Chapter 25: A Proposal
Doctor Moraney continued seeing Cece for the next several weeks, but he had discovered very little, except that she was quite confused and tended to become suspicious- of him, no less!- when he probed too much into her visions and dreams. He believed this castle was the key, but he could get little out of her.
His frustration only grew when he tried to ask the prince, as Bastien did not want to talk about the issue any further than they already had. And so, finally, Doctor Moraney went to the one other person he knew had been on the trip: Isaac.
Isaac, although at first nervous about discussing his master's business, soon opened up to his old friend.
"I've heard rumors about it, to be sure. One thing I do know- that mysterious nobleman in that castle is not so mysterious to anyone who's been around long enough. King Rudolf sent his brother there when he became so embarrassed at his behavior that he couldn't have him in court. Yes, Lady Imogene's uncle, it was," he said. Isaac was actually far more knowledgeable than Doctor Moraney had initially assumed, a fact for which the doctor was very glad.
"What do you know about this supposed curse? Do you know how the girl's tied in?" Doctor Moraney asked.
"I know only what I've heard from rumor and from the men in that village. The men in the village say the prince was turned into a monster. Apparently some of them saw him, years back. I don't know anything about the girl, but I'll wager she's told you some."
"She has, of course. Isaac, I need to find out more. The prince is hiding something from Miss Tinker, and I aim to help her discover what it is. Bastien won't tell me anything, of course. I need to talk to Cece's father. Could you take me to him?"
Isaac shifted his weight uncomfortably. "I really should stay here with the prince. He might need me."
Doctor Moraney saw through this immediately. "You know, don't you? Why won't you tell me?"
"I made a promise. I said I would tell no one, and that includes you."
"Isaac, what if the girl makes a terrible mistake because of this?"
"Marrying the prince would be a mistake? She'd be queen!"
"What if something happened? What if she changed her mind about Bastien in the time she forgot? There's a reason the prince is hiding from her, and I think that's it."
"I won't tell you, Moraney!"
"Then take me to someone who will! You won't be implicated, I promise. I'll say it was me, moving all on my own."
"It doesn't matter what you say. I need Bastien to trust me. I'm getting older, and I won't be able to hold this job for long. I'll send Neil. He knows the way, and he's trustworthy."
"I won't tell a soul you helped me. Thank you, old friend," the physician said, clasping Isaac's hand.
"I pray I won't live to regret this," Isaac said woefully, but he squeezed Moraney's hand and let him go.
Bastien glanced up when his door opened, but when he realized it was just Isaac, he returned to the letter he was writing.
"What is it, Isaac?" he asked.
"I feel obliged to tell you that Doctor Moraney requested my aid in contacting Cece's father. He wishes to speak to him," Isaac replied, businesslike.
"You didn't help him, did you?"
"No. But it won't be long before he finds someone who will. I'd advise you to make any move quickly."
"I'll have him arrested!" Bastien cried, rising to his feet.
"Don't be rash, Your Highness," Isaac soothed. "Arresting Moraney would look suspicious, especially to Cece. I meant something a little more pacifistic. Romantic, you might say."
"What do you mean? Propose to Cece now?"
"It would seem that now is the time. Of course, you'd need your father's blessing first."
"Yes. Yes, of course! I'll ask him now!" Bastien pulled a box from inside his tunic. He opened it and gazed at the ring within. "I've waited too long," he murmured, then tucked it away, thanked Isaac, and ducked out.
He thought he heard, as he left, Isaac mutter something like, "What have I done?"
"No." Rudolf's tone was flat, his answer forceful.
"Father, please-" Bastien pleaded. "I need this now. I've waited almost a year to propose to Cece. I won't wait any longer."
"I told you when she arrived that I wouldn't give my blessing until she had her memory back. She has not regained her memory, so I see no reason to give my blessing now."
"Father, I beg of you! If I don't ask now, I might lose her."
Something in his grandson's tone made Rudolf turn. He looked Bastien in the eye and saw something he had never expected to see- desperation.
"Are you so confident she'll say yes?" he asked finally.
"I know she will."
"Then go. I give my blessing."
"Thank you, Father!" Bastien cried as he dashed out of the room. Rudolf lowered himself into his chair and wondered if he'd done the right thing.
Cece sat at tea with the three princesses. With all the excitement lately, without her father to remind her, and with the fact that so much of the past year was lost to her, Cece had only just remembered that today was her birthday.
"Your birthday?" Maria had said excitedly. "Oh, we shall have a grand party!"
Francesca and Isabel agreed eagerly and ordered a large tea. The girls sat cheerily, eating and drinking, laughing, singing, wishing Cece a happy birthday, and of course chatting incessantly.
Suddenly the door banged open. The room fell silent, and all Cece could hear was heavy footsteps and labored breathing. The footsteps stopped in front of her, and she recognized Bastien.
"Bastien," she said with a laugh. "What are you doing?"
"Happy birthday, Cece," he said in a near whisper. She felt air move as he lowered himself to her eye level. She heard a collective gasp and a smacking noise as all three girls clapped their hands to their mouths. One of them- Maria, probably- began to squeal shrilly, but she stopped herself quickly.
"Cece," Bastien said, and his voice broke on the last syllable. Cece resisted the urge to laugh. He cleared his throat. "Cece," he began again, and this time his voice was strong and confident, "will you marry me?"
The room fell absolutely still as everyone held their breath. Cece couldn't think. Marry Bastien?
"Y-yes," she stuttered out finally. "Yes, I will marry you."
Suddenly she was swinging through the air in Bastien's arms and all she could hear was the princesses screaming and herself laughing and then she was on the ground again, engulfed in princesses and she was smiling and couldn't stop.
Doctor Moraney fastened his second saddlebag onto his horse. Now all that was left was to wait for Neil, who was supposed to meet him five minutes ago.
"Doctor Moraney! Doctor Moraney!"
The physician whirled to see Neil running toward him. "I'm sorry I'm late, Doctor Moraney," the man gasped. He appeared to have run all the way from wherever he had been. "Have you heard the news?"
"What news?" the physician demanded.
"The prince is engaged! He announced the betrothal today! He's to marry his Miss Tinker."
"So Isaac told him."
Neil had the decency to look apologetic. "He had to, sir. It was his duty. He did prevent the prince from arresting you, though."
"Thank God for small mercies," Doctor Moraney muttered sarcastically. "So he'll let us go. But he's put a deadline on us now. Saddle up, man! We've got to hurry."
The two men mounted their horses and galloped away into the night.
I would like to apologize for the short scenes in this chapter. But there's some important plot, which is always good. And I feel like it's my style again...either that or my style's changed!
Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated. Leave me a review!
!--Mazzie--!