~···*···~
VI. Yellow Acacia
~ Secret Love
The first flower appeared a few days after the backfired rendezvous. It was a tiny juniper branch. I will protect you.
At first she thought it had casually slipped into her cloak's pocket while she was out in the gardens, and gave no major importance to it.
The days drifted more lazily in winter, and after lots of persuasion efforts, Hitomi finally convinced her grandmother to move out of their little hut by the river. Millerna had offered them a place to live with the rest of the staff, and now Hitomi got up in Aston Manor with the first rays of light and went into the streets to sell flowers. In the meantime, Yuri, refusing to simply stay in the house and behave as a respectable grandmother, insisted on going back to the hut and earn some money for her grandchild and herself with her tarot reading and fortune telling.
In Aston Manor, the atmosphere was festive and joyful, in stark contrast with the youngest of the Aston girls, who had to make efforts to smile whenever her fiancé was mentioned. The official engagement to Allen Crusade Schezar had been announced two weeks ago: the wedding would be in a month. Now the sky-blue-eyed man's visits were daily, and the Millerna was torn between her filial love towards her father, who seemed happier than ever, and the love she felt for Dryden, which was even more alive than before.
So, Hitomi had to throw herself into the task of cheering her up, still acting as a swift messenger between the pale blonde and Dryden.
The next time she found a flower, it had been nearly a week since the first; a snowdrop carelessly left on her small mattress, in the common room she shared with other five maids. It had been an awful day, where everything that could've gone wrong, had gone even worse. She had had an argument with her grandmother, then had poured her frustration onto Van and each and every single bunch of flowers she had tried to arrange hadn't been of her liking. Snowdrop; Consolation. A friend in adversity.
It was just a mere coincidence, she decided, not daring to start building dream castles out of thin air. No matter how badly she wanted them to be meant for her, she didn't want to harbour any kind of hope.
But it couldn't be a coincidence, no. After that, a promptness. You'll always be beautiful to me. Somehow, the person who sent her the flowers knew exactly how she felt, could read her moods and cheer her up when she needed it.
When she was sad, a white julienne, despair not; when she thought that she was unworthy of loving, a pansy, You occupy my thoughts; when glad, a white carnation, sweet and lovely.
On a winter morning, she awoke to find a jonquil next to her head on her pillow, and decided it was about time to tell someone about her secret, which she had been keeping for weeks now. At first, because she thought it was her imagination, and later on, because she had believed that, if she told anybody, that person would laugh at her and finally make her realize it was her imagination that was playing tricks on her. That there was no real lover behind those messages, but only her fervent desire to be loved, seeking to find those signs anywhere she could.
But no, it couldn't be only her imagination.
Jonquil: Return my affection. Love me. Clear enough, she just had to tell someone.
It definitely wouldn't be Van… no, he would make fun of her, thinking her childish to secretly cling to those thoughts. Aye, she was sure that he would support her, even help her look for the responsible of those flower messages, but it was something very intimate, and she was reluctant to share her girlish dreams with a boy, and one as pragmatic as him.
So, the only choice left was Miss Millerna. She would help her, try to make out who could her mysterious suitor be. So she crept up the stairs to her chambers, knowing that she might wake her up, but too impatient to wait anymore. She had been holding it inside for so long that she felt she was going to explode if she didn't pour it out on somebody.
"Hitomi? What are you doing here so early?" asked Millerna's voice from behind her; when the flower girl turned around, she saw the young Aston dressed in her nightcap and gown, holding a glass of milk in her right hand. Her eyes were still drowsy and her cheeks had the marks creases on the pillow left after a good sleep. The amethyst-eyed girl rubbed her eyes repeatedly, her gaze soon attracted to the flower the honey-blonde was clutching in her left hand.
"Was that given to you?" she inquired, her eyes slowly widening as the realization sank in and Hitomi blushed. She raised her clear gaze to her own forest-green eyes. "I think there's much I don't know of what's been going on here…" she said, arching a carefully plucked eyebrow. When the flower girl nodded, Millerna grinned mischievously and, linking arms with her, she dragged Hitomi up the stairs and led her into her room, closing the door behind.
"WHAT?! You've been receiving these for a few weeks now and you had never said a thing?!" screeched the young Aston, so loud that the green-eyed girl feared the whole house must have heard by now. She blushed, casting her glance down and playing with the hem of her shirt.
