Forenote: I am very aware that I promised this Chapter in a span of days, but it took a little longer that that -- I suppose I overestimated myself. Anyway, it's here now, and that's all that matters. 10 reviews for this chapter? Excellent. I thank you all as one, as gratitude for each of you individually is listed below:

Responses: I cannot view my reviews at the moment, since my Internet is down, so I cannot respond to any. For this I am terribly sorry, but don't you want to get straight to the story?

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Chapter 11: When the Bushes Rustle

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"You look absolutely splendid," Elaine marveled breathlessly, forgetting her annoyance and gazing at me with an adoring, sisterly air. Despite my flustered feelings, I blushed lightly, pleased, and took the liberty of turning around - gently, to be careful - and facing myself in the glass. And I blushed further; never before had I imagined myself to look like this. Elaine did not embellish her words at all.

Staring back at me in the mirror was a part of me that I never knew could ever exist. It was a human form of the gracious, noblewoman's behavior I had been practicing in the weeks of my stay here; perhaps it was even the human form of this 'Rozenta': so beautifully exotic, but formidable in her grace. The 'Eszti' part of me was not worthy to look as such.

My gown, which Elaine had so skillfully and carefully picked out, was white and gold silk, since she recently realized how white brought out the best of my appearance. My black hair and eyes were accentuated by the pure color, although they were otherwise untouched by makeup and any other facial substance - those were befouling on the natural beauty of a woman. The dress was long and radiant, light and sweeping, flowing in two petticoats - the inner thick, the outer thin, so it was reversed to other formal gowns. The sleeves were white and thick and strong up to the elbow, and from those seams the rest of the cloth fell, in weak, floaty white silk. My bodice was form-fitting and beaded with diamond lining, and I wore on my covered shoulders a lily attached to the gown with a rhinestone; the neckline was square and trimmed with new lace just shipped in from Whitewhey, the manufacturing center of Merilian. Elaine thought it a shame not to flaunt my - by her words - "enticing" curves, so she found a white satin sash to tie stylishly around my waist.

As for my hair, Elaine had softened and styled it with a thin, shining cream that smelled of sunnut, and the ends were curled loosely, in an innocent sort of look. It fell loosely down my shoulders, with a white lily settled by my ear, and Elaine put in a metal clasp painted white to hold the flower in place. She then placed a silver-white chain around my neck, and smiled softly in admiration.

I, personally, was too shell-shocked to speak. Never before had I really - to myself, at least - looked so... fragile. I dressed usually in the bright, wool clothing my father would bring home, bought with probably a silver coin, or a few coppers... and they made me look as I had always seen myself - vibrant, and energetic, and generally independent. But now... I looked as though I was born to please the eyes of others. I only stared at Elaine, my eyes shining with an unnamed emotion (probably a record high level of gratitude).

"You look like a ... fresh new lily, found by the riverbank, plucked an hour past its dewing time. It's rather amazing, really, but you look natural like it. Honestly. Now, come. I've permission to be escorting you. The Prince is waiting." The last she added with an uncharacteristically impish smile, her eyes actually crinkling a little. It was a pleasant thing, to see her express emotion, and I suppose she would've laughed had she not the calm composure of an ice cube.

Together, we made our way into the palace - which was decorated in red and gold to celebrate the return of the monarchs - and into the grand hallways, speaking softly. I had unconsciously expressed a sort of care in the things I did, unknowingly trying to prevent any show of my true... untamed nature. It was my apparel, obviously, but oddly, I liked the feeling of this Rozenta presence. It assured me that there could be some confident lady in me, somewhere.

Before we touched the golden handle of the dining hall doors, a herald's hand pulled it first, smiling charmingly at us. I passed a sideway glance at Elaine, whose lips showed a bit of amusement. I looked again at the young, freckle-faced herald, who nodded respectfully towards the both of us.

"Milady... Escort Elaine... might I inquire what noble beauties pass here?" he said in a youthful voice, lilted with a smooth... Kionean accent. Of course; no matter what class, they were always the first ones to show signs of good, polished breeding and sophisticated refinement. It was impressive.

