I would be honest and confess that I was very much tempted not to continue this little story of mine so closed to the end. But without further delay, Chapter 12 is here. :)

first, thank you for the reviews, favorites and watches! It means a lot to me. Also, sorry for the tons of errors I failed to see. Pardon me and I promise to edit them out sometime soon. For now please enjoy the current chapter.

Chapter 12, Queen of the Meadows (part II)

It had been almost three months since they have been proclaimed man and wife. The first week of their marriage was joyous, as everyone agreed that they were meant for each other. But once he has set out to the town of his education, she was left alone to drench in the loneliness. Days were slow as she sat by the window, remembering her cherished time. She hoped, wished and prayed how her husband were back by her side, supplying her with the affection she craved. She silently eyed the scenery by her window, hoping for a miracle that her man was here to surprise her with a visit.

The soft sun slowly helped her fall asleep, and she closed her eyes welcoming herself to the pitch black calmness. Unaware of the minutes that flew, once she opened her eyes again, the sun was setting. What surprised her more was the man just at the other side of the glass, startled to see her wake up so suddenly. Her heart skipped a beat, as the brown curls reflected the orange and red lights of the sun. Was that really her husband she longed so much, or was it a mere trick of an eye? After a second, the man turned and speed to a jog. Desperate and confused, she opened the window and called out for the man she loved so dearly.

"James? James! Is that you?" she cried as she longingly called the man back. Wavered by her voice, he slowed down and turned around meeting her eyes. "Oh, it's you James! It's you! How I missed you!"

"No, Ann. It's me, Joseph." With that her whole world seemed to crumble down. Her emotions overflowed as her loneliness and joy mixed up with guilt of wanting to be in his arms. They both stood still as they tried to calculate their next move, unsure of what to say and do. Finally, she broke down weeping both of joy and anger.

"Oh, Joseph! It cannot be you! But how horrible will it be if it was not you! You did not show for years, I did not hear from you even at my wedding! And now you show up, months after I wed your brother, just standing in front of my window."

"I am truly sorry, Ann, for not keeping in touch and not being able to attend your wedding." There was a hint of sorrow at the second reason. He secretly did not want her to be wed to another man but him. It did not matter if the man was his twin, for he passionately loved her, maybe more than he loved his brother. But alas, he was too late, and she was taken by no other than his twin.

"How impolite of me to leave you out like this, but it would be unacceptable to invite a man when I am alone. What will the people say once they knew! But no one has to know, and you are here right now. I am afraid you will fly away once again if I let you go your way. I must insist that you do come in right at this moment and tell me your excuse for not sending a single letter." She said with her usual firm voice, and a shaky smile.

That a smile to his face. She was still the same Annalisa he knew, the same Ann he loved. She was firm but gentle, determined to have things her way. He made his way in the house, and they spent on the hours end filling each other up on details they missed, sharing regrets and happiness that they failed to share before. By bed time, they were both happy and very much in love. She led him the way of the house with the promise that he will be back as soon as possible. Once they were at the door, saying their final good bye for the day, he kissed her. It took her by surprised, but she did not hate it. As their lips lingered, guilt finally over took her emotions and she broke free. Her faced formed a troubled frown as he cocked his head questioning it.

"This is not the way it supposed to be, Joseph…" she murmured in a low tone as she closed the door to the man she truly loved.

They met a few times more after, but always away from the eyes of the public, quietly in the heart of her home. The house was once again filled with joy of a loving couple, but this time with a different man than it was meant for. Even if their looks were identical, their rights were not, for the younger had the right to her while he did not. The law proclaimed the older twin a bachelor, and she married to another man, thus they were committing a sin under the eyes of the law and the church. But their hearts were true, and their emotions pure, and one day he stayed later than usual. That night they committed a sin that had formed out of passion and love, but unacceptable to any society. They shared the bed not meant for the both of them, and spent the night together.

The next day, he asked her to run with him. That made her confused and scared. She loved her town dearly, and as much as she loved Joseph, she loved James too. She finally told him to leave her to think about it, not to show up to her until she can sort her feelings out. In the end, she left him heartbroken, and he left for Russia. Nobody knew about anything.

Around a month later, she proclaimed that she was pregnant.