"Well, aye, at first I didn't think them to be anything important, just… coincidences, but I guess I can't think like that anymore…" she smiled, a rosy shade of pink staining her pale cheeks, and feeling quite amused by the fact that Millerna seemed to be doubly excited than her.
"Heavens, Hitomi, I mean you should've told me! But well, it's no use crying over spilt milk, let's see what we can do…" she mused, starting to walk up and down the room like a caged tiger. "All right, it has to be someone who evidently knows a lot about flowers and their meanings… and only gentlemen know about that," she reasoned, turning to Hitomi with a bright smile. "Oh Lord, I think you've got yourself quite a suitor, if you ask me…"
The flower girl's green eyes shone with excitement. "D'you know who could this be?" the honey-blonde asked, looking at the jonquil left on the soft bedcovers. "I've found these flowers in places that only someone working here could have access to…"
Millerna grinned. "For true love, my dear, there are no barriers. He must have bribed one of the maids to get the flowers in the house… we'll have to investigate a little bit, but we could already start making a list of possibilities," she squealed, thrill rushing through her. "Since you came and started to work for us, we've been honoured by the visits on many gentlemen, apart from Mr. Schezar… which of them did see you?"
Hitomi felt suddenly very shy when she considered it; what was she supposed to do with one of those elegant and perfect gentlemen that belonged to aristocracy? "Er… Mr. Andrews, I think, and Mr. McIlliot too… and that man who had those dark eyes and a scar above his right eye, I once met him in the garden," she listed, trying to picture herself at one of those men's side. Gosh, it scared her. What would she tell them, what would they talk about? She would feel shabby and clumsy at their side… she didn't know them!
But Millerna was oblivious to all those thoughts, and went on blabbering about what she had to do from now on: ask the maids and try to discover which one of them was allied with her suitor, remember where and when she'd found each and every single one of the messages, and of course keep her informed if she got any other kind of flower.
On the other hand, Hitomi was experiencing a turmoil of mixed feelings. Excitement, delight, bliss, fear, anxiety and worry, so deeply intertwined that she couldn't even recognize and name some of them. Thrill, as her dream was coming true, her wishes were finally being granted: her Prince had appeared. He was doing exactly what she'd dreamt of, romanticism, secrecy, mystery, the rushes of excitement that flooded her every time she glimpsed the coloured blur of a blossom in her pocket, on her mattress, next to her cloak. She felt like Cinderella, Snow-white and all the heroines of the fairytales at the same time, only that the prince wasn't a dream anymore; it was someone real. And, in a small corner of her mind, fear crouched among the rest of her joyful feelings.
She was afraid of her wishes coming true. It was stupid, pointless, and foolish, but she was scared of having to actually live her dream, instead of just playing it again and again in her imagination. She was afraid of having to face reality, because then she would have to face that maybe reality wasn't as she'd been imagining all those years.
It was true, Millerna had verified it. Her Prince Charming had finally come for her, then why didn't she feel unreserved and total bliss?
She berated herself for being so stupid, but the truth was that everything had been much easier as long as it had stayed in her dreams, in her imagination, where she could keep hoping, hold to the perfect storybook love story she'd envisioned. What if Prince Charming wasn't as wonderful as she'd imagined? What if he didn't like her? What if, after meeting her face to face, he didn't think her worthy of his love anymore? For God's sake, she didn't even know him!
For the first time in her life, she questioned the happy endings of fairytales. Was it true, that they had lived happily ever after? Had love not wavered even once? Would she, Hitomi of the streets who had grown in poverty and fought for a future, live happily ever after?
"Hitomi, dear, are you listening to me?" Millerna interrupted her, waking her up from her reverie and putting her back on the real world.
"Hmm, aye, of course…" she managed to stutter, blushing. She couldn't help it, she was a horrible liar: her blushes always gave her away. "I should be going now, Millerna… I should've been out in the street for half an hour now," she excused herself hastily, hurrying out of the room with a small smile.
"Of course, you may go now," Millerna agreed with a wide grin spread across her beautiful features. "Will you give him a-"
"Aye, a wall flower," the green-eyed girl chuckled; the young Aston had been like that since the very first moment, always wanting to check that she had gotten the flower right, something probably born out of her impatience and desire of all being perfect. "I'll bring you his message this afternoon, try to have some nails left by then," she teased the amethyst-eyed girl, who snorted and chuckled in return.
She tucked a loose strand of blond hair behind her ear and, making a curtsy, she walked down the stairs, heading to the kitchens to get something to breakfast and check on her grandmother.
