Chapter 7: At Peace
I woke up in what looked like to be a small hotel room. I sat up, looking for any sight of Mauvais, though it didn't seem like he was anywhere to be seen. I sighed, and stood up ready to leave and find out where I was.
I grabbed my jacket and put it on as I walked outside to find Mauvais and a few doctors arguing. He looked at me and smiled; though I could tell right through it that something was up and he wasn't willing to tell me right away.
"Rice! I see you are awake!"
"Whats going on?" I said, looking down at the doctors.
"They seem to think you have no heartbeat."
My eyes widened in shock. They could tell I was dead, and how was I supposed to tell them otherwise? I knew nothing of medicine except for certain herbs that would help cure the common cold.
"That's impossible . I'm sure you're wrong and whatever crazy contraption you use is broken."
The doctors - of which there were three of them - looked at each other concerned about the problem and then shortly after they stared up at me. I took a step back as though it was instinct.
"I suppose you are right . however the next time you fall ill come to us first!" one of them shouted.
I nodded my head as the three walked away, heading outside of the hotel and most likely back to the hospital. As soon as they were out of sight I grabbed Mauvais by the collar and shoved him up against the wall causing a loud slam.
"What the hell were you thinking calling a doctor?!" I yelled.
"I was concerned for you, now let me go!"
"You and I both know I'm dead and nothing can effect me!" I whispered.
"Well you were acting strange, you passed out completely . what was I supposed to do?"
"I don't know . anyways, where are we?"
"In Asturia."
"Has Millerna's funeral started yet?"
"It just started a few minutes ago."
"Then I'd better go."
I started towards the door when Mauvais stopped me. He handed me a bunch of old letters of which I had no idea of what they were. He looked up at me, shoving them into my arms.
"I found these in the ruins of your old house, my friend. I thought you might want them."
I looked at the letters, unsure of what to say. I must admit, he was a good friend always looking out for the better of me. And what I did . I treated him horribly from shoving him up against the walls and yelling at him for entering my "house" without permission.
"Thank you," I said looking down at my feet.
I was waiting to hear "you're welcome" but I didn't. Instead I could hear the sound of his cloak hitting the back of his leather boots as he walked off quickly. I did the same, only towards the graveyards.
***
Many people were at the funeral, crying over Millerna as though thousands of people were brutally murdered. I noticed, however that her sister nor father shed a single tear. Neither did I, though I had my own reasons. I was not of blood, close friend or have any respect for the Royal Asturian family.
I scanned from the large forest from who was there to what was there. Something just didn't seem right; almost like that demon or something rather was close by. But to be honest, I wasn't in the mood for looking for it.
An hour went by and the ceremony was over. Millerna was burried; everyone had left though Celena stayed behind to wait for me. I thanked the great gods I hadn't waken up any later then of which I already had.
Slowly, I aproached her, still being cautious of my surroundings. She turned around, almost as though she was glade to see me, though hatred was still in her eyes. Again, I felt ashamed for she seemed like a saint. And who wouldn't be ashamed after murdering people infront of a saint.
"I'm here . what did you want?"
"I'm close . and they're close by as well."
"What do you mean?"
"A cult . my murders are of a cult. They killed brother Princess Millerna and me." though I hadn't told her the whole story and she knew it.
"What else?" she said sternly.
"They asked me to join them."
"And .?"
"I . I declined."
Celena looked down at her feet; it was hard to tell if she was the slightest bit happy or grew even angrier with me then she already was.
"I understand now . about your life. I asked my brother about your family, and everyone else's family who lives on the streets. I'm sorry I didn't understand you in the first place."
"It's alright, it doesn't matter-"
"Please, let me finish! Mauvais, your friend came to me today. He said you fell ill and may need a place to stay for the night so you are not in the cold."
"Listen, I-"
"So I want you to stay with me tonight. You can sleep in my bed while I sleep on the couch or on the floor. I know you're not happy with the way "life" is treating you . so I want to make you happy in the slightest way possible. As long as I can make you smile for a split second."
