Chapter Thirty-One

The days passed like a blur to me. And every night I was plague with the many things I should have done. Why didn't you tell them the truth? Said that evil little voice. And I have to banish the thought of facing the consequences of telling them. You should have, and then maybe you will have your friends. But I knew it was only temptation.  I will never get to tell anyone about the curse. And my misfortunes would keep on coming because of lies. My lies. It was my problem and the only thing I could do was run away.

When they left, they really did. The magic book gave no diary entries or illustrations. And I didn't even have the faintest idea if they were in Ayortha or not. Pretty soon, I declined from opening the magic book, in fear of getting something that I didn't want to see.

"Whatever happened to the lively Ella the inn girl I used to have?" Gretchen sarcastically told me.

"She ran away with her happiness." I replied.

"Really, Ella. I know there is something wrong. It's been two weeks since you have been so sad. You could tell me. You can tell me anytime." Gretchen said.

"No, I can't tell you because it's my problem and I can't get you in it." I imagined myself saying.

Instead, I said, "Gretchen, I will tell you if there is something but there really isn't!" I lied and pasted a smile on my face. I suddenly had a frightening feeling that I was acting like that conniver Hattie.

Gretchen looked at me doubtfully. But she soon gave in. "I do not know what is the matter with you but I will trust you."

Trust. It seemed so impossible in my world.

"In the meantime, why don't you clean those tables like what you are suppose to do?" Gretchen said.

"Yes ma'am!" I said brightly. The doubt in Gretchen's face lessened.

As soon as I turned my back, my smile slightly became a frown. How much more could I take?

A young lady sat on far-end table. She always sat in that table. I guessed that she liked being separated from the rest of the noisy activity in that inn. She beckoned me to come. I knew her name was Elspeth and she was a bit older than I. She had been staying at the inn for a week now. I never knew why she was here. She wasn't a merchant or a trader. Nor was she a tourist for tourists often come in groups. She was alone and that made me wonder. She was very beautiful that she reminded me sorely of Vanessa even though her physical attributes were nothing like hers. She had luxurious auburn hair and green eyes. When I first saw her, I thought she was a woodland fairy for they always reminded people of the woods. We talk sometimes and it was enough for me to consider her a friend. But mostly our talk concerned of the basic things like our surroundings, the food, sometimes even the weather. But I also didn't intend to be so close to her. And after what had happened, I almost promised myself never to get to close to any of the guests here.

"I'm already finished. You can clean up this table now." she said kindly.

But her attitude was nothing like Vanessa's.

Elspeth stood up and made her way to her room upstairs. I was wiping the table when I realized that she left a piece of paper. I didn't mean to snoop but my curiosity made me read the contents.

Eliza had run away once more from everything that she knew. She isolated herself in the woods where she vowed never to come back.

"Even if my heart aches to come back and gaze at him once more, I cannot. For the entire world is against him and me. And I cannot endanger him. I know that I will pine night and day, with the sun, the moon, and the stars as my witness, but no! I shan't come back! The day I will see the city of Jenn will be the day I give my soul to the heavens!" she cried. "This will end. And the curse of me will forever vanish and never to plague him once more—

I dropped the piece of paper. Why was I suddenly reminded of my life? Deirdre ran away, isolated herself, and thought of herself as a curse. And of love! It was ridiculous. This was obviously fictitious and of no account of anyone's life. I picked up the paper. I promised myself to give it to Elspeth after my work was done.

I gave one last glance at the piece of paper. I wished that I could read the rest of it. I slipped it in my pocket.

Everybody left the inn and I made my way up the stairs. I remembered Elspeth. I hoped that she was still awake. I reached her door and knocked.

"Who is it?" I heard her.

"It is Ella, the inn girl. May I have a word with you?"

The door opened and there was Elspeth looking radiant with a smile on her face. "Come in Ella. And make yourself comfortable." She gestured a chair in which I sat down.

"What is it you want to tell me?"

"Well, you forgot this," I extracted the paper from my pocket.

"Thank you! This is important to me. And I do know that you are wondering what it is. Am I right?"

"Why, yes. How did you know?"

"Everybody interested in a piece of paper lying around." she laughed. "Do you want to read it?"

"I can't. If it is of value, surely, it is private."

"But I insist," she handed the paper to me. "I'm sure you don't know that I am trying to be a writer. This is a draft of my first story. It's rather—personal."

"Thank you for letting me read. I am sure it is lovely." I said politely.

I continued reading from where I had stopped. It was a beautifully written. The description was so clear that I could see it in my mind's eye as I read. And the story was heartfelt. The feelings were genuine and true. I had fallen in love with her opulent writing. When Eliza wept, I felt that I was weeping also. I wanted to console her, to confront her, to advise her. I felt that I was in the story. But the only part that was written was the part wherein Eliza was first in the forest. There was no more about the past or the coming events. Nothing at all.

"Just that? Is there more?" I asked Elspeth.

"Sadly, there isn't. I just started the story and I—"

"You couldn't continue it."

"Yes." She said miserably.

"I know you could. Many people will love this story. And I know that you can continue it. But I wonder…is this about your life?"

Elspeth stared at me as if I suddenly sprouted wings. She was so surprised. She regained herself and replied: "Of course not. My life will never be that exciting. And I never fell in love. Not once."

I didn't believe her.

"I have to go now. And you also need sleep. Goodnight." I said.

"Goodnight…" I heard her small voice as I went out of the door.

I proceeded to my room, with the story embedded in my mind. Then I remembered my magic book. I should have opened it at least once. And the pages must be filled with dust. I quickly opened my carpetbag and took out my long forgotten magic book. I eagerly opened it.

There was a poem was written in her hand. 

Should I stay

Should I leave?

For if I stay

I'll be a curse

But if I leave

Then my life

Is nothing

But for my love

I am ready

Ready to let go

For him

~

-Elspeth, in Bast

I knew that my thoughts were the same as the girl in that beautiful story. Why do I compare myself with Eliza, the lost young girl? If Elspeth could read minds, she might have read mine. Didn't I once vow never to come near him?

Somehow, I knew that I could write a same poem if given a chance.

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Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry!!! I knew that it's been 2 months and I am so so so so so so so so so so so sorry!! And I know that this is such a short chapter and I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry!!!

Please forgive me!!! x_x

But! The thirty second chapter is also here so I wrote two chapters just for you all in one day!

Thank you so much to the reviewers who waited for infinitely long for this chapter! I am so sorry!!!