Fright Night (1985)

Twist of Fate

Chapter Three

by

~GaGa4FrightNight~

~Vendhela~

Thea quietly sobbed her way through the large estate manor. She hated being torn between the love of her sister and her lord Dandridge. Yes, all their lives she and Tayte only had each other to lean upon but a few years ago things changed for her during those days she had taken care of a very ill Jerry.

She was requested by the lord's sister Regine to take care of him and she did. She had seen the misery the lord had suffered in silence, the loss of his wife. That misery nearly brought him to an end after weeks of nothing but consuming wine and ale with barely any food. For a few days he had vanished, gave dread to the entire household who spoke in whispers that the lord was intentionally attempting to end his life and misery and broken heart. A heavy chilled rain had struck the land and on that third day the lord was returned home by a local sheep farmer who explained he had found Jerry fallen from his steed.

There seemed no hope for his recovery, a fever had taken him and made him incoherent. She had willingly taken on his care upon Regine's plead. So, for days she did everything imaginable to bring him back from his illness. At the time there was no physician locally and the old remedies were used to attempt to save the lord's life. And throughout those long days and evenings, she stayed with him and there came a time he was again coherent but did not speak but seemed oddly watchful of her. She did as she always had, smiled and shared all her more humorous stories from her life. Yet, he kept his silence but held firm his watchful eyes.

When the illness seemed to have finally passed and Jerry was again strong and with an appetite, she relinquished her station as his care giver. Yet, to her surprise he had not relinquished his watchfulness of her. There were times she felt awkward in his presence for it seemed his eyes would always be on her. For months it remained that way until one evening after she and the staff had finished cleaning after the evening meal.

Thea paused in one of the many corridors and a smile of sweetest remembrance moved over her lips. She softly sighed. That single memory was the defining moment in her life for she for once finally felt worthy of admiration from a man, let alone Lord Jerry Dandridge.

Five Years Prior

Thea was in the kitchen alone that night seated on a simple stool and leaned over reading one of the many books from the manor library. She loved books, always had but not books about history or other boring subjects, she enjoyed romance and fantasy over nonfiction. Tayte had left with the other staff to where they ate their meals, a separate section of the manor meant solely for the servants. She was so involved with her reading she hadn't noticed someone enter the dark kitchen, only illuminated by the glow from the fireplace.

"What is it you are reading?" a voice asked from the other side of the large butcher block prepping table centered in the kitchen.

Thea slightly startled and quickly stood up. Her eyes were firstly wide then squinted against the poor lighting in attempt to decipher who was there. "A book," she simply replied then heard a laugh in response. She slightly giggled at her silly answer then elaborated, "Aye, it is a book. Midsummer Night's Dream."

"Shakespeare," Jerry commented as he stood on the other side of the table focused on Thea, "And what is your opinion of Lord Shakespeare?"

Her eyes continued to squint, she recognized the voice. "My Lord?" she asked.

"Lord Shakespeare is your lord?" Jerry smartly asked.

Her eyes frowned and she commented, "Very funny, My Lord." She closed the book and again heard him laugh which was odd because not once had she heard him laugh the entire she and Tayte had been staffed there. She had never spoken to him, well, technically she had during her care of him but he not once spoke in return.

She tucked her hands and the book behind her back then inquired, "Are you in need of something, My Lord?"

"Yes," he answered and stepped along the edge of the table but kept his eyes focused on her, she silhouetted by the dancing fire behind her.

"Aye, My Lord, and what might that be?" she asked, her eyes followed his shadowy form.

He stepped along the end of the table. "I am in need," he spoke up and stepped into the glow of the fireplace light as she adjusted her stance facing him, "I need to apologize for having not thanked you for what you had done for me."

"Oh that," she spoke, felt a bit awkward being alone with him though she was often alone with him throughout his illness, "There is no need for an apology or a thank you, My Lord, for it was an honor to see you well."

"Nonetheless, I thank you for you saved more than just my health." he confessed, stood with his hands properly tucked behind him, "You had done me a great service. It was not just your care of my health but your care for, well, my complete well being which you deserve much thanks."