The jonquil was still clutched in her hand when she left Aston Manor that morning.
~···*···~
She walked out of the greenhouse with a wicker basket full of flowers; orchids, peach blossoms, dahlias, lilies, roses and fuchsias were the chosen ones that afternoon. Now the only thing left that she needed were a few branches of white heather, which grew in one of the most sheltered corners of the garden, among thick juniper bushes and birch trees and weeping willows. The garden designer had created a watery complex of ponds and intercommunicating brooks in the garden, so that every now and then she had to cross a tiny wooden bridge that curved above the stream.
White heather, for wishes coming
true, she hummed for herself as she disappeared behind a tall box shrub,
her keen eyes having found a small holly plant that she had never seen
before.
Soft footsteps, barely audible among the chirping of the birds, approached the hedge where she was; the flower girl smiled, getting ready to stand up and greet whoever it was as her fingers brushed sweetly the small holly plant, tiny red berries hanging from its branches.
"I should congratulate you, sir" Marlene's beautiful alto voice said quietly. Hitomi froze. "When is the wedding going to take place?"
A man cleared his throat, and the green-eyed girl knew that it was a blond man with sky-blue eyes. She decided to stay there and not interrupt their private conversation, and in the meanwhile maybe pick some sorrel to give to the cook, Moleman.
"My parents want us to marry in two weeks," he informed her, and Hitomi could hear the young Aston gasp. "Your father wants to wait for next month, but I don't think he'll be able to convince them…"
Marlene's voice was slightly tremulous when she spoke again, though it was the faintest of trembles, a vibration that concealed the emotions in her eyes. "So soon?" she whispered.
Hitomi, this is shameless spying, get outta here this very moment, she ordered herself; but it was one of the times when her body decided to ignore completely her mind's orders, and stayed there, glued to the floor, her eyes widened at what she figured it was happening.
"They won't listen to me. They're just too worried about saving the family's honour…" she heard Allen say bitterly between gritted teeth.
"Honour? Who questions it, milord?" asked Marlene. Funny how feelings and gestures could be guessed only by sounds: the quality of her voice told Hitomi of her low spirits; the soft rustle of silk, that her hands were resting on her lap.
"Nobody. But the Schezars stick to the saying Better safe than sorry," he said humourlessly. "Sorry, milady, I shouldn't burden you with my personal problems," the blond man apologized, but she shook her head vehemently. Hitomi's fingers blindly searched for a little hole in the shrub, thought which to see what was happening exactly. Aye, sounds were all right, but sometimes an image was worth a thousand words.
"Nay, sir, I'd be honoured to be of some help," she pleaded, squeezing her hands on her lap spasmodically. Her sea-foam eyes were clouded when they searched for his sky-blue depths. "You are to be my cousin, after all…"
Hitomi absently registered that the sounds of the garden seemed to stop all of a sudden, a eerie silence floating in the air for a few seconds.
"I'd rather not, lady… I'd rather be much more than that," he said in a hoarse whisper that, although he had intended it to be inaudible, was perfectly heard by both women.
The flower girl saw Marlene's head jerk up and stare at him, who looked shocked and mortified, his face showing the guilt and shame of knowing that he'd just spilled out what had been supposed to remain a secret.
"Please forgive my rash words, madam, I should have never said such a thing," he said stiffly, and started to turn around to walk away back into the house. But he never got to. In a split second Marlene was at his side, clinging onto him for dear life, her hands clasping his arm in an iron grip. "What-"
"Don't speak now, sir," she said softly. "But just tell, were the words that escaped your lips true?" she drew out a broken whisper. Allen inhaled sharply, feeling her sweet scent of soap and violet perfume.
"They're as true as foolish…"
Marlene gave him a smile that was brighter than the sun. "Then let us be fools, sir, as I've heard they're always merry," she said sweetly. His sky-blue eyes pierced hers, incredulity shining in them; when he saw her expression, he embraced her gently, touching her as though she were made of thin glass that could break in his arms if he pressed too hard.
"We would be sinners too, Marlene,"
he whispered in her ear, marvelling at the feeling of having her in his
arms. He had imagined it a thousand times, every polite smile she gave
him arousing a storm inside him, inciting him to act foolishly and do something
stupid, like hold her. Next time I'll have to give in sooner…, he
smiled, burying his face in her blond hair, but he felt her stiffening
in his embrace as soon as he said the words.
