Ascend
By: blue lady
Chapter Thirteen – Courtship
"Amelia! It's me! Hurry it up will you or Gourry's going to eat all the food!" I yelled. When Amelia failed to respond accordingly, I decided to show my impatience by pounding fiercely on her door.
"Hey Amelia! Are you in there?" I waited again still nothing. My patience was wearing thin and Gourry, no doubt, was already on his third helping!
"Hey! Ameli-" The door suddenly swung open and before I knew it my face was rushing down to greet the floor.
"Oh! Lady Inverse-sama. My apologies." I recovered quickly and blinked at the girl quizzically before recognizing her as one of Amelia's handmaiden – Meria, I believe.
I grabbed the girl roughly by the collar, "Where's Amelia? She promised to eat breakfast with us? Is she not in there?"
"Oh, the princess? She's…" Meria stopped to stifle a delighted giggle before continuing, "She's out with the young Lord Alsenurn-sama!"
"So where are you taking me?"
Clarence turned to look at me and gave me a mischievous smile, "You'll see."
I smiled at him and couldn't help but be a bit enchanted at how his brown hair and slender frame glowed in the morning sunlight. The light shining off his face highlighted every feature in gold and caused his eyes to sparkle like dew on a new spring leaf.
He looked so very gallant…
"Like a valiant hero riding off into the sunset." I mused to myself. How very romantic.
Earlier this morning we had enjoyed a nice breakfast together. I had predicted the meal to be riddled with abrupt pauses and awkward silences. However, I was wrong. He proved to be easy and entertaining company. I kneed White Star firmly, quickly bringing my mare alongside of Clarence's gray stallion.
"Come on, tell me." I insisted.
Clarence only smiled at me, "We're almost there."
"At least give me a hint, pleeease?" I pleaded, clasping my hand underneath my chin.
Clarence chuckled a little, "Okay, okay. Here."
"Hear? As in to hear?" I asked, pointing to my ear.
"No, as in we're here." Clarence said, making a dramatic sweeping gesture at the scene in front of him
I looked in earnest only to find… "Leaves?"
Clarence gave me a wink before pulling away the veil of green spring leaves to reveal a clear, bright pond sitting a the middle of clearing full of bright daises.
I looked at him amazed, "How did you know -"
"That daisies are your favorite flowers? Let's just say I have my sources." Clarence smiled brightly at me, "Well, shall we take a short break?"
Jumping off of White Star I rushed among the pinks and yellows, absolutely enthralled by the colors around me, "And I thought I knew every daisy field in Seyruun!"
I laughed out loud, feeling like I was ten-years old again.
"Do you like it, princess?" Clarence asked, smiling softly at me.
"Yes, thank you Clarence. I love it!" I replied, grinning at him. I blinked - Clarence's face seemed a bit pink.
"I'm glad" He replied, "I-I'll go water the horses."
I watched him as he gently led the horses to the crystalline water, feeling a light warmness in my heart. He obviously put a lot of effort into this.
"I have to find some way to thank him." I thought silently to myself. Noting the myriad of colored-daisies surrounding me, my lips began to from a slight smile.
"Here you go!" I said, presenting him with my thank-you present. I blushed a little as Clarence continued to stare blankly at it.
"It's a daisy lei…" I continued on tentatively "I really wanted to give you something to show you my appreciation and…" I let out an embarrassed laugh, as Clarence only continued to stare on blankly, "And I guess a daisy lei isn't exactly something you should give to a guy, huh? I'm sorry, just forget about it then."
I was about to throw the unwanted thing away when a firm grip on my wrist stopped me.
"No, don't. I like it very much." He said, gently draping the blue and yellow lei around his neck, "Thank you."
I looked at his eyes and found only pure sincerity resting in it's green depths.
"You're welcome." I replied, grinning at him.
"Well, what do you think?" Clarence asked, puffing his chest out in a decidedly mocking fashion.
I giggled, "Very becoming. All the men of Seyruun will surely die with envy."
"Especially when they find out the beauty it's creator is."
Clarence smiled gently at me and all the blood in my body seemed to rush to my face.
"Uh…Have you ever seen such clear water?" I couldn't help but grimace at my obvious shift in conversation.
"Yes, the water is very clear." Clarence said in a conservational tone.
I wanted to cry but only continued to stare at the reflecting water, "Why doesn't the hole in the ground ever shallow me up when I need it the most? Cepheid, why of all ti-"
My rant came to a screeching halt as my vision was suddenly filled with slimy scales and two big bulging eyes. I recoiled instinctively and soon found myself teetering perilously between the bank and the water's edge.