"The lady Rozenta, a noble guest from the foreign land of Elysia, come to attend the welcoming feast of Their Highnesses. I am her escort for tonight." Elaine recited my title with a subtle, fleeting sideways glance at me, her lip twitching as she spoke. I know what ran through her mind. As I befriended her and Eder, I felt inclined to tell them of my true identity, and so I did. And when she heard of my cover-up country, she couldn't help but find it absolutely absurd.

"Ah, the foreign Lady. We've heard much about you, Lady Rozenta. I pray you find our halls of satisfaction to you. And now, to give you a welcome." He grinned boyishly, and pulled the doors with a graceful style.

The doors were now open, and the herald stepped forward. He blew his small, golden horn once - softly, as to not seem rude - and raised his hand, looking gravely around the room. The soft, orchestral music came to a quick end, shortened by my entrance, and guests turned to watch the herald with intent. I could feel their eyes shift from me, to Elaine, and to the herald, in various orders.

"I present to you... her Ladyship Rozenta, from the distant, foreign land of Elysia, noblewoman guest of the Royal Family." He bowed swiftly, stepped back, and pulled the great doors shut, but not after a final wink in Elaine's direction. She expressed no emotion to this, except an eyebrow raised in the slightest.

I looked to the great clutter of guests with wide eyes, feeling my flesh warm. I was about to bite my lip instinctively, but then realized what sort of noblewoman would do that.

One from Elysia, apparently... I thought wryly, hating myself once again. The guests were now whispering; I had no doubt that many didn't know of any country named Elysia, but there were many new countries being discovered nowadays. Explorers were abundant in supply.

Elaine stepped down first, her expression utterly complacent. I decided to match her as I followed, to give myself an imperious air that could perhaps convince the majority of the crowd that I was truly a noblewoman, but I was still nervous. The heat was getting unbearable; and I was sure that I had gone partially deaf as well. All I could hear was the rushed, hard-hitting beating of my heart.

Elaine soon left me to my own devices a little after our entrance, explaining ruefully that she had other duties to attend to, as a servant of the Royal House. I was reluctant to let her go, but I knew better, and watched her glide away, my pulse running quicker all of a sudden. So here I stood... impersonating a noble from a country that surely did not exist... dressed in a beautiful dress that I certainly didn't have the right to wear... attending a ball held in the honor of those who could have me killed instantly if they discovered me... and... being stared at by a silenced Prince?

No, no, by the gods, no...!

The court squire was approaching me - most likely to request a dance - but I barely noticed. Clement was staring at me, his eyes wide, and unconsciously... I stared back.

Terrified, I gave myself a little shake, and I looked away - at the carpet, at the circling nobles, at the hanging tapestries... anything. He stepped a few paces toward me - separated by four or five guests, we were - and I couldn't take it. Flushing, I turned my head completely, walking away, leaving the squire befuddled.

And my temper flared.

I could be wearing a corset for all the breathlessness I'm displaying! What am I doing, dressed like this, attending a party for the bloody King and Queen? And why am I behaving in such a manner that proves his POINT? By the gods, I'm practically lovesick!

"Lady Rozenta! Soooo good to see you! You look marvelous, darling... lily-themed? Have you danced?" A voice exploded, calling in my direction. Startled out of my mental temper tantrum, I twisted around to see a falsely cheery Marguerite bouncing her way toward me. I wanted to sick up. The way she insisted on pretending we were friends... I was sickened. I stared hard at her with an icy look, one that could make Elaine proud.

"Yes, lily-themed. Is it so apparent?" I asked coldly, smoothing my voice with "concerned" sarcasm. Marguerite, surprisingly, found it, but gave no notice. She merely continued on, not altering her behavior at all.

"It is, darling, and it compliments you! So have you danced?" The light in her eyes danced with an emotion I could surely recognize: pride, tinged with spite.

So... she wanted to make me jealous, now did she? Well, I played games too, and often did better than the challenger.

