Chapter Eleven: Poison
Life is so short, we never know when will be our last breath. I never thought, in a brief moment of happiness, it would last this short.
'He loves me.' those words didn't register in my mind, it seems so surreal. Then again, I accepted it with my heart.
"Oh God, you're alive," Madoka and Lin said at the same time. An expression of happiness, and relief wash over their faces, as Madoka rushes towards his side and cup his cheeks.
"Noll," tears started to flow down her cheeks. Noll gave her a slanted smirk, as his eyes landed on her stomach.
"You're bigger." He tells her. Madoka gave Noll a strange look, but burst out laughing at his sudden words.
"Is our Noll. Lin, come here." She turns towards her husband. Lin walks up to her and places his hand on his shoulder, giving him a soft pat.
"You have to tell us, how did you survive? I am shocked, I am grateful to God, but this is a miracle." He beams at him. Noll shrugs his shoulders, looking straight at him.
"I'm a survivor," he tells him. Lin smiles at him broadly as Madako did the same. I retreated silently, leaving them to enjoy Noll, closing the door behind me; I suddenly let out a painful gasp. Snow glance up at me, with a worried look in her eyes. I shook my head.
"I feel like my body is burning up. Maybe from all the commotion these past few weeks." I assure her, but she didn't look convinced.
I slide down, fanning myself with my hand, as I look up at the dark skies.
"Mama… What do I do now? Now that we confess, what do we do? I have no idea how to be in a relationship. All I know, I don't want to lose him ever again." I lift my knees up and wrap my arms around them, placing my chin on my folded arms.
"A good night's sleep will help me, hopefully."
…
I felt worse the next day. I didn't let it show. Today we had a mission, and that mission includes seeing that woman once again. I'm not happy about it, but I have no other choice.
"Come," I heard on my right. I stood in the kitchen door, looking at the well, for a reason, I want lots of water to drink. I gulped dryly and lifted my gaze, to look up at Noll. Noll looks down at me, his blue eyes scanning mine.
"You look paler." He whispers, placing his hand on my forehead. I blushed, looking down.
"To tell you the truth, I'm not feeling too good," I told him. Noll frowns at me, as he read my thoughts, he goes up to the buckets, and with a fresh mug he picked up from the clean dishes, he scoops and came back to me.
"Drink," I licked my lips, and press my lips on the edge and drank it in one gulp, it felt refreshing.
"We should see a doctor." He suddenly told me. I lower the mug and shook my head.
"No, today we'll see her. I can't let us miss that; tell me, what is the plan?" I asked him. Noll didn't seem convinced, as he takes the mug out of my hands and place it on the table.
"Nothing." I raised a brow at his sudden words.
"Then, why do you."
"Stalk her. To see where she goes after church. I need to see her most venerable position." He concludes.
"That makes sense, I think. Then how do we show the people her truth?"
"I haven't thought it through just yet." He tells me truthfully. I nodded at him.
I suddenly look down and my bangs cover my eyes.
"Noll, about last night. Were you saying the truth? Do you love me?" I don't know, why I just ask that, but it feels unrealistic.
"Yes." My cheeks kept flaring up.
"I never had anyone loving me, besides my father and Nana, but then he stops and Nana died. I am scared that you will stop loving me. I'm a person, that when I love, I stick with that person until the end. Like papa. Even though he forgot about me, I haven't. I love him dearly, even if he thinks," I shivered, rubbing my cheek, as the memories of that night came into my head.
"Me too." I heard. I lifted my gaze, to see Noll looking out at the well. His mind feels far away.
"Huh?"
"I'm loyal if I have to be, but a coward I am not. I told you that. Don't ever doubt my love for you. If you find me not attending you, I give you permission, to do whatever you have to and pay it back."
For a reason, his words meant a lot to me and he meant it completely.
"Then what are we?" I asked him.
Noll smirks, as he moves closer, and cups my cheeks, his eyes looking straight into my soul, well that's how it feels.
"You're mine and no others," he whispers, making my heart flutter at his words.
"I love you Noll." I whispered, shyly taking a hold of his hand. Noll runs his thumb across my knuckles, making me shiver.
"As I." he whispers, leaning down, he kisses my forehead, causing my heart to pound hard.
"Let's go."
….
I shyly stood next to Noll, as we stood at the entrance to the church. I felt my heart skip a beat. I felt so embarrassed now, it dawns on me, that he saw me naked last night.
'I'm a late reactor, aren't I?' I shyly thought, shaking my head. He told me that I'm his, but what does that mean?
I rub my arms, to see a young priest coming out of the church, wearing a black shirt, and brown pants. He has dirty brown hair and light completion on the eyes. Very handsome though. No older than Noll.
