babyjayy ~ Okay, here's the next chapter.
Kari Kaiba ~ U are sooo lucky . . . anyways, here's the chapter you wanted me to write!
Olenochka ~ Yay! You haven't abandoned me! Ur still being an ever-faithful reviewer!
A/n: Thank you all! Ur the best!
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"You're - doing - a lot - better." Ted panted.
We were practicing using swords, and this was my second lesson. I was picking up the style so quick, I surprised even myself.
I thrust, at the same time parrying his blow. I danced away as he tried striking again. Yes, I was definitely learning. The sword fit me perfectly - I couldn't explain it. It seemed to just . . . fit me, like it was made just for me.
"Ha!" I laughed out loud when I flicked my wrist, catching Ted's sword in the process and sending it flying out of his grasp. "I claim victory!"
"Whatever." Ted grumbled. "Let's sit down. I'm wiped out."
I pouted but sat down anyway. Ted looked tired. He had been teaching James right before he taught me.
We were in a cave. It was a snug, cozy little spot, dry and warm (since James had managed to stir up a fire). Outside, it was raining, so we didn't want to risk traveling in the mud. But we were well off. My little fairy box had been called upon to hold some food and supplies, as well as whatever other paraphernalia, so we had what we needed. Now we were just trying to spend our time, while we waited for the rain to clear.
Ted sat down besides the fire. "Um . . . I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but I hardly know much about you guys. Except for the fact that Lela's probably a noble, and James lives at the palace, and you guys are friends, I don't know anything."
I exchanged glances with James. He knew I didn't want to reveal my true identity. I didn't want anyone to know who I really was. Most people would either keep away from me then, or others would jump at the chance to gain royal favor. "Uh . . . well, you got most of that right . . ." I looked to James for help, unsure of what to tell and what not to.
"I'm a servant at the palace. Or rather, my mother works there - I just hang out with Lela." James offered.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm a noble. Uh . . . I have . . . a brother?" It came out more like a question than a statement.
Ted looked at me strangely. "And . . .?"
"And . . . I . . . was at the ball . . . where I met you?" I said uncertainly. James looked as if he were trying to keep from laughing. I felt extremely stupid. I imagined what it must seem like to Ted - like I didn't even know myself.
"Um . . . yeah, I saw you there." Ted said.
"Yeah, well . . ." I shifted uncomfortably (something not exactly princess- like).
James jumped in with a rescue. "Lela's family is - uh - rich. She's got an older brother, and her parents are pretty close to the king and queen of Kyrria, so Lela kind of knows them. So that's why we have to get a message to them. And we've known each other since . . . since . . . we were babies."
I nodded vigorously. At least I didn't have to make up anything. I felt awkward lying to people.
"So what about you?" I asked, more to steer the conversation away from me than anything else.
Ted's eyes darkened. "I live at the orphanage, as you know," he began. "My parents died when I was about five."
"How?" I asked curiously. Then, I mentally smacked myself. That just seemed nosy.
Ted shrugged, fiddling with something that hung about his neck.
"What's that?" I asked.
Ted looked startled for a minute, and then said, "Oh! This? This is the only thing I have to remind me of my parents."
He drew out a chain, made of gold and silver links. On it hung a large, clear diamond.
"May I see it?" I asked.
Ted hesitated, and then handed me the necklace, albeit rather reluctantly.
I inspected it for a second, and then handed it back to him. "Genuine diamond." I announced. "Real gold and silver, too. Worth a lot. Are your parents nobles? I mean - were they nobles?"
Ted looked staggered for a second, and then shook his head. "My parents - I don't remember them, really. All I remember are some vague memories. I was told by the people at the orphanage, though, that my parents were thieves or bandits." Instantly, he looked as if he had told something he wasn't supposed to.
"What?" James asked, as bewildered as me at the expression on Ted's face.
There was a silence. "I - wasn't - didn't want to tell anyone that." Ted said softly. "I didn't need anyone to know that." He looked at us defiantly. "They're dead anyway, so you nobles don't have to worry." He sneered. He put extra emphasis on the word "nobles".
"What difference does it make?" I asked, confused. I didn't see what difference it made if Ted's parents were nobles or ogres.
He blinked. "You mean - you don't care that my parents were - well, that they might have been bandits?"
Now it was my turn to blink. "Why should we care?"
Now, James spoke up. "You thought that we would hate you for that." He said quietly to Ted. "You thought that, like the people in the orphanage, we would hate you for what your parents were. Am I right?"
Ted lowered his gaze. "Well, I had reason to. Look at how hated I am at the orphanage."
I glanced at James, filled with admiration. I had no idea how he was able to always figure out people like that.
"We're not like the people at the orphanage." James said.
"We don't hate you for something you had no control over." I added.
There was a long silence. No one spoke. Just as I was beginning to get really uncomfortable with the silence, Ted spoke.