Pain showed in her voice as she spoke. "Sinners, Allen? Of course… I understand," she pushed him away to escape from his arms, and he let her go, shocked by what she was saying. She understood? But, how could she know?
Marlene continued, hiding her sea-foam eyes from view as she sat on a bench very close to where Hitomi was. The flower girl gasped quietly, placing a hand over her mouth to muffle any other noise that could betray her. "I have no real money, I'm only the poor cousin of Millerna and Eries," she said, irony dripping from her voice as she described herself in such harsh terms, though technically true. "I should've imagined I was doomed to be the mistress of someone who would marry a wealthier woman," Marlene spat bitterly. "That's what happens always, isn't it?"
Allen was at her side in a second and embraced her again, wanting to kiss all that pain away, and the wrong concept she had, the belief that she was the one responsible for it all. That the reason for him not asking to marry her was that she wasn't good enough. "Oh, sweet, it's not like that at all," he denied, brushing with his thumb a stray tear that had trickled down her cheek. "If I were the one free to choose, I would've asked you to be my wife long ago, Marlene. I don't care if you're not wealthy… heh, my family is rich enough for the two of us," he smiled at her, though she still didn't raise her head, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"Then why?" her murmur was a broken whisper.
The blond man sighed. "I didn't want to trouble you with my problems, nor get you involved…" he hesitated, and she let out an ironical laugh.
"It's a little bit too late for that now, I think."
Allen rubbed his temples, shaking his head. He remained silent for a few seconds, and then his voice filled that corner of the garden. "You know my sister got married to Mr. Albatou a few months ago," he started, at what Marlene nodded soundlessly. He went on. "It was about two weeks before the marriage that my parents decided that I was to marry Miss Millerna. They told me it was the perfect match for me, and that I'd be very happy at her side, because she was rich, elegant, and belonging to one of the most ancient noble lineages in Arzas," he explained.
"Yes, whereas my and my cousin's mothers were just the daughters of a rich landlord… only that aunt Therese was lucky to be loved by a noble," Marlene murmured.
"I didn't know why they were suddenly so interested in marrying me off, and to an Aston, something that would certainly attract the attention of all high society in Arzas," he said, then smirked dryly. "then I found out that it was exactly what they were looking for: give all nobles somewhere to look at, and I was, and still am, being used as a bait. As long as they talk about Miss Millerna and me, my parents thought they wouldn't notice other things."
"Such as…" started the blond woman at his side, her eyes wide in astonishment.
"Such as, my sister being married to someone who would've never been considered as a possible husband for a Schezar. Definitely not in my mother's list," he said sardonically. "So before people could figure out the truth behind that marriage, my mother convinced my father that the only way of preserving the family's honour intact, I was to be married to someone like your cousin: admired in the high circles of society, rich, an impressive lineage, not to say beautiful and well-bred. Being cold and objectively talking, live bait."
"Wait, Allen, the truth behind Lady Serena's marriage?" she asked, completely befuddled. The blond man at her side let out a sigh and ran a hand trough his hair.
"The truth, Marlene, is quite obvious. I honestly can't believe that no one has figured it out yet and rumours haven't been spread… didn't you hear the good news? Serena is pregnant."
"Yes, I heard that a month after the marriage... they seemed very happy together, so I thought it was quite normal to be blessed that soon," she shrugged, then looked up at him. "Are you saying that-"
"Aye, Marlene, as certain as I know the sun will rise tomorrow. My sister was already pregnant when she got married. It was a shotgun wedding. Now, do you understand why she had to marry Dilandau, and so soon? If not, she'd be disgraced for life," he explained, sighing heavily.
"Was she in love with him?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, indeed, she still is. My sister has taste, I must give her that; she had always liked Dilandau, since they were kids, and it grew to be much more. Of course, my parents wouldn't hear of her precious daughter marrying him, but Serena ignored them. You can see to what extent she did," he had to let out a chuckle, shaking his head; his eyes softened every time he talked about his sister, whom, anyone could see that, he loved dearly.
Hitomi shook her head, completely astounded; gods, if this was the life nobles had, she wasn't so sure anymore about wanting to be a noble… the only duties that burdened her were taking care of her grandmother, and managing to stay alive. For the first time in her life she was thankful to have no honour to take care of, as it only brought lots of trouble. What was so important, that people gave up true love in order to defend it?
"So, your mother has laid down on your shoulders the responsibility of saving the good name and honour of the family," she concluded quietly, his shoulders sinking at her words.
