.::Chapter 9::.Mirage Bliss
"Claudius!" I wanted to call out but...I couldn't bring myself to. This wasn't the Claudius I loved so dearly, he's changed. I stared helplessly at Claudius' retreating figure. I watched him walk away from my open arms as he stomped off in a huff, trampling over the wild flowers that grew so freely and abundantly over the beautiful green pastures. Tears streamed down my face abundantly and stung my eyes and heart ever so bitterly. I stood there, rooted on that very cursed spot, torrents of tears spilling down carelessly on my cheeks, soaking the collar of my dress.
I felt a warm hand on my back. "Francois..." I cried, turning around to his open arms. My dear cousin embraced me in his warmth. Somehow, he knew how to make me feel at peace. "Hush now dear Emelia..." he murmured with such gentleness from the inner depths of his soul. I buried my mangled face deep into him, into the warmth of his chest. We held there, like two frightened children left alone in the wilderness. "Francois...he's always stood by me." I remembered how Marlette used to treat me ever so horribly and I'd run in search of comfort to the wide-opened welcoming arms of Francois. I finally brought my head to look up into Francois' beautiful green eyes, as green as the fair pastures back home. He bent his neck and kissed me softly on my fore-head. I forced a smile but he saw right through it and said softly "Have no fear, Claudius is a man worthy of your love." I stared at his handsome face but somehow, a hint of guilt began to creep up my mind. "I love one man and only one..." I trailed off, Francois seemed to see through my thoughts once again. "Did my face give away my thoughts?" I thought silently. I searched deep into Francois' eyes in search of a new found hope of love. But all he did was to blink and turn away from me. I held his chin gently and turned him to face me. "Don't..." he whispered in a voice barely audible. He released me from his embrace and stuttered sheepishly," Forgive me... sweet Emelia for I-I have sinned against Claudius and y-you." He turned away from me and rushed off, away to some place deep into the Mountains beside the palace. "Francois!" I cried aloud but he simply just rushed off without turning back. The two men that I'd ever love deserted me.
"What wrong have I done against the will of the Gods?" My conscience screamed, demanding an immediate answer. But that answer never came not until it was too late to prevent. I whipped off the dried tears which stung my eyes so badly and turned towards the palace, to my chambers. I walked through the streets, wandering around aimlessly like a ghost. "What was there left for me? I had lost the two loves of my life!" I was tempted to scream aloud. I walked past the high palace gates and saw Claudius on the streets, but he seemed like a divine spirit, maybe I was too overjoyed to see him. I wanted to run up to him and hug him with all my love but his enchanting eyes seemed so distant and cold as though I was an unwanted pest that mingled around him. With a mere blink of his eyes, he turned and disappeared into the crowd. I sighed wearily, my hopes of being wedded to Claudius completely smashed. "Now, he doesn't even want to talk to me, let alone acknowledge me." I dragged my feet and shuffled along the tiled path and entered the court-yard. Before the whole incident had happened, Claudius had prepared the chambers next to his especially for me. But now, it seemed rather inappropriate. I opened the wooden door with a soft creak and sank to my knees.
The room was beautiful, exotic flowers and scented candles adorned every corner and an inviting fragrance emitting from the flowers lingered in the air. "He remembers..." I thought silently, holding back my tears. In one of our past conversations, I remembered telling Claudius that I had a fetish for exotic flowers and scented candles. I closed the door silently behind me, my heart bubbling with love ready to explode. "I have to find him tonight during the festivals!" My mind burst out. I twirled around the enchanting chamber admiring my surroundings before lying down on the soft bed. I lay there, not wanting to move from that comfortable position but then I remembered about the festival going to be held to welcome Elsnore's new king. I wondered what Claudius was doing. "Is he worrying about his new kingship?" I thought silently. "I was concerned for him, after all...I do love him." I thought aloud, trying hard to stifle my fit of giggles. I rolled on the bed and after much difficulty, I managed to pry myself off the bed. I let down the curtains leading to the bath as I shrugged off my dress and hurriedly threw it aside. There wasn't much time left and the festival was bound to start. I sat amidst the steaming water, the scent of hydrangeas emitting from the scented water. I scrubbed my hair with some scented oils and washed it all off hurriedly. I dried my hair and body as much as possible before spraying on some freshly boiled perfume and slipped on a clean dress. I sat in front of my dresser and combed my hair with a brush made from the mother of pearls. It was a gift from my late mother. I remembered her, as a little girl, how she used to comb my hair every night and tell me that I was beautiful and blessed by the Gods with such beautiful hair. I coiled my hair above my head and held it there with an exquisite sea-shell hair pin which was a gift from my dear uncle on my twelfth birthday. I took once final glance of myself on the polished bronze decorative plate hanging on the wall.
