.::Chapter 5::. Entering the Realms of Sorrow
I stumbled up the stairs. "What was this sense of uneasiness in my heart?" I wondered secretly. I felt sweaty and flustered after all that running and managed to sneak up to my room before dinner was to be served. I steeped out of my gown and flung it aside angrily. "That lady...Why was she acting that way?" Right when I saw her, I was practically overjoyed, deceiving myself into thinking that finally I would have a friend to talk to, someone my age and gender! But then again I guess, first meetings may not always be true. I soaked inside the bath, my head partially submerged in the scented water. I scrubbed my skin till it reddened like ugly tomatoes and hurriedly dried up and dress in a clean gown. I tied my sash firmly and adjusted my ornamental rhinestone hair piece. Self-consciously, I took one final look into the mirror before disappearing behind the door, down the stairs. Dinner was served and a feast good enough for Gods were prepared to welcome back my cousins. I took my seat next to Claudius who was very handsomely dressed. He smiled at me and placed his hand over mine. I squeezed it and helped myself to some corned-beef. The dinner table was exceptionally noisy that night, my cousins were sharing their experiences and how much fun they had there. I yearned for a holiday like theirs, probably to somewhere exciting and out of this universe. Claudius must have noticed the silly look on my face and he whispered into my ear, brushing lightly against it," When I make you my wife we shall travel all around this world." I blushed deeply. "When I make you my wife". That sentence occupied my mind and I was dazed. Surely would the Gods allow me to marry a man like Claudius. But, I feared marriages. To a wedding day, there'll always be a wedding night. And God knows what happens on wedding nights. Claudius smiled to himself as I noticed my beautiful cousin turn to scowl with horrendous hatred at me. I enquired from Dalina who sat on my left," Dear cousin, May I know what is her name?" I said looking at the beautiful one's direction. "Oh, she's Marlette and she's thirteen this year, I suppose she's the same age as you?" she asked soothingly. I nodded promptly and smiled at her. I've always yearned to be as graceful and poised as Dalina but I knew I'd never be able to. I've seen the town's people and maidens whisper about me when I'm riding on my horse on the streets.
I turned to face Claudius who was chatting gleefully with Gregoire. They seemed like brothers for that very moment. Gregoire then turned to look at me. He smiled casually and enquired "My dear cousin I've heard from Father that you are a fantastic rider. Would you care to go riding with Lord Claudius and I tomorrow afternoon?" I beamed at his compliment and answered coyly," You have a really sweet tongue cousin and I'll definitely won't miss the chance to go riding." He smiled and continued his conversation with Claudius. Later after dinner, we mingled in the sitting hall chatting about our interests or experiences. I sat on the couch and chatted quirkily with Dalina. I treated her like a sister, we got along really well but Marlette troubled me. I excused myself and walked over to Claudius and gasped sharply when I saw Marlette practically twirling around Claudius. Instinctively, Claudius whirled around and his eyes round and wide. He stammered," It's not what it seems Emelia!" I rushed out of the room to sought comfort in my chambers. "How could he cheat on me?" my heart cried. I ran blindly and flung myself onto my bed. I wept all night and when I finally awoke the next morning, I found Claudius slumped, fast asleep on the couch. I washed myself hurriedly in the basin and dressed before rushing out of my room.
I went down for breakfast and to my surprise, the King, Dalina and Francois were already there savoring a bite of Panchulere's Bread, a sweet bread with apple slices in the center. I greeted them politely and settled down beside Francois and had a slice of bread. At first, I felt strange talking to Francois but later we got to know each other better and found out that we shared common interests and goals in our lives. I must have chatted with him for quite some time for when I finally broke free from my stare, my uncle and Dalina had already gone. I smiled fervently at Francois and arranged to meet him the next day to discuss on our opinions of books in the library. I got up and smoothen out my dress and climbed up the stairs slowly. Along the way, I met Claudius. I tried hard to ignore his stare but when he couldn't contain himself anymore, he grabbed my wrist and we ran out to the patio in the garden. He kissed my hand and declared his love for me, "My Lady Emelia, the Gods have sent me a message and that you are the one for me, and I shall make you my bride." He proclaimed. Tears streamed down my flustered face as I bend down to the kneeling figure and kissed his forehead. "I love you Lord Claudius but I fear I shan't marry you until I'm older." I whispered sadly. His eyes watered a little as he held back his tears. "My lady, never forget that you have a man waiting for your love." He said sadly. I hugged him as he gave me a kiss on my forehead. Secretly regretting what I had just said and wanting to leap right into his arms and be wedded to him.