"Sorry. I didn't know how you guys would react. Sorry if I misjudged you."
"That's okay. Can you finish your story, though?" I said.
"Oh - uh, well, people said that my parents were either professional thieves or bandits. I believe them, because I have no idea what they're really like - they were both killed when I was five. Everyone at the orphanage says that nobles found and killed them. All I remember is a messenger making an announcement, my nursemaid crying and telling me that my parents were dead, and that it." Ted said, all in a rush.
When he was done, he leaned back. Both James and I were puzzled, to say the least. "Where does the necklace fit in?" I asked.
"My nursemaid gave me the necklace and told me never to lose it or anything. She said it was my last connection to my parents and true identity." Ted answered. Then, he frowned. "I never gave that much thought. Now that you've asked that, it - it doesn't make sense."
James was frowning also. "That DOESN'T make sense. What do they mean by "true identity"? And . . ." he trailed off, unable to think of the right wording for what he was about to say.
Being the fool, I blurted it out. "Why and how would you have a nursemaid if your parents are thieves?" Then, I clapped a hand over my mouth, horrified. Had I actually been that rude? "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that -"
Ted didn't look in the least bit fazed. In fact, he looked thoughtful. "I don't know . . . that's a good point, Lela, I never noticed that before! And why would there be a messenger?"
"Maybe - an accomplice? Like, in crime?" I suggested.
James stared at me in shock. "You are being SO rude, Lela!"
"Sorry, Ted. I'll stop now. I'm being very - um, insensitive right now. I'm sorry." I said, mentally chiding myself for my rudeness. Then, I couldn't help but giggle. Imagine what my noble etiquette teachers would think of me now!
Ted was amused as well. "Well, you're certainly a failure as a noble." He told me.
I laughed out loud. "Who said I ever wanted to be a noble?"
Now, Ted looked plainly bewildered.
"What?" I demanded indignantly.
"I thought - I thought all nobles liked being nobles!" he spluttered.
Now it was James' turn to laugh. "Lela HATES being a noble. She would die to live a normal peasant's life."
"Well, isn't it interesting what we're learning about each other," Ted commented wryly.
"Anyway . . . about the messenger and stuff . . ." I prompted.
"Well, I'm confused about that." Ted admitted. "I never gave it much thought - I never had any reason to believe that I should really know, you know? And - I remember - the messenger couldn't have been an accomplice!" he said triumphantly.
"How do you know?" James queried.
"Because - because he was wearing the clothes those noblemen's messengers usually wear!" Ted realized.
"NOW we're beginning to get somewhere!" James exclaimed. "So - why would you have a nobleman's messenger tell you that, and why would you have a nursemaid?"
"What does the "true identity" part mean?" Ted asked. "I don't know about the messenger or nursemaid part."
"Well," I said carefully, "Do you have another identity besides Theodore or Frell?"
"No - not that I know of." Ted answered.
James and I exchanged a significant glance. "We - um, overheard something, before . . ." James began. He told Ted all about what he had heard that day, at the lord's house, and his conversation with Black-Leather Guy. He altered it a little, so that instead of me being a princess, I was simply a noble, who was the unfortunate victim of the attack.
Ted didn't care about that part. He was musing thoughtfully. "So - so I'm . . . I'm . . ."
"Theodore Lexian Mildred of Bast." James supplied helpfully. "A noble."
"I'm NOT a noble." Ted said firmly.
"Are too - according to the lord guy. What's his name?" James said.
"Lord Donovan. He's kind of a scary guy. His name means 'dark warrior'. And I am not a noble." Ted replied.
"You are! Don't you get an inheritance then? And wouldn't you be, like, looked for?" I said eagerly.
"I AM NOT A NOBLE!" Ted burst out. "I HATE NOBLES!"
Stunned, I shut up. "I'm a noble." I replied coolly, when I felt that I could speak again.
"Nobles killed my parents." Ted said viciously. "Maybe it was your parents that killed them!"
"Wait, stop arguing." I said. "I'm not trying to argue with you. I'm trying to make sense of something."
Ted closed his mouth but was still defiant.
"Why would you have a title if - if your parents were what you say they were?" I asked.
"I - don't know." He responded, sounding perplexed. "Maybe - so you're saying they lied? The people at the orphanage?"
"Maybe." I answered.
"Your past is very confusing." James informed Ted.
"I know."
We all fell silent, deep in our own thoughts. What was Ted's past? How did it all fit together? Troubled thoughts tumbled through my mind. Little did I know that more difficult and bigger troubles were yet to come.
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A/n: Okay! I actually had fun writing this chapter . . . it explains lots, and confuses people more. Don't worry, though, everything will be cleared up later on! I was actually lucky to get it up so soon - I've been sooo busy! Hang with me, everyone! Luv ya all! *~*~AryaWinds~*~*
Kari Kaiba ~ U are sooo lucky . . . anyways, here's the chapter you wanted me to write!