He was afraid of the words that were to come next. The reproving words, scolding him for being a coward, for silencing his feelings and obey his parents blindly, forgetting about himself and the happiness he deserved as much as any other man. Only that he was no 'other man': he was Allen Schezar, brought up in a house where the rules were strict, parents were always right and their opinions and choices were the only good ones that could be considered. And he was to obey them. He had been raised up by them, what kind of filthy ungrateful son would he be if he turned his back on them when they needed him like that?
Allen knew that honour was everything in society; if you were dishonoured, all chances you may have once had of becoming somebody were shattered. In the best of cases, you were tolerated in social events, but murmurs and evil comments would be said when your back was turned, and some other times even when you were looking, as that way they were sure you would receive the full impact of the blow. In the worst of cases, you were condemned to silent ostracism, forcing you to live like a hermit for the rest of your days.
Yes, people were cruel. And he didn't want that to happen to his parents.
And he was afraid that maybe Marlene wouldn't understand it. Oh, how life is to prove wrong those who have little faith in their loved ones…
"I curse Fate for having been born in a common family, instead of one worthy of your parents' approval," she lamented, drawing out a sigh. "Let us be fools, but not sinners, Allen. I will love you in silence."
He took her in his arms, and right then they moved out of Hitomi's visual field. She was about to harrumph when she stopped herself, knowing that if they discovered her, she'd have to give lots of explanations that she wasn't willing to give. What was she to say, I was curious so I stayed and heard all you said? Or maybe No, I've been here for a few minutes, in fact I am looking for cabbages to bring to the kitchens. Definitely, the best option was to sneak out of there, and the sooner, the better.
On her way back to the house, she reflected on what she'd seen and heard. In her opinion, everything was terribly simple: Dryden and Millerna were in love, and Allen and Marlene were, too. So, why not forget about engagements and marry, despite what their parents said? The only problem in that perfect and happy ending was that honour thing, what kept Millerna from running away with Dryden, and Allen from refusing to marry the younger Aston and ask her cousin instead.
Really, why did things have to be so damn complicated?
~···*···~
Maybe it had been foolish of him, maybe it was stupid to continue doing it, but the fact is that he desperately wanted to know. Know what Hitomi's reaction to the flowers would be. Would she be thrilled and say that her prince had finally come for her? Most likely, he had to admit, but there was still a possibility, one in a thousand, if not in a million, that she might realize that it wasn't Prince Charming sending her flowers. That it was only him, only Van.
And he had felt deeply hurt when she hadn't said a word to him about it. To know that she didn't trust him enough, that maybe she didn't care at all for him. That perhaps the flowers meant to little to her that she hadn't considered important enough to tell him. To let him know and open her heart to him.
They may be nothing to her, but they mean a lot to me, he bit his lip, while his agile fingers prepared the pair of horses he was to harness to the cart later on, as the three Aston girls were attending a ball that evening. Damnit, those are my feelings… and they're worth nothing?
Well, there was also the possibility that she was so excited with the perspective of her damn prince that she had forgotten about him. Again, no, that couldn't be it… they still spent many afternoons together, she had not given up on their friendship. Only, that she didn't trust him enough.
When he turned around to pick up some bandages, he saw the gangly silhouette of a redhead with bright brown eyes and a mischievous smile on her lips.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, quite stunned at her sudden appearance. She gave him a crooked smile and walked into the stables.
"Whatd'ye think, lolly? Gonna visit the ol' woman," she said with a shrug. "I've seen 'Tomi lately, but I miss Yuri too, we all do," she nodded, sighing. "D'ya know where she is, or will I 'ave te look for her myself?"
Van hurried to take her arm and drag her toward the room where Hitomi's grandmother was; he simply didn't want to imagine what could come out of it all if Yukari was left on her own in Aston Manor…
"Whoa, whoa, take it eeasyy, don't think the ol' woman's gonna move much," the girl of the matches said with a grin, arching her eyebrows and whistling admiringly at a young boy who was busy carrying two buckets of water to the backyard.
"Hitomi was right about you," Van smiled, shaking his head in mild disbelief at the easygoing brashness of the girl at his side.
"'bout what, mark guys? Why, sure thing! If not, where's the fun?" she admitted frankly, as Van led her through the corridors of the sector for the house staff. "I mark ev'ry guy 'round… even ya, didn't she tell ya?" she grinned impishly, and the dark-haired boy frowned slightly.
"Did she do it as well?" he asked quietly, and Yukari let out a laugh, a mischievous sound that sounded deliciously carefree between all the decorum that was to be kept at Aston Manor.
