Disclaimer: It's not mine and it never will be.

Chapter 6: Bruised

The next day Mel put on her court dress and headed toward petitioners court. She hardly ever went, but she knew that Vidanric would be there. She'd find a way to corner him afterward and tell him how she felt no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

As always Mel was fascinated with court and enjoyed soaking in all the words rather than participating herself. As the bell rang an end to the petitioner's part of court Mel raced through the crowd snagged Vidanric's sleeve, and pulled him into a servants corridor all with out anyone the wiser, including Vidanric himself who was clearly confused at his sudden change of location. Mel only had a few minutes before Vidanric would be missed by the courtiers waiting to discuss the petitions, but she was hell bent on telling him how she felt.

"Vidanric," she said quietly looking up at him. She heard him take in a sharp breath of surprise at hearing her use his given name for the first time. And it felt so good to say it as well; his name almost flowed off your tongue. "Vidanric, I wanted to talk to you about the night before last, about what you said."

"Countess, I'm afraid that there is really nothing to discuss about what happened that night. As to what was said, I think it would be safe to assume that the party who did the talking was undoubtedly intoxicated and that parties words should not be taken seriously. They were nothing more than a loose tongue's wagging." Vidanric turned on his heel and left the small corridor without even a backward glance. If he had happened to glance back he would have seen a small countess sagging against the wall with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Chapter 7: Oblivious

"That woman will be the death of me," thought Vidanric as he leaned against the wall outside of the corridor trying to regain his equilibrium. Why did she have to play these games with him? Hadn't he suffered enough with her rejection? Did she find pleasure in watching him suffer in her delicate hands? As it was he could hardly look at her without feeling the overwhelming need to bring her into his arms and kiss her senseless. Maybe if he had waited, told her how he felt later. Maybe then things would be different.

Struggling Danric managed to wipe his face of emotion. Only one more bell and then he could go to his rooms, no not there, gods he could never find solace there again. His rooms perpetually reminded him of what had become the worst mistake of his life. "Ok, Danric hold it together," he thought as he walked into the room of waiting courtiers and started going over the petitions of the day. And no one even noticed he was hiding anything.

I know this is a really short chapter, but I kind of messed up my chapter's thing last chapter. Guess I'm still trying to get a hang of this. Anyway, next chapter is the last one, I think.

Yeah and I apologize for the many chapters I have. I have a bit of a fetish for making up chapter names. 

Thanks for the reviews!

Felsong: I could change the way I wrote the story, but I'm really lazy. I'll definitely think about it if I write another. I tried to make the last chapter longer, but then this one is really short, so I guess I'm not really improving.

Lorwyn Daystar: Thanks for the review. I have no clue how to double space anything. I'm barely getting things posted.

Erkith: Sorry, I'm not real into having an actual plot, so no Flauvic, but it's not a bad idea.

Violet Ivy: I mentioned it last chapter, but I think Danric should be clueless for once. I mean Mel does it all the time, it's so his turn.

Also thanks: Legofiance, rootless californian, Allimba, and kimono.

Everyone who reviewed rocks!