I heard Clarence yell in admonition and felt his hand grasp my arm in a vain attempt to steady me before I was submerged into the Lake's cool waters. As I swam my way toward the surface I thank Cepheid that I wasn't wearing white today. I broke the surface and prepared myself to laugh the whole incident off only to find Clarence nowhere in sight. That was when I realized that there was a set of bubbles raising beside me. Oh Cepheid, I must have accidentally dragged him in too! I quickly bowed my head in prayer - perhaps if I prayed fervently enough Cepheid, in an act of mercy, would strike me down now. I kept my eyes tightly shut as I finally heard Clarence break the surface.
"I am so sorry, Clarence. I'm so sorry. I am such a klutz, please forgi-"
I stopped my babbling when Clarence did something totally unexcepted - he began to laugh. I cracked one eye open looking at the drenched young man beside me who only continued to laugh his head off. I could feel the corner of my eyes began to burn, stupid fish.
Clarence finally paused a bit in his laughter to turn to me and smile, "I guess the fish just wanted a little kiss."
Then he began to laugh heartily once again and I soon found myself laughing with him as well. This was definitely one of the best mornings I ever had.
"Damn it, Amelia. How dare you abandon me like this?" I fumed silently, stomping my way down the hallway. We had already finished breakfast and the stupid girl still hadn't showed up.
"I wonder if anyone noticed?" I quickly looked around at the people around me. Sylphiel and Filia were engaged in another conservation with each other and had failed to notice the lack of a certain princess at the breakfast table. Martina and Zangulus were still too busy cooing at one another that it would be positively mind-blowing if they paid attention to anything else. Gourry was well… Gourry and Zelgadis ...
I sighed Zel wouldn't be Zel if he didn't noticed the obvious absence of a certain peppy princess. He was too observant of a person to have missed that. I looked up at the aloof Chimera walking several paces ahead of us all. Though he had acted pretty much the same throughout breakfast time I noticed how his gaze always seemed to drift back to the dining room door.
He probably doesn't even know that Amelia and that Clarence guy are betrothed! Crap, what am I suppose to do? I sighed once again, rubbing the area between my eyes - feeling a headache coming on.
"Hey, Lina!"
I turned my attention to blonde man besides me, "What is it, Gourry?"
"Are you okay? Are you feeling sick?" Gourry asked reaching out a hand to touch my forehead.
"No, no. I'm fine!" I replied, slapping Gourry's hand away, "Just got a lot on my mind."
"Oh, you were just awfully quiet during breakfast this morning." Gourry said lightly.
"Yeah…"
After a brief pause, Gourry leaned over to whisper conspiratorially in my ear, "Don't worry about it. I'm sure it will work out. Amelia probably had something important she had to do this morning."
I snorted.
"Yeah, like going on a date with that Alsenurn guy…" I muttered silently to myself.
Judging from what I heard last night on the balcony this Clarence seemed pretty serious about Amelia.
Amused laughter reached my ears and I looked at Zel for answers as where it could be coming from. Zel shrugged and indicated that the noise was coming from up ahead. I listened carefully and immediately recognized one of the laughs as Amelia's and the other one…
It was much deeper and distinctively masculine… my eyes widened and went instantly to Zel's back. A drenching wet Amelia and Clarence soon appeared around the corner, mirth written clearly on their faces. I briefly wondered if Zel knew how rigid his back looked then.
"Oh, Amelia-san." Sylphiel called out politely. Amelia stopped laughing, evidently surprised to find us there. Amelia quickly pushed her wet locks away from her face and patted down her wet dress in an attempt to tidy herself a bit.
"Oh, Good Morning everyone." She said smiling at us, her cheeks a bit pink.
"So that's where you've been this whole morning." I twitched slightly at the suggestiveness in Martina's voice as the stupid girl continued to smile slyly at Clarence. Amelia and Clarence both began to blush an unhealthy shade of red.
"I don't think we've been introduced." Filia interjected politely.
"Oh yes! I almost forgot. Everyone this is Clarence Sol Alsenurn, son of Lord Baton Sol Alsenurn. Clarence, I would like to introduce you to some of my dearest friends. This is Filia Ul Copt, she owns a pottery and mace shop not far from here."
Clarence bowed low before Filia, "It's a pleasure to meet you. You look like a woman with exquisite taste, I'll make sure to visit your shop one day."
Filia could only blush.
Amelia then proceeded to introduce him to Sylphiel, Martina, and Zangulus. Needless to say, the women were absolutely charmed by him and Zangulus was already treating him like a long lost brother. I scoffed as Filia, Martina, and Sylphiel all blush like shy schoolgirls around him. I, Lina Inverse, will not fall for such flattery! Though I had to admit that up close he was definitely a sight to be seen. Glittering deep forest green eyes, wind-ruffled chocolate brown hair and a steady but slender swordsman built. A perfect image of what a prince should look like.