"Again, My Lord, there is no thanks needed." she again said and stated, "You are well and that is all the thanks that needs to be had."

His eyes studied the illuminated side of her face. He had studied the details of her lovely sweet face the moment he woke from that illness and continued to do so throughout the months that followed. He never thought possible that he could ever truly see another woman the way he had his departed wife. Yet, he discovered that possibility upon Thea's undoubted sweet charms.

"And," he finally spoke, "I wish to show you my thanks, if you so wish to grant me permission to do so." He took a step forward.

"Um, My Lord, that is not necessary." she commented, she was in no place to accept thanks for that's how it always went within their two separate societal worlds, "Yet, I appreciate the sentiment greatly, My Lord."

"You deny me permission then?" he asked with a slight curious tilt of his head.

"Oh no," she quickly replied, felt somewhat conflicted of which was proper and improper, "Well, I do not know, um, well," she stammered with her eyes frowned, "Um, perhaps if you explain the nature of your way to show thanks then I might be capable of giving a proper yes or no, I think."

He grinned, found her beyond charming. "I mean no harm," he stated then cleared his throat, "I mean not to cause you any conflict. A simple yes or no would do as an answer to my request."

Her eyes held their frown as her mind struggled between yes or no. Truthfully it wasn't her place to deny him permission yet she had no idea what permission she would be granting him. She slightly huffed then reluctantly looked at him. "Yes or no?" she asked and watched him give a simple nod, "Well, a simple yes or no then?" again she watched him nod, "Hmm, well, My Lord, I assume I shall agree and grant you permission, if that is what you wish."

"Aye, that is what I wish." he stated then took another step forward.

She nodded in agreement though she felt more awkward the closer he came. She slightly leaned back as he again took another step forward. Her eyes shyly looked up into his which were quite lovely in the illuminating fireplace light. "Um," she nervously spoke up, "My Lord, um, I must confess that I am being made to feel a bit odd but it is not meant in no offense."

"None taken," he replied as his eyes continued to study her face in that closer distance, "May I be forward and say that you are quite beautiful, Thea."

She was surprised by him speaking her name, assumed he didn't know her name. Yet, she was more so surprised by the compliment. "Thank you," was what she managed to speak, "My Lord."

"You have the remarkable face of an angel." he stated and to him he spoke the truth. He thought her an angel when he truly saw her for who she was.

She nervously swallowed then politely said, "Again, thank you, My Lord."

"Please, call me Jerry." he urged with his grin softened.

"Um," she mumbled and brought a hand from behind her back and unconsciously brought it to her lips and chew the nail tip, "That would be highly improper that I call you by your informal name, My Lord."

"Not at all improper to me." he stated as he watched her nervously chew her nail, "I wish not to be your lord."

"Then what, My Lord?" she quickly asked then realized she was chewing her nail and quickly tucked her hand back behind her.

"I wish to be more than just your lord." he confessed and watched her again frown.

"What more could you be, My Lord?" she asked in confusion.

"I wish," he paused then deeply inhaled. He decided that instead of speaking that wish, he would display it instead.

For the first time in all those long miserable years he again found the desire that had waned far too long. Yes, there were moments during drunken stupors where he had taken to bed a bar wench or two or more. In those moments he was on a path of self destruction but in that current moment he saw a whole new path which was exposed and enlightened the very moment his eyes opened wide to the face of an angel. And he brought one boot forward then did as he had wanted the moment he truly saw Thea for the lovely and charming creature she was.

He swiftly brought his lips against hers, heard her little startled whine. Yes, he wanted to feel and taste her lovely full mouth the moment he truly saw them as they motioned and smiled throughout her many charming tales. And, as he had anticipated, her lips felt wonderful and tasted divinely sweet though stiff from surprise and likely inexperience. He brought a hand forward and grabbed hold of the back of her neck and, for the first time in a decade, he kissed for reasons of pure passion instead in to effort to bury his sorrowful miseries.

