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Chapter 6 – Ann's Past Part IAfter Liam told off Briana, he hurried to see Ann. I hope she will be all right, Liam thought as he went up the stairs the maid indicated.
He knocked softly and entered the room. The fire blazed, making the room warmer than the other rooms in the palace. Ann was lying in bed with thick covers. She looked very pale, especially compared with her usually swarthy complexion. Her breath was shallow and quick, and she seemed to be fast asleep, so Liam didn't disturb her. Instead, he backed out of the room quietly and hoped that she would be better the next day.
"How are you feeling?" asked Liam when he visited Ann the next morning.
"I'm okay, just a bit cold," she answered and emphasized by shivering slightly.
"Ann, I'm sorry – "
"Why?" Ann interrupted, "I suggested to go skating. You did nothing wrong."
"Oh. Well, I, I'm sorry I told you to do what Briana says," Liam stammered, "That girl is out of control!" Then he paused before muttering, "I thought at first that you kind of provoked her attacks because you were so defiant, but now I realize that it was because of Briana's own jealousy."
Ann nodded in understanding. "What happened to her anyway?"
"She left last night to her own kingdom."
"Oh."
Liam did not tell her about his encounter with Briana after the incident.
One of the nurses came over and told Liam that he had to leave for Ann had to rest. He nodded and left Ann to her slumber.
Liam visited Ann almost everyday that she was sick. He felt more attracted to her, though he was reluctant to admit. He noticed with delight, that Ann seemed to enjoy his company as well. He admired how, even when she was sick and had little energy, she would greet visitors enthusiastically and listen to them. And that she didn't show pain when the doctors bled her with leeches.
He had also noticed that, one day she was reading a book. He wanted to ask where she learned to read, for there weren't many women who had the skill, especially one of her status, but it would seem too rude.
A month later, Ann recovered well enough to get back to her work.
There was a lot of snow that year. In the second month, the snow was knee high and refused to leave.
One afternoon, Liam was out practicing his swordplay in the clearing of the forest. A guest was coming tonight, and everyone was busy preparing for his arrival. His mother decided that Liam should stay out of the servant's hair for a while. He didn't know who the visitor was, but from the looks of the preparations, it looked like someone important.
He was practicing his blocks when he saw a figure running out of the castle into the forest. He looked closer and his eyes widened. He sheathed his sword and ran after the figure, half curious and half worried.
Ann ran blindly. She didn't care where she was heading, only that she had to get away. She ran over the snow, ignoring the cold and the wetness in her boots. The snow slowed her down and almost tripped her, but she didn't care. The last light of the sun cast long shadows of the trees around her. Normally, she might've been a bit spooked, but right now, she didn't care. The forest was silent; the only sounds were her quick breaths and the rhythmic sounds of the snow crunching underfoot. She ran, ignoring the branches that snapped in her face. Tears threatened to spill.
"Oof," Ann grunted when she fell into the snow, probably from tripping over a tree root. She lay there, and buried her face into the cold snow; she didn't want to pick herself up. Maybe I should just stay here and not go back, what's the point, he found us again.
"I hate him, I hate him," she murmured into the snow, she didn't even feel the cold, for she was already numb with fear, hatred, and being out in the cold for so long.
"Here."
Ann was startled by a voice. She raised her head up a bit and saw a hand extended to her, she looked up a bit more and saw Liam's face looking down at her. She sighed and took his hand.
"What are you doing here at this time with only a cloak over your dress?" asked the prince when he pulled her up. Ann didn't answer; she didn't know how to explain.
"Is this a game? It's not funny," Liam continued.
A game? I wish! Ann shook her head.
"Let's go back then, it's cold out here."
Ann shook her head again.
"Come on," Liam tugged her hand toward the direction of the castle, "There's a feast tonight."
Ann looked frightened, "No…"
"You don't want to be ill again, do you?"
"Please Liam, I can't go back," Ann pleaded softly.
Liam looked concerned, "Why not?"
"I can't tell you."
"Well if you don't want to go back, where are you going to go then?"
Ann hadn't thought of that before, she just wanted to get away. "I don't know," she admitted.
Liam sighed, "Fine. If you won't go back, I'll accompany you." Then he looked thoughtful, "I know a place to stay."
He led Ann into the forest, she had no idea where they were going, but she trusted him.
The forest was dark, for the sun had already set. Soon, they came to a log cabin in a clearing. It was a modest one-level building, and there was a cozy feeling about it.
The door squeaked on its hinges even though Liam pushed slowly. The cottage was sturdy and well made, for the floor was made of wood instead of dirt. Although it looked abandoned from the outside, the interior was neat and tidy, as if someone had been here recently. The cabin was bigger than Ann thought. There was a kitchen, four small rooms cut from the main room, and also a small lavatory.
As Ann looked around the cabin, Liam carried wood to the fireplace from the woodpile outside. After making a fire, he went to the kitchen and looked through the cabinets.
"Wow, how did you know of this place?" asked Ann, impressed.
"It's my parents' hunting cabin," Liam answered while pumping water from the pump in the kitchen. "They come here every year, and I usually tagged along. My parents taught me how to hunt here."
Ann nodded and sat down on a cushioned couch in the main room. Liam hung the pot of water over the fireplace and sat down next to her. They waited.
"So," Liam looked at her expectantly.
"What?" Ann stared back. He swallowed and looked away.
"Are you going to tell me why you ran away?"
"No."
"Oh." Liam felt somewhat embarrassed. Luckily, the water began to boil.
"Here, careful," Liam handed Ann a cup of hot water. "Sorry I can't make hot cocoa, I'm afraid the supplies are a bit stale since we only come here in the summer."
Ann smiled and took the cup into her hands, glad for its warmth.
They drank in silence. Finally, Ann put down her cup on the wooded table beside her.
"Shouldn't you be getting back?"
"Only if you come with me," Liam answered, staring at his cup.
"I, I'm afraid I can't," Ann stared into the fire.
"Why not?" Liam asked without thinking.
"I, I can't tell you," then seeing Liam's disappointed face, she added, "Maybe later, if I feel like it. You don't have to stay here, I can take care of myself." Liam tried to protest, but she continued, "You are the prince, and isn't there a banquet tonight?"
"I never cared for those."
Ann put a hand on Liam's and said gently, "You've done enough for me by bringing me here. Go, before they send a search party."
After many reassurances that Ann would be all right, Liam agreed to go back to the castle. But when he opened the door, a gust of wind carried snow into the room and almost blew him over. He shut it and came back beside Ann.
"The wind is too strong and the snow is too fierce. I can't go into the forest, I'll get lost for sure."
Ann nodded but looked worried.
Liam seemed to read her thoughts and assured her, "Mother knows I can take care of myself, she'll think of some excuse to tell the visitor." Secretly, Liam was glad to stay. He'd rather be with Ann than boring guests and having to be the diplomatic prince.
"Since we're stuck here, might as well get something to eat. You hungry?" Liam looked through the cabinets and dug out some dried meat and berries that his parents stored.
So they chewed the meat and berries while a blizzard raged outside. Inside the cabin, the fire kept them warm. During dinner, Liam told Ann about his childhood and how he learned to hunt and ride.
After dinner, the storm showed no signs of relenting, so they sat in front of the fire while Liam told Ann more stories. Liam was a vivid storyteller and she really enjoyed his stories, though some she guessed where fiction. Secretly, she too, was glad that he was keeping her company. It was a bit spooky to spend the night alone in a forest.
"Now can you tell me your story?" Liam asked when he ran out of stories. Ann took a deep breath, she knew Liam well enough to trust him, and since he led her to a refuge, she thought that she owed him the satisfaction to his curiosity.
"I ran away because," she faltered, would she be able to get her story out? She looked to Liam for support, and the prince waited patiently for her to continue at her own pace.
"I wasn't always as you see me now," Ann started, "I was born of noble blood. My father at the time was the Marquis of Kayan." Ann gave Liam some time to digest this before she continued. If Liam was surprised, he didn't show it."My father was very strict, he hired the best tutors to teach me to read and write. He also hired other teachers to teach me dance, etiquette, music and art. I really liked my music and art teacher Aida; she was in her twenties and was more like a sister to me. She played the flute and I loved to hear her play. From her, I got my love for the instrument and learned how to play. For my eighth birthday, she gave me the most beautiful wooden flute. She said it has wonderful powers, but I must learn to play it well and discover for myself what the power is. She was also the one to teach me to glide on frozen ponds by strapping bones to my boots and to sketch scenery with charcoal. We had a lot of fun together.
"My childhood was almost content, I had almost everything I wanted, except for a friend my age. My father was quite protective and choosy about the people I have contact with. He chose friends for me, usually snobby girls of our class. For this, I despised him. The only person that I could count as a friend was Aida. There was a farm girl that I really liked, but because of Father, I was forbidden to see her.
"It all changed when I was nine. Father went on a trip to Hearst and came back a different person." Ann swallowed and continued her story, "He was never a loving father, but after the trip, he became violent. Somehow, everything I did rubbed him the wrong way. He would blame everything on me and throw things at me or saying things to me that I cannot repeat. My tutors were dismissed, including Aida. Father was starting to be violent towards Mother because she protected me. Those days were filled with loud words and things smashing.
"One night, I got out of bed to get some water. I saw him – " Ann stopped, tears choked her words. What she saw that night forever haunted her mind.
Liam watched her, not knowing what to say or do. He had never actually seen Ann cry, and it pained him to see the tears stain her cheeks. He unsurely put an arm around her and wiped off her tears.
~*~soooooo sorry for the long wait. *holds up shield to bounce away things being thrown at MapleRose* it was the holidays and people were coming over, no time for contact with computer... besides, the author deserves a holiday too, right?
kaio - i'm SSSOOO sorry to make you wait, so here's a long (at least for me) chapter!