"Not at all, Marguerite. Our dear squire attempted to ask me, but I'm afraid I was a bit too... preoccupied, darling, by Prince Clement. Two noblemen are eyeing me, so I suppose I'd take a twirl or two." I smiled my most winning smile, which only attracted the gazes of those two alleged noblemen. Until that instant, they were made-up, but I suppose my smile made things different.

The simper was swiped immediately off Marguerite's face, and she turned an unflattering red, contrasting sharply with the floaty lavender of her gown. Thinning her lips, her blue eyes flashed.

"Oh. So modest of you to speak so, Rozenta, dear. Those are, however, common occurrences at a ball, if I may so."

I didn't change my expression at all. I suppose she was expecting uncontrolled fury or obvious hurt, as hers fell instantly.

"Of course. Of course. And we are not attending a ball, Marguerite. This is a feast. There is a difference, and as a lady, I expected you to know that. Very well. Next time, I shall not overestimate you." I didn't even bother to match her ill-willing false happiness; instead, I narrowed my eyes coldly and turned swiftly on my heel, my black tresses sweeping dramatically against my back.

I stalked away, but didn't even notice the lily slipping shakily out of my hair and onto the floor.

I was standing by a suit of armor, watching the dancing half of the feast progress with a cantankerously imperious expression, when I felt a soft tap on my shoulder. Startled, I jumped and turned, staring. It was Clement, looking roguishly handsome in a black and gold doublet.

His cobalt eyes were pleading, desperate... hurt. As I stared into them, a rush of feelings fluttered into my heart and out: rage, confusion, adoration, and... love. Never before had I felt so much for a single man, and it wouldn't be untrue if I ever said I never felt so much in my entire life. I was ashamed of myself, but at the same time I marveled at Clement's ability to make my heart pound and my blood hot.

My neck warmed, but I couldn't tear my gaze from him again. So I decided to speak. "Your Majesty... it is good to see you tonight. You are doing well, I trust?"

Inside, I rejoiced. My voice didn't quaver in the least.

Where love had been shining in his eyes, anger clouded them. "Rozenta, what has happened to you?"

Pardon...!

"Why, I would expect a man to tell me I looked radiant, or some nonsense of the like, but it seems you've decided to do something different," I replied coldly, my voice rising, my own temper surfacing at an alarming rate. Guests nearby were turning to look over at us, irritable at the disturbance of their own conversations.

We ignored them.

"Oh, stop that pish-posh, Rozenta!" He exclaimed, alarmingly enraged, startling me and a few other guests. Now staring was really starting to take effect. I glared at Clement, but was stunned into silence for a moment or two.

But I found my voice before too long.

"What pish-posh?" I asked in a soft voice, subdued with humble confusion.

And he hushed. His expression was thunder, but soon it cleared, all rage seeping away to make room for despair. His eyes were empty now; the love was definitely gone. Now only sadness remained. He took a step back, now taking his gaze from me, and tried to gather his composure. Turning, he smiled weakly towards the puzzled guests, trying to assure them that nothing was going on, but the look he gave me was a different kind of calm.

The noblemen and noblewomen nodded companionably and tuned out of our conversation instantly. Nobody - commanded by the prince, as they were - bothered to pay us any mind, anymore. But he looked at me again, and I couldn't be relieved.

It was like the sadness that couldn't be expressed with tears. It was a sort of pain that'd never go away.

"So this is what I waited for," he said to me, his voice as calm as a gray day on an ocean. "This is the future I ignored everything else for. Have you ever wondered," he took a step forward. Chills ran through me. "why I never let you go?"

Completely muted - for this was a question that had haunted me for ages - I could only nod.

"I had somewhere got it into my head - and what an idiot I proved to be - that we had some sort of future... that I had actually found the woman for me... that if I held on, despite her sadness, we'd be happy in the end. If I let you go, there'd be no chance for us to find the love that could be."

His eyes didn't change at all. It was unnerving.