Thea's eyes were wide, the shock of what happened right then made her stiffen. Her mind raced. What if Tayte or any other of the staff stepped in? What would they think? And, what truly boggled her, why he was kissing her? She had no idea how to respond. How did one such as her respond to being kissed by her lord? But, truly she was confused, why was he kissing her? She was no proper lady of some type of prominent family. She was basically a commoner, a simple servant. There was nothing remotely special or unique about her besides the fact she had an identical twin sister. Why was he kissing?

Jerry pulled back, though he desired to continue to kiss her. He looked into her wide eyes, made certain his lips were still a good kissable distance. "Thank you," he spoke, his eyes glanced down at her lovely full mouth then returned looking into her startled eyes.

Her lips slightly gaped and she forced herself to speak, "Ah, you are welcome?"

He genuinely smiled at her questioned response. "I must confess." he spoke, lightly licked between his lips tasting the lingering flavor of her lips.

"Ah," she mumbled, "What might you confess?"

"I believe I have fallen in love with you." he confessed and it was a remarkable confession for he never thought he would ever speak of love again.

"Oh?" she murmured then asked, "Why?"

He again determined that actions were more than words and so, again he brought his lips against hers, heard her again sound a soft whine of surprise which sounded lovely to his ears. He held her firm, heard the book she held drop to the floor behind her. Her lips felt and tasted even lovelier than the first anticipated kiss and the moment he felt her lips gently respond, his newly ignited passion grew. Yes, a forgotten passion ignited which had been hindered the very moment his wife had taken ill and was completely thought snuffed the moment she took her last breath. The moment he realized his undoubted attraction towards Thea was the moment he finally felt the lift of that weight from sorrow and misery. She had indeed gifted him a renewed sense of wants and needs from another, particularly her.

Sadly, at twenty-five years of age Thea had never been kissed. Only improper women with no morals kissed others that weren't their intended. Yes, there had been moments one or two attempted to steal a kiss but she thwarted them with a swift smack across the face. Sadly, having lived a life with just she and Tayte and being orphaned as mere youths, there was never a time where they were seen as potential wives, just mere and simple household servants. Yet, right then she was being kissed by a very prominent male figure of the region but why? Yes, he oddly claimed love but that seemed unlikely because, well, she was of no real importance. Yet, was she?

Again he drew back. There was a surmountable rush of excitement that pounded inside his chest. He had truly forgotten the pure rush of the passion of a kiss which felt nearly addictive. He leaned again but was quickly stopped, her hand darted up then shoved against his chest.

She pushed herself back, felt what he had done twice was wrong in many ways. "Not again," she breathed, her lips felt slightly numbed by the effects of his kiss. Yes, he was a very impressive kisser though he was the first to ever have kissed her. She took another step back and stated, "What you did was wrong."

His eyes frowned, again defined those distinct lines, then he asked, "And how is a kiss wrong."

"Two kisses," she corrected him, "And you should know why what you had done was wrong."

He shook his head then urged, "No, please explain why something as harmless as two kisses could be considered wrong."

She slightly grimaced then stated, "For you are My Lord and I am but a household servant, that explains how your actions be wrong."

"Nonsense," he disagreed and watched her expression twist into shock, "I, in no way, see you as my household servant," he aimed his finger accusingly at her, "You are quite mistaken, you have made a very wrong assumption."

"No, not an assumption, My Lord." she again corrected, "But the truth."

"No," he argued then crossed his arms over his chest, "A definite assumption on your part. There is no truth in what you assume."

"Aye, perhaps you are the one with the wrong assumption." she snipped back at him then crossed her arms over her chest, "You obviously assumed it was proper to blatantly kiss me when I had not given you permission to do so."

"Ah, again you are wrong." he again aimed his finger at her, "Permission was granted."

"Was not," she argued with a defensive tone.

"Ah but it was." he smugly said with a nod, "I had asked permission to show you my thanks and that permission you granted."

Her mouth gaped open then immediately closed, he spoke the truth.

"Oh, I take your silence as admittance that I am right." he proudly stated with his lips formed into a smug soft grin.