I shut the door behind me and just perfectly, I turned to see Claudius leaving his room. I called out to him and weird as it seems but he panicked, startled, trying hard to avoid me. I ran up to him and hugged him as tightly as I could. Not exactly to what I had expected but he didn't run away from me but I felt him erupt with the passion we used to share. I opened my eyes and turned to look at his. He returned my gaze and grazed his lips gently over mind. I quivered with hungry desire, secretly aching for his kiss once again, to be touched by him. I sucked in my breath and savored his wet lips. He sled his hot tongue in and I drew mine out. I felt a bolt of electricity shock my insides like as though Zeus had sent a sign or who knows an omen. When we finally pulled away, his eyes were hazed and I was gasping for breath. That kiss, it shall always dwell in my mind. He began slowly "Oh my Love, I've done you wrong, will you ever forgive me?" He asked, his voice cracking with a hint of guilt. I smiled slowly at him and said softly "I have forgiven you. How could I ever bring myself to despise a person like you?" He smiled knowingly, a hint of relieve and surprise appeared on his flustered face. He grasped my hand gently and stared deep into my eyes. I searched his and they were hazed with love that met no ends. "I want to grow old with this man. I want to bear his children!" my mind echoed like a distant message from the Gods and Goddesses. He sucked in his breath sharply and went on his knees, grasping my hand ever so gently. He kissed my palm and cried in a rich voice "Will you be willing to spend the rest of your life with me, my love?" I stared widely at him, my body trembling with excitement. My mind paused there but I said out, my voice raspy. "Of course, of course!" It escaped out of my mouth on its own free will but I knew I meant it. Claudius swept me up in his arms and carried me down the stairs to the dinning hall for the feast.
"She agreed! She agreed!" My mind burst out with erupting joy. As we descended down the stairs into the dinning hall Emelia giggled in a childish voice "My Love, it is so embarrassing, so many are watching us!" I laughed richly and replied, my mind intoxicated with love only for this woman, "You are my wife now! And you have just called me with a name I fantasized about every night!" I loved it whenever she played cute. I let her down to her feet gently and felt her place her hand over mine as we strolled into the dinning hall. Settled at the table were royalties from all over the world. I took my place at the end of the table and Emelia settled on my right. Kings and princes proposed their well-wishes and toasts to welcome me to my new kingship. I sat there feeling both excited and anxious. I feared that Elsnore would crumble under my reign. Emelia must have noticed that silly look on my face for she giggled softly and asked in a soothing voice "What troubles you my love?" I turned and stared deep into her beautiful eyes. She was the most beautiful woman I had every seen and I shall never forget those beautiful crystal-blue eyes. I smiled knowingly at her, ensuring her that I was alright. But she managed to see through the false mask I was putting on and enquired softly," My love, do you worry about your new kingship?" I replied, wondering why she could read my thoughts. "Yes, my love...I fear that Elsnore will crumble under my reign, she will...I can never be as good a ruler as my father!" I exclaimed, trying hard to contain my over-powering fear. She smiled calmly at me and whispered," Elsnore shall prosper under your ruling, she will." I smiled cheekily at her and asked jokingly "Has Zeus enlightened you with some prophecy?" She grinned. The food was extremely satisfying and after the meal, I taped my soup spoon against the goblet in order to get everyone's attention. I stood up staring at everyone, before turning to smile at my lovely wife. I raised my goblet up and broke the good news. "My guests, I have some exhilarating news. From today on, I shall rule Elsnore fairly beside my wife, Emelia." I watched as everyone applauded and Emelia smile meekly like a beautiful diviner of Aphrodite. Thus began my marriage to the beautiful Emelia but only one thing stood in my way and that was the permission that had to be granted by King Melvain of Symphonia.