"And I loved you then; not at first sight, really, but more of the first day. Or second. You were unlike any other maiden I had ever met... headstrong, intelligent, but overall good-natured... but I knew that if I did let you go as you asked so often, I could never get to know you as I did. It was hard for me to imprison you here as I did, but I figured that the potential future would've been worth it. But... you've changed."

Here, he looked around and made sure no one was eavesdropping. No one was, apparently, for he was satisfied with his search.

"Your persona remained the same, but your attitude toward me changed. You want to hate me now. I could be right in saying that there were feelings before, but you insist on pushing me away. On closing your heart to what I can offer. So do you now what I plan to do now?"

He didn't wait for a response. He looked slightly manic, speaking as he did now.

"I surrender. I will release you soon enough. You will never see me again, but perhaps you could see me during country festivities or parades, with my Queen by my side. She would most likely not be of my own choice, but I'd have her anyway. Love is traitorous."

The King and Queen were now watching us curiously, wondering why Clement spent so much time with me. Clement looked over at them once, but then settled his gaze back on my face. Normally, when he did this, I shivered but felt pleased all the while... but now, I wanted to cry.

"I give you permission to leave the palace and search for that camp of yours. You are no longer in captivity; you can be free. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"

My heart broke. My selfishness had cost me whatever Clement had tried to offer; my selfishness cost me his love.

"You know now, of course, that I love you. I shall never forget you, and I shall always love you, and I'll dream of the future we could've had together. But you, obviously, refuse to have me. So I let you go, Rozenta, so you can be happy again. You never were happy in this palace. Be happy, Rozenta. Don't let my love for you keep you from what's most important."

I had to speak up; I had to say something. I had to tell him that I loved him, that I had made an awful mistake, that he was what was most important, but the instant I opened my mouth, he put his hand under my chin and smiled. A sad smile. A broken heart's smile. A lost smile. A smile that shouldn't even be there.

"Here's your lily; it was on the floor." I looked at it in surprise as he showed it to me. Then, releasing my chin, he placed it gently - ever so gently - in my hair again, by the clasp.

"You were about the best dream I ever had, Rozenta. The best. It is a pity that I had to wake up as I did."

Taking a step back, he smiled once - but there was no true light in it - and walked away, his head down and his hand rubbing his forehead. I could recognize that as the poise most men took when they wanted to cry, but couldn't.

I put a hand to the lily in my hair, and closing and opening my eyes quickly, I hurriedly brushed some tears away. Then, as I stood by the suit of armor, trying to hold back tears and catch Clement's eye, the herald announced the start of dinner. I did not listen. As I stood, helpless, watching a weary-looking Clement take his seat by his mother and father, I realized that beyond everything I had done in the past, there was always the present to consider...

I could still do something, something that could have him forgive me. But for the time being... I had to at least save the weak relationship we had. It was dying.

"Clement!" I called out softly, hurrying forward and toward his seat, my arm outstretched in a pleading way. He didn't even look at me, but by the way he turned his head to the other side - away from me - I knew he heard me well enough. I raised my voice.

"Clement, I am sorry, I am blind, I..." The look he gave me silenced me. The King and Queen, both looking alarmed, stared at me sternly. The Queen was the first to speak.

"A foreign young lady," she said kindly but regally, her beautiful face softening. "How good to finally meet you, Lady Rozenta. I've heard so much. As a guest, I beg that you take the vacant seat between my son and Lady Marguerite. You have quite a reputation in the palace. They say your visit was certainly unexpected." She smiled like a true queen, and graciously gestured with my hand for me to seat.

I nodded slightly, uttered, "Thank you, your Majesty", and took my place. Marguerite, peeved that I got the chance to sit by Clement when she didn't, eyed me from the side; a plastic smile was pasted onto her face, but her eyes were ablaze.

A horn played, the herald announced a short charismatic speech to welcome the Royal Monarchs, and dinner began. Dishes were served, maids and servants bustled about, and guests ate happily, talking amongst themselves in politely low voices.

Queen Egeria, gazing at me curiously with those cobalt eyes - they were mirror duplicates of the ones that entranced me so often on Clement's own face - smiled slightly as she spooned some meal onto her golden dish, but I could see her cogs working. The ways her eyes kept darting from Clement to me then to Marguerite - they narrowed slightly on her, mind you - made it too apparent that she was obviously devising something.

