The chapter begins with a quote from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", but I'm including it for it perfectly describes our two [heheh] star-crossed lovers, Almedha and Ashnard...
Lovers and madmen have such seething brains,
Such shaping fantasies, that apprehend
More than cool reason ever comprehends.
The lunatic, the lover and the poet
Are of imagination all compact:
One sees more devils than vast hell can hold,
That is, the madman.
The lover, all as frantic,
Sees Helen's beauty in a brow of Egypt:
"You say you're...in love?" I asked Almedha. I had left Edessa's ball early and had been doing some reading in my room when unexpectedly she can came in. She seemed elated, overjoyed even and more importantly she claimed she has fallen in love.
"oh yes!" she replied, "I met lord Ashnard at the party, and oh! He's so much better than I could've ever imagined..." She began to trail off, probably into a daydream.
I quickly snapped her back into reality, "That's good I'm glad you two get along, I saw you never left his side the whole night! So... What did you two talk about? Anything... Dirty?"
"Oh heavens no! Why, he's a perfect gentleman..." She seemed to swoon with every word. I suppose it was only natural she had never fallen in love before and couldn't contain her joy, "He understands where I'm coming from you see, he too lost his mother-"
"His mother...?" I interrupted her curiously, "he...he spoke of her?"
Ashnard never said a word about his mother, except in private to people he trusts like me. Why confide in stranger? What was his motive? Unless... He really did love Almedha...
Or, the only alternative: he was plotting something.
She continued, "Yes, he was quite passionate when telling the tale, my poor darling! Stripped of his birthright, dignity and honor, and all because of his mother's common birth! That's not the way the world should be!"
"You know about Beatrix, Remondyn and... Esoldia?" I asked.
"Yes, Ashnard told me everything. How his dear mother died and his father didn't even care, then cast him aside for that vile concubine and her breed of parasites." Here she paused, it was rather long one but she must've been debating whether or not to add her next line, "...he has a vision you know, a vision to better the world, to make it a fair place, where one's birth will not matter. Noble or Common it will not matter... And I support him, all the way."
"Oh I love him Petrine!" She then added changing her tone of voice to once again, a gleeful one, "For years I was trapped behind the walls of Goldoa and now, I found the valiant prince who's rescued me!"
Sure, it may have sounded cheesy but Almedha had a point. So far, Ashnard's been the only person she's ever met that shares her ideals and dreams and understands where's she's coming from. He justifies her feelings and her reasons for leaving, and she adores him for it. There was no talking sense to her while she was in this kind of mood.
"Look Almedha, it's late you really ought to get some sleep. I don't know how much you dragons need but we beorc need at least 8." I simply told her.
"Yes, I suppose your right... I will get to see him again in the morning won't I?"
"Of course, you can see him at breakfast. Esoldia always relegates him to the empty end of the table anyway..."
"Oh wonderful! Thank you lady Petrine."
"What did I do?"
"For helping me find my true love. Good night!" She waved and eagerly left back for guest suite. At least one person around here was happy.
For the rest of us, it was the winter of our discontent, and had been for quite some time. I was happy for Almedha, I truly was but at the same time,
I was jealous.
Here she was with joy, and love in her life and what of I? I have no romance, I don't even get a say in who I marry. My parents, eager to please, will decide a husband for me. My father is a friend of the king's and thus, Remondyn and Esoldia are the ones ultimately deciding my fate.
All I have to look forward to it seems was a life as Demetrius' housewife. Sure I broke the betrothal but they're the king and queen, they'll find a way to force me. I couldn't take it anymore, ever since Beatrix died, nothing has gone right...
If there's one thing I want more than any other, it's freedom. Freedom to make my own decisions.
So I went to sleep that night, dreaming of how life could've been...and should've been. I was the wife of a handsome nobleman or knight. He'd woo me the way Ashnard did Almedha. I was one the four rider's of Daein, serving Remondyn and Beatrix. Life was perfect, but isn't it always perfect in dreams? After all, Dreams are the only place where one's wishes and desires can all be true no matter what. They are a way to escape a horrible realty and instead, find a better one.
But dreams are as fleeting as they are perfect. By morning time I had found I had slept in late, and missed breakfast. Which meant, I would have to go to the kitchen and try to find what's left over.
Once there, I ran into Edessa, giddy and air-headed as ever. "Oh hello Petrine!" She said cheerily.
I internally sighed, it was much too early for me to have to deal with her. "How many times do I have to tell you, it's Lady Petronilla to you!" I said and continued walking. I was hoping to avoid having to
Talk to her but I was only to find Edessa was following me.
"Oh but 'Petronilla sounds so stuffy and boring! Besides, everybody else calls you Petrine, why can't I? Oh well, it doesn't matter. I'm just in an especially good mood ever since my dear Percy arrived!"
*ugh* her dear Percy? I'd think for a princess offered only the finest in education, she would have a bit more maturity. She just met the man yesterday after all.
"That's nice." I simply said, hoping the young princess would get the message that I didn't want to talk her but, apparently she was still too clueless.
"No, it's more than nice! It's wonderful! I found my very own prince and we'll live happily ever after!" She then giggled and twirled around. I suppose these was the pinnacle of her existence after all, marriage to a prince. If I were princess I don't think I could stand it, I would always want my life to mean something more...
But I supposed, at least for Edessa, ignorance is bliss. She doesn't know what else she could amount to except this.
