{W/R} Nothing better than reading reviews for my work, so thanks so much for doing so. All of you brighten my day, no doubt about it!!!!! It's been only five or so days since I last updated and I guess today is the day to update. For future reference, I'll only or most probably will only update on the weekends, in which I have a couple of hours free. Lol. Before, I start my new chaps, here are the individual thanks as always and hopefully for every time I post/update!
AnotherChance~ As you may see, I surpassed my tally, finally. Delighted to have your contribution to it!!!! Thanks soooo much for your compliment!!!! I hope to hear what you think again!!!
FelSong~ Ha, ha your review made me crack up (not in a bad way, of course). I wholly admit I rushed it, but I'm not really great at filler chapters. Thanks for telling me that it's flowing good. Thanks soooo much for your review. I'm always happy to read one from you and expect one on this chapter too, soon.
Rane292007~ Thanks for your emails and reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It gives me something to look forward to when I'm checking my emails (which I love to do). Didn't think my fanfic was really that addicting, but thanxz so much for reading it and saying so. I'll keep updating, as long as people are reading it. Hope to hear from you before long!!!!!
Emerald-Random~ I'm soooo honored that you added me to your favorites list!!!!!! You are the FIRST to do so and I was soooooo overjoyed that my family wants to cut down on my sugar intake, lol. Thanks for the email about the 25 reviews!!! It was sooo kind for you to take time to do that. I really appreciate it. : ) I doubt I'll win an award from RoxyBarbieH8ter's contest with the other very TALENTED Sherwood smith fanfic writers here, but thanxz for the mention. Don't forget to review!!!!!!!!! Oh yea, about the Flauvic POV, I was thinking of doing that for a sequel, if ppl want me to. We'll see, I guess.
Loup Garou42~ Well technically there is not relationship, but Elestra MIGHT have feelings for Flauvic, so I added a little bit of fluff to see what happens. Lol. We'll see if anything does. Heehee, thanks for the review!!!!!
PingPong867~ That was soooooooooo nice of you to place me on your alert list and I'm totally honored that you did, but why didn't you review? I hope you're reading this and I hope to hear what you think of how my fanfic is going.
Wow, nearly a page of reviews. You people are the ABSOLUTE BEST!!!!!!! The story is after the small recap of the last chapter I had posted. Now enjoy and escape my babblings.
Recap: He smiled at me thoughtfully. He wasn't affected by what I felt around him and my heart broke a little, although I knew it was a silly thing for my heart to do. I tilted my head at him, a bit and asked,
"Why are you always so strange?"
"It makes life interesting," He replied softly, before disappearing.
Always leaving me with the questions, I remarked to myself. I breathed out a deep breath and turned back to look at the garden below. It calmed my aching heart and after a few more minutes of quiet, I headed back inside.
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Nothing, but trees past by the pocket-sized hole that people called a window. My mother had long left the carriage and I wanted to join her, but I could never catch up to my mother's racing speed. Rhianna would have kept be entertained with all the ideas and stories on her mind, but she had long been silenced by the look from her mother and fallen asleep from the boredom and silence enveloping us. Lady Aislinn {W/R: Oops, I accidentally placed Rhianna's last name, as her mother's given name. So ditzy, I know. Anyways sry, bout it.} had done the same after a couple of hours of sitting and talking about boring subjects with me. I turned to see my friend and her mother's sleeping forms, inside the carriage. I wish I could do the same, but I wasn't able too like last night, after the party. The carriage was uncomfortably warm and cramped. The constant jolts from the dirt roads, gave me a large headache and I wasn't in the best of moods, especially since my mind had returned to its routine of wondering about Flauvic, as well as my mystery man. I sighed softly, as to not wake my guests and leaned my head against the side of the coach. I had lost count of the miles I was away from home and I missed my home immensely, something I have never experienced. Finally, I relaxed my tense muscles and weary mind from my boredom and lack of sleep.
"You must watch your step in Raea." A voice, beside me, warned. "Both you and your mother."
My eyes were rooted to a spot on the ground and I could look around or see anything, but the dirt in front of me. The only thing I could tell was that the voice was soothing and that of a male's. Mysterious man, I wondered.
"I can take care of myself and mother is even more capable of doing so." I found myself replying. "Why do you care?"
Even in weird worlds such as this, I noticed that I still had questions to ask.
"I just do. Must you always take what I say so stubbornly? Much too much like your mother, yet so not."
"Compliment or not?"
"Depends on the situation."
"You just keep piling the questions in my mind."
I sensed a smile on his face without any idea how and found one creeping onto my face as well for no reason at all.
"Just be careful."
"Yet again, why?"
"I, I care about you, Elestra."
My name rang in my ears and it molded into that of Rhianna's. My eyes fluttered open to find her shaking my shoulder.
"Come on, we're finally here!" She said, not at all bleary-eyed like I was.
I climbed out of the oven I had been sitting in for what seemed like an eternity, after Rhianna assured that I looked fine. Crowds gathered around the castle, greeting the new arrivals. The place seemed the same as the last time I had visited, if not grander and larger.