"And this is Lina Inverse. I'm sure you've heard of her."
"I have and I am honored to actually be able to met the real Lina Inverse in person." He smiled at me as I continued to scrutinize him, "Rumors are certainly just rumors. I see a face that equally matches your brilliancy."
I quirked an eyebrow at him, "What was this guy trying to pull?"
I stared hard into his green eyes looking for any traces of deceit and found only unbearable sincerity shining back at me. I felt myself began to blush under those deep green eyes – Zel was doomed.
I watched as even Lina fell under his spell. I snorted, women were sure easily fooled by flowery words and sparkling eyes.
"This is Zelgadis Graywoods."
Clarence smiled at me, holding out his hand, "Nice to meet you."
I only nodded in acknowledgement.
Clarence looked at me a bit puzzled, "I'm sorry have I offended you in some way?"
"Ah! Don't worry about it. Zel's always like that." Gourry reassured him as he took the hand I refused "Nice to meet you, I'm Gourry Gabriev."
Clarence seemed to start a bit, "Gourry Gabriev? As in Gourry Gabriev the Wielder of the Sword of Light?"
"Well, actually ex-wielder…"
Clarence was instantly on one knee, head bowed, "It would give me great honor, sir, if you would accept my request for a duel."
Gourry scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "What? You don't have to do that. Please, stand up."
Gourry gave the young noblemen a friendly pat on the back before answering, "Sure, why not? How about tomorrow, after lunch maybe?"
"Yes, thank you. Gabriev-san, you have given me a great honor." Clarence smiled, his face flushed with happiness.
"Please just call me Gourry."
I smirked as Clarence enthusiastically invited everyone to come watch and even made Amelia promise to come cheer him on. That fool. Gourry was going to wipe the floor with him. This was something I definitely did not want to miss.
"Filia-san, is something wrong?"
At the sound of Sylphiel's concerned voice everyone turned to look at said the Golden dragon. Filia's whole body was shaking violently, her fist were clenched together tightly, her tail's erratic twitching obvious beneath her dress.
"X-XELLOS!!"
"Nice to see you too, Filia-san." Came Xellos' irritatingly cheerful response as he appeared behind a shadowy pillar.
"Princess, are you okay?"
No one else I had heard the question as it was easily drowned out by Lina's and Filia's usual reactions at seeing Xellos. I quickly turned to Clarence to ask what was the matter however, stopped cold at the sight before me. Clarence had his arms around Amelia's waist supporting her as she rested her head on his chest, her hand clutched a little below her left collarbone. I could feel cold needles dancing wildly in my heart and for a moment I forgot how to breathe.
"It's okay, Clarence" Amelia replied, quickly steadying herself, "I'm fine, thank you."
She gave him a sweet smiled which Clarence quickly returned.
I guess they didn't need my help.
Turning away, I gave the Mazoku a piercing glare.
"What are you doing here, Xellos?" I growled.
I let out a sigh as the once burning pain abated into a dull pound. Gingerly, I touched the area between my left collarbone and beast where my sign of Cepheid rested and quickly recoiled. It burned like the surface on an iron stove. The sign must react violently when in the presence of a Mazoku. Sylphiel-san had also grimaced at Xellos-san's sudden appearance and was now lightly rubbing her right wrist. We weren't even direct servants to the Gods like Filia-san. I could now understand why Filia-san always reacted so irrationally towards Xellos-san. Now as I look at him the feelings of ire and distrust begin to boil inside my chest.
"What are you doing here, Xellos?" Zelgadis-san growled.
Instead of answering Zelgadis-san's question, Xellos-san turned to smile at me, "Amelia-san, sorry for being late. I had some things to take care of."
I beamed, pushing down the feeling of disgust at his smile, "Don't worry about it, Xellos-san."
Xellos-san tilted his head slightly in an analyzing manner, "The sigh of Cepheid is bothering you isn't it?"
Xellos-san sighed like a mother exasperated with her unreasonable child, "It tends to overreact when I'm around…"
"So, who do we have here?" Xellos-san inquired his smile beaming with amused curiosity. I shivered as Xellos-san's unexpectedly revealed his predatory, purple irises as Clarence bowed respectfully before him.
"Hello, sir. I am Clarence Sol Alsenurn" Clarence said, offering his hand to Xellos-san.
