Day 2 and Secrets
Rain woke to the sun shining on her face, the curtains drawn and the sunlight coming in. Rain yawned and stretched, listening to the morning birds sing. Rain walked and took a brisk shower, dressing in a navy gown that had white fringes. She combed her hair and was about to open the door when Cecil opened it for her.
"Oh! Your already awake!" Cecil said, a bit surprised at seeing Rain up and awake already.
"Yes. Let me guess, you want me to go eat breakfast?" Rain asked, getting a big nod from Cecil. "Alright fine... Where is Marie Louise?" Rain questioned as she noticed Marie was no where to be seen.
"I don't know, she said she was going to go take a stroll around the palace for awhile, to think or something." Cecil said as she led Rain through the corridors to the dinning room.
~*~*~Domon's room~*~*~
Domon awoke, to his dismay, to freezing cold water being thrown on him.
"WHAT THE?!" He screeched as he shot out of bed, ready to beat the person to a bloody pulp. He turned to face Allenby, immediately forgetting his intentions. "Allenby?! What is the meaning of this?!" He bellowed.
"I heard that you were with that... that... Lady servant last night!" she replied sniffing, of course in a fake manner.
"I wasn't with her, I was helping to find her." Domon replied annoyed.
"Do you really expect me to believe that? I know you and the servant had something going on, I could tell when she went to go tell you that cursed lie about me! No real servant would do such a thing!" Allenby yelled at him.
"Well, we didn't! Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go bathe!" Domon yelled back, getting angry at Allenby for accusing him.
"Domon!" She cried out behind him. "Don't you dare lie to me! If I find out anything, I'm going to-"
"Going to what?" Domon asked, turning around and glaring, "Kill me? Sleep with another man?" At this Allenby reddened, either from embarrassment or rage. "I have my suspicions too." He said before leaving her behind.
~*~*~Dining hall~*~*~
Rain and Cecil sat down to have lunch when the doors opened to reveal the Prince with his wife to be coming in. Though, to Rain, something seemed wrong. The Prince was linking arms with Lady Allenby, yet his facial expression seemed to be angry and tired. Allenby looked the same, except Allenby was giving a foxy smile to every man who'd dare greet the future Queen's eyes.
"Yay... The Boar and his wife are here..." Cecil muttered under her breath.
"Cecil!" Rain chided softly. "That's not nice to say!" Rain scolded her.
"But it's true! She's got no decency at all! Looking at all those men even when the Prince is there, next to her even!" Cecil spat acidly. "Doesn't the Prince have some brains? Or atleast some eyes to show him whats really going on here?"
"He is just to stubborn to really see whats in front of him."
Rain and Cecil turned to see a girl brown hair come and sit down next to them. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
"Oh, no! Go right ahead!" Rain said politely. The young lady sat down gracefully and glanced to the front where Jester Chibodee was 'entertaining' the Prince. "Your Lady Shirley, correct?"
"Yes, and you are?" Shirley asked Rain.
"Rain. I'm here with my sister Cecil to see the wedding of the Prince." Rain replied. Shirley smiled.
"Oh, so your the Prince's old servant. I've heard some things about you Lady Rain."
"Please, call me Rain, and what is it that you've heard?" Rain asked, interested in what the palace had to say about her.
"Oh, just things. You gave some servants more courage to tell the Prince of Lady Allenby's real nature." Shirley said, still watching Chibodee. "But, they still don't want to tell him in person."
Rain blushed. "Oh, is that so? Why don't they tell?" Rain asked curiously.
Did you forget about your consequences?" Shirley reminded her.
"Oh... yeah I have nearly forgotten..." Rain murmured as she thought about the painful lashes.
"Yes... I for one have seen her around. Anywhere in a dark corner, empty hallway, middle of the night in the gardens. You'll most likely find her and she won't be alone." Shirley said, meeting Rain's eyes squarely.
"Why are you telling me this?" Rain asked Shirley in confusion.
"I don't really know." Shirley said, smiling as someone passed and said hello. "Maybe because I for one do not want such a woman as my Queen later in the years." She replied simply.
"Oh... Yeah, that's right.." Rain said as Cecil poked her. "Yes?"
"Here!" Cecil said as out of no where, Sai Saci came with a bowl of various fruits and bread, a pitcher of juice, some butter, warm toast, and a few boiled eggs, and set them in front of Rain.
"W-What's all this???" Rain stammered staring at all the food.
"I told you! Since you didn't eat last night, you were going to have a very big breakfast! Now eat!" Cecil urged Rain.
"Uh..." Rain said, looking for a means of escape. Soon her eyes fell onto the Prince's, their eyes locked and Rain could feel him trying to beg forgiveness. She looked away, silently scolding herself and remembering the earlier day.
"Alright fine, but I'm not going to eat all of this." Rain said to the unhappy Cecil.
"Yes you are!" Cecil said back, and Rain sighed, not in the mood to argue. And so, she began to eat, to her own dismay.
~*~*~In the Gardens~*~*~
Marie Louise toyed with a strand of her blond her, walking through the gardens thoughtlessly.