But she started out of her reverie when King Ignatius spoke, a robust burst of deep sound.

"Lady Rozenta... you are a guest of Prince Clement's, I hear? Have you two acquainted yourselves?"

I looked up from my plate, horrified. What terrible ideas had Marguerite fed the man? Knowing that he was particularly fond of Marguerite... oh, he didn't like me at all. The frightening way he spoke to me proved that in volumes.

"We have, Your Majesty. I am indeed a guest of his," I said, trying my best to impersonate a noblewoman's stature. It was my effort - and only that - that caused him to finally look at me, and it was with an oddly... tender look. Clouded, angry, hurt... but unknowingly tender.

Marguerite slapped her fork down onto her plate with a loud clang, startling the Queen into anger. Both expressions worn by the women were enraged: Marguerite at me, and Queen Egeria at Marguerite. Needless to say, I was feeling very awkward, and nervous... oh so nervous... if I were caught...

"I've also heard from my son that your people - Elysians - are very unique..." King Ignatius continued, as though the women surrounding him were not facing emotional stress levels of any kind. "Somewhat like Gypsies themselves. Do you represent them, milady?"

I held back the angry yelp that had developed in the back of my throat. And for the first time during the evening, I caught Clement's lip twitch, if only for a moment. The scoundrel wanted to smirk. He was still pale, of course... still hurt, and still angry, but color returned little by little to his cheeks, and I knew he was slowly getting over his pain. And at the same time, trying to get over me.

"Yes, milord. The people, and the Gypsies both, I suppose, if they are so similar. Your Highness," I added quickly, trying to look humble and respectful, suppressing the strong emotions inside me. I wanted nothing more than to splash the contents of my goblet - mild, imported wine - onto sneering Marguerite's dress, to mock the solemn way His Majesty-my-foot-I've-enough-of-this glared, to give the Queen an incredulous yet grateful look, and to pull Clement outdoors and beg his forgiveness, then perhaps kiss the life out of him.

A light blush came onto my cheeks as I thought the last. I tried my best not to steal a look at Clement.

Now, of course, I was fully aware that I was in love with the arrogant but endearing prince, and although it would've taken a girl as stubborn as me years to accept it, I didn't have that sort of time. It was either I learn to accept it now and have the chance to win him back, or wait those useless years to get over myself and find out later on that Queen Marguerite is expecting their sixth child, or some nonsense of the sort.

My thoughts were getting a bit insane, but then again, I could barely hold onto my wits in a situation like this. I had to crack sometime.

Unbidden silence fell between everyone seated at our corner of the table. It seemed, surprisingly enough, that every one of us was buried in our own thoughts. Queen Egeria, I knew, was undoubtedly scheming, Marguerite was painting images of my violently gruesome death in her mind, King Ignatius was still gazing at me with his narrowed eyes, perhaps measuring my chances with Clement and whether or not he had to be worried for Marguerite's sake, and Clement...

I would've called Marguerite a wench in both the faces of the King and Queen if it would allow me a peek at Clement's own thoughts. But I had a vague idea, judging by the way his eyes kept stealing furtive glances at me.

All of our eyes snapped upwards promptly when King Ignatius cleared his throat in a decidedly loud manner. He gazed at me with that calculatingly alert stare for a second more, and then turned to Clement, his manner lightening a touch.

"Clement, we haven't discussed your impending betrothal plans for a while, even before the trip the Queen and I took to Kione. The matter is of urgent importance, my son, and we cannot bury it forever. Have you any decision?"

At this, my gaze sharpened, and I was able to stare at Clement with a severe look without being abashed. The attentions of Queen Egeria and Marguerite were piqued as well, although Queen Egeria was irritably glaring at her husband.

Taken aback, Clement looked his father in the eye, and gave a genuine answer. "I haven't given the matter a thought, my lord, for which I apologize, of course." His eyes darted toward me again, and I knew as certain as the lily in my hair that I turned red.