"Good to be back home," I inquired Rhianna, who walked beside me.
She looked like she had been quite homesick with the small tears, in the corners of her eyes. That was enough of an answer to me.
"You could go see your father, I can find my way myself." I suggested, suspecting her wish.
She turned to me with a large smile and hugged me tight.
"You are such a wonderful friend! I'll be back, as soon as I can." She said, as she released me from the hug.
"Take your time. I'm sure Lord Devin misses you and your mother."
She nodded and practically rushed up the stairs to her father. I was tired still and feeling filthy from the ride. As if the servants anticipated my need, there was a warm bath with rose petals in the water awaiting me in my room when I was guided there. I dismissed the kind servant, who had showed me to my room with thanks, before climbing into the relaxing treatment for my body. After washing until every pore was free of the dirt and sweat, I reluctantly got out and toweled off. I felt much better than earlier.
"Hello, you must be Princess Elestra Renselaeus of Athanarel."
I yelped in surprise, clutching my, thankfully, thick and large towel. I found a handsome man about my age standing at the entrance of the paper-thin screen that had blocked me from view, as I bathed.
"Ever heard of knocking?"
I was blushing so much that I must have looked like a ripe tomato. The look he was giving me wasn't helping that problem either.
"I did. I guess from that look that you didn't hear me."
I was inclined to give him a look for stating the obvious, but held back.
"Do you mind letting me change before we continue this interesting conversation," I asked, as goosebumps started to appear on my arms.
"I like you the way you are now," he replied with a smirk and a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Ahh, the flirtatious type, I remarked with a hidden smile.
"Ha, ha. Out," I told him.
He turned away and moved away from the entrance of the partition. I moved quickly to get into the clean, forest green gown a couple of feet away from me.
"So, who are you?" I asked, as I laced up the strings on my back and quickly putting up my hair in a simple ponytail.
"I'm Lord Damien Minyet. I'm the head advisor to Lord Devin."
I stuck my head out from behind the screen, in surprise.
"But, you're so young. No offense meant, of course."
He laughed, good-naturedly.
"I hear that comment all the time. It was a family position and my father died recently, leaving the job to me."
"Oh," I replied, stepping out. The news about his father wiped away the small bit of hostility I had about his intrusion of my privacy. "I'm sorry to hear it. What happened?"
"Assassination," he firmly stated.
My eyebrow rose in surprise. I guess this place isn't so free of mysteries either, I said to myself, silently.
"Did you catch who did it?"
"Not yet," he replied and turned to face me, changing his bland face to that of a more cheerful one. "Why don't we talk about other things?"
I nodded, ready for a change from the sad subject. It must be hard to live up to his father so young, I mused.
"So just what were you doing coming to my room?"
"Just welcoming Lord Devin's guests, since he is unwell to do so himself. I wanted to show a welcome to remember."
"A welcome to remember indeed." I replied, blushing again. "I guess that Lord Devin hasn't been improving."
He shook his head, his long hair swaying, softly in all directions.
"You must be hungry," He said, getting up from the cushion chair. "Why don't I escort you to the dining hall for a snack?"
I smiled and nodded a response. He talked about all sorts of things and listening to my opinions. Getting to know Lord Damien, he didn't seem as much as a heartbreaker, as he had appeared at first. He reminded me of the man in my dream at the "carnival". He was all mysterious, charming, and intoxicating. I felt very attracted to him, yet when I discussed it to Rhianna after dinner, she gave me a weird look.
"What's wrong," I asked her.
"I don't really trust that man. He seems just too perfect."
"Don't be silly, no one is perfect. Anyway, your father trusts him, doesn't he?"
Rhianna nodded, biting her lip.
"Just don't get too attached to him. He only arrived months ago from his father's land and I still feel like he's a stranger, coming to Raea for the first time."
I laughed and shook my head.
"I have only met him today. It's not as if I'm falling for him. I doubt we'll see each other much with his work and everything happening over here."
Rhianna didn't look too reassured and looked genuinely concerned about the prospect of Lord Damien in my future. This made me very confused that my friend could dislike someone without much reason to it.
"Let's talk about other things," I said, hastily changing the subject. "Has my mother found any clues yet?"
"Not yet," Rhianna replied, downcast. "She's with him now, meditating, I think."
I nudged her shoulder and gave a smile when she looked up.
"He'll be better in no time and there's no use in us moping around. Plus, it's not a life-threatening illness."
Rhianna nodded in agreement, giving me a weak smile. I wondered how long I could until I can't make her feel better about the whole situation and if my mother could help. Nothing is life threatening yet, I added to myself, pessimistically.
