A/N: I'M ALIVE!! Yes, I'm back! I can't guarantee consistent updates, but I'm just happy that I've got my groove back. Stepping away for a little while was actually a good thing. So without further ado, here's the 36th chapter! Happy Easter!!
I woke up one morning, knowing it was my eighteenth birthday. Ordinarily, I would have leapt up in the air. But I had been living down in the cellar for nearly two years. The only time I was ever set free from the cellar was to cook and clean. There was much of that to do. Sometimes Lady Millicent would let me roam the house, as long as I stayed away from Evangeline. I always smiled at the slight crookedness of Evangeline's nose. I was rather proud of myself for standing up to her like that. Frankly, she deserved it. The second year, I was only mostly sleeping in the cellar. Even though I was not in it as much, the prospect of sleeping inside the cellar was not a lovely one. I don't think I could have made it through without the help of Bridget.
While I was scrubbing the floors, (one of my least favorite jobs) there came a knock on the door. Lady Millicent answered it. After she had a short talk with whoever was at the door, she rushed inside the living room, calling for her two daughters. I slowly and quietly stepped into the room, hoping to at least hear what she had to say.
"Ladies, I hold in my hand an invitation to his Royal Highness's Birthday Celebration," she explained. The girls squealed, and Evangeline grabbed the invitation.
"It says here that everyone in the kingdom is invited! Oh, did you know that I heard the rumor that he is looking for a wife? Of course, with everything I've done, there's sure to be no competition at the ball. He'll certainly choose me to be his wife! He probably won't even look at the other girls!" she exclaimed, a nasty glint in her eye. I rolled my eyes. She was evil to the bone! I felt sorry for Bridget, who just looked down. It didn't appear like she would find true love anytime soon, and she knew it.
"We have a week to prepare. Now, we must hurry! Evangeline, try not to be too obvious about everything you've done! I don't care if you're the obvious choice, we still can't take any chances!" she exclaimed.
"Please, may I go to the ball? It says that everyone in the kingdom is invited. Last I checked, I am someone living in the kingdom. I see no reason for me not to go," I piped in. Lady Millicent frowned.
"Don't let her go, Mother, she'd just ruin everything!" Evangeline exclaimed.
"Quiet, Evangeline! She's no bother to us. I suppose you may go if you finish all of your chores on time," she answered. Evangeline's mouth dropped open in shock.
"But Mother! That's not fair! She's a nasty little girl! She'll get in the way of our plan! Besides, she did punch me in the nose, remember?" she protested. Lady Millicent rolled her eyes.
"Evangeline, she's already been in the cellar for so long. I don't see any reason why she can't get out every once in a while. She's worked hard. Besides, I don't think she will do that again," she answered. I smiled. Evangeline didn't.
"But Mother, you said the exact same thing for the tournament, and look what happened! She doesn't deserve to be let out!" she snapped. I glared at her, but any sort of physical violence would not help my cause.
"She won't be any trouble! Where is your compassion, Evangeline?" asked Lady Millicent. I was quite surprised; I didn't think Lady Millicent had any compassion. I knew Evangeline didn't. Evangeline glared at her mother.
"The same place yours is; in Father's grave," she answered bitterly. She huffed off to her room, still angry at her mother's compassion. I smiled. This was a nice surprise. Maybe people can change.
"Thank you very much, ma'am. Your kindness is overwhelming," I said gratefully. Lady Millicent frowned.
"Let's not make a habit of this," she muttered, rushing off to her room. So, it was clear that she still didn't like me, but at least she felt somewhat sorry for my bondage. Frankly, I didn't care about her reasoning. She had let me go and then was frustrated with her own kindness. I was used to that sort of behavior from her by now.
Bridget shrugged, and once again I was left to clean the house. But this time, I was able to hum a song; I was going to see Leo again! Finally!
I couldn't stop my thoughts from rushing to Leo while cleaning. Maybe we still had a chance. There was a possibility he still loved me. I knew in my heart that no matter what, I would always love him. That's why his words had hurt so much.
A large furry face peeked in the window.
"Silverspark!" I exclaimed. He was HUGE!
Commander! They let you out! I nodded.
"Lady Millicent is letting me go to the ball, too. Evangeline isn't happy, but I certainly am. I missed you so much!" I rushed outside quickly to embrace my longtime friend.
I've had more visions, Mari. I won't relay all of them to you, but I want to let you know that you need to be really careful. People are after you! They want to kill you! I won't let you get hurt! You are mine! I rolled my eyes, still hugging my furry friend.
"Silverspark, don't tell me about my future. What happens happens. All I know is that I'm so excited to see you. Don't talk, just hug," I ordered. He complied, slightly unwilling. Maybe things were looking up after all!
Tiger Lily21: Thanks for defending Leo! He needs it, as does Allodia. I still love both of them so very much. I can't stand Evangeline, though. Leo's coming back soon! Definitely within the next two or three chapters. Mmm...some wonderfully drool-worthy (I hope!) chapters ahead. It's so good to be back! So glad you enjoyed it! I was afraid people would be upset.
Ashabagawa: Oh, be reasonable! In Leo's defense, it's been two years. Actually, Tiger Lily21's review had the best defense for Leo, which I got my bit of defense from. As for Allodia, she's not sadistic. Odd? Yes. Cruel? Never. She wishes she could take her away, but can't due to all of the diplomatic organization she's had to do with the rest of her kind. Besides, what fun is reading the story if the fairy godmother just takes it all away and makes everything oh so splendidly happy? We have to go through the hard parts to get to the good parts. But yes, Evangeline does need a bullet. I'll give you that much.
jyushi girl: I wish Evangeline gets turned into a toad. But I can't really reveal her fate now. You'll just have to keep reading!
Mockingbyrd's Tune: You did suggest Galfrid, and I thought it was just too splendidly unique to ignore! I'm so glad you liked the swordfight! I was worried, because I've never really had much success writing fight scenes. I leave that up to my one friend, who happens to be really good at writing darker bits and fight scenes. Got the editing bit fixed, and the writer's block is finally dissolving! Hallelujah!
Arista Everett June: Nice deductions! You're actually pretty close to Leo's emotions. I feel so sorry for Mari at this point. But don't worry, this story does have a happy ending! I'm so happy you're enjoying this story! I kind of posted it on a whim, with a wisp of an idea of where I was going with it, and I'm so very pleased how it's turning out! And everyone who has read it seems to enjoy it. I haven't gotten any flames yet. (Personal flames, that is. It seems that some people are very angry with my characters, and it is rather understandable.) I really don't want flames, either! Constructive criticism, yes. Flames, no. I've already surprised myself. Ah, go answer the call of the soprano! Tee hee, I can say that because I'm a soprano myself. And sleep is calling to me as well! Oh, I'm so excited to read your work! Good luck! Thank you for your great reviews!