"Claudius!" I wanted to call out but...I couldn't bring myself to. This wasn't the Claudius I loved so dearly, he's changed. I stared helplessly at Claudius' retreating figure. I watched him walk away from my open arms as he stomped off in a huff, trampling over the wild flowers that grew so freely and abundantly over the beautiful green pastures. Tears streamed down my face abundantly and stung my eyes and heart ever so bitterly. I stood there, rooted on that very cursed spot, torrents of tears spilling down carelessly on my cheeks, soaking the collar of my dress.
I felt a warm hand on my back. "Francois..." I cried, turning around to his open arms. My dear cousin embraced me in his warmth. Somehow, he knew how to make me feel at peace. "Hush now dear Emelia..." he murmured with such gentleness from the inner depths of his soul. I buried my mangled face deep into him, into the warmth of his chest. We held there, like two frightened children left alone in the wilderness. "Francois...he's always stood by me." I remembered how Marlette used to treat me ever so horribly and I'd run in search of comfort to the wide-opened welcoming arms of Francois. I finally brought my head to look up into Francois' beautiful green eyes, as green as the fair pastures back home. He bent his neck and kissed me softly on my fore-head. I forced a smile but he saw right through it and said softly "Have no fear, Claudius is a man worthy of your love." I stared at his handsome face but somehow, a hint of guilt began to creep up my mind. "I love one man and only one..." I trailed off, Francois seemed to see through my thoughts once again. "Did my face give away my thoughts?" I thought silently. I searched deep into Francois' eyes in search of a new found hope of love. But all he did was to blink and turn away from me. I held his chin gently and turned him to face me. "Don't..." he whispered in a voice barely audible. He released me from his embrace and stuttered sheepishly," Forgive me... sweet Emelia for I-I have sinned against Claudius and y-you." He turned away from me and rushed off, away to some place deep into the Mountains beside the palace. "Francois!" I cried aloud but he simply just rushed off without turning back. The two men that I'd ever love deserted me.
"What wrong have I done against the will of the Gods?" My conscience screamed, demanding an immediate answer. But that answer never came not until it was too late to prevent. I whipped off the dried tears which stung my eyes so badly and turned towards the palace, to my chambers. I walked through the streets, wandering around aimlessly like a ghost. "What was there left for me? I had lost the two loves of my life!" I was tempted to scream aloud. I walked past the high palace gates and saw Claudius on the streets, but he seemed like a divine spirit, maybe I was too overjoyed to see him. I wanted to run up to him and hug him with all my love but his enchanting eyes seemed so distant and cold as though I was an unwanted pest that mingled around him. With a mere blink of his eyes, he turned and disappeared into the crowd. I sighed wearily, my hopes of being wedded to Claudius completely smashed. "Now, he doesn't even want to talk to me, let alone acknowledge me." I dragged my feet and shuffled along the tiled path and entered the court-yard. Before the whole incident had happened, Claudius had prepared the chambers next to his especially for me. But now, it seemed rather inappropriate. I opened the wooden door with a soft creak and sank to my knees.
The room was beautiful, exotic flowers and scented candles adorned every corner and an inviting fragrance emitting from the flowers lingered in the air. "He remembers..." I thought silently, holding back my tears. In one of our past conversations, I remembered telling Claudius that I had a fetish for exotic flowers and scented candles. I closed the door silently behind me, my heart bubbling with love ready to explode. "I have to find him tonight during the festivals!" My mind burst out. I twirled around the enchanting chamber admiring my surroundings before lying down on the soft bed. I lay there, not wanting to move from that comfortable position but then I remembered about the festival going to be held to welcome Elsnore's new king. I wondered what Claudius was doing. "Is he worrying about his new kingship?" I thought silently. "I was concerned for him, after all...I do love him." I thought aloud, trying hard to stifle my fit of giggles. I rolled on the bed and after much difficulty, I managed to pry myself off the bed. I let down the curtains leading to the bath as I shrugged off my dress and hurriedly threw it aside. There wasn't much time left and the festival was bound to start. I sat amidst the steaming water, the scent of hydrangeas emitting from the scented water. I scrubbed my hair with some scented oils and washed it all off hurriedly. I dried my hair and body as much as possible before spraying on some freshly boiled perfume and slipped on a clean dress. I sat in front of my dresser and combed my hair with a brush made from the mother of pearls. It was a gift from my late mother. I remembered her, as a little girl, how she used to comb my hair every night and tell me that I was beautiful and blessed by the Gods with such beautiful hair. I coiled my hair above my head and held it there with an exquisite sea-shell hair pin which was a gift from my dear uncle on my twelfth birthday. I took once final glance of myself on the polished bronze decorative plate hanging on the wall.