"Do you mind if I just stay with your mother tomorrow? I want to be there, if she finds something to help." Rhianna tentatively asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I knew the answer she wanted me to give and I did. I left her room and headed to mine, after we talked about lighter subjects and both finally felt somnolent. I readied myself for bed and drank the cup of hot chocolate that a servant had given me, before lying down. Everything was comfortable and perfect, but it didn't allow me to sleep. So many thoughts crowded my mind that I didn't know what to do with. It seemed escaping Athanarel didn't help at all. I stared up at the ceiling, thinking and complaining to myself. I sighed, thinking about what Flauvic was up to and what father's plan for him was. I thought about Lord Damien and my mystery man. I thought about the carnival that disappeared or might have never existed. I thought about Rhianna and her family. I thought about everything happening to me. I felt like casting all the thoughts off and being horridly selfish, but I knew I just couldn't without feeling the pull and weight of guilt on my shoulders.
"Well," I said aloud to myself, trying to talk out my thoughts. "Flauvic is old enough to know what he's doing and Father, as well. It's not my fault Flauvic wanted to stir trouble. I have to know Lord Damien better before I judge him fully and the mystery man, I guess, will just have to stay a mystery. It's not like there's something to I can do about it. The same goes for the carnival. I have no proof anything happened. I might have even dreamed the whole thing. Vivid dreams can happen, so that solves that. The only thing I can do about Rhianna is try to get her mind off her father as long as I can and to cheer her up when she needs me to. Mother is taking care of Lord Devin and I doubt I can do anything for Lady Aislinn, especially since I barely know her."
I let out a long breath. If those are the only things bothering me, why does it seem like so much? I can live with this. I know I can and it's not as if I'm all alone, mother is with Rhianna and me. I tried relaxing my muscles and calming my mind and eventually, I drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
The contentment and relaxed state only lasted me until the start of dawn. My eyes blurrily opened to the light rays of the sun. The sky is pink, I see from the view I have out my window. I sit up, wiping the sleep from my eyes. I move out bed, giving up the chance for further sleep that I suspected would never return to me. I move to the bathroom connected to my room and splash water onto my face, waking me up fully. I slip on brown breeches and a white, cotton blouse. There's something I knew that I haven't done in awhile and something that might help me clear my mind.
I ran down the stairs. Only the servants were about that I saw. I smiled and greeted them as I moved past them. I knew the parts of Raea like the back of my hand and it was only a few minutes before I got to the training grounds, which was the equivalent of the gymnasium at home. A couple of people were there practicing and I wasn't surprised to find my mother there. She caught sight of me and waved me over, as she made the guard, she was dueling, yield. The small crowd around them chuckled at the sight and the guard, who had lost to a female, blushed. Mother said something to him and he smiled before joining his friends.
"Morning, mother."
"Same to you, sweetheart. Care to duel?"
I smiled with an enthusiastic nod and someone gave me a practice sword.
"Ready," She asked, smiling.
I nodded, lifting up my blade. We saluted each other and the duel began. We circled each other, carefully. I had dueled my mother before and always lost to her. It seemed impossible to me when she told me that she had been horrible at swordplay, but Father confirmed it when I asked about it. I blocked an attack with a smooth parry and thrust my sword forward, which she parried just as easily. The contact against the other practice sword made vibrations up and down my arm. My back started to ache from the strain of the fight, as the time passed. We parried and attacked repeatedly, seemingly equally matched. I almost felt like I had a chance at winning. As much as my body started to throb, it was fun and I enjoyed the adrenaline coursing through me. This duel continued until I unexpected faltered and she took the opportunity, holding her blade an inch away from my throat, causing me to fall to the ground.
"Yield," She said with eyes twinkling.
"I yield, mother."
We laughed, as she pulled me from the soft grass below me. I paired off with a guard and mother did the same with another. I, happily, won this next match and mother continued with her winning streak. Our partners took it without complaint, having as much fun at this practice as we were. They gave us advice and we gave them some, as well. We continued until the bells rang, ending our enjoyment.
The guards went off to their stations, giving the ones there their break.
"How has it been going, mother?" I asked, as we headed inside to change for breakfast.
Her smile wavered and the expression told me everything. Unlike her swordplay, she didn't improve in the ability to keep emotions from her face.
"Not good, huh?" I said, before she said a word.
She nodded and sighed.
"I'll keep trying though. I could feel something and it's so close, yet I can't pick up what it is. It'll come to me soon, though."
"I'm sure it will. A full stomach will help you think."
She laughed and nodded in agreement. We quickly changed into a morning gown and met in the dining hall, where Rhianna and Lady Aislinn awaited us, as well as a couple of others staying at the castle. We enjoyed a light and comfortable conversation. Even, Lady Aislinn smiled a bit and laughed, although it was quite a faint one. After breakfast, mother and the others went to Lord Devin's room and I was left with a day to myself.
{W/R} Sry, I ended it there, but I have plans on Sunday and I wanted to get this out to those that have been patiently waiting. Sry about taking so long also, but I have been kinda sick and school takes up a lot of my time. I know so many excuses, but it's all true. Anyways, thanks for reading this!!!!! Please, go ahead and review now!!!!!!!!!
P.S. I wrote a songfic connected with this story. It's called, Invisible. I hope you read it and review it!!!!!
