Adrian passed through the days, mind-numbingly content. His mind had a foggy, hazy sort of feel, as if he were constantly dreaming. He had forgiven Ivy in an instant – how could he not?
Yet, something was wrong with this blissful ignorance. Something kept tugging at the edge of his brain, as if this wasn't quite right. But why wouldn't it be right? Ivy was here… she was perfect.
"Adrian, darling," Ivy whimpered next to him. "It is so dreadfully hot."
"Is it?" he answered, in a voice that was not his. His voice had become monotone, almost mechanical. "Well, I wish I could change the weather for you."
"Don't be silly, Adrian. But you could fetch me some lemonade, if you don't mind."
"Of course." He stood up and retrieved some lemonade, then set it back down for her.
"This has no ice."
"Sorry." He stood back up and placed some ice in the glass.
"Thank you, honey." Ivy twirled the liquid around with her finger, every so often tasting it. Adrian watched her, the hazy edge around his mind growing thinner. What was it that was so different?
But then she turned her eyes toward his, and the shroud recovered his brain.
****
"Perfect, she is doing wonderfully!"
The duchess and Parveneh were sitting in the castle, watching the events between Souzan and the prince unfold, thanks to the duchess' faithful magic mirror.
"What if Ivy wakes up?" Parveneh asked, carefully avoiding her mother's eyes.
"She won't, Parveneh, and that is the last time I will tell you!" the duchess yelled at her daughter. "Her only escape is true love, and he's a bit tied up at the moment. She's fading away even as we speak," she mused, and then laughed a high, cold, shrill laugh that filled the castle.
****
The days were long, the late summer sun soaking up the hours. Adrian stayed forever at Ivy's side, as if there was some sort of magic holding them together. He was happy, except for that feeling that continued to harass him. But by and by, the feeling was cast aside and Adrian found himself asking his mother for the family diamond ring.
Ivy was sitting outside, reading a book. She smiled at him as he came closer, the ring in a box behind his back. The fog around his mind was thick, impenetrable as she smiled.
"Are you alright, darling?" she asked with a smile.
"I want to ask you something," he found himself saying.
"Well, what is it?"
He cleared his throat and knelt down beside her.
"Will you marry me?" he said, not quite registering the words in his head.
Ivy's mouth opened wide, and she smiled.
"Of course I will!"
***
"Well, we must have a ball for the engagement!"
Adrian and Ivy had just told the king and queen the news, and they were thrilled. They didn't care who he married, as long as he was married.
"A ball!" Ivy simpered. "How lovely!"
"Yes, and as soon as possible," the queen said. "How about next Saturday? That gives us the week to plan! Come, Ivy, I want to show you some things." The queen and Ivy linked arms and walked away.
"Well, my son!" the king clapped a hand on his shoulder. "She's not…really what I expected…but if she makes you happy, and makes my wife happy, then I'm happy, I suppose."
"Thank you, father."
"Besides, she'll make a wonderful princess! Women like that always do…they make good figureheads, good symbols for the country. Vievalla needs someone like her."
Adrian only nodded. With Ivy gone from the room, that nagging feeling came back. His mind's eye seemed to be refocusing, and seemed to be coming out of a trance…
"Adrian!" Just then, Ivy came back into the room, and the cloud came back over his mind. "Come and see what your mother has planned!"
"Yes, my love," he said, and followed her out.
***
That isn't Ivy.
Adrian was lying on his bed, his only time alone, away from Ivy. His conscience had returned, apparently.
It has to be, he thought. How could it not be her?
You know it's not her. Find out the truth!
Be quiet, he thought.
That duchess has something up her sleeve. I won't stop until you find out what!
Adrian sighed, staring up at the ceiling. His mind was again refocusing itself, just as it did every time Ivy left the room. Could it be that it really wasn't Ivy? Had he just offered marriage to a complete stranger?
But just then, and overwhelming wave of sleep came over him, and he thought on it no more.
***
Planning the ball apparently required Adrian to be at Ivy's side every hour of the day. He followed her around like a puppy, eagerly approving all her wonderful plans.
They had just finished deciding on flowers when Ivy declared she was just famished.
"Then let us go in and eat something, my love," he said, leading her up to the patio. He ordered the servants to bring them the food outside, and then they settled in the table.
"A beautiful day," Ivy said, turning her head away to look out on the land. Adrian leaned back in his chair, the absence of Ivy's stare allowing time for all his unfinished thoughts to come back. He chewed his lip, trying to decide what to believe. The cloud was thinning; he was beginning to feel like himself again.
Before he could come to a decision, a servant came out carrying trays of food. Adrian kept his eye on the plate, for he, too, was ravenous. He began to eat, not once looking at Ivy.
"The ball is going to be lovely, isn't it dear?" she asked.
He looked up, but gasped instead of answering.
Her eyes were blue.
***
"What's wrong? Why are her eyes returning to blue?" Parveneh asked, looking worriedly at her mother, whose eyes had turned to stone.
"Something is happening," she said softly. "Ivy must be getting stronger… but how?"
She paced the space, the rose glinting in the candlelight.
"Mother! Look!" Parveneh said, pointing to the mirror.
Adrian could be seen pacing his chambers, obviously thinking hard. The duchess' face was livid.
"How dare he!" she cried, throwing a flame from her hand to the mirror. Souzan, as Ivy, appeared in the mirror, looking worriedly back at them.
"Yes, Mother?" she asked tentatively.
"Keep a closer eye on him," her mother replied dangerously. Souzan nodded nervously, and her image disappeared.
"What are you going do?" Parveneh asked anxiously.
"There is only one thing to do," the duchess said, the image in the mirror turning to Ivy, lying lifeless on her bed.
"It is time to say goodbye to our sleeping beauty."
*****Okay, pleeeeeeeeeease don't hate me. I know it's short, and I know it's been a long time coming, but just think about this: We only have two more chapters! Call me sentimental, but I like to restrain the end of the story as much as possible. Meaning I don't want it to end… understand? Probably not. Oh well. :)