"Thank you, but-"
She pressed her finger to my lips, hushing me from saying anything else. Once the touch of her finger reached my lips I felt as though I was all hers, that my body was just giving in and would do anything to make her happy. Slowly taking her finger away from my lips, she took my hand in hers and led me to the castle. It was growing dark and I had obviously slept most of the day off . though my mind kept telling me I could stay awake, my body said otherwise.
It didn't take as long as I thought it would to reach the castle. We had to sneak in so no one would see me or yell at Celena because of me. I had to admit, still in her transe I could see that she was quite sneaky and I wondered what she really does when she can go outside without a bodyguard around her constantly.
We finally reached her room, it was warm and much bigger then her room in Fannellia. I could see a large bed and a large couch. Everything was purple velvet, which filled the room with its essence.
"This is my room, make yourself comfortable."
I slowly walked over to the velvet bed and sat on it. It was amazingly soft and comfortable. I felt like I could just go to bed right then and there, though I knew it would be improper to do so.
"I'm going to go and change into my night gown. After I'm done, I think you should have a bath or something rather . if you want to, though."
"Thank you, but I'm fine."
"Alright."
With that, she walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind herself slowly. I stood up and walked over to the desk, realizing that the room was very dark I lit one of the candles that sat unused. Slowly, I sat down in the chair and pulled out the letters wondering what they could possibly be. As I looked through them I realized what they were . letters between my parents when they were my age. They were love letters.
I started to read them, most of them were quite personal and I didn't enjoy picturing my mother and father speaking these words to each other. It felt uncomfortable, I mean these were my parents. However, after reading a few I found an important one. One that would change their lives forever. The one my mother literally wrote in black ink that was a complete mistake . I was on the way. I was to be born and change their lives forever.
I didn't realize it, but I started to cry. I read more letters about this cult my father was in . it was true, no doubt about it. The cult wanted my mother and I dead if they were to find out, he wanted my mother to run but she stayed by his side the entire time. However, still tears kept pouring out and I tried to stop it but I couldn't. As I put my head down on the desk with my hands still on the many letters I could feel a warm touch on my back. It was Celena.
"Why are you upset?" she asked soothingly.
I didn't answer; I didn't want her to see me like this. I had stooped to a brand new low, though it seemed like it. I felt as though letting her see me like this, crying like a little child felt as though any pride left in me was ripped away.
"Please tell me."
"I cant." I whispered softly, looking the other way.
"You have to, you're my . you're my friend and you should tell me whats on your mind. Please, tell me why you're so upset."
I wasn't going to explain it to her through speaking . I was going to let her see the letters. After she read the first one, listening to her gasp and giggle slightly . she asked me the question I was dreading.
"Are they your parents?" I could hear the embarrassment in her voice.
"Yes." I whispered once again.
She continued on reading, I could hear the papers change constantly as she looked through each and every one of the letters. I could almost see the expressions on her face as I pictured them in my head. After waiting a while I could feel her arms on my shoulders as she brought me to sit up straight. It was that warmth again that seemed to over power me.
"Come sit over on the bed with me," she asked quietly.
I nodded my head as I followed her to the bed. I sat on it next to her, trying not to look into her eyes. Though she knew just as well as I did what I was doing, so she brought her hands to my face and held my head so that no matter what I did I had to look at her.
"Your parents loved you very much, they wanted to stay with you and raise you together. They loved you and each other very much."
"Quit it, you make me sound like I'm a child-"
"You are a child and I'm a child. Rice, you may think that everything you ever belived in has always been a lie, but it hasn't. Your parents loved you, that surely was not a lie. Even I." she didn't finish her sentence.
Celena looked down at the floor, then back up at me again. She brushed some of my bangs out of my eyes, trying to get a better look into them. My mother always told me that the eye of a person was the window to their mind and innermost deapest thoughts.
"Even I have grown strong feelings towards you. You're very determined and I admire that. Sometimes I wonder what I would have been like if I had not been kidnaped a few years ago."
