If I turn you away
Disclaimer: Yeah yeah I know (sniff sniff) it's not mine k?
A/N: Hi guys (laughs nervously) I'm sorry for leaving you all hanging like that, making you wait for this fic to be updated. The reason being is cos' of my clumsiness, I dropped my laptop (god rest it's soul) but I got a new one! (Whew) So on with the fic!
Reason
Claus exited the heavy cargo ship, feeling rather apprehensive about what Alister had said to him a few minutes ago. He wasn't so sure what she meant by it, but it was undoubtedly kind of sudden that it somewhat frightened him. But he sure was lucky that even Lavie herself hasn't said such a scary thing like that. 'At least not yet,' he thought in a fearful way as he continued walking to the awaiting welcomers.
"Welcome sir. Right this way please." said the servant while motioning to the entrance of the royal palace. Claus gulped and started walking on the red carpet following the servant that was leading the way. There were maids all lined up side by side, bowing their heads, greeting him with warm smiles.
"Is this your first time being here, sir?" He inquired. Claus putting all his concentration in walking normally and hoping not to make a scene by tripping, pop his head up in surprise, "Er... umm yes, that is correct."
They had reached the entrance, the servant turn to him and said his goodbye, leaving him with Alister once again. Claus put his travel bag down and was in complete awe at what he saw. The palace inside was huge; it didn't look it from the outside. "I apologize for leaving you like that." said Alister and stepped forward, "Here, let me carry that for you."
"Oh, it's OK." Claus quickly strapped the bag onto his shoulder; "It's no biggie." Alister nodded, "Sophia wants to see you Claus."
"What about Tatiana?" He replied curtly.
"She's there with her. Now let's go Claus." Alister went in the awaiting elevator and waited for him to do the same. Claus sighed and entered to elevator too. 'What I'm I getting myself into?' He questioned himself in his mind.
The elevator went up fourteen floors and halted at the final floor, the fifteen floor. Claus slowly exited the elevator, surveying his surrounding in curiosity. 'Why is there music in the elevator?' He thought unknowingly.
"Claus?"
He jumped, "Yes!" Alister was looking at him with concern, "Is something the matter? You look... how can I say this, jumpy?" Claus turns around; "I'm fine. I'm just a bit anxious about the whole thing, that's all."
Alister tilted her head in slight confusion, "I see. It's probably not that big of a deal. Don't sweat it OK?" Claus scratched his left arm nervously; "I guess your right about that."
"Well then, lead the way." said Claus and put on his best smile. She continued escorting him until they had finally reached their destination. The two royal guards were at full attention. Seeing who they were, the guards let them in, Empress Sophia was expecting them.
"Claus, you're finally here." Sophia came up to him and hugs him. "Yes, but what's this all about?" Sophia giggled, "You're quite straightforward aren't you Claus?" He blushed, "Umm... Sophia?"
"Yes?"
"Can you let go of me now? I can't breathe." Claus was trying to gasp for air. Sophia was holding him tightly to her chest and then let's go, "Oh, I'm sorry." He regains his composure and looks around. "So, how are Lavie and Al doing?" She asked him. "They're doing great. You know, same old same old." He replied, still looking around, until he saw Tatiana entering on the westside.
"Tatiana." He said quietly.
She walked up to him, her face looking expressionless. 'This doesn't look good.' He thought. She was staring at him seriously. "Claus come with me. I have something to ask of you. Please excuse us Sophia." She bowed and grabbed his hand, leading him out.
"Do behave yourselves." Sophia chimed from the back, giggling.
Claus swallowed hard, he felt totally helpless. Tatiana had him in a tight grip and at times, yanked him a little as he followed her. "What's going on Tatiana? What is it that you want of me? Where are we going? What's up with the letter that you sent me? And why-"Claus unleash a barrage of questions as he was powerlessly dragged along by her.
