Len POV
I pace the room anxiously, nervously. Word has been sent that they should be here within the hour, but it gives me no relief.
What if it's not her? All this waiting, longing, wishing, waiting will be for naught. I don't think I can handle another crushing blow. I mean, how hard should it be to find her, if she's still alive? After all these years of searching, to come up with nothing…I don't think I can do it anymore.
But if it is her, will she remember me? Will she be angry? Will she have missed me? But how do you miss someone you don't remember? What if she refuses to believe me…it's been so long. What if she hates me? Then what?
This relentless pacing is not helping. I look up to cast a checking glance over the room once more, the room made and waiting just for her. Decorated with orange, yellow and pink but not frilly, it should fit her. Large windows make up the entire wall that faces the courtyard, letting light stream in onto the thickly carpeted floor. The gleaming oak of her bed glows in the sunlight, and I run my hand lightly over its silky surface. I glance up to the corner towards the open door that leads directly into my room, so we can be together and I can ensure her safety. I take a shaky breath, drawing it in and out before reaching up to run my hand through my ruffled bangs.
A rumbling sound outside the window grabs my attention immediately. I raise my head slowly as a parade of soldiers on horses come, accompanying a large carriage. My heart beats fast in my chest as I watch it pull up. I tear my eyes away from the window to fling open the door to the hallway, where I see a servant rushing up to inform me of her arrival.
"Sir-!" He gasps, straightening his hat as he tries to deliver his message.
"Bring her directly to my room." I interrupt, and stalk back into my room. He scampers away with my order, and I sit down on my own bed, freshly made this morning. Calm down Len. It will be fine. It will be her.
I straighten and stand when there is a knock at my door.
"Enter!" I call, clenching my hand tightly around the fabric of her old dress at my side. The door opens, and she enters, being directed by two guards.
Her sapphire eyes flash angrily, and she struggles slightly against their grasp. Her blond hair flies in front of her eyes when she does this. It is glossy and silky, blond as it was ten years ago, and identical to mine. Her heart-shaped face and sweet features are made sharp by her glare, drawing her slim eyebrows down angrily. It is her, definitely my Rin. My heart lifts in happiness, ready to beat right out of my chest.
I am quickly brought back by realization that she is still glaring at me with hate, definitely not recognizing. Fear grips my heart.
"Let her go." I instruct sharply, and she is released immediately. She pushes them away harshly.
"Leave us." I snap. The guards immediately depart, and close the door behind themselves. As soon as the door closes, she snaps.
"What do you want with me? I am not who you want, you cannot keep me here!" She yells, her hands clutching at her dirty dress. I am surprised by her sudden outburst. I hold out my hand, revealing the fabric enclosed in it. Her eyes widen.
"This is yours?" I ask. She snatches it from me, clutching it to herself. Her eyes grow glassy.
"You have no right to take my things! No right!" She says, and she chokes back a sob. I draw towards her, but she shies away.
"You are my sister, Rin. My twin." I say gently, but she immediately starts shaking her head.
"No I'm not! I'm not! I don't know what you are talking about!" She cries. "You've got the wrong girl!"
"Rin! Don't you see, we look exactly alike!" I plead, as if rational thinking will return her memories.
"No no no no no…" She sobs, covering her face. I step closer and reach for her hands. Feeling my contact, she gasps and slaps me. I grab her wrists.
"Let me go." She gasps. "Let me go." I feel anger rising in me, anger that she doesn't remember, doesn't know. I lean my forehead against hers and close my eyes tightly, feeling the pain of loss once more.
"Please Rin…" I beg. "Please…" She struggles against my grip, and I open my eyes to see her face, frightened. It is so like the last time I saw it. A pang against my heart makes me let go of her wrists and letting my hand slide into her, grasping it despite her pull away from me.
"Please, let me convince you…I know you don't remember, but maybe you will in time…please, just let me take care of you." I say softly, trying to catch her eye. "Please Rin, I love you."
"No! I'm not her! Let me go back!" she demands. My heart tightens as fear grasps it. I cannot lose her again.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you leave." I say quietly. "I didn't want to do this, keep you like a caged bird, but I can't let you go." Her eyes widen and she pulls her hand from my grasp in a strong motion.
"NO! NO!" She screams. She turns to open the door to find a guard waiting outside. She slams the door, and runs to the door leading to her room, flinging it open as she looks for an escape. I follow her calmly as she stands in the doorway, amazed.
"This is your room. It's attached to mine, so we can be together. We can change anything you don't like." I say hopefully. She turns to me slowly, refusing to meet my eyes.