Olenochka ~ Yay! You haven't abandoned me! Ur still being an ever-faithful reviewer!
A/n: Thank you all! Ur the best!
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"You're - doing - a lot - better." Ted panted.
We were practicing using swords, and this was my second lesson. I was picking up the style so quick, I surprised even myself.
I thrust, at the same time parrying his blow. I danced away as he tried striking again. Yes, I was definitely learning. The sword fit me perfectly - I couldn't explain it. It seemed to just . . . fit me, like it was made just for me.
"Ha!" I laughed out loud when I flicked my wrist, catching Ted's sword in the process and sending it flying out of his grasp. "I claim victory!"
"Whatever." Ted grumbled. "Let's sit down. I'm wiped out."
I pouted but sat down anyway. Ted looked tired. He had been teaching James right before he taught me.
We were in a cave. It was a snug, cozy little spot, dry and warm (since James had managed to stir up a fire). Outside, it was raining, so we didn't want to risk traveling in the mud. But we were well off. My little fairy box had been called upon to hold some food and supplies, as well as whatever other paraphernalia, so we had what we needed. Now we were just trying to spend our time, while we waited for the rain to clear.
Ted sat down besides the fire. "Um . . . I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but I hardly know much about you guys. Except for the fact that Lela's probably a noble, and James lives at the palace, and you guys are friends, I don't know anything."
I exchanged glances with James. He knew I didn't want to reveal my true identity. I didn't want anyone to know who I really was. Most people would either keep away from me then, or others would jump at the chance to gain royal favor. "Uh . . . well, you got most of that right . . ." I looked to James for help, unsure of what to tell and what not to.
"I'm a servant at the palace. Or rather, my mother works there - I just hang out with Lela." James offered.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm a noble. Uh . . . I have . . . a brother?" It came out more like a question than a statement.
Ted looked at me strangely. "And . . .?"
"And . . . I . . . was at the ball . . . where I met you?" I said uncertainly. James looked as if he were trying to keep from laughing. I felt extremely stupid. I imagined what it must seem like to Ted - like I didn't even know myself.
"Um . . . yeah, I saw you there." Ted said.
"Yeah, well . . ." I shifted uncomfortably (something not exactly princess- like).
James jumped in with a rescue. "Lela's family is - uh - rich. She's got an older brother, and her parents are pretty close to the king and queen of Kyrria, so Lela kind of knows them. So that's why we have to get a message to them. And we've known each other since . . . since . . . we were babies."
I nodded vigorously. At least I didn't have to make up anything. I felt awkward lying to people.
"So what about you?" I asked, more to steer the conversation away from me than anything else.
Ted's eyes darkened. "I live at the orphanage, as you know," he began. "My parents died when I was about five."
"How?" I asked curiously. Then, I mentally smacked myself. That just seemed nosy.
Ted shrugged, fiddling with something that hung about his neck.
"What's that?" I asked.
Ted looked startled for a minute, and then said, "Oh! This? This is the only thing I have to remind me of my parents."
He drew out a chain, made of gold and silver links. On it hung a large, clear diamond.
"May I see it?" I asked.
Ted hesitated, and then handed me the necklace, albeit rather reluctantly.
I inspected it for a second, and then handed it back to him. "Genuine diamond." I announced. "Real gold and silver, too. Worth a lot. Are your parents nobles? I mean - were they nobles?"
Ted looked staggered for a second, and then shook his head. "My parents - I don't remember them, really. All I remember are some vague memories. I was told by the people at the orphanage, though, that my parents were thieves or bandits." Instantly, he looked as if he had told something he wasn't supposed to.
"What?" James asked, as bewildered as me at the expression on Ted's face.
There was a silence. "I - wasn't - didn't want to tell anyone that." Ted said softly. "I didn't need anyone to know that." He looked at us defiantly. "They're dead anyway, so you nobles don't have to worry." He sneered. He put extra emphasis on the word "nobles".
"What difference does it make?" I asked, confused. I didn't see what difference it made if Ted's parents were nobles or ogres.
He blinked. "You mean - you don't care that my parents were - well, that they might have been bandits?"
Now it was my turn to blink. "Why should we care?"
Now, James spoke up. "You thought that we would hate you for that." He said quietly to Ted. "You thought that, like the people in the orphanage, we would hate you for what your parents were. Am I right?"
Ted lowered his gaze. "Well, I had reason to. Look at how hated I am at the orphanage."
I glanced at James, filled with admiration. I had no idea how he was able to always figure out people like that.
"We're not like the people at the orphanage." James said.
"We don't hate you for something you had no control over." I added.
There was a long silence. No one spoke. Just as I was beginning to get really uncomfortable with the silence, Ted spoke.