"Ahh, Noll," he came up to Noll giving him a broad smile. Noll nods at him, as I gave the priest a smile. For a reason, a good aura seems to come out of him.
"Hello, I'm Mai, and you're so handsome to be a priest." For a reason that came out of my mouth, causing the priest to grow red; Noll lower his gaze at me, arching a brow, but his eyes tighten. I blushed even more.
"No disrespect father, I.
"Call me John, please." He adds, smiling at me nervously.
"Oh. Sorry, I have normally seen older priests, and monks, never young ones." I told him the truth. John suddenly burst out laughing, as he shakes his head.
"Well, the Lord called me to this path, now, I heard you want to catch a glimpse of the queen?" he asks Noll, Noll nods at him.
"May I ask is this is your fiancé, which you mentioned to me in these past few weeks?" he suddenly caught me by surprise. My eyes widen, as Noll nods at him.
"Fiancé? Wait, whose fiancé?" I turned to stare at John. John gave me a confused look.
"Didn't he tell you? I was the one that saved him, after that dreadful explosion. I was heading to visit an old friend, and going the hill, I found Noll without conscience on the ground. So I took him in." He shook his head, in a sad way. Noll stiffen.
"He said, I was his fiancé?" I asked confused. John crosses his arms, as Noll stares at somewhere else.
"I asked him some questions, and somehow, I suddenly ask anyone special, and he mentioned a girl, so yes. He said, that he missed you terribly, and he couldn't take another day without seeing you. So he rushed out of the convent and rushed towards his cottage." John explains. My cheeks were so red, but my heart flared, with a deep happiness, that no one could ever imagine.
"Noll," I whispered, feeling a strange bubbly happiness in my heart. I immediately took a hold of his hand. Noll raised a brow, looking down at me.
"Thank you. So I'm your fiancé?" He nods, as he kept avoiding my look or Johns. John chuckles, as he moves, and we head towards the church.
"He's shy, quiet types are.." John whispers to me.. I blushed even more.
"Was he in a bad condition?" I ask suddenly. John shook his head.
"No, scratches, but unconscious for a week. When he came to be, he told me everything, as well he told me about the queen." He adds in a low voice. I arched a brow, Noll normally don't speak to strangers, but John is a priest, a man of God, so, he must felt compel to? I don't know...
"Then, it was a pleasure, please, I'll be going to get prepare for mass, she'll be here in a few.," he turns, heading into a long hallway. The church felt peaceful, large, with many oak benches. I bowed and did the sign of the cross, for respect, as Noll did the same.
"Thank You, God." I lower my head, feeling my heart at ease.
"Thank you for sending me Noll. Please protect him, and we can stay together forever. If he's the man I'm destining to be with, then I am willing to accept." I whispered, but Noll heard me, and a smirk passes his lips.
"Come, before we get caught, we'll sit in the back." He suddenly takes a hold of my hand and guided me. We sat in the near back, so we wouldn't be caught, but we still have a good view of Emilia. I intertwine my hands with Noll, as my heart started to thumb hard.
"Mai?" I heard Noll. I groaned a little but shook my head.
"I'm scared. I can't stand to see her, even think of her."
"I know, me either." He admits. Finally feeling how his hand shook. My eyes widen, as I look up at Noll.
"You're scared? Have you been scared when we were in the castle?" I asked him. Noll went still, but then nods.
"I hate her with all my guts, but at times, I remember what she did to me, and that child in me, comes out." He admits.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." I move closer, and place my hand on top of his, and started to rub it, as Nana used to do when I was scared.
"Don't be scared, it will all pass. Close your eyes, and count to ten." Noll raised a brow, looking down at me.
"Huh?" He asks, my eyes widen, as the realization hits me, embarrassment flush in my face.
I move away from him, but he suddenly pulls me back, placing his arm around me.
"Tell me." he insists. I couldn't look up at him..
"Nana use to do that when I was very young. It helps me when I was scared of the monsters under my bed. Before she came, now I know, there are no monsters, but people like her, which are scarier." I told him the truth. Noll chuckles, giving me a squeeze on my shoulders, and for a reason, I felt him relax.
"It's silly, I know, but don't laugh."
"I never thought it was silly, it's cute. You're very innocent Mai. Don't ever change and you're right, people like her are scarier, than any monster under the bed.." He whispers, as he lowered his gaze and kisses my forehead head. My cheek flames up, as I look up at him.
"I'm a coward, not innocent."
"Not a coward, you are very strong." He admits, I was about to say something, but the doors in the back burst open, and I heard guardsman walking in, by their boots steps.