I shut the door behind me and just perfectly, I turned to see Claudius leaving his room. I called out to him and weird as it seems but he panicked, startled, trying hard to avoid me. I ran up to him and hugged him as tightly as I could. Not exactly to what I had expected but he didn't run away from me but I felt him erupt with the passion we used to share. I opened my eyes and turned to look at his. He returned my gaze and grazed his lips gently over mind. I quivered with hungry desire, secretly aching for his kiss once again, to be touched by him. I sucked in my breath and savored his wet lips. He sled his hot tongue in and I drew mine out. I felt a bolt of electricity shock my insides like as though Zeus had sent a sign or who knows an omen. When we finally pulled away, his eyes were hazed and I was gasping for breath. That kiss, it shall always dwell in my mind. He began slowly "Oh my Love, I've done you wrong, will you ever forgive me?" He asked, his voice cracking with a hint of guilt. I smiled slowly at him and said softly "I have forgiven you. How could I ever bring myself to despise a person like you?" He smiled knowingly, a hint of relieve and surprise appeared on his flustered face. He grasped my hand gently and stared deep into my eyes. I searched his and they were hazed with love that met no ends. "I want to grow old with this man. I want to bear his children!" my mind echoed like a distant message from the Gods and Goddesses. He sucked in his breath sharply and went on his knees, grasping my hand ever so gently. He kissed my palm and cried in a rich voice "Will you be willing to spend the rest of your life with me, my love?" I stared widely at him, my body trembling with excitement. My mind paused there but I said out, my voice raspy. "Of course, of course!" It escaped out of my mouth on its own free will but I knew I meant it. Claudius swept me up in his arms and carried me down the stairs to the dinning hall for the feast.
"She agreed! She agreed!" My mind burst out with erupting joy. As we descended down the stairs into the dinning hall Emelia giggled in a childish voice "My Love, it is so embarrassing, so many are watching us!" I laughed richly and replied, my mind intoxicated with love only for this woman, "You are my wife now! And you have just called me with a name I fantasized about every night!" I loved it whenever she played cute. I let her down to her feet gently and felt her place her hand over mine as we strolled into the dinning hall. Settled at the table were royalties from all over the world. I took my place at the end of the table and Emelia settled on my right. Kings and princes proposed their well-wishes and toasts to welcome me to my new kingship. I sat there feeling both excited and anxious. I feared that Elsnore would crumble under my reign. Emelia must have noticed that silly look on my face for she giggled softly and asked in a soothing voice "What troubles you my love?" I turned and stared deep into her beautiful eyes. She was the most beautiful woman I had every seen and I shall never forget those beautiful crystal-blue eyes. I smiled knowingly at her, ensuring her that I was alright. But she managed to see through the false mask I was putting on and enquired softly," My love, do you worry about your new kingship?" I replied, wondering why she could read my thoughts. "Yes, my love...I fear that Elsnore will crumble under my reign, she will...I can never be as good a ruler as my father!" I exclaimed, trying hard to contain my over-powering fear. She smiled calmly at me and whispered," Elsnore shall prosper under your ruling, she will." I smiled cheekily at her and asked jokingly "Has Zeus enlightened you with some prophecy?" She grinned. The food was extremely satisfying and after the meal, I taped my soup spoon against the goblet in order to get everyone's attention. I stood up staring at everyone, before turning to smile at my lovely wife. I raised my goblet up and broke the good news. "My guests, I have some exhilarating news. From today on, I shall rule Elsnore fairly beside my wife, Emelia." I watched as everyone applauded and Emelia smile meekly like a beautiful diviner of Aphrodite. Thus began my marriage to the beautiful Emelia but only one thing stood in my way and that was the permission that had to be granted by King Melvain of Symphonia.