"There's another guard outside my door, isn't there?" She asks. I nod. She looks up. "Fine. Keep me here. But I will never be happy, and I will find a way." She walks to the window to look out mournfully. A tear slips down her cheek as she stares out at the world outside. I feel horrible, knowing that Rin should be able to be free, do whatever her heart tells her. But I merely shuffle back to my room.
"Do you want to be alone?" I ask, already knowing the answer. She nods, not lifting her eyes from outside. I close the door to give her some privacy. I slump against the closed door as I hear her break into sobs. Something inside me wrenches, tormented at her anguish. I let a few tears slide from my eyes as well, wishing she knew me.
Rin POV
I must have fallen asleep on the lavish bed, because I am suddenly jolted awake by the feel of a soft hand shaking my arm gently.
"Princess? Are you awake?" Says the tall, chubby lady. I blink spastically at her. "Princess, I've been instructed to help you bathe and dress." She says nervously, looking over me with a worried expression. I push myself up.
"Instructed?" I remark. She nods eagerly.
"Please, your highness, if you would come willingly…" She wrings her hands slightly, obviously have heard about my angry outburst earlier at the many guards who had practically carried me up here. But this sweet lady, she is not a large guard who is trying to convince me to come out of a carriage. She poses no threat at all. I sigh. I suppose I could use a bath. I nod, and she beams.
"Come, come! The bath is already ready! You have your own bathroom in through here!" She takes my arm and directs me to another, almost hidden door. Pushing it open, I am struck by the strong scent of lavender.
A white tub, overflowing with iridescent bubbles stands in the middle of the cold marble floor. I notice a young, thin maid folding a towel by a small dresser in the corner.
"Now, just undress yourself, and climb on in!" The lady chirps. I stare at her blankly. Undress in front of strangers? I don't think so.
Unfortunately, she takes my stare completely wrong, circling me to stop at my back.
"So sorry dear! Of course you will need help removing your dress! Silly me!" I feel her hands undoing the long string of buttons on my back quickly, but I dart away before she can get very far.
"I-I can do it myself!" I insist. "But not in front of you!" Her face changes to one of surprise.
"There's no need to be modest dear! We are here to help!" She says gently. The maid nods.
"I am not undressing in front of strangers!" I announce. The plump lady breaks into a smile.
"I am Lady Laura. That is Sophia. We are here to help you with whatever you need, not to intimidate you." She coos. She runs to my back again and undoes all the buttons in a flash. I don't have time to stop her from lifting away my dress, leaving me in my few undergarments.
The maid, Sophia, takes my dirty worn rag of a dress.
"Would you like me to save this?" She asks me sweetly, smiling shyly at me. I blush as I realize my own nakedness, but shake my head.
"I do not want it. Do you have something to replace it with?" I manage. Praying that these will be the only two people to see me naked today. She nods and smiles wider.
"Of course!" Lady Laura interjects. "But you cannot see it or put it on until you are clean!" She nods at my still partially clothed figure. Wincing, I give in and shed my clothes before immediately plunking myself into the water to hide myself. She draws forward, but I hold up a soapy hand.
"I will ask you if I need help." I ordered. "I can wash myself." She nods calmly before skittering away. I glance at the two conversing behind me. They appear to be absorbed, so I deem it safe and wash myself free of grime. Soon my pale skin is revealed, and I dunk myself under to wet my head. Brushing the wet strands of hair out of my eyes, I glance around for more than a bar of soap. Sophia suddenly appears with a bottle of liquid in her hands.
"I will wash your hair for you, princess." She suggests.
"I can do it myself." I say embarrassingly, but she simply smiles and pours some of the bottle out on top of my head. She rubs my head gently, and I try to relax as my short blond hair is cleaned.
She helps me rinse the soap off too, just as Laura hauls in a huge, poufy dress. I recoil in horror.
"Isn't this just darling?" She expresses, and I shake my head as I climb out of the porcelain tub to hastily wrap a towel around my figure. Sophia giggles and I fume.
"I am not, nor will ever, wear that." I say flatly. Len can keep me prisoner, but I will strut around in this towel rather than be forced to wear such a poufy atrocity.
Laura frowns. "Come, come." She says, dragging the dress out the bathroom door. Sophia and I follow into my bedroom. Laura knocks on the door joining Len and I's rooms. I shriek in horror as it opens, and dart back into the bathroom. I peek out the door. Sophia looks concerned back at me, but Laura shoves the dress towards Len.
"She says she won't wear it. She doesn't like it." Laura frets. Len frowns.
"She can wear whatever she wants… did you ask her yet?" He asked. She shook her head. Ask me what?
"Sophia, go to the closet and pick out some she may like." Laura instructs. Sophia obliges, and Len nods curtly before closing the door behind them. I come out of the bathroom.