"She's here." Noll hissed, as we turned, and hid behind the bench. There she was, wearing an elegant red, dazzling redress. Her hairpins up and wearing thick makeup. Her eyes pierced through anything she glances at.
"She has no right to walk into the Lord house, she's so evil." I whispered as I fist my hands in anger.
Noll didn't say anything, but we stood there watching her.
….
"I hope you come again." A John smile at us after mass was over. I smiled at him.
"With delight. I haven't been here in years. I'll see you next Saturday.." I told him. John nods at us, and we turn, only to hurry our steps.
"She took the horses." He tells me. I nodded, and we kept going, trying to keep up. We ended up in town, Noll went up to a man, fair skin man, with farming clothes, and a top hat. He had horses on his right, and he turns to stare at Noll.
"Can we borrow one horse? Here," Noll takes out ten coins out of his pockets and gave it to the young man. The man stares at him, and nods.
"You can have her if you want, wow. I never made this much." He whispers, going up to a beautiful brown horse. He hands her over to Noll.
Noll arched a brow, noticing how naked the horse is.
"Where's her saddles?" he asks him. The man chuckles, and points behind the horse.
"You ain't lazy, are you?" he turns, heading out. I gave him a 'Wow,' look, but Noll just simply ignores him.
"I think you gave him a lot,"
"Not really. I was meaning to buy a horse for a while, Lin and Madoka will like her," he whispers, going to get the horse ready.
After Noll adjust the horse, he mounts her and I stare at him.
'He looks elegant. Like a knight and shiny armor, but in his case, a black and shining armor.' I thought, feeling my heart thump hard. He bends a little and stretch out his arm.
"Can you ride?" I paused but nodded at him.
"Can I be in the front, and ride it?" I asked him.. Noll arched a brow but nods at me. He scoots back, and I manage to get in the front. My eyes widen when he wrap his arms around my waist.
"Noll?"
"I need to hold on to something." He whispers in my right ear, causing me to shiver.
"Oh, right."I blushed, but I took a hold of the reigns and smirked.
"Okay, then hold on tight, okay, one thing in the castle, I always had the pleasure, is to ride horses. One thing I never hated." I whispered to him, he nods while I kick the horse gently. She went off. Heading for the forest.
"This isn't bad." He whispers..
"Is not?" I asked, as I turned to look at him, but on doing so, our cheeks brush, and our lips almost dangerously close. I had to hold off a moan, and I think he felt my body shiver. He smirks.
'Don't think of it.'
"Is not, for a girl, is decent. She went that way," he points at his right.
"A girl? Okay," I turned, and tighten the ropes..
"I'll show you what a girl can do." I hissed, not noticing the devilish smirk pass his dangerous lips..
"Come on girl, we are losing them. Can you go a little faster." I whispered to the horse, rubbing her back neck. I heard a chuckle, but then he tightens his grip on me, making me feel odd.
"Is fun to watch you talk to a horse, but we don't have time, and….." his words left his mouth, when I kicked once again, a bit harder this time, and horse zoomed, galloping harder, and I just control her ways.
"Good Girl." I whispered, then laughter escapes my lips when she jumps over a log,
"This is freedom, I miss," I yelled, as I lower myself, to duck a branch, to feel Noll doing the same.
Noll had to hold me tighter, so he won't fall down.
Then after a good few minutes, we finally found the road, which the queen was at. I finally took control of the horse and slow her down by pulling hard. Finally, we came to a stop, and I rub her neck.
"Good girl," I whispered as I turned to find Noll staring at me with a profound look. I blushed at his sudden look.
"What? Was that to slow for you?" I whispered, and he nods.
"I thought I lost it back there." He breathes out, then he chuckles, holding me close. His warm chest press on my back. I smiled at his warm actions.
"You sure are full of surprises Mai. Should have used you, that one time when I was escaping the wolves." He whispers, then he lets go and gets out of the horse.
"Wolves? You need to tell me about it." I told him.
"I will, have you heard of Red Riding hood?" he asks me. I frowned, but nodded at him.
"I met her once."
"Then I'll tell you my story later," he assures and turns towards me stretching out his arms.
"I can get down by myself," I told him, he looks a little disappointed, but he moves, and I jump down, but on doing so, suddenly my knees went weak, that I buckle down towards the ground, but Noll wraps his arms around me just in time and hoist me up. I look up and blushed.
"Thank you." He suddenly cups my cheek, and his eyes roam mine.
"You're looking worse. After this, we are going to the doctor." I giggled, as I leaned my head on his chest.
"Now who's talking too much.. I never heard you talk so much about a day. Why?"