The weeks flew by and soon it was my fourteenth birthday. My loving Uncle held a joyous celebration for me and I received towers of gifts from the guests who ranged from the prince of Norsxors to the Queen of Polamputi. Indeed it was a much cherished moment in my life. But little did I know what Claudius had planned. He held onto my hands and asked me to close my eyes. He led me for a while until he asked me to open my eyes and right before my eyes was a strong and magnificent horse named Nassas which meant Speed. I kissed him passionately as I felt our mouth merge as one and the burning sensation about to erupt from my inside. I thanked the God's secretly for giving such a wonderful moment in my life.
The memory of my birthday dwelled in my head. Weeks flew by and I trusted Claudius and loved him more and more. But it all came crashing down on me on that very fateful morning. Just as I entered his bedroom, I saw Claudius and his magnificent naked body slumped over the fragile and budding body of Marlett's. I let out a cry of utter horror and disgust which aroused the sleeping couple. Claudius panicked as he gathered the bed spread and covered himself whereas Marlette laid on the bed smirking at me with such sinister in her cunning eyes. Claudius rushed towards me and held onto my hand as I wept in utter sorrow. I should have seen it coming. The signs that Marlett had been showing ever since she saw Claudius. How could I be so foolish. I tugged at my gown as though I were trying to rip it apart. Claudius warm hands tried to grasp onto mine but I snarled at him and smacked his hands away. In a fit of uncontrollable anger I screamed "Never would I ever want to see you again you bastard!" With that I rushed madly out of the room to the rose garden where I flung myself wildly against the stone bench and wept there all morning. "Where is my Claudius?" My heart secretly hoped that he would come and look for me. And truly, I saw a shabby looking Claudius with tear-stained eyes walking towards me.
I stumbled up the stairs. "What was this sense of uneasiness in my heart?" I wondered secretly. I felt sweaty and flustered after all that running and managed to sneak up to my room before dinner was to be served. I steeped out of my gown and flung it aside angrily. "That lady...Why was she acting that way?" Right when I saw her, I was practically overjoyed, deceiving myself into thinking that finally I would have a friend to talk to, someone my age and gender! But then again I guess, first meetings may not always be true. I soaked inside the bath, my head partially submerged in the scented water. I scrubbed my skin till it reddened like ugly tomatoes and hurriedly dried up and dress in a clean gown. I tied my sash firmly and adjusted my ornamental rhinestone hair piece. Self-consciously, I took one final look into the mirror before disappearing behind the door, down the stairs. Dinner was served and a feast good enough for Gods were prepared to welcome back my cousins. I took my seat next to Claudius who was very handsomely dressed. He smiled at me and placed his hand over mine. I squeezed it and helped myself to some corned-beef. The dinner table was exceptionally noisy that night, my cousins were sharing their experiences and how much fun they had there. I yearned for a holiday like theirs, probably to somewhere exciting and out of this universe. Claudius must have noticed the silly look on my face and he whispered into my ear, brushing lightly against it," When I make you my wife we shall travel all around this world." I blushed deeply. "When I make you my wife". That sentence occupied my mind and I was dazed. Surely would the Gods allow me to marry a man like Claudius. But, I feared marriages. To a wedding day, there'll always be a wedding night. And God knows what happens on wedding nights. Claudius smiled to himself as I noticed my beautiful cousin turn to scowl with horrendous hatred at me. I enquired from Dalina who sat on my left," Dear cousin, May I know what is her name?" I said looking at the beautiful one's direction. "Oh, she's Marlette and she's thirteen this year, I suppose she's the same age as you?" she asked soothingly. I nodded promptly and smiled at her. I've always yearned to be as graceful and poised as Dalina but I knew I'd never be able to. I've seen the town's people and maidens whisper about me when I'm riding on my horse on the streets.