'I wonder where George is... I haven't seen him at all today...' Marie thought as she soon approached the rose section of the gardens. The air was filled with the strong scent of roses, where everywhere you looked, there were red, white, pink, and yellow roses. Marie sighed and walked straight forward towards the red roses. There, she saw an orange haired figure staring at them.
"Oh! George!" Marie said, feeling her heart skip a beat. The figure turned around, startled. The figure stared at Marie, and Marie stared back in dismay. "I'm sorry, I mistook you for someone else..." The man smiled and nodded, walking away slowly.
Marie sighed and walked forward. In the midst of all the red roses, Marie noticed one single rose, above all the rest. It was a shade lighter than the rest, and it was blooming beautifully. Marie reached out and touched it when she heard a voice behind her, startling her.
"Be careful or else you'll prick yourself." the voice said calmly. Marie, thinking only of the person who just spoke to her, clenched her hand nervously, only to yelp and fling her hand away.
"I told you so." Was the reply from George De Sand as he strode over to Marie, taking her hand.
"I'm sorry..." Marie said softly. George looked at her oddly, then looked back at her hand which was starting to bleed. Slowly and gently, he took the glove off, revealing several deep cuts. George reached into his pockets to pull out a handkerchief as Marie shifted nervously.
'I feel like a child!' Marie thought slightly angered by the thought of George treating her like one. She felt George start to wipe her hands off gently, and she found the courage to get away.
"I can do it myself you know." Marie said, pulling her hand away from him. She pulled out her own handkerchief and dabbed her hand angrily, wincing as she did so.
"I can understand if your angry at me..." George said, looking at the blond girl. She wrapped her hand up as good as she could, then turned to face him.
"What do you mean?"
"Domon told me... All about you and Rain." He said softly. "Is that what you were trying to explain to me?" Marie nodded slowly.
"Rain told me that she and the Prince were together, and I knew you must have seen them..." Marie said, looking at her knight. "I'm sorry to have deceived you..."
"No, its fine. If you hadn't, I'm sure we wouldn't even know each other as well as we do now..." George replied, pulling a small smile for her. "But, I must say! You and she looked like twins!"
"Your right huh?" Marie giggled. She smiled up at him happily, and him down at her. Finally, George looked at her seriously, and kneeled down to her.
"Please, I know I really don't deserve it, but." He took her good hand and kissed it softly. "Please forgive me for saying all those things. I am truly sorry for it all."
Marie blushed a deep crimson, and smiled. She pulled him up from the ground and hugged him tightly, startling him. "You are forgiven Knight."
George, surprised by her affectionate actions, slowly hugged her back. Slowly as she pulled away, George fought with his emotions quickly.
'Now or never!' George thought as he quickly leaned down and kissed Marie Louise on the lips. Marie, surprised by his actions, slowly returned it.
But, unknown to them, were two pairs of eyes watching them.
~*~*~Behind some rose bushes~*~*~
Rain and Cecil slowly searched for their blond friend.
"where is she?" Rain murmured as Cecil shrugged her shoulders disappointedly. They had passed a boy with orange hair, and he told then he saw Marie walk by.
As they neared some rose bushes, they heard her yelp.
"That sounded like Marie Louise!" They whispered to each other quickly. They walked over to the sound but Rain stopped Cecil just in time to see George wiping off Marie's hand.
"What are they doing?" Cecil asked Rain in confusion.
"I have no idea, but let's watch and see." Rain whispered back quietly.
As they looked on, they saw Marie and George talking, then saw him kneel on the ground and kiss Marie's hand. Cecil watched on in fascination as Rain looked in curiosity. The next thing they knew, the two were hugging, then giving a kiss!
Rain and Cecil stared at the two wide eyed. Rain, not wanting to spoil the moment by being caught, quickly motioned for Cecil to get moving, which she did, quickly and quietly.
Once out of the garden of roses, Rain and Cecil sighed.
"So, they're finally together." Rain said, happy for her friend.
"Now," Cecil said smiling at Rain. "its your turn!"
"E-Excuse me?!" Rain stammered nervously.
"all you need to do, is do the same thing George did to Marie!" Cecil said triumphantly.
"I really don't think that would work." Rain said trying to talk Cecil out of her crazy idea.
"But-"
"No buts." Rain said firmly. "I did my part in this deal. I tried. And I failed miserably." Rain stated in a matter of fact tone.
"Rain-"
"Now come along, we should be getting back now. Don't you need to start your cooking lessons?" Rain asked.
Cecil immediately forgot the subject and urged Rain to hurry. "Come on Rain! I don't want to be late!!!"
Rain smiled at the fact that the subject was put away for now and walked with her little step sister towards the kitchens.
~*~*~Later On in the Week~*~*~
The days passed on in a blur for Rain. It seemed as if everyone had found their lover; Marie and George, Sai Saici and Cecil, Shirley and Chibodee, not to mention Domon and Allenby too of course.
Finally, the sixth night arrived, the night before Domon's wedding. Rain sighed and walked around the palace in silence.