"Sorry. I didn't know how you guys would react. Sorry if I misjudged you."
"That's okay. Can you finish your story, though?" I said.
"Oh - uh, well, people said that my parents were either professional thieves or bandits. I believe them, because I have no idea what they're really like - they were both killed when I was five. Everyone at the orphanage says that nobles found and killed them. All I remember is a messenger making an announcement, my nursemaid crying and telling me that my parents were dead, and that it." Ted said, all in a rush.
When he was done, he leaned back. Both James and I were puzzled, to say the least. "Where does the necklace fit in?" I asked.
"My nursemaid gave me the necklace and told me never to lose it or anything. She said it was my last connection to my parents and true identity." Ted answered. Then, he frowned. "I never gave that much thought. Now that you've asked that, it - it doesn't make sense."
James was frowning also. "That DOESN'T make sense. What do they mean by "true identity"? And . . ." he trailed off, unable to think of the right wording for what he was about to say.
Being the fool, I blurted it out. "Why and how would you have a nursemaid if your parents are thieves?" Then, I clapped a hand over my mouth, horrified. Had I actually been that rude? "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that -"
Ted didn't look in the least bit fazed. In fact, he looked thoughtful. "I don't know . . . that's a good point, Lela, I never noticed that before! And why would there be a messenger?"
"Maybe - an accomplice? Like, in crime?" I suggested.
James stared at me in shock. "You are being SO rude, Lela!"
"Sorry, Ted. I'll stop now. I'm being very - um, insensitive right now. I'm sorry." I said, mentally chiding myself for my rudeness. Then, I couldn't help but giggle. Imagine what my noble etiquette teachers would think of me now!
Ted was amused as well. "Well, you're certainly a failure as a noble." He told me.
I laughed out loud. "Who said I ever wanted to be a noble?"
Now, Ted looked plainly bewildered.
"What?" I demanded indignantly.
"I thought - I thought all nobles liked being nobles!" he spluttered.
Now it was James' turn to laugh. "Lela HATES being a noble. She would die to live a normal peasant's life."
"Well, isn't it interesting what we're learning about each other," Ted commented wryly.
"Anyway . . . about the messenger and stuff . . ." I prompted.
"Well, I'm confused about that." Ted admitted. "I never gave it much thought - I never had any reason to believe that I should really know, you know? And - I remember - the messenger couldn't have been an accomplice!" he said triumphantly.
"How do you know?" James queried.
"Because - because he was wearing the clothes those noblemen's messengers usually wear!" Ted realized.
"NOW we're beginning to get somewhere!" James exclaimed. "So - why would you have a nobleman's messenger tell you that, and why would you have a nursemaid?"
"What does the "true identity" part mean?" Ted asked. "I don't know about the messenger or nursemaid part."
"Well," I said carefully, "Do you have another identity besides Theodore or Frell?"
"No - not that I know of." Ted answered.
James and I exchanged a significant glance. "We - um, overheard something, before . . ." James began. He told Ted all about what he had heard that day, at the lord's house, and his conversation with Black-Leather Guy. He altered it a little, so that instead of me being a princess, I was simply a noble, who was the unfortunate victim of the attack.
Ted didn't care about that part. He was musing thoughtfully. "So - so I'm . . . I'm . . ."
"Theodore Lexian Mildred of Bast." James supplied helpfully. "A noble."
"I'm NOT a noble." Ted said firmly.
"Are too - according to the lord guy. What's his name?" James said.
"Lord Donovan. He's kind of a scary guy. His name means 'dark warrior'. And I am not a noble." Ted replied.
"You are! Don't you get an inheritance then? And wouldn't you be, like, looked for?" I said eagerly.
"I AM NOT A NOBLE!" Ted burst out. "I HATE NOBLES!"
Stunned, I shut up. "I'm a noble." I replied coolly, when I felt that I could speak again.
"Nobles killed my parents." Ted said viciously. "Maybe it was your parents that killed them!"
"Wait, stop arguing." I said. "I'm not trying to argue with you. I'm trying to make sense of something."
Ted closed his mouth but was still defiant.
"Why would you have a title if - if your parents were what you say they were?" I asked.
"I - don't know." He responded, sounding perplexed. "Maybe - so you're saying they lied? The people at the orphanage?"
"Maybe." I answered.
"Your past is very confusing." James informed Ted.
"I know."
We all fell silent, deep in our own thoughts. What was Ted's past? How did it all fit together? Troubled thoughts tumbled through my mind. Little did I know that more difficult and bigger troubles were yet to come.
*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*
A/n: Okay! I actually had fun writing this chapter . . . it explains lots, and confuses people more. Don't worry, though, everything will be cleared up later on! I was actually lucky to get it up so soon - I've been sooo busy! Hang with me, everyone! Luv ya all! *~*~AryaWinds~*~*