"Petrine, didn't you think Percy looked exceptional handsome yesterday at the ball?"
"It's Petronilla to you. No. I didn't think so." Actually I found him rather less than average looking to be honest.
"Oh..." My response must've surprised her a little, "Well, that's ok. Even if you did you couldn't have him anyway! He's all mine!" She gave a rather feigned swoon. The poor deluded girl, her "beloved Percy" doesn't even like her bit no one will dare tell her.
"Anyway... I have to go to my lessons... Maybe I'll see you again later Petrine!"
"That's Petronill-... Oh what's the point..." I shrugged and kept going. No need to talk with Daein's most spoiled princess any longer than necessary.
In the next few months, the situation only grew worse. Edessa dragged Percival everywhere she went, Esoldia continued to shower her children with gifts, and run the royal coffers dry. Naturally I could only stay there for so long but luckily for me, an excuse for leaving came knocking on my door.
It was late at night again, I was busy reading up more on Lady Ishtar. I was never usually one for books but I found her character interesting and story, captivating- A young lady whose beloved Julius turned corrupted, but because she loved him and her parents so longed for her marriage with the prince, she had no choice but to support him. Bound by promises and loyalty to live in a persona that wasn't her.
(of course, I didn't finish the book until later but in the end, Lady Ishtar was sent off by lord Julius to battle, where she was ultimately killed. Not a single thought given to who she truly was by Seliph and his army who defeated her. She was deemed a villain, and that was the end of that. )
Then, came a knock from the door. And what do you know? It was Almedha. Heh, she would've only ever visit me at nighttime since she seemed to spend all day in Ashnard's company.
"Oh, hello Almedha. Is there something you need?"
This time she appeared secretive, but in more the way that she was trying to hide her obvious excitement.
"Petrine, you're my good friend aren't you?"
"Well, duh."
"So... Would you be willing to help me with a favour?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"Um... well... I'll come out with it: Ashnard and I are getting married!"
Marriage? True, they never seemed to leave each other's side in the few months they've known each other. Still it seems a bit sudden. Well, still... they're both my friends, naturally I have to help.
"That's wonderful! But... what do you need me for?"
"Well, that's the thing you see, I'm a laguz and you yourself said the people of Daein aren't fond of laguz. And... w-what if my father found out? So, the wedding has to be a secret."
"Ah, I see. Well...How about this? You can have it at the Palmeni Temple, it's one of my father's properties and out of the way of the public eye."
"Oh, that's the perfect!" Almedha said eagerly,
"Just tell the king that you are going to with Ashnard to visit me at Palmeni..."
"Yes! I'll do that! Ah, this will be perfect! Er- I'm sorry Petrine, I'm just excited is all..."
"It's only natural, I would be happy too if I were you."
And I wish I could be you... being Demetrius' queen is not a very promising future...
"Thank you so much for doing this!" Almedha said, "um... anyway it's late... I should probably be getting off to bed! Tomorrow I'm going shopping for a wedding dress, oh! Would you like to come?"
"Sure. Why not."
"Wonderful! See you then!"
Once she had exited the room, I sighed to myself, she's delirious with pleasure and clearly not thinking this all the way through. Still, what kind of a friend would I be if I didn't help her out? I suppose most of my resentment came from a bit of jealousy. If only there was a way I could be as happy as Almedha... If there was a way I could escape my rather impending fate...
I suppose it was just my luck, or if not some foul fluke... but help did come. It was after the wedding of course.
Ah! The wedding! It was a rather nice ceremony, nothing too extravagant. For Almedha, it was the best day of her life (as she constantly reminded me throughout the day). The usually drab, grey Palmeni Temple was turned into a brilliant elegant backdrop. Secretly inside me, I was envied Almedha as she walked down the aisle in her flowing white, lace, dress... her dark green tresses all pinned up in a elaborate bun. She was anticipating a happy, bright future... but what about me?
Well, I had dressed up just as nice as she did and wore smile like a mask. True, I was happy for Almedha, but... That tinge of jealousy kept coming back.
When the ceremony was over we had a small party back at Palmeni manor. Nothing too special, if you ask me it felt just like another royal banquet at the castle. At the end of the week, when we returned to the court, it was as if nothing had happened. All the wonder and splendour of the wedding turned into a precious secret between the three of us.
It also, like I said, after the wedding that help came, though, I would've hardly called it a 'thank you' gift.
And so ends chapter 8, still liking it so far?
Anyhoo, some of my medieval inspiration for this section of the story comes from Katherine of Valois and Owen Tudor. Katherine was the Queen Dowager of England, and Owen was a humble welshman. The Welsh weren't very well respected in England in the early 15th century and so, when royal Katherine fell in love him, the only way the two could be together was to arrange a secret marriage. And so, since laguz were hated in Daein that Almedha's wedding would have to be the same way.
Also, don't be too surprised at the large age gap between Percival (yeah, I took his name from a previous F.E. game :D ) and Edessa, young girls, especially those of high social status were often married to men twice their age. (Edessa is 10-ish and Percival's in twenties) Just look at Margaret Beaufort-married at age 13 to a 25 year old! I'm also basing her character a bit of Mary Queen of Scots, flightly and thinking the world is full candy and rainbows for them :)
See ya next chapter! (Sorry if this one was kinda short ^^' )