She kept her silence, no use arguing with the Lord. She took a step forward and quickly snatched the book up off the floor. She swiftly rose up and stepped back. "Goodnight, My Lord." she sang then turned on her slippers. She marched toward the servant's exit prepared to end that awkwardness let alone forget that the Lord kissed her, not just once but twice. She heard his boots quick to follow which caused her to quicken her pace. She moved through the exit and entered the servant's corridor, heard the typical evening banter amongst her fellow servants but was more concerned by the sound of those boots following her.

She made a quick look over her shoulder and there he was headed her direction with the strangest smirk across the natural crook of his lips. Her eyes flinched wider then she looked forward and continued down the corridor, the voices of the staff grew louder. Perhaps, she thought, if she were to enter the nightly ritualistic gossip fest her follower would desist his pursuit. What would the others think if they caught glimpse of the estate's lord as he followed her? What would Tayte think? What should she think?

She neared the entrance into the room where the loud laughter and voices flowed through. Again she glanced over her shoulder and steadily he gained ground behind her. She skidded to a stop just before the entrance and spun around which prompted him to stop. She planted her fists against her skirt accentuated hips and shook her head in protest of his horrible behavior and determination. Yet, her silent protest more so seemed to encourage him forward with that grin of his broadened.

Again she shook her head with her eyes wide.

He continued towards her and nodded. Yes, the rush was wondrously reignited by that rediscovered passion he long needed. He had no care about those voices. His focus was solely to again kiss her lovely mouth.

She suddenly startled upon the loud bellow of laughter, momentarily distracted her which opened the perfect window for her pursuer. Before she could possibly step into view of the open entrance, his hands grabbed her by the face and jerked her forward.

Again she was wide eyed with his lips against hers. She fought back a whine, fearful of being heard which she thought was highly unfair. Yet, no matter how wrong she knew it was, she couldn't deny how wonderful his kiss felt. She had always thought him a very handsome man, assumed a woman would have to be completely blind not to find him remarkable to see. But why was he pursuing her? Was she even remotely worth the effort? Yes, he spouted love but how was that possible? How was love possible when in actuality that evening was the first time he had ever spoken to her?

He had no desire to cease kissing her lips. With swift action, he released her face and brought his arms tightly embraced around her. He paid no mind as she tried to shove him back with her petite hands pressed firm against his chest, it was actually pleasant with her hands against him but more so pleasant holding her tightly against him. To again feel the sensation of embracing a woman without the use of intoxication was wonderful, his mind clear and focused. Yet, the wonders were made even more because of her definite beauty inside and out.

He discovered throughout his time of illness exactly the type of woman Thea was. She was kind, gentle, caring, and everything else that made up her sweetness. In any society, a woman such as her was rare. Wealth could hinder a woman into snobbery when lack of wealth could hinder a woman into bitterness. She was neither a snob or bitter. Her demeanor was unlike any woman he had know which included his deceased wife. Yes, he loved his wife and she was never a vile woman by any means, yet her rank in society had given her the assumption that not all were at her level. There was just something so different and refreshing about Thea, she even surpassed her identical twin's demeanor.

Throughout those months after his recovery, he observed the many differences between Tayte and Thea. Though they were obviously identical in the physical sense, they surely didn't think or act alike. Tayte was more moody and professional when Thea was more light and airy and always with that smile he found enduring and beyond enchanting. As the months progressed his focus became definitely more so on Thea, had determined there was not a single personality that matched hers, not even her sister's. Thea was the one he wanted and truly desired and that desire was currently being heightened.

He refused to relinquish that kiss, feared she would slip away to her peers. He stepped back and nudged her with him, kept a tight embrace around her, his hands eagerly pressed against the base of her corseted back. He felt her struggle with her desire to return or deny his kiss which also he found added more to her desirable qualities. Yes, it was apparent she never experienced a kiss let alone the particular kiss he was so eager to share which added to her pure sweetness and the heightening of his desire for her. There was no fabrication when he confessed love to her though throughout the months perhaps his silence made it seem unlikely. He had to make certain his emotions were genuine which were determined to be so and he refused to hold back that genuine bliss to again know love.