Xellos-san accepted it but still continued to gaze at him with his engimatic purple orbs, "Ahhhh…the son of Baton Sol Alsenurn, I presume."
"Yes, sir."
Xellos-san smiled his eyes hidden once again, "Please to meet, Lord Clarence-sama. I'm Xellos Metallium."
The two continued to make idle chitchat as we made our way back to the rooms. The two seemed to get along well, talking about everything from hunting games to expensive wines. I looked at the others; Sylphiel-san, Gourry-san, Zangulus-san and Martina-san continued to talked to one another unperturbed. While Filia-san, Lina-san, and Zelgadis-san were deadly silent, their eyes closely observing the two men in front of them.
"Then they must have noticed it too…" I thought silently to myself as I also watched the pair ahead.
Xellos-san's obvious interest in Clarence was certainly unexpected. I shuddered at the unforeseen chill running up my spine. I hugged myself tightly and shook my head, why am I getting all paranoid for?
The sign of Cepheid must be getting to me.
I smiled at the company around me and at the golden sun flowing across the marble hallway. If the morning events were of any indication, it was going to be another great day.
Damn him…
I slammed the door behind me, letting myself slide down to sit on the bedroom floor, ignoring the sound of my wiry hair defacing the wooden door's smooth surface.
How dare he embarrass me like that…I roughly tugged at the collar of my dress shirt and flung the damn thing across the room. What started as a pleasant evening had all of sudden turned sour. For some reason or the other what had began as a causal conversation had turned into an intense debate between Clarence and me. However, in the end Clarence won. He had countered with something so profound yet so logical that I was left speechless and everyone impressed. I could practically see the hearts in all the girls' eyes at his witty comeback. Amelia certainly wasn't too inconspicuous about her adoration for him…
Sighing I let my head thunk against the oak door, I needed to cool my head. I've been flying off the handle a lot these days.
Standing up I made my way towards the balcony where another peaceful Seyruunian evening waited for me. I could feel my ears twitch slightly as the gentle evening breeze carried strains of various waltzes from the ballroom below, perfecting the image of an idyllically beautiful evening.
I really couldn't understand why I felt such hostility towards Clarence. He was friendly, polite and apparently pretty sharp. Someone I would definitely have no problems getting along with. There really was no reason for me to be bothered by his presence…
The sound of voices directed my eyes to the garden below and I could make out a man exiting the exuberant ballroom. Squinting my eyes a bit, I recognized the young man as Clarence. I watched as Clarence continued to stand right outside the ballroom entrance seeming to stare at the evening sky above.
I really should apologize to him - I had been pretty harsh on the kid. Besides, it would certainly make the rest of my stay here a little easier if I settle this matter.
Well, here it goes…
I stepped onto the marble railing, holding out my hand as I whispered "Ray-"
"Clarence!"
The spell quickly distinguished in my hand as the sudden shout broke my focus.
"What the he-"
I stopped mid-breathe as Amelia run out from the ballroom, her white dress pouring behind her like silver water.
"Sorry, for making you wait." She called out brightly, her eyes closed with a radiant smile.
I watched as Clarence gave an affectionate smile in return, "It's okay, Amelia."
He then offered his arm to her, which Amelia received with both arms. They smiled at each other before venturing deeper into the gardens together.
Tch, Damn him…
Author's Notes
Chapter 13 yeah! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and hope no ooc-ness. This is my first story were I actually got this far yeah for me! I had actually finished this story in June but since I had to do this student-exchange thingy in China I didn't get back till July 1st. Sorry everyone. Also the face that I am going to be a college freshmen next year has kept me pretty busy as well. Anyway, please read and review…Now onto the thank yous…
(7/12) re-edit note...thanks for the heads-up Snapdragon I didn't realize that the uploading process had deleted my quotation marks and my breaks, hopefully this will help.
Ichiban Victory - I am honored that you have been reading this story. I have really enjoyed "To Err is Human", "Love is Blind" and "Please Show me the way" If you are making a sequel to TEH I will definitely be looking forward to it.
LeaMarie F. Rocket - Really? You don't like Clarence? That means I'll have to work harder!
Pharaoh of the Skies – Thank you for the encouragement and I am glad you have looked forward to this story. I'll try to make my updates more quickly.
Chii-san – I hope this appeases you - sorry it took so long
Snapdragon76 – I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Thanks for putting me on your favorites list!
Lina Gabriev – Thank you for your compliments. I am glad you like Clarence, that's what I am aiming for! As for Auntie Sera…just wait and see.
Catrina – Sorry for making you lose you ten bucks, but I think we might win this one because so far (if I don't change or add anything) I am planning for Ascend to stop at 17.
See you guys next chapter!