lady, tell me what's wrong." She said as I struggled to string words into sentences.
With a shaky sigh, I told her about the morning incident. Throughout my retelling, I felt myself slowly go numb. At the end, my voice had turned dull. "They're getting married, Mandy."
Mandy came to sit next to me, and I leaned on her shoulder like all those times when I was younger. "Lady," she began, "be strong. This is the path you chose, and I know it's painful."
"Worse than your tonics." I cut in with a slight smile. She smiled consolingly. "And those were awful."
"If it's any comfort, it didn't sound like the prince and the lady were talking about their marriage, if you get my meaning. By the sounds of it, Lady Adrynna is getting married to somebody else, some lad below her station. Otherwise, why would the duke worry? The Prince of Frell is far from unsuitable for any lass."
I considered what she said. It all made sense, I was just too boneheaded to figure it out at the time. I felt a little better, and Mandy soon left me alone to think it through.
Char's presence had brought up the pain that I thought I had buried somewhere deep within me. Just seeing him made my heart ache, and I wondered if he felt the same. Was he still thinking about me? Did he also remember the times we spent together? Or did he think I was a superficial wench?
I sighed. No doubt whatever his thoughts were, they weren't all too pleasant.
I'm wondering if anyone can guess who this Lady Adrynna is? Ella said she looks familiar. Just to be clear, she isn't a new character, although her name is completely made up.
As a sidenote, I was also wondering if any of you reviewers want to give me the physical descriptions of Ella, Char, and Mandy? I've been imagining Ella with dark brownish hair and green eyes, and Char with messy brown hair that curls at the ends and is a few shades lighter than Ella's. A previous reviewer for my other fic, Married, said that Ella has black hair...?
It's been awhile since I read the book, and I'm too lazy to look it up, haha. So I'm hoping some kind soul would refresh my memory before I totally ruin these characters.
JI