This did not go unnoticed.

"Well, Clement, we are discussing the matter now, aren't we?" New suspicion coated the King's tone.

"Yes, father. It seems so."

"I cannot argue with you in front of a guest, Clement. Do you yield? Lord Giovan cannot await a response forever. And neither can the lovely Lady Marguerite."

Queen Egeria's expression was stony, but I knew by the spark of sniping amusement behind her eyes that had she not been royalty, she would've snorted.

Clement raised his eyes, matching his father's gaze. "Must we really pursue the matter before a guest, father? At a dinner, to further the trouble?"

"It matters not, son. Answer the query."

Clement stiffened. I had never seen a King speak to his son this way, but I suppose this was a topic on which neither could come to rights.

"I have not made a final decision, sire, but I lean towards the answer I gave before."

Triumph and pride unraveled itself on the Queen's striking face, and she gave Marguerite a boastful look and a raised chin. The spoiled creature looked as though she wanted to cry.

King Ignatius remained unperturbed.

"What would you do if I gave you no choice, then?"

The color drained from Clement's face, but he flushed a second later, his face raw with ill-contained anger. His eyes flicked toward me again, but this time he was so discreet that it went unnoted.

"That is not the case, is it?"

"It could be."

At this, the Prince could hold himself no longer. He stood abruptly, not even bothering to excuse himself, glared at his father once more, and stalked off out of the dining hall, not even bothering to walk with his customary swagger. Guests twittered at the unexpected occurrence, but they barely mattered. To me, they no longer existed.

I looked at my fellow attendants at corner of the table. Now that Clement was missing from our number, I was no longer necessary here, and I knew I'd be more uncomfortable than before. If I were lucky, I might be able to leave the feast without sparking any suspicions.

"Your Highnesses?" My voice brought their attention back onto the table. "Might I be excused? I am suffering a little in the head; I believe I have not yet adapted to the food of this country, your Graces."

Marguerite threw me an incredulous glower, but Queen Egeria granted me leave with an indulgent smile. "Why, of course, Lady. I know it would be indeed difficult for you to adjust so quickly. You do not eat meat often then?"

I shook my head lightly and minded my grace as I stood. "No, my Queen. The dishes in my homeland are usually based on vegetables."

"Ah, I see. You may leave, then, Lady. I pray that you have found Merilian satisfactory."

"I have, very much so. I thank you, your Majesty."

And I hurried away from the dining hall, holding a hand to my stomach in pretend-illness. I knew Marguerite was not fooled.

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I didn't know what sort of force drove me, but something did, out of the dining hall, through the grand, echoing Merilian palace, onto the courtyard, and into the brisk, autumn night. The air was crisp, the winds light and chilly, and suddenly I wished for the cloak that was given me by Clement. It was presently lain in some corner of my wardrobe – for all I knew – or perhaps thrown neatly over my bed covers. According to Elaine, my white and gold dress was too splendid to be disgraced by any cloak or anything of the like, and after all, I wouldn't spend too much time outside.

But of course, Elaine hadn't anticipated this.

I wrapped my arms around myself, rubbing vigorously for warmth. Oh, how I wished for home… and then again, I knew deep in my heart that I couldn't return. Not now, not when things came to such disheartening scenarios. Before I arrived, things ran smoothly and there were no troubles for any of the castle occupants. But ever since I'd been imprisoned…

So, thought I, feeling as bitter as I ever had in my life. So. I ruined their lives, didn't I? If I had never come, they'd be just fine. They'd be living their grand lives, in their grand palace, doing grand deeds… not perfectly, of course, but better than how they'd perform with my presence.

I tried to distract myself. I berated myself as terribly as I had ever berated anything or anyone in my entire life, being as brutal and savage in my thoughts as I had ever been. But one thought - pushed into the vacant, shadowed corner of my mind – had surfaced itself, weaved its way through the things I told myself to hide the stone, cold truth.

I broke his heart.

With that thought came my first tears of the night.