Now that he had a delectable taste of her lips, there was so much more of her he anticipated to taste. His lips shifted from hers and eagerly pressed against the side of her flushed face. Her deep gasp sounded sweet to his ears. His lips again shifted and targeted the side of her sweetly scented neck while she continued to push back against his chest.

She wanted to verbally protest but feared those passed the near entrance would hear and the lord's oddly ignited pursuit would be discovered and would create an unwanted scandal. Firstly the kissing of her lips was new but now his aim changed and his lips lavished affection along the slope of her neck. She felt overwhelmed, her entire body felt nearly feverish. The firm motions of his hands nearly felt as if they were against her bare skin. The conflict in her mind continued though such affections toyed with the will of her heart and the entirety of her body. Why, her mind toiled, had he chosen her? There were so many lovely women who came and went that practically swooned over his very presence, yet she had noticed his denial of their eager affections. Were they denied because there was truth in his professed love towards her?

"Please," she whispered, her breaths erratic as her heart uncontrollably pounded.

He heard her plea, reluctantly he pulled back and looked to her flushed face, she looked even more beautiful. Again his hands grabbed the sides of her face, so badly he again wanted to kiss her. He sensed her uneasiness, not merely because of his actions, but the fear of any one of the other servants stepping out into the corridor.

"Come to me." he urged with a whisper and watched her eyes frown with question, "I will let you be but I pray you will come to me for if you do not," his eyes studied hers, "Please, come to me."

"Where?" she quickly asked in whisper, felt the heat of his breath reflect against her lips.

"I will return to my room." he stated, kept his voice a whisper then quickly kissed her lips again. No whine this time, she softly hummed. He pulled away then took a step back. For a moment his eyes held hers then he turned on his boots and returned down the corridor.

She quickly took a breath. Her hand rested against the bare portion of her chest. "Oh dear me," she heavily sighed, "What am I to do?" She watched him vanish. She shifted on her slippers and looked to the brightly lit entrance where the voices continued. Her head turned and looked down the direction he vanished then again she looked to the entrance. She swallowed, completely confused and conflicted.

"Oh why do I do this?" Thea complained under her breath as she nervously made her way through the manor entering the East Wing. The conflict continued though she led herself in that uncertain direction. She continuously looked over her shoulder fearful of someone catching her in that evening forbidden East Wing, servants were allowed there only during the daylight hours or if requested by the lord or his sister or any of the occasional wealthy guests. Well, she determined, she had been requested.

She had bid good night to Tayte who immediately picked up on her uneasiness. Simply she explained she was exhausted and was retiring earlier than usual. She and Tayte shared the same sleeping quarters as they have all their lives, she knew Tayte typically didn't retire until the staff were disbanded and their messes were cleaned. She felt she was safe, well, from being caught by Tayte but was she truly going to be safe once she reached the lord's room? So far she hadn't been safe in the kitchen or servant's corridor.

She paused, her heart skipped. There was likely no safety once at his room. She hadn't sensed any ill will from the lord but certainly sensed a very aggressive passion she had never experience ever in her life. She pushed forward with her eyes staring down the length of the East Wing corridor. There was an odd unease as if the large framed portraits were glaring their suspicious eyes at her. She refrained from giving eye contact to any of those painted faces. Also, she feared when she was in the presence of her sister, her deception would be instantly detected which would trigger guilt.

Again she paused, her heart made a quick flutter, made her softly gasp. "Thea, what are you doing?" she asked herself, again under her scattered breath, "I should not be doing this. How very wrong this seems." She stood there and struggled with her conscience. Her hand lifted and again she unconsciously started to nervously chew her nail tip.

Should she turn around? Should she deny that obvious attraction? If she continued down that corridor would there be horrible consequences? Yet, she couldn't prevent the lord's confession of love from repeating in her troubled thoughts. She always wanted to be loved by someone other than Tayte. There was, until then, no hope ever to have a man love her.

She turned to the side and looked back the way she came then looked in the direction of that uncertainty. Her face twisted with conflicting expressions of emotions. She softly whined, frustrated by her desire to go to his door and the need to turn back the way she came. Her slipped shifted and aimed into uncertainty.