"Ask me what?" I urge.
"Whether you feel like coming out of your room and doing something." Lady Laura replies curtly.
"Is that allowed?" I twit. "No, I will not be coming out of this prison. Not at all." I suddenly feel tired, and I see that the sun is leaving the sky. I wearily turn to sweet Sophia, who looks a little worried and confused.
"Are there any nightgowns around here?" I ask. She nods and whirls away. At least I will be able to wear something other than this stupid towel. Lady Laura clucks.
"Dear, don't you think you should try and get out? You can't possibly-"
"I can, and I will." I vowed, refusing to leave. If I was to be imprisoned, might as well not pretend.
She frowns, but is distracted by Sophia, who brings me a soft, white, lacy nightgown. I slip into it, trying to pretend the other two aren't there. Then we all stand there awkwardly. Do they stay here all night? Better not. Do I tell them to leave?
"Do you require our assistance anymore, Princess?" Sophia asks, saving me from my concern. I never needed them in the first part but…
"No, thank you." I reply, and they leave swiftly. I see guards parked right outside my door as they depart, and my heart sinks. How am I ever going to leave? I stand alone in the darkening room.
A knock is heard from the adjoining door, and it opens right after. It's Len.
"Rin?" He inquires.
"What do you want?" I snap, wrapping my arms around myself self-consciously.
"You don't want a tour of the palace or anything? Because you are free to go wherever you want, as long as you are escorted-"
"Don't pretend this isn't a prison. I will stay here, thank you very much." I feel tears prick my eyes. I didn't have a good life before, but at least I was free…
I feel someone wrapping their arms around me, drawing me close. I try to push away, but Len holds me too tight.
"I love you Rin…I'm sorry." Len says. I feel those angry tears well up some more. How can he love me? I don't even know him. Just because we appear alike doesn't mean anything. But why? It was so unfair… he obviously thought he loved me, but I didn't even know him.
Even so, I can't help but lean my head against his chest, for comfort such as this has been nonexistent in my life before. He pulls back, but grabs my hand.
"Going to bed?" he asks. I nod sullenly, and he walks me to bed. I try to untangle my fingers from his, but he won't let go. He helps me into bed despite me smacking him, telling him I can do it myself.
"I know, but I just want to help." He says. He stands back and shifts uncomfortably, staring at me as I sit in the giant bed.
"What?" I grouch. He smiles.
"You're very beautiful. Like our mother." He relates. I roll my eyes. Suddenly, he climbs onto the bed with me. I instantly try to get away, but he grabs my arm again.
"Wait! I just wanted to lay here a little with you." He mumbles.
"Do whatever you want." I say, turning over to face the windows. "It's not like I can tell you what to do." He slides in next to me.
"I wouldn't ever do anything to make you unhappy Rin. I just can't let you leave."
"It is making me unhappy!" I seethe. Just let me go already! Suddenly an arm snakes around my waist and I freeze.
"Come on Rin, admit it, you know we have a bond." He whispers. "We are twins." I shake my head furiously. I feel my cheeks becoming wet again as tears escape. I turn even more away from him, burying my face into my pillow.
"Shhh, shh Rin, it's ok!" Len worries. "Don't cry!" He brushes back my damp hair.
"You don't understand!" I cry. "Even if this is all true, it's not like I even know who you are! You seem to know me, but I don't know a thing about you or even the me that you know!" he wraps me in a hug.
"I'm sorry… You are right." He soothes. "I just have looked for you for so long…I've missed you so much, it's hard not to act like I don't know you."
"But it's not me!" I cry. He shakes his head and smiles.
"It definitely is. I couldn't be more sure." He says. I tiredly shake my head and close my eyes. Let him think what he wants, ill prove it to him, then I will be free…
Part of me grows unhappy at that thought. Why not stay here and pretend? Be a princess, have someone adore you… love you… No. I can't do it, it's not me. I clench my eyes shut even tighter. He shifts, a sigh escaping his lips behind me, his breath rustling wisps of my hair. I feel myself slowly relax, encircled by a ring of his arms. I fall asleep to the sound of his breathing, something I've never done before.
A/N
So tired again...but I wanted to update! XD
Hope you guys like... its not the most interesting thing, but whatever. It will probably be mostly in Lens POV, but i though i would have Rin every now and then...
Anyways!
THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE ALERTS AND REVIEWS AND SUCH! They are incredibly encouraging!
I have also decided to continue the story to the end, so yay!
Ellsweetella~ Thank you! I will continue!
Saa-san~ Thank you! You are too kind! I will!
AnimeL0over00~ Thank you! I did! ;D
feel free to ask me questions, leave suggestions, or just tell me what you think! Thank you!