And so I wept - silently, but undoubtedly weeping. The tears began mute, rolling down my cheeks, struggling to break free of the hold I had on myself. It was difficult, but eventually I gave in. The tears came free, and swift, and in steady flow. My Nen and Da had always soothed me by saying things like, "There is no shame in falling apart" or "There is always the future to look at, even if the present may prove to be a fool's game", but they were not here now, and there was no one I could come to. Only the dark truth spoke to me, now, and it was impossible for me to ignore it.

The best thing that had ever happened to me… I destroyed all the chances. I denied what could've been, what my heart had been yearning for, what another heart had been yearning for. If anything, Clement should've been weeping, but he would weep for me no longer. He'd want nothing to do with me.

I cannot blame him, for only a fool could think otherwise.

No matter how broken my heart was, I was not a thorough weeper; I did not cry all of my pain away. My tears soon came to dissolve as I stood in the midnight silence, nursing my ruined respect for myself. Gradually, I was drawn into silence. No more sobs came like torn cries through my lips, no more gasps resulted from my heart's inconsistent beating. No more.

I've cried long enough.

Now… there was nothing left for me here, was there? Only a now-impossible way of life, and terrible memories. I knew I couldn't stay long. I'd drive Clement crazy with my ever-constant presence around the castle, and I too would go mad, and we'd all be miserable, and Eder and Elaine would tire of the haggard wench I've become, and Bedivere would find a more worthy maiden to woo.

My heart skipped a beat. Bedivere. But no… he didn't need me. I could never return what I supposed he felt for me, even if I pretended and tried, and he isn't stupid. Perhaps he'd pair off with Elaine, or another maid, or Marguerite, for all it mattered. So long as it wasn't me. He gave me no reason to stay.

I began to gaze wonderingly at the palace, where I could hear the orchestra playing, and a dance starting up again. Dinner was most obviously over, and guests began to circle the room once again, this time in clumps of three. Was this a foreign dance?

A foreign dance held in my honor? I snorted skeptically, about to let out a hoarse laugh when I heard a noise. A peculiar noise. Wary, I turned around, and… there, I heard it again. Now it was louder, and an unmistakable sound.

Bushes were rustling.

My worry ceded. It was probably a rabbit, or a cat, or perhaps a bird. Maybe something more interesting, if I had any luck left. Indifferent, I turned my attention back to the palace building.

Odd… I thought, finally observing this for the first time. There are no guards. My brow furrowed in thought, and my heart began to race.

The bushes began rustling again, and irritable, I whisked around, making to kick the shrub. And what a surprise it was when a hand – protruding from somewhere within the bushes - grabbed the slim ankle of my silk-slippered foot, and proceeded to push me backwards with masculine force. Shock brought chills through my body, and absolute terror made me gasp somewhere inside. I opened my mouth to shriek, until I felt a hand close on that too, and my heart pounded. There was a man behind me, I was sure, from the threatening warmth you feel when another is within your personal space, and then he had put a hand shamelessly to my hip, making me tremble all over in anger and panic. By the gods…! I couldn't be heard, but I screamed anyway.

"Hush, woman! Else we'll slit your throat… Royleo, cease her kicking!"

I twisted my shrieks into muffled words, kicking and punching and squirming harder all the while. You filthy bastards, let go of me! I tried to say, to the wicked laughter of the men. And I couldn't even see them.

"Gah, she won't hush. Hit her with a pan!"

"She's too lovely and noble for that, haha!" one crook cackled.

A pan…?

And that was my last thought before I felt a dull, stinging pang to the softer part of my head, a limp feeling, and a consuming blackness - a blackness that ate me alive.

o…o…o…o…o

Afterthoughts: The excitement part is a bit bland, and I apologize humbly for that, but I cannot concentrate for some reason. I can never really focus. I am also aware that I promised this chapter within the span of a few days after the uploading of the previous, but I've been distracted. Again. I try, I try, but I have other interests too, as well as issues with my darling computer. Even now my Internet works not, and I cannot upload anything at this very moment, so I'll wait until my dad fixes it.