"Don't know, maybe because I'm at ease." He shrugs, but then turns his gaze towards the road, in doing so, we heard horses reaching our way.
"Let's hide," I whispered to him, taking a hold of his arm. Noll nods and we move towards an old bush, which is more lifeless than life itself. Bending down, we spot the old golden carriage that is carrying my stepmother. I froze, but took deep breaths.
"What do we do?" I asked him. Noll eyes twinkle, that same twinkle, which made my skin crawl, and it wasn't a good one.
"Noll, what are you thinking of?" I hissed, taking a hold of his arm. Then again, he ignores me, and before I knew it, he had thrown something, that aimed straight towards one of the horses. The coach had to pull the ropes hard.
"Noll!" I hissed, watching in horror, as the other horse yelp in fear, making the carriage tremble, coming to an abrupt stop.
"What in the world is that?" I heard Emilia speak loudly. I can see her taking a sneak peak from the open window.
"Sorry, my queen, something startle the horses, maybe a mouse, please rest assured." The coachman wearing the castle guardsman uniform spoke with a thick accent. I turned to face Noll.
"I don't know if I should be mad at you or proud?" I told him. Noll smirks again and turned to face me.
"Proud, never had anyone proud of me." he admits. I rolled my eyes at him but took a hold of his hand.
"I'll give you both." I whispered..
"Good enough for me," he smiles, turning his gaze towards the carriage. Suddenly a dizzy spell hits me, as I leaned my head down.
"We should continue on." Noll whispers, his eyes never left the queen. I nodded, suppressing down my dizzy head.
…..
We follow the queen, into a familiar path.. Not sure why, but this path looks oddly familiar to me.
Noll is the driver this time. I told him I wasn't in the mood since my head is pounding hard.
I lie against his chest, his arms around me, feeling safe once again, and warm. Now stopping, my eyes scan around, then it dawns on me.
"Oi, this is the place where I met that nice old lady yesterday." I whispered to Noll, as he gets down. This time I let him take a hold of my hands and slide them down to my waist, to put me down. I smiled at him timidly, and he just gave me a strange look.
"Can we go and visit her?" I asked him. Noll nods, but then he turns, to see the queen crossing the bridge..
"I wonder where she's going." I mumbled. Following the queen, (By foot this time.) We cross the bridge, and a few minutes later, we spot the old cottage.
"Oh, the elder lives in that cottage," I told Noll. We hide behind the tree trunk, watching the carriage come into a stop. Poking around, we watch the coachman step down and go to open the golden door of the carriage.
I watch with curiosity. In doing so, instead of the queen stepping down from the carriage, my eyes widen, and my blood actually pulses.
"Noll!" I gasp out, as I took a hold of his arm. Noll looks down at me, now concern passes his eyes.
"Mai?"
"That woman, is the sweet old lady.. She's…" I started to breathe irregular, as my skin started to burn. Suddenly, a deep laugh echoed around, and my knee goes weak.
"You thought, I didn't notice you two following me from the Church?" I heard. I lifted my gaze to see the old woman looking straight at us.. (Since she stood in front of us.) Noll wraps his arms around me and adjusts me.
"Who are you?" Noll asks the elder: her eyes glint with something deep and horrific. A sly smile passes her thin lips and pointed at me with her bony finger.
"You ate my apple dear?" she suddenly asks. My eyes narrow, and nodded.
"Yes, why?" Then she smiles at me once again and turns towards her cottage.
"Now, I'm the fairest of them all, don't always trust people, you always so naïve, and pitiful. Lover boy, enjoy a dead corpse, as your fiancé," and my eyes widen, as Noll looks down at me with narrow eyes.
"What does that mean?" I asked her in a weak voice, feeling another pulse. The elder stop, and turns towards me, as everything started to fade away.
"Poison my dear. That apple was poisoned, one of the most terrible way to die. You slowly feel it. Goodbye, my dear daughter, it was a hell of a journey with you." And she snaps her fingers, my eyes widen, and my body pulsed under her order.
"Mai!" Noll hiss. My body turns numb.
"Not even a true love kiss can save her unless you're pure enough to do it.." The woman laughs hysterically, and the last thing I see is Noll blue eyes.
"Mai, wake up, dammit to hell." He hissed.. My body already weightless, I slump into his shoulder, wishing I could feel his warm embrace, and I lean my head on his shoulder. Everything went dark...
"No, Mai." Noll hissed, as he looks up at the elder.
"It's too late dear, she's already dead. Now, I'm truly the fairest of them all….."
A disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt or Snow White.
Thanks for the Reviews : )