"Lady Rain." A monotone voice called out to her. Rain turned to see the General's Second in Command Nastasha walking up to her, a small bit of worry etched on her face.
"Yes Nastasha?" Rain asked in curiosity to why she would talk to her.
"Please, Its not safe out here tonight. There might be people out there getting ready to try and assassinate the Prince, and if they see you, they might want to try some target Practice. Please, return to your quarters." She said urgently.
"Alright, I'll retire soon. I just want some fresh air right now." Rain replied. Nastasha hesitated a moment, thinking of a way to convince her to leave.
"Nastasha." A deep voice asked behind her. They both turned to see the General, Argul. "We have a meeting tonight. Its about to start."
Nastasha gave Rain one last pleading look as she followed her General out of the hallway. Rain smiled and walked around a corner only to bump into someone.
"ack!" Rain peeped as she fell back, only to be caught by strong arms. Rain looked up into the chocolate eyes to the Prince himself.
"Domon?!"
"Rain?!"
"W-What are you doing here?" Rain stammered, wishing he would let her go.
"I should be asking you the same thing." Domon said smirking. "Out to see a secret Lover?" Rain took deep breaths, trying to calm her rage. "Are you alright? Your all red."
"I'm fine thank you very much." Rain said as she pulled her arms away and turned around, leaving Domon there.
"Hey! Wait! I want to apologize for what I said the other day!" Domon shouted after Rain's retreating figure.
"Just Leave me alone!" Rain yelled back down the hall, she walked twice as fast when she heard his steps coming after her.
"Rain! Please!" Domon called out again. "I just want to explain!"
Down and down the halls they went. Soon, they started to run, crashing into the servants going to their chamber. The guests stared out their doors as the girl and future kind yelled back and forth, running this way and that. And for a moment the Queen and King came out, asking what the fuss was, only to see their son's old servant running and their son chasing her and yelling for her to stop.
Finally, Rain ,out of breath, ran into an empty hall where it was dark and full of shadows. She backed up into the wall and tried to calm her breathing. She could hear Domon's feet slapping against the floor. Rain silently hoped he wouldn't find her, but she had a big doubt that would happen. She heard the footsteps stop abruptly.
"Rain?" He called. Rain flinched, the last thing she wanted was to stay here and hide. What she wanted was to jump out and express her feelings to Domon, but that was also the last thing she could do. She could never do that. He was the Prince, and he was getting married the next day, and she was a servant who is now lying to everyone that she is really a lady.
Rain heard a sigh and the footsteps slowly retreating. She waited a bit, then when she thought the coast was clear, sighed heavily. The out of no where, she was pinned against the wall by the shoulders.
"Please, don't do anything okay? I just want to apologize." Domon said calmly.
"I don't want your apologies." She snapped. She felt his hold loosen.
"I am sorry for what I said. I know I must have hurt you a lot..." Domon replied. Rain tried to look into his face, but since it was so dark she couldn't really see anything but his eyes.
"Are you really...?" She asked timidly. She found herself soon looking into his brown eyes, and, unable to look away.
"Yes, I am..." Domon whispered. 'Why do I feel so happy to be near her? I have butterflies in my stomach, and I feel like I can hardly breath...' Domon thought somewhat happily.
'Why is he staring at me like that...? But... I wish... I wish with everything I have, that I could be his bride tomorrow... What am I thinking...? That will never happen...' Rain thought as she finally broke their gaze.
"Rain... What's-"
"Nothing. Please let me go."
"What's wrong? I know there is something wrong. Tell me." Domon pleaded.
Rain sighed heavily. "There is nothing more I need to say."
Domon's heart squeezed painfully. But, before he could think, he swept Rain into his arms and forced her to look at him.
"Domon!" Rain said fiercely. Domon didn't reply, but instead, timidly pecked her on the lips. For a moment they stared at each other, unable to say a thing, but soon, someone said it for them.
"Oh! hehehe! Orpul your too kind!" A high voice said. Rain and Domon could hear two pairs of shuffling feet coming towards them, and instinctively pulled Rain back to the end of the hall.
In the light of the other hall, Rain and Domon could make out Lady Allenby and Sir Orpul coming down the hall. Allenby draped herself all over Orpul, who was busily kissing her neck and where else as they went into the darkness.
Domon felt his anger rise, his suspicions were correct. Allenby was sneaking into other beds. And Rain was right all along. He could feel Rain giving him an icy glare, as if to say 'I told you so'.
Rain felt Domon's anger from where she was already, and wondered what would happen next. Would Domon confront Allenby now? But, before any actions could take place, a light from a torch, did the work for them.
"Lady Allenby?! Sire Orpul?!" Nastasha said astonished and angrily. And behind her came General Argul.
"Prince Domon? Lady Rain?" He asked them. Allenby looked back to her horror to see the cold eyes of her fiance.
"Allenby." Domon said acknowledging her presence with Orpul.
"Y-Your Highness...?" She squeaked.
Ha! There! How do you all like that?! Sorry everyone, I ain't a pro at
fluff's a lot... So, I hope this will entertain you!!! Well, until next time!
Lina