.::Chapter 7::. Falling Out of Love
The weeks swiftly flew by and I begin to feel the sorrow and loneliness without Claudius eat into me. The grounds were solemn and desolate. The one joy of my heart was now gone and every night, I constantly yearned for his presence to be deemed in his love. To hide away from the lonely world out there, I often sought comfort and quietness in the library, hiding myself behind piles of novels and encyclopedias. I guess that my beloved uncle must have sensed my distraught as one day while I was cooped up in a tiny nook of the library, my uncle sent for me. He led me to the palace stables and revealed a pony. He beamed widely and motion for me to saddle the horse. He said in a fatherly manner, "Saddle up my beautiful princess." I turned to look at him, my fluttering with joy. "Finally, a true companion!" my heart exclaimed. I saddled the chestnut pony and took a few trials around the palace grounds. I could never forget the sincerity in my uncle's eyes. I named the pony Lamasa which meant night. Lamasa soon became my source of distraction, away from all my loneliness and worries. On one pleasant afternoon as I was browsing the shelves for a novel to bury my sorrows into, I spotted Francois on the other side of the shelf as we reached for the same book. I was startled but calmed down when I realized it was Francois. He laughed a hearty laugh and asked cheekily "My fair cousin, whatever are you doing here on such a brilliant afternoon?" Playing along with his sarcasm I replied coyly," Whatever are YOU doing in the library?" His eyes twinkled and he softened. We settled down at a desk and discussed stories we've read or literary pieces that we enjoyed. Frankly, I'd never expect Francois, a male, to appreciate Elizabeth Sharlett's pieces. They seemed so feminine to a certain extent. But indeed I was comforted to find a companion who bore the same interests as me. After a long session of discussion and sharing, I invited Francois to go riding with me. "Francois, would you care to go riding with me now?" I asked, straightening my pleats as I got up on my two wobbly feet. He replied in a carefree tone "Sure why not? I'd go get geared up." I made my way out of the library and strolled down the hallway into my solar. I stripped of my afternoon dress and slipped into a fresh set of tunic and hose and went down to the stables to already find Francois waiting there, looking extremely handsome with his rugged wear-and-tear tunic set. We mounted our horses and took of, trotting around the palace grounds. Soon, night had begun to fall and it was bound to be dinner time. We hurried back to the palace and departed to freshen up before dinner. The dinner bell rang as I hurried down the stairs nearly tripping over the hem of my evening ensemble. I cursed my skirt for being such a hassle.
After dinner, the King brought us marvelous news. "All you gather round. I have some good news for all!" He exclaimed. As we staggered across the room and settled down on the arm chairs, King Melvain smiled fervently at Dalina. She giggled, a shade of red creeping up her elegant neck. "Beloved Dalina is going to be wedded to King Mycale the third, of Norsxors, Meadlovwn. We wish her the best of luck with her marriage and bountiful blessings." The king continued, his mouth mounted into her wide smile. Everybody turned to look at Dalina. Some of us congratulated her but others burst into torrents of tears. After all, they were going to lose a princess. I reached out to Dalina and hugged her. "I'm so happy for you! May the God's bless you for eternity." I cried. Dalina smiled at me nervously. I knew how she felt, leaving your family to be with a stranger all her life. My heart reached out to her. Some how, I knew that the marriage would change the friendship between us. As my eager uncle babbled on about the wedding arrangements, I didn't hear a word. My heart and soul was distressed. The more I thought about Dalina's marriage, the sadder I felt. I yearned for Claudius, thinking to myself "When will he be back for me? Will I ever marry him?" I excused myself, not wanting to affect the joyous mood, as I rushed up the stairs into the comfort and sanity of my chambers. I flung myself onto the bed as I cried to myself "Claudius...where are you when I need you the most?" I couldn't sleep and my eyes were all puffy. At first when dawn had just broken, I wanted to coop up in my room, and never go downstairs. It was too humiliating, especially the state that I am in. But then again I told myself "He'd come back to you. Have faith." I untied the sash around the curtains before disappearing into my bath. I dried myself well and tied my sash tightly. Looking into the mirror wondering "Who is this sad soul I see?" I turned away, my heart aching with sorrow. I was falling out of love. I wanted someone to hold me and kiss me like Claudius did. But no one...could replace Claudius. I glided down the stairs wearily, looking at my feet shuffle before accidentally crashing right into the arms of Francois. "I'm so sor-rry...are you al-rright?" I stammered, my face flushed a bright red. He smiled knowingly and said warmly "My dear cousin, how can that possibly hurt me?" I looked up finally, gathering the courage to look into his beautiful eyes. Suddenly, without my control, I hugged Francois and spilled out my heart to him. Everything about missing Claudius, to fearing the loss of Dalina. He chuckled richly to himself and stroked my hair fervently. I stayed there in his arms, I felt comforted...