Why couldn't she be loved by him? Was she not deserving of love?

Her legs carried her further down the corridor. Her eyes searched along the row of doors and stopped on the prominent double doors that she knew that uncertainty was located behind. She approached the double doors, felt her heart beat quicken and breaths become erratic. Every sense was on high alert because of that frightening uncertainty towards her actions but also there was an undoubted excitement. She never knew excitement. She wanted to know the mysteries of all she had read within Shakespeare's works. Yes, she deserved love just as much as any woman.

Before the doors she stepped, her eyes nervously scanned over the intricate carvings etched into the rich mahogany. She awkwardly stood there, uncertain if she should knock. Was he there as he said he would be? Had she stalled too long and he fell asleep? Her expression became somber. What if he changed his mind and decided she wasn't worth any type of effort of pursuit? "Oh no," she quietly groaned and felt the excitement begin to fade beneath a weight of more uncertainties filled with disappointments.

"No," she said with a firm whisper, "He asked me to come to him and said he loved me." She was encouraging herself out loud. She lifted her hand as it curled into a loose fist. Her fist aimed and with a deep then held breath she softly gave a singular knock. Her fist remained frozen as she listened to any sound come from the other side of the doors. Perhaps she hadn't knocked loud enough. She gave the door a quick rap, quickly glanced both directions fearful of being caught. She wished he would quickly answer then again wished he would not.

She heard a noise but it didn't come from the behind the doors, a distance down the corridor. Her eyes widened as they stared focused down the length of the corridor. Someone, she fearfully thought, heard her knock. She quickly dropped her fist and turned and face down the corridor. Her eyes shifted side to side in effort to spot any movement and quietly she listened for any further sound.

One of the double doors clicked.

Thea startled with a nearly loud gasp. She quickly looked to her right, the door came open and there was that uncertainty in a very handsome guise. She watched his slanted mouth form that soft smile. Slowly her head started to shake side to side, a mistake. She swiftly looked forward then brought a foot forward prepared to turn from that uncertainty before it was too late to ever turn back. Before her foot hit the floor her hand was firmly grabbed. She reluctantly looked to him then into his lovely large brown eyes.

Jerry had hoped she would come to him and was relieved the moment he heard her soft knock at the door. He stepped back and kept hold of her hand. She resisted his guidance, her feet planted firmly on the floor but with a slight firm tug she stumbled his direction and through the doorway. His hand kept tight hold of hers, didn't want her steal away again. He quietly closed the door, felt her try to pry her hand from his. The moment the door was closed he turned and faced her. Again she looked more beautiful with her face easily flushed by nervousness and he couldn't resist the study of her lovely blushing features.

"I cannot." she shook her head then attempted to move for the door but he stepped in her way while he still held her hand, "Wrong this is in far too many ways and you and I both know this."

"If it were wrong then why had you come to me?" he asked, her expression was troubled with concern and fears.

"I do not know." she said with the confusion heavy in her tone.

He stepped forward and looked down into her wide eyes. "Aye but you do." he commented and again found himself lured by her very desirable lips.

She shook her head, wanted to deny he was right and deny him another kiss. She came to him because, yes, she wanted to but that didn't change that it also felt wrong for her to have done so. She swiftly slapped her hand against his chest in attempt to hold him back from again kissing her. Yet, there was a part of her that begged to again experience another kiss from him. The pressure of her hand weakened under the immense weight of her desire for his kiss. The time seemed so long before his lips finally brushed against hers and she instantly melted.

So many kisses in such a miniscule fragment in time but each one became more and more significant. The gentleness of that next kiss surpassed those that had occurred earlier. The soft motion of his lips buried her further under that seeming spell she never thought she would experience. His hand released hers then his arms moved around her and brought her against him. She fell further, her arms raised and found their way around his neck which deepened the passion of that firstly gentle kiss. The further they both fell under that dominating passionate spell the more and more that kiss developed with further depths of heightening passion.

Again, more of her