"Nah, she was lookin' at the fl'wer couple at the time," she rolled her eyes. "But, if ya ask fer my opinion, ye're a 6.5. Or even a 7," she mused, studying him closely. "But that'd be with yar cap off, love," she concluded.
What the hell is wrong with my cap?, he asked himself with a scowl, the words of Hitomi when she'd told him she liked him better without it still fresh in his mind.
"If ya wanna know, 'tis that ya seem to be hidin' under it," Yukari explained, making him flinch when she answered a question that hadn't been said out loud. She laughed. "Ah, yah, boy, I knew what ya were thinkin', these things show so easily on yer face…" the redhead giggled, softly tapping one thin finger on his nose. "'Tis a shame, te hide such features under a cap. Ya know it won't work, boy, someday ya'll 'ave te take yer mask off," she advised, and he stared at her wide-eyed, quite surprised that someone like her could give him a piece of advice such as that.
It was true and he knew it, but he didn't want to. He didn't want to think that maybe it was because of him, and the distance he tried to put between the world and him, that the flower girl didn't trust him enough. So, he banished those thoughts of his mind. "Here. This is Yuri's room."
The door opened and Hitomi stepped out of the small room; when she saw Yukari and Van, her face lightened up. "Hey guys! What are you two doing here?!" she asked, throwing her arms around the redhead's neck, and right then the auburn-eyed boy wished for equal rights and opportunities.
"Whatcha think? I'm visitin' yer granny, ya silly," the brown-eyed girl said with another one of her puckish grins. "An' te ya, shoo, shoo, be gone, ya must 'ave lots te do…" she shoved her away from the door and into the corridor with firm actions.
The honey blonde could only chuckle and submit to Yukari's wishes. "Aye, aye, I'm goin', you impatient lil filly, if you want your fortune read I'm not going to interrupt," she smiled; after waving her hand to them for a moment, she ran down the passage to the kitchens again.
"Visits I have? How nice of you to come," a voice from inside the room said. "Ah, let me guess… it's that empty-head girl of the matches, and Van."
"Yah, yah ya ol' woman, 'tis us," Yukari chuckled, and then stared at the boy at her side, gaping. "How did'ya get the ol' woman te call ya by yer name?" she asked, astonished; he shrugged in response. Pushing the door open, the both youngsters stepped in; it was a cozy little room with a vase full of flowers, obviously left there by Hitomi, and a window that opened to the back garden, to a small orchard where the gardener of the family grew some apple trees, as well as almonds, peaches, cherries, apricots and other varieties of fruit trees.
Sitting on the bed, the cards of an old tarot deck spread across the linen sheets and the blankets, was Yuri. Her green eyes, identical to Hitomi's, could read the hidden mysteries of the human soul, and even though Van always felt naked when he was with her, unable to hide any secrets from the piercing emerald depths, he was comfortable in her company. Maybe because she saw, but never judged what she discovered, and played the role of a wise advisor when some guidance was needed. And, most important of all, wanted.
"What've ya been up te, ol' woman?" asked Yukari, sitting next to her and grinning widely. "I cannot b'lieve that yer granddaughter 'as gotten ya te be in here all day…"
"You're overestimating Hitomi if you think that… or underestimating me," grinned Yuri. Her hair, though grey, still had streaks of a hazelnut colour that made her look younger than what she really was. "I'm reading my child's future… even though she doesn't want me to, I will anyway."
The redhead grinned mischievously. "Ohh I seeee, she doesn't really wanna know who Flower Prince is, huh?"
Van blushed at the mention of the nickname Yukari had given him, followed by irritation. Why did she know, and yet the green-eyed girl hadn't said a word about the whole affair to him?
Yuri smiled enigmatically, her green orbs fixed on the burgundy depths half hidden under his cap and messy black strands of hair. "Actually, Yukari, I don't need any kind of tarot reading to know who sends them…" she said quietly, and the dark-haired boy wanted to disappear. He was doomed; if Yuri knew, then it would be only a matter of hours, minutes, seconds maybe, until Hitomi knew. And then she would never speak to him again, for having shattered her dream of her perfect prince.
The old woman took a primrose from the vase left next to her and twirled in her fingers pensively, as the redhead grew more and more impatient.
"So, ol' woman, spit it out! Ya just said that te 'ave me bitin' me nails off?" she said rashly, only succeeding in making Yuri smile.