He held onto my tiny palm firmly as he led me to the rose garden. I couldn't face him. "I am such a disgrace!" I stared hard at the ground and felt as though my eyes were going to bleed. He grasped my chin carefully but with an inner suppression and turn me to look at him. He kissed my forehead and told me that everything was going to turn out just fine. All that I require was time... "Time...How soon is now?" I shouted angrily. He seemed taken aback but he softened and hushed me. "Do not be rash fair one, give Claudius more time and he'll be back for you." He murmured softly. I felt my heart at ease. I felt safe in Francois' arms. As I held on longer onto him, I heard his breath shorten and gradually become raspy. "Emelia..."he called out hoarsely. Alarmed I turned to look at him "Wha" he cut me off and silenced me with a kiss. I was astounded and wanted to recoil but something in me just gave way as I melted in his arms, wishing that this time would never end." When we finally pulled away, Francois' eyes were hazy with love. I wanted to leap right into his arms but then, the thought of Claudius appeared in my mind. I looked at him, tears beginning to pool in my eyes. I broke away from his clutches and ran wildly back to my room. I stayed there all night missing my dinner. By then, my poor stomach had begun to growl but I couldn't bring myself to go downstairs. I did such a shameful thing. To have a fling with my blood relative. I tried to shut out all this miseries with Francois' love but I overdid it and now it is bound to take its toll on me. I slumped against my chair and pried of my gown from my sweaty body before submerging into the scented waters in my tub. I slipped on my night dress and lay on the bed. Staring at the high-ceiling some how managed to set my mind at ease and make me forget some of my worries. Before I knew it, I descended into the darkness drowsily and feel into a deep sleep. That night I had a dream. I was in the forest on a very magnificent looking horse. As I approached this Elm tree, an angel in a gown of shimmering white appeared before me. She was so beautiful like a goddess as she took my hand and led me into a palace. She brought me to a graying well with jewels along its side and pointed to below the well. I stared hard and finally saw the image of Claudius, my true love, stirring in his sleep. He looked so handsome as I tried to reach out to touch him, to feel him, to be part of him once again. But the image faded and I opened my eyes. The morning sun stung my eyes as I hurriedly pull the comforter over my disheveled head. I cursed silently "Why did the dream have to end?"
A/N: Hi guys! Thanks for reading my story. Hope it's satisfactory! This is my first story and I hope I won't be my last. Anyway, sorry for taking so very long for this short chapter. Sorry for the previous chapters but I promise that it'll be longer in the future. By the way, I may not update the next chapter until quite some time later. Mid-years are just round the corner and I have to buck up on my studies horrors! Lol.. Ps: If you have any friends who are users of fiction press, do ask them to read Between Worlds and give me their opinion on how I can make it better. :P Toodles!
The weeks swiftly flew by and I begin to feel the sorrow and loneliness without Claudius eat into me. The grounds were solemn and desolate. The one joy of my heart was now gone and every night, I constantly yearned for his presence to be deemed in his love. To hide away from the lonely world out there, I often sought comfort and quietness in the library, hiding myself behind piles of novels and encyclopedias. I guess that my beloved uncle must have sensed my distraught as one day while I was cooped up in a tiny nook of the library, my uncle sent for me. He led me to the palace stables and revealed a pony. He beamed widely and motion for me to saddle the horse. He said in a fatherly manner, "Saddle up my beautiful princess." I turned to look at him, my fluttering with joy. "Finally, a true companion!" my heart exclaimed. I saddled the chestnut pony and took a few trials around the palace grounds. I could never forget the sincerity in my uncle's eyes. I named the pony Lamasa which meant night. Lamasa soon became my source of distraction, away from all my loneliness and worries. On one pleasant afternoon as I was browsing the shelves for a novel to bury my sorrows into, I spotted Francois on the other side of the shelf as we reached for the same book. I was startled but calmed down when I realized it was Francois. He laughed a hearty laugh and asked cheekily "My fair cousin, whatever are you doing here on such a brilliant afternoon?" Playing along with his sarcasm I replied coyly," Whatever are YOU doing in the library?" His eyes twinkled and he softened. We settled down at a desk and discussed stories we've read or literary pieces that we enjoyed. Frankly, I'd never expect Francois, a male, to appreciate Elizabeth Sharlett's pieces. They seemed so feminine to a certain extent. But indeed I was comforted to find a companion who bore the same interests as me. After a long session of discussion and sharing, I invited Francois to go riding with me. "Francois, would you care to go riding with me now?" I asked, straightening my pleats as I got up on my two wobbly feet. He replied in a carefree tone "Sure why not? I'd go get geared up." I made my way out of the library and strolled down the hallway into my solar. I stripped of my afternoon dress and slipped into a fresh set of tunic and hose and went down to the stables to already find Francois waiting there, looking extremely handsome with his rugged wear-and-tear tunic set. We mounted our horses and took of, trotting around the palace grounds. Soon, night had begun to fall and it was bound to be dinner time. We hurried back to the palace and departed to freshen up before dinner. The dinner bell rang as I hurried down the stairs nearly tripping over the hem of my evening ensemble. I cursed my skirt for being such a hassle.