Tatiana finally let go of him and closed the door behind her. "Where are we?" She locked the door and answered, "You're in my room." She heard a "eek," sound coming from Claus. "Relax, Claus. I'm not gonna do anything to you. I just want to ask you a favor, if that's OK with you?" He studied her face for a moment, then nodded hesitantly.
After getting an OK from him, she sat down on her bed. "Here." said Tatiana, holding a photo for him to take. Claus took it from her and looked at it, "Who are they? Your parents?" Tatiana got it back from him, "Yes, they are my parents." He looked confused, "So umm... who's that guy on the left? Your brother?" She looked at it again; "No Claus. He's not my brother."
Claus frowned, "Well, who is he then?" Tatiana got up from her bed and put the photo back in her lamp draw, "Just someone that I was suppose to-"She stopped, then whirled around towards him.
She smirked, "Claus, you're going to help me."
Claus had a dumbfounded look on his face. He scratched his chin, "With what?" She went up to him and laughed, "Getting me out of marriage of course." He drop his travel bag and was big-eyed, "Eh!?!?!? Marriage!?" He stammered out loudly, in total shock.
She quickly tackles him and covers his loud mouth; "Shh... we don't want anyone to hear OK?" Claus struggled to free himself from her tight grip, but it was no use, so he stopped. Tatiana sighed and looked over to the door. She could've sworn that she had heard a loud thump, right after she had tackled Claus. Tatiana finally released him, 'I hope no one heard it.' She thought and eyed the door again, worriedly.
"Tatiana?"
"Yes?" She calmly answered. He still had a shock look on his face. "Are you really serious? I mean, its no joke right?" said Claus, in a whispered tone. Tatiana went to the door and gradually opened it. She looked out and noticed that one of the flowerpots had fallen. 'I guess someone was here a few moments ago.' She rubbed the side of her face timidly.
She locked the door again, "Claus, I know it's kind of hard to believe. But it's the honest truth." Claus had trouble thinking, "Like how?" He managed to say, "And how you gonna avoid it by using me?" Tatiana's face lit up, "Well, that's just the beauty of it." She started, "I was planning on telling them that I have you." She laughed, sporting a silly look on her face.
"Wha?!" He yelled, "What kind of dopey plan is that?" She laughed again, looking quite silly, "I know, crazy huh?" Claus stood there thinking, 'What have I gotten myself into? What I'm I gonna do now? Help her or not? This is really crazy!' Sighing he answered her, "I'm sorry Tatiana, this just too big for me to handle."
"Ah, c'mon Claus. For me please?" She pleaded. "I'm just gonna introduce you to them and say that you're my boyfriend OK? I just don't want to marry that other guy that my parents had arranged me to marry." Claus put his hand through his hair; "It's not going to work. You're forgetting that I'm only seventeen years old."
She brushed it off like it wasn't that big of a deal; "It won't be a problem. I'm sure we'll come up with something that will make you look a lot older than that." She chimed happily. "Why I'm I not that surprise." He answered her suspiciously.
"How did this happen anyway?" Claus asked curiously. She thought for a second, "I guessed it was planned from the very beginning. You know, nobles marrying other nobles, something like that. Hey Claus, your father use to be nobleman too right?"
It was his turn to think, "I believe so. That was what my mother told me when I was little. I'm not sure of it though, it's kind of hard for me to remember." Tatiana was in deep thought, "Hmm I see." Claus felt uneasy; she was planning something again, "Hmm? What is it?" She silenced him and went to her window, "It'd just might work." She murmured, while looking out.
"What just might work?" He questioned her again. "Claus!" said Tatiana unexpectedly as she turned to him. "Yes!?" He was a bit surprise by her sudden outburst. "Let's go. We are leaving." She opened the door and left the room. "Where? Where we going?" He yelled after her. Claus followed her, not really sure what she was going to do.
OK, how was it? I know Tatiana was OOC in this chappie, but I like to see her more out-going I guess. So please gimme your reviews and thoughts k? Until next time, buh-bye! enIIgma-chan :3