"The right time will be chosen by that person itself, Yukari. I'm not the one to tell Hitomi about it, but I am glad to see that he cares deeply for her. You must know, dear child, that she is just blinded because she has placed all her hopes in a dream that admitted no variants," when she said those words, her eyes were gazing into Van's ones, and the skinny girl next to them gaped when she realised what was going on.
"Ya're the Flower Prince?" she asked incredulously, and cowered a little at the murderous glance he shot her.
"Say that name again and you're dead," he threatened.
"Van, whatever you do, don't give up on love. Love needs time to grow, and there are some plants that need more water than others so open their petals to the sun. Hitomi is a late iris. Give her time, love her, and she'll grow to understand."
He clenched his teeth. "Understand… she'll understand me. How comforting." The irony was bitter in his mouth.
"Do you want me to read your future?" she offered softly, but he turned his back on the two women in the room and stopped by the doorframe, ready to walk away.
"No, grandma, leave my future alone. Even though you may think I'm a fool, I still like to think that it's not in the stars to hold my destiny, but in myself."
And he left the room and headed for the stables, trying to leave behind Yuri's words. Hitomi could grow to understand him. But not love him.
~ And the closer he gets
He can't help but hide
So ashamed
Of his body and voice
There are boundaries
We pass in spite of the war
But our own
We can't seem to cross ~
~···*···~
Tcb ~
Can't thank enough all ppl, really, thanks SO MUCH!!!!!! ^____________^
dawnsama: *grins* aye aye, he was goin' te try at least... homework *grumbles* me problem now is not quite homework, but the exams loomin' ahead this January *bursts into sobs*…
Starry Eyed Wonder: *jumps
at yer arms* GYAH! ^_______^ I'm smilin' like a bletherin' idiot now meself!!
*sighs* Must write now the aft effects? *bursts out laughin'* I absolutely
ADORE yer reviews, they make me laugh an' smile an' oh soo happy!!!!!!
*dances a Scottish jig* (*swoons* been re-readin' highlanders… *dreamy
sigh* that's why I don't get enough sleep, nyar! Stay up til 4, an' I had
already read them -_-U… pointless, helpless, I know…) haha! Mental connection
again sis ^_~ oh that's so cool, I gave ye answers ere ye'd asked me yer
questions *grins widely an' hugglez* maybe if I had been in Eries' position
I'd done the same, but me? in a nunnery? *bursts out laughin'* megod, they'd
kick me out ere a week had passed xD I'm too much a rebel te obey orders
like that *sweatdrops* Buut *drums fingers on desk* already told ye love
may not be arranged, but some say it can be worked on an' chosen… ye only
'ave te choose lovin' with all yer heart yer husband (*gulps* gosh, sounds
so odd, speakin' 'bout yer husband when ye're 14 *giggles*) an' he's a
good man, ye'll find what ye're lookin' fer. Apart from that, who the heck
couldn't love ye, sis?? *crushes in a bearish hug* Ah *sweatdrops* soo
true, a lil bit o' protectiveness is simply wonderful… me tooooo want a
Van fer huggin'!!! *sobs an' moans* I'll now 'ave a problem ^^U… I guess
I'll judge men comparin' with fiction charas! ^^UUU now, who could stand
a chance against Van, or Drustan, or Grimm? *shakes head* oohgod, I'm spoiled
Y.Y…
Must get one o' those thingies te
keep hair in place, need some too *sighs* lol!! the conditioner!! *asks
mum te buy honeysuckle shampoo* I 'ave incense like that *grins goofily*
only that I already finished it… must go an' buy some more! Ah *sighs*
I also think words 'ave lost much o' their meanin'… some day I'll tell
ye 'bout the book stored in me head fer 4 years now, it revolves so very
much 'bout the real value o' words *grins* as ye already read, the hairpin
was quite somethin' *wink wink* Ohh, me fav Disney is also Mulan *takes
out sword* aft all, this lil warrior here is been into girl fightin' since
I was 7 ^^ aaaan' Shang was also quite somethin' *drools*… *looks up* sink
me, I simply can't seem te write somethin' short, even if it's a
review reply U_U I'm hopeless, I know… can't wait te read the review fer
this other one *grins so much her cheeks hurt* an' simply must get that
Sarah Brightman's song somehow *muses* d'ye think I should keep the straw
scene a secret betwixt ye an' me, or post it in me site an' put here a
link if someone wants te read, er, umm… well, that *blushes madly*?
fireangel621: *waves pirate hat* ahoy, matey! Here be next update ^____^
Rhapsody's Song: ^___^ thanks so much!! Crazy, aye?