"I." I was going to say something, though I just couldn't bring myself to doing so.
Again, I looked down at my lap so I could get rid of her gaze. I must admit, she had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. They were a gleaming blue that showed much pride yet so much sadness and pain. It was from being that monster they called Dilandau, and I knew she wanted those years back of how she could have developed into a much different woman. But I liked her the way she was, and I was happy that she was her own person and not trying to be someone she wasn't.
"Please look at me, Rice. I feel uncomfortable when you don't," she asked.
She had no idea that I felt the exact oposite. But I looked at her, so she would not cry and would only be happy. For some odd reason I only wanted to make her happy.
"You know what," she said happily," my father always said the right man for you is the one that you care so much about that you'd do anything to not only be with them, but to make sure they are always happy."
I laughed slightly at this, and I remembered what my father always said about women and how you could find the right one.
"Whats funny?" she asked, obviously happy to see a small laugh.
"My father always said the right woman was the one that could make your loins burn . he told me that when I was nine."
Celena took great embarrassment to this. She laughed at it, though her face had turned from a pale white to a light pink. I felt the same way, could you imagine how a nine-year-old would look like when their father told them something that obscene?
"Well, I think our fathers have different perspectives on love."
"I agree."
I felt almost . almost happy to talk to Celena like a normal person, it felt right and. I felt alive, that nothing had happened to me at all . that my life was going back to normal, though of course I was brought back to reality soon enough anyways.
"So . do I?"
"Do you what?"
"You know . do I make you feel that way?" I was taken back quite a bit.
"I uh . I uh, well uh." I had no idea how to answer this!
Celena giggled at my expression. She took my hand in hers and squeazed it, making me uncomfortable, not that I already wasn't. Quickly, I stood up though she wouldn't let go of my hand so I could not go very far.
"No, come back and sit."
I sat on the other side of her, this time so I was closer to the pillows rather then the foot of the bed. She let go of my hand; though I knew still I couldn't stand up again and try to break free of her grip. Instead, I came up with some sort of an excuse that got me absolutely no where.
"Is it hot in here?"
"A little, I guess. But you could always take your jacket off."
"Oh . yes I forgot about that."
I took my jacket off, feeling even more uncomfortable for now . some clothing came off. I felt panicked and unsure of what to do. I should have never said anything, nothing at all and I wouldn't be in that position afraid of what to do.
"Are you a." she paused, not sure if to go on, though she did,"are you a virgin?"
Then I was completely panicked, I had figured maybe Mauvais had told her about that "Virgin Crow" thing he kept making fun of me about. But then I figured that he didn't tell her for he was posing as a "gentlemen" not some messenger.
"Well . yes, I am."
"Oh . I'm not, but it wasn't my choice or anything. It was the other side . Dilandau."
"I see."
"You're sweating."
I could feel the cold sweat on my back, though I was too busy panicking rather then thinking about what my body was doing. I didn't even know what my body was doing.
"Why are we talking about . about this stuff?" I asked as my voice cracked.
"I really don't know. but you never answered my question. Do I make you feel that way?"
Without thinking, I answered trying to get the answer over with,"I suppose you do . sometimes. But now you think I'm a-"
"No! I don't think of you that way! It was my question, I wanted to know. Never think of yourself that way!"
"But-"
"No, I think you're perfect in every way."
"That's impossible, I-"
"I don't care what you 'did' I just care about who you are. You're very nice, in many ways that is."
She stroked my face with her soft hands, making me go red. Though this time I made a small move . well quite a big one. I wrapped my arms around her as we layed back onto the bed. Everything felt right as we layed there, and what felt really right was the fact that she wanted to be held. She didn't fidget or anything like that.
All I really remember that night is stroking her soft hair and slowly falling asleep as I listened to my surroundings. I finally felt at peace.
A/N: A little intimate there, I know. But oh well, its my story I do whatever the hell I want to do. Anyways, I'm surprised I managed to write this thing in such a short period of time. Ok, well you guys know what to do.
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I woke up in what looked like to be a small hotel room. I sat up, looking for any sight of Mauvais, though it didn't seem like he was anywhere to be seen. I sighed, and stood up ready to leave and find out where I was.
I grabbed my jacket and put it on as I walked outside to find Mauvais and a few doctors arguing. He looked at me and smiled; though I could tell right through it that something was up and he wasn't willing to tell me right away.
"Rice! I see you are awake!"
"Whats going on?" I said, looking down at the doctors.
"They seem to think you have no heartbeat."
My eyes widened in shock. They could tell I was dead, and how was I supposed to tell them otherwise? I knew nothing of medicine except for certain herbs that would help cure the common cold.
"That's impossible . I'm sure you're wrong and whatever crazy contraption you use is broken."
The doctors - of which there were three of them - looked at each other concerned about the problem and then shortly after they stared up at me. I took a step back as though it was instinct.
"I suppose you are right . however the next time you fall ill come to us first!" one of them shouted.
I nodded my head as the three walked away, heading outside of the hotel and most likely back to the hospital. As soon as they were out of sight I grabbed Mauvais by the collar and shoved him up against the wall causing a loud slam.
"What the hell were you thinking calling a doctor?!" I yelled.
"I was concerned for you, now let me go!"
"You and I both know I'm dead and nothing can effect me!" I whispered.
"Well you were acting strange, you passed out completely . what was I supposed to do?"
"I don't know . anyways, where are we?"
"In Asturia."
"Has Millerna's funeral started yet?"
"It just started a few minutes ago."
"Then I'd better go."
I started towards the door when Mauvais stopped me. He handed me a bunch of old letters of which I had no idea of what they were. He looked up at me, shoving them into my arms.
"I found these in the ruins of your old house, my friend. I thought you might want them."
I looked at the letters, unsure of what to say. I must admit, he was a good friend always looking out for the better of me. And what I did . I treated him horribly from shoving him up against the walls and yelling at him for entering my "house" without permission.
"Thank you," I said looking down at my feet.
I was waiting to hear "you're welcome" but I didn't. Instead I could hear the sound of his cloak hitting the back of his leather boots as he walked off quickly. I did the same, only towards the graveyards.
***
Many people were at the funeral, crying over Millerna as though thousands of people were brutally murdered. I noticed, however that her sister nor father shed a single tear. Neither did I, though I had my own reasons. I was not of blood, close friend or have any respect for the Royal Asturian family.
I scanned from the large forest from who was there to what was there. Something just didn't seem right; almost like that demon or something rather was close by. But to be honest, I wasn't in the mood for looking for it.
An hour went by and the ceremony was over. Millerna was burried; everyone had left though Celena stayed behind to wait for me. I thanked the great gods I hadn't waken up any later then of which I already had.
Slowly, I aproached her, still being cautious of my surroundings. She turned around, almost as though she was glade to see me, though hatred was still in her eyes. Again, I felt ashamed for she seemed like a saint. And who wouldn't be ashamed after murdering people infront of a saint.
"I'm here . what did you want?"
"I'm close . and they're close by as well."
"What do you mean?"
"A cult . my murders are of a cult. They killed brother Princess Millerna and me." though I hadn't told her the whole story and she knew it.
"What else?" she said sternly.
"They asked me to join them."
"And .?"
"I . I declined."
Celena looked down at her feet; it was hard to tell if she was the slightest bit happy or grew even angrier with me then she already was.
"I understand now . about your life. I asked my brother about your family, and everyone else's family who lives on the streets. I'm sorry I didn't understand you in the first place."
"It's alright, it doesn't matter-"
"Please, let me finish! Mauvais, your friend came to me today. He said you fell ill and may need a place to stay for the night so you are not in the cold."
"Listen, I-"
"So I want you to stay with me tonight. You can sleep in my bed while I sleep on the couch or on the floor. I know you're not happy with the way "life" is treating you . so I want to make you happy in the slightest way possible. As long as I can make you smile for a split second."
"Thank you, but-"
She pressed her finger to my lips, hushing me from saying anything else. Once the touch of her finger reached my lips I felt as though I was all hers, that my body was just giving in and would do anything to make her happy. Slowly taking her finger away from my lips, she took my hand in hers and led me to the castle. It was growing dark and I had obviously slept most of the day off . though my mind kept telling me I could stay awake, my body said otherwise.
It didn't take as long as I thought it would to reach the castle. We had to sneak in so no one would see me or yell at Celena because of me. I had to admit, still in her transe I could see that she was quite sneaky and I wondered what she really does when she can go outside without a bodyguard around her constantly.
We finally reached her room, it was warm and much bigger then her room in Fannellia. I could see a large bed and a large couch. Everything was purple velvet, which filled the room with its essence.
"This is my room, make yourself comfortable."
I slowly walked over to the velvet bed and sat on it. It was amazingly soft and comfortable. I felt like I could just go to bed right then and there, though I knew it would be improper to do so.
"I'm going to go and change into my night gown. After I'm done, I think you should have a bath or something rather . if you want to, though."
"Thank you, but I'm fine."
"Alright."
With that, she walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind herself slowly. I stood up and walked over to the desk, realizing that the room was very dark I lit one of the candles that sat unused. Slowly, I sat down in the chair and pulled out the letters wondering what they could possibly be. As I looked through them I realized what they were . letters between my parents when they were my age. They were love letters.
I started to read them, most of them were quite personal and I didn't enjoy picturing my mother and father speaking these words to each other. It felt uncomfortable, I mean these were my parents. However, after reading a few I found an important one. One that would change their lives forever. The one my mother literally wrote in black ink that was a complete mistake . I was on the way. I was to be born and change their lives forever.
I didn't realize it, but I started to cry. I read more letters about this cult my father was in . it was true, no doubt about it. The cult wanted my mother and I dead if they were to find out, he wanted my mother to run but she stayed by his side the entire time. However, still tears kept pouring out and I tried to stop it but I couldn't. As I put my head down on the desk with my hands still on the many letters I could feel a warm touch on my back. It was Celena.
"Why are you upset?" she asked soothingly.
I didn't answer; I didn't want her to see me like this. I had stooped to a brand new low, though it seemed like it. I felt as though letting her see me like this, crying like a little child felt as though any pride left in me was ripped away.
"Please tell me."
"I cant." I whispered softly, looking the other way.
"You have to, you're my . you're my friend and you should tell me whats on your mind. Please, tell me why you're so upset."
I wasn't going to explain it to her through speaking . I was going to let her see the letters. After she read the first one, listening to her gasp and giggle slightly . she asked me the question I was dreading.
"Are they your parents?" I could hear the embarrassment in her voice.
"Yes." I whispered once again.
She continued on reading, I could hear the papers change constantly as she looked through each and every one of the letters. I could almost see the expressions on her face as I pictured them in my head. After waiting a while I could feel her arms on my shoulders as she brought me to sit up straight. It was that warmth again that seemed to over power me.
"Come sit over on the bed with me," she asked quietly.
I nodded my head as I followed her to the bed. I sat on it next to her, trying not to look into her eyes. Though she knew just as well as I did what I was doing, so she brought her hands to my face and held my head so that no matter what I did I had to look at her.
"Your parents loved you very much, they wanted to stay with you and raise you together. They loved you and each other very much."
"Quit it, you make me sound like I'm a child-"
"You are a child and I'm a child. Rice, you may think that everything you ever belived in has always been a lie, but it hasn't. Your parents loved you, that surely was not a lie. Even I." she didn't finish her sentence.
Celena looked down at the floor, then back up at me again. She brushed some of my bangs out of my eyes, trying to get a better look into them. My mother always told me that the eye of a person was the window to their mind and innermost deapest thoughts.
"Even I have grown strong feelings towards you. You're very determined and I admire that. Sometimes I wonder what I would have been like if I had not been kidnaped a few years ago."
"I." I was going to say something, though I just couldn't bring myself to doing so.
Again, I looked down at my lap so I could get rid of her gaze. I must admit, she had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. They were a gleaming blue that showed much pride yet so much sadness and pain. It was from being that monster they called Dilandau, and I knew she wanted those years back of how she could have developed into a much different woman. But I liked her the way she was, and I was happy that she was her own person and not trying to be someone she wasn't.
"Please look at me, Rice. I feel uncomfortable when you don't," she asked.
She had no idea that I felt the exact oposite. But I looked at her, so she would not cry and would only be happy. For some odd reason I only wanted to make her happy.
"You know what," she said happily," my father always said the right man for you is the one that you care so much about that you'd do anything to not only be with them, but to make sure they are always happy."
I laughed slightly at this, and I remembered what my father always said about women and how you could find the right one.
"Whats funny?" she asked, obviously happy to see a small laugh.
"My father always said the right woman was the one that could make your loins burn . he told me that when I was nine."
Celena took great embarrassment to this. She laughed at it, though her face had turned from a pale white to a light pink. I felt the same way, could you imagine how a nine-year-old would look like when their father told them something that obscene?
"Well, I think our fathers have different perspectives on love."
"I agree."
I felt almost . almost happy to talk to Celena like a normal person, it felt right and. I felt alive, that nothing had happened to me at all . that my life was going back to normal, though of course I was brought back to reality soon enough anyways.
"So . do I?"
"Do you what?"
"You know . do I make you feel that way?" I was taken back quite a bit.
"I uh . I uh, well uh." I had no idea how to answer this!
Celena giggled at my expression. She took my hand in hers and squeazed it, making me uncomfortable, not that I already wasn't. Quickly, I stood up though she wouldn't let go of my hand so I could not go very far.
"No, come back and sit."
I sat on the other side of her, this time so I was closer to the pillows rather then the foot of the bed. She let go of my hand; though I knew still I couldn't stand up again and try to break free of her grip. Instead, I came up with some sort of an excuse that got me absolutely no where.
"Is it hot in here?"
"A little, I guess. But you could always take your jacket off."
"Oh . yes I forgot about that."
I took my jacket off, feeling even more uncomfortable for now . some clothing came off. I felt panicked and unsure of what to do. I should have never said anything, nothing at all and I wouldn't be in that position afraid of what to do.
"Are you a." she paused, not sure if to go on, though she did,"are you a virgin?"
Then I was completely panicked, I had figured maybe Mauvais had told her about that "Virgin Crow" thing he kept making fun of me about. But then I figured that he didn't tell her for he was posing as a "gentlemen" not some messenger.
"Well . yes, I am."
"Oh . I'm not, but it wasn't my choice or anything. It was the other side . Dilandau."
"I see."
"You're sweating."
I could feel the cold sweat on my back, though I was too busy panicking rather then thinking about what my body was doing. I didn't even know what my body was doing.
"Why are we talking about . about this stuff?" I asked as my voice cracked.
"I really don't know. but you never answered my question. Do I make you feel that way?"
Without thinking, I answered trying to get the answer over with,"I suppose you do . sometimes. But now you think I'm a-"
"No! I don't think of you that way! It was my question, I wanted to know. Never think of yourself that way!"
"But-"
"No, I think you're perfect in every way."
"That's impossible, I-"
"I don't care what you 'did' I just care about who you are. You're very nice, in many ways that is."
She stroked my face with her soft hands, making me go red. Though this time I made a small move . well quite a big one. I wrapped my arms around her as we layed back onto the bed. Everything felt right as we layed there, and what felt really right was the fact that she wanted to be held. She didn't fidget or anything like that.
All I really remember that night is stroking her soft hair and slowly falling asleep as I listened to my surroundings. I finally felt at peace.
A/N: A little intimate there, I know. But oh well, its my story I do whatever the hell I want to do. Anyways, I'm surprised I managed to write this thing in such a short period of time. Ok, well you guys know what to do.
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