I turned to face Claudius who was chatting gleefully with Gregoire. They seemed like brothers for that very moment. Gregoire then turned to look at me. He smiled casually and enquired "My dear cousin I've heard from Father that you are a fantastic rider. Would you care to go riding with Lord Claudius and I tomorrow afternoon?" I beamed at his compliment and answered coyly," You have a really sweet tongue cousin and I'll definitely won't miss the chance to go riding." He smiled and continued his conversation with Claudius. Later after dinner, we mingled in the sitting hall chatting about our interests or experiences. I sat on the couch and chatted quirkily with Dalina. I treated her like a sister, we got along really well but Marlette troubled me. I excused myself and walked over to Claudius and gasped sharply when I saw Marlette practically twirling around Claudius. Instinctively, Claudius whirled around and his eyes round and wide. He stammered," It's not what it seems Emelia!" I rushed out of the room to sought comfort in my chambers. "How could he cheat on me?" my heart cried. I ran blindly and flung myself onto my bed. I wept all night and when I finally awoke the next morning, I found Claudius slumped, fast asleep on the couch. I washed myself hurriedly in the basin and dressed before rushing out of my room.
I went down for breakfast and to my surprise, the King, Dalina and Francois were already there savoring a bite of Panchulere's Bread, a sweet bread with apple slices in the center. I greeted them politely and settled down beside Francois and had a slice of bread. At first, I felt strange talking to Francois but later we got to know each other better and found out that we shared common interests and goals in our lives. I must have chatted with him for quite some time for when I finally broke free from my stare, my uncle and Dalina had already gone. I smiled fervently at Francois and arranged to meet him the next day to discuss on our opinions of books in the library. I got up and smoothen out my dress and climbed up the stairs slowly. Along the way, I met Claudius. I tried hard to ignore his stare but when he couldn't contain himself anymore, he grabbed my wrist and we ran out to the patio in the garden. He kissed my hand and declared his love for me, "My Lady Emelia, the Gods have sent me a message and that you are the one for me, and I shall make you my bride." He proclaimed. Tears streamed down my flustered face as I bend down to the kneeling figure and kissed his forehead. "I love you Lord Claudius but I fear I shan't marry you until I'm older." I whispered sadly. His eyes watered a little as he held back his tears. "My lady, never forget that you have a man waiting for your love." He said sadly. I hugged him as he gave me a kiss on my forehead. Secretly regretting what I had just said and wanting to leap right into his arms and be wedded to him.
The weeks flew by and soon it was my fourteenth birthday. My loving Uncle held a joyous celebration for me and I received towers of gifts from the guests who ranged from the prince of Norsxors to the Queen of Polamputi. Indeed it was a much cherished moment in my life. But little did I know what Claudius had planned. He held onto my hands and asked me to close my eyes. He led me for a while until he asked me to open my eyes and right before my eyes was a strong and magnificent horse named Nassas which meant Speed. I kissed him passionately as I felt our mouth merge as one and the burning sensation about to erupt from my inside. I thanked the God's secretly for giving such a wonderful moment in my life.
The memory of my birthday dwelled in my head. Weeks flew by and I trusted Claudius and loved him more and more. But it all came crashing down on me on that very fateful morning. Just as I entered his bedroom, I saw Claudius and his magnificent naked body slumped over the fragile and budding body of Marlett's. I let out a cry of utter horror and disgust which aroused the sleeping couple. Claudius panicked as he gathered the bed spread and covered himself whereas Marlette laid on the bed smirking at me with such sinister in her cunning eyes. Claudius rushed towards me and held onto my hand as I wept in utter sorrow. I should have seen it coming. The signs that Marlett had been showing ever since she saw Claudius. How could I be so foolish. I tugged at my gown as though I were trying to rip it apart. Claudius warm hands tried to grasp onto mine but I snarled at him and smacked his hands away. In a fit of uncontrollable anger I screamed "Never would I ever want to see you again you bastard!" With that I rushed madly out of the room to the rose garden where I flung myself wildly against the stone bench and wept there all morning. "Where is my Claudius?" My heart secretly hoped that he would come and look for me. And truly, I saw a shabby looking Claudius with tear-stained eyes walking towards me.