Athar-Luna: *blushes an' grins like mad* thanks so so much fer reviewin' all the story!! I also love the way 'Kari talks, it's really great fun te write it ^^ an' ye like Dryden? *grins widely* it's one o' me fav charas, second one aft Van ^___^ an' he's great fun te write, same as 'Kari… *blushes* liked the fluff? I try me best, I'm also quite the romantic te the core *sighs* I'd soo love te 'ave a Van like that… well, the thing is maybe we all 'ave a Van like mine in this fanfic an' we don't even know! *shakes head* now there's a disturbin' thought… some time ago I found it easier te slip into a girl's mind an' write from that perspective, but writin' 'bout Van's thoughts an' feelings is, I think, what I prefer doin' now… Hope ye liked this chapter too, an' thanks again fer reviewin'!! ^____^
SabineballZ: mwahaha… aah, aye aye, I could've given Van a shove so that she'd kiss her, but *sighs an' grins mischievously* then ye wouldn't get the rest o' the story… but, doona worry ^_~ there's just one more chapter te go… an', well, it's quite evident that they're gonna end up together, ne? *winks*
Dreamboat Annie: *bursts out laughin' an' hugs ye* hey theree!!!!!!! Haha! T'night I'm gonna write ye an e-mail, aye! *throws confetti* aft I've decided what presents I must buy t'morrow… U.U aye, always goin' shoppin' last minute ^^U… mine was wonderful, I'll tell ye 'bout it t'night ^_~ lol! Annie an' her energy, ne? *grins* me doggies also 'ave too much energy lately, specially Naria *sighs* she's taken a likin' te destroyin' cushions -_-U… hehe, k k, I promise I'll update Natsu ^^ even though I 'ave no idea o' when I'll be able te write T.T me exams are comin' 'round this Jan… so I'll take a break out o' writin' *shakes head* can't fail them, nono… how was this chappie btw? ^___^
Kaurin: *giggles* ooh thanks fer clearin' that up fer me *scribbles MIA in list* I sometimes get a lil bit lost with all the English abbreviations ^^U… Hehe, aye, Millerna knows if she tried the same strategy as Eries her da would be devastated *sighs* so that's why she doesn't do it… ^^ aye, Dry doesn't dare te come in the middle so obviously, basically coz he's already got a handful with his own, an' he sense Van wouldn't take his help all too well, male pride an' all that stuff *snorts*… Was really happy te get yer review ^__^ an' aye aye, may ye 'ave the best o' the years up te now, an' the worst o' the years yet te come ^_~
sqeekers: ^___^ well, Van's already realized them *wink wink* hasn't he? Now it's just our dear 'Tomi te find it out… it all comes in next chappie *grins like mad an' claps hands* glad that ye reviewed ^__^, thanks so much!!!!
kairi-heartilly: hey there! *grins like mad* well thanks a million!! Aye, this time an' fer a change, Van's no real prince... but that doesn't mean he can't be the prince o' her heart *sighs dreamily* uuh got carried on, sorry ^^U an' ye like the idea o' the flowers, yay! Well they doo 'ave a main role in this fic, an' in this new chappie as well *grins like mad* THanks tons again fer reviewin'!!! ^__^
AN/ Here I am, eatin' a warm instant
soup in front o' the computer an' cursin' all the central-heatin' gods
I know coz the room is freezing cold, honestly. An' now the internet connection
doesn't work, just great *voice drips with sarcasm* sometimes I feel I
could shoot Murphy if he was still alive *snorts*
Blimey, just one more chappie
an' it's done ^_^ hehe… plus the epilogue, o' course *nods* Oh, I must
give credit fer some o' the things I borrowed 'ere… the sentence Van says
'bout destiny, 'tis Shakespeare *grins* though a lil' bit changed ^^U,
the original quote was "It is not in the stars to hold our destinies, but
in ourselves". Change 'our' fer singular, an' that's what me Van said *hugs*.
Righto, must go an' finish Maths
as soon as possible, t'morrow me goin' te buy presents last minute fer
Tuesday *sighs*... so 'ave te finish ev'rythin' t'day... 'nyway, this is
me last update ere me beginnin' o' college, so hope ye all had a wonderful
Xmas an' also beg ye te kindly review this thingy, which'll be updated
in 3 days ^__^, last chapter, AYE! + epilogue later on... *wink*