After dinner, the King brought us marvelous news. "All you gather round. I have some good news for all!" He exclaimed. As we staggered across the room and settled down on the arm chairs, King Melvain smiled fervently at Dalina. She giggled, a shade of red creeping up her elegant neck. "Beloved Dalina is going to be wedded to King Mycale the third, of Norsxors, Meadlovwn. We wish her the best of luck with her marriage and bountiful blessings." The king continued, his mouth mounted into her wide smile. Everybody turned to look at Dalina. Some of us congratulated her but others burst into torrents of tears. After all, they were going to lose a princess. I reached out to Dalina and hugged her. "I'm so happy for you! May the God's bless you for eternity." I cried. Dalina smiled at me nervously. I knew how she felt, leaving your family to be with a stranger all her life. My heart reached out to her. Some how, I knew that the marriage would change the friendship between us. As my eager uncle babbled on about the wedding arrangements, I didn't hear a word. My heart and soul was distressed. The more I thought about Dalina's marriage, the sadder I felt. I yearned for Claudius, thinking to myself "When will he be back for me? Will I ever marry him?" I excused myself, not wanting to affect the joyous mood, as I rushed up the stairs into the comfort and sanity of my chambers. I flung myself onto the bed as I cried to myself "Claudius...where are you when I need you the most?" I couldn't sleep and my eyes were all puffy. At first when dawn had just broken, I wanted to coop up in my room, and never go downstairs. It was too humiliating, especially the state that I am in. But then again I told myself "He'd come back to you. Have faith." I untied the sash around the curtains before disappearing into my bath. I dried myself well and tied my sash tightly. Looking into the mirror wondering "Who is this sad soul I see?" I turned away, my heart aching with sorrow. I was falling out of love. I wanted someone to hold me and kiss me like Claudius did. But no one...could replace Claudius. I glided down the stairs wearily, looking at my feet shuffle before accidentally crashing right into the arms of Francois. "I'm so sor-rry...are you al-rright?" I stammered, my face flushed a bright red. He smiled knowingly and said warmly "My dear cousin, how can that possibly hurt me?" I looked up finally, gathering the courage to look into his beautiful eyes. Suddenly, without my control, I hugged Francois and spilled out my heart to him. Everything about missing Claudius, to fearing the loss of Dalina. He chuckled richly to himself and stroked my hair fervently. I stayed there in his arms, I felt comforted...
He held onto my tiny palm firmly as he led me to the rose garden. I couldn't face him. "I am such a disgrace!" I stared hard at the ground and felt as though my eyes were going to bleed. He grasped my chin carefully but with an inner suppression and turn me to look at him. He kissed my forehead and told me that everything was going to turn out just fine. All that I require was time... "Time...How soon is now?" I shouted angrily. He seemed taken aback but he softened and hushed me. "Do not be rash fair one, give Claudius more time and he'll be back for you." He murmured softly. I felt my heart at ease. I felt safe in Francois' arms. As I held on longer onto him, I heard his breath shorten and gradually become raspy. "Emelia..."he called out hoarsely. Alarmed I turned to look at him "Wha" he cut me off and silenced me with a kiss. I was astounded and wanted to recoil but something in me just gave way as I melted in his arms, wishing that this time would never end." When we finally pulled away, Francois' eyes were hazy with love. I wanted to leap right into his arms but then, the thought of Claudius appeared in my mind. I looked at him, tears beginning to pool in my eyes. I broke away from his clutches and ran wildly back to my room. I stayed there all night missing my dinner. By then, my poor stomach had begun to growl but I couldn't bring myself to go downstairs. I did such a shameful thing. To have a fling with my blood relative. I tried to shut out all this miseries with Francois' love but I overdid it and now it is bound to take its toll on me. I slumped against my chair and pried of my gown from my sweaty body before submerging into the scented waters in my tub. I slipped on my night dress and lay on the bed. Staring at the high-ceiling some how managed to set my mind at ease and make me forget some of my worries. Before I knew it, I descended into the darkness drowsily and feel into a deep sleep. That night I had a dream. I was in the forest on a very magnificent looking horse. As I approached this Elm tree, an angel in a gown of shimmering white appeared before me. She was so beautiful like a goddess as she took my hand and led me into a palace. She brought me to a graying well with jewels along its side and pointed to below the well. I stared hard and finally saw the image of Claudius, my true love, stirring in his sleep. He looked so handsome as I tried to reach out to touch him, to feel him, to be part of him once again. But the image faded and I opened my eyes. The morning sun stung my eyes as I hurriedly pull the comforter over my disheveled head. I cursed silently "Why did the dream have to end?"
A/N: Hi guys! Thanks for reading my story. Hope it's satisfactory! This is my first story and I hope I won't be my last. Anyway, sorry for taking so very long for this short chapter. Sorry for the previous chapters but I promise that it'll be longer in the future. By the way, I may not update the next chapter until quite some time later. Mid-years are just round the corner and I have to buck up on my studies horrors! Lol.. Ps: If you have any friends who are users of fiction press, do ask them to read Between Worlds and give me their opinion on how I can make it better. :P Toodles!