Chapter Thirty

Gretchen came to my room and woke me up. I was still in my gown so it puzzled her when I threw off the covers.

"You still have your gown? Why so?"

"I was so tired that I forgot to take them off," I replied. It was true. I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow last night.

"You better get changed. You still have marketing to do. It would look very strange if a lady wearing a gown would shop for meat and vegetables!" Gretchen went out.

I quickly changed into my usual simpler gown. I was back to Ella the inn girl. I was no longer Lela or Elalaine. I hesitated before opening the door. I secretly prayed that Vanessa, Larissa, Cedric, and Ivinia were still fast asleep. If they were awake, they would question me about last night. What would I tell them? More lies probably. I hated being a liar and the only thing I can do, as not lie to them was to avoid them. I opened the door and checked if the other doors were open. I searched for the weakest sound of their voices. I breathed a sigh of relief. I walked quietly but in fast steps.

In the kitchen, Gretchen was once again burdening herself with the job of making more ale. She paused to give me the list, and the baskets.

"Aren't you going to wait for Ivinia or Larissa?" she asked me before I went out.

"I think they had their fun during the ball. I want them to rest. It's not their job to go with me. I can manage alone." I replied. Gretchen gave me a strange look. She must have thought that I was sick for not waiting for them.

After my marketing, I soon realized that it was half as fun when Larissa or Ivinia was there. What would I do when I come home and find them infront of me? Run away maybe. I pushed open the kitchen door. Mandy was already stirring something. A delicious smell wafted in the air. I have to find a way to avoid them. Feigning sickness was unthinkable. If I were to pretend I have a fever, Gretchen would surely send one of them to comfort me.

"Gretchen, could you please serve the guests today? I mean, I want to try cooking. And this is Gretchen's Inn so people should see more of Gretchen." I said, "But they wouldn't see you if all you do is sit inside the kitchen making ale…"

"Do you think that is a good idea?" she replied.

"You are Gretchen. And if you serve them, the guests would have a more special time in here because the owner is waiting for them." 

"Maybe. All right. I'll try it. Today. Just today. If all goes well, maybe…" Gretchen gave me the ladle for mixing ale, "Make ale, and stop only when it is finished." She went out. I heard her booming voice welcoming guests.

I prayed silently that all goes well. Then I picked up the ladle and started mixing and mixing.

"Ella! I know you are in there." I heard someone. I immediately panicked.

The door opened. It was Vanessa.

"You ran away from that ball and Prince Charmont is finding your whereabouts. I do wonder is wrong with your head, running away from the Prince! And he chased you! And because of that do you know what happened to me? I was forgotten and everybody was just asking who is that girl? Before that happened, they were all looking at me with awe, but no! You came to the scene and it was snatched away from me! I need an explanation!"

"It's none of your business." I almost snapped. "Whatever happened is not my fault."

"But it is. Tell me what happened."

An order.

A loophole. I need a loophole from the order.

"I ran away and Prince Charmont chased me." I said.

"I do not need a recap of what had happened! I need a reason!"

"Why should I tell if you keep shouting at me? Nosing in other people's business is something you should not do! I will not tell you anything." I ignored her and continue stirring.

"You are so obstinate! I now don't care if you tell me or not!" she stormed out of the kitchen.

I gripped the ladle so hard that I almost expected blood to flow. Vanessa was mad at me. Pretty soon, Larissa would be also. They were sisters and sisters take sides. But, I didn't want it to happen. No, I didn't want anyone to be angry with me. I didn't want to lose my friends. But…was it avoidable?

It was obvious that Vanessa would never speak to me again. And I soon learned that I might never see her again. Vanessa, Larissa, Cedric, and Ivinia would be leaving in two days. Ivinia told me. Larissa wasn't angry with me; rather she was infuriated at Vanessa. She believed that I just ran away and it was my business not theirs. But then, Vanessa kept a close eye on Larissa and wouldn't let her near me. At first Ivinia thought it was all a cruel joke but then, Larissa wasn't seen after Vanessa screamed at me.

"I'm not mad at you," she assured me in Ayorthaian, "Actually, I feel like I'm lucky being the most ignorant in this situation."

On the day they will leave, I watched the coachmen put the many trunks into the coach. I went to the back garden as so they wouldn't see me. I didn't want them to say, "Poor Ella, losing friends…an unlucky girl." I sat on the bench and closed my eyes. They were leaving…my few friends. A handful of words were spoken before they left. Vanessa did her work well and I did too. I wanted them to leave. I wanted everything that had happened in the Basten Ball to remain a mystery. But was I happy with what I had done?

"Hello." Cedric.

"Oh." I opened my eyes.

"You know we are leaving."

"Of course. I am the inn girl."

"Aren't you going to say goodbye?"

"Oh right. Goodbye."

"That's it?" I joked.

"That's it."

"Is Vanessa really infuriated towards me?"

"You won't be mad by my answer?"

"Why should I?"

"Because…it's really not good."

"Tell me."

"Vanessa is mad at you. I won't be surprised if she burned all your memories in her head."

"She is that mad? For nothing?"

"Even if you only spent a few days with her, you should know that she's too obsessed with Prince Charmont."

"I'm used to that kind of persons."

"You are? Like who?"

"My stepsister."

"Stepsister? So is that the reason why you're here? Making the evil stepfamily stories come true?"

I laughed. It was ridiculous. "You do know that you are nosing in other people's business?"

"That's what I'm doing."

"I'm not telling." I changed the subject. "Is Larissa mad also?"

"No! Larissa…I don't know if she ever gets angry. If she does get angry…chaos."

 I rolled my eyes. "Chaos? Why?"

"You haven't seen her temper. It's like the apocalypse. Maybe even worse."

"Why worse?"

"Because you won't die after some time. You have to suffer for weeks before getting back your peace."

"I think you are overreacting."

"I'm not."

"Any example?"

"I did something and she didn't speak to me for two weeks."

"That's normal. It happened to me."

"Fine. A challenge. Larissa…locked herself in her room and didn't speak to anyone. She didn't eat for three days until her governess decided to climb the tree near her window to give her food."

"I'm convinced. She doesn't have the short temper as Vanessa's. Luckily."

"That's why we're friends, and Vanessa and I aren't."

"Are you sure she isn't mad?"

"Positive. She told me."

"I do hope we get to talk before you all leave."

"You'll get to."

We heard a shout for Cedric. I sighed. "You might as well go there before someone gets angry."

"Yeah. Goodbye Ella. We'll visit here again for sure."

He walked away. I was depressed. My friends were slipping away from me. And Larissa didn't talk to me yet. Was Cedric sure that she wasn't angry? Was it all an act to make believe that somehow she wasn't angry?

"Ella. I can't believe it! Vanessa is right! You are a flirt!"

I turned around. Larissa was standing behind me, her blue eyes flashing.

"What do you mean flirt? I am not!" I retorted. I forgot tat she was her. I hated being called a flirt.

 "Oh so flirting doesn't consist of talking about private things, laughing so giggly, oh and worse of all, gossiping about me! Trying to sabotage my image in front of him so casually!"

"I wasn't! Why should I anyway? It's not like I'm the one who has an affection for him."

"You are just jealous of me! And Vanessa! She is right. You just want to grab everyone's attention with your masquerade!" 

"You're wrong. You know that I won't do that. Go on with your misconceptions. It's you who is making the mistake. Not me." I turned around, went inside the inn and slammed the door.

I wanted to go outside once more. Say sorry to what I had said. But I was so proud, and I wanted her to regret her actions. And I wasn't so forgiving. How could she accuse me of that crime? I haven't done anything. She must be flattering herself by thinking I would do that. I was so stupid. I was letting go of my friends, and I had done nothing.

As I watched the carriage go away, as I the hooves of the horses grew lesser and lesser, the more I wanted to go and apologize. I was so confused. Was it their fault or mine? But what frightened me was that I might never know the answer.  

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First of all, I would like to say sorry that this chapter took an eternity to be uploaded. I know you are expecting me to blurt out excuses on why so I will not fail your expectations. Classes, homework…basically, I really have no time. And with my sister hogging the computer for her college application essays, I can't just grab hold of the computer and never let go. Secondly, I'm sorry I didn't get to write the reviewers last chapter. I just got so excited in uploading that I forgot that I didn't write it. And I still have to go online, copy all the names…I do hope you understand. Of course you know that I am so very grateful even if I don't mention you.

I will cut it with the melodrama and say some stuff about the chapter. I really squeezed my brain for this because so many are demanding for this chapter (I have to give credit to Lady Lily for reviewing everyday! When she first said that, I thought she was joking ^_~). And that I am feeling guilt for keeping you hanging for so long. The 31st might be long in coming, so I'll warn you. Reasons? This Gilgamesh play. I'm the sorta lead. Mind you not gilgamesh. I'm a girl. I am also the scriptwriter (actually it's my fault why I am. LONG story), I have to edit, design some costumes, coach my classmates how to say their lines (not a job for an impatient person!), write other stories and practice myself. Oh help me. And our Finals are coming. And I'm also the writer for our Storybook project about Egyptian myths (you have to make a story and the whole class should contribute! But no…) But I will really try my best to write this!

Oh, and I have to admit that I had a major writer's block. I am so sorry!

Thank you to all the readers and reviewers!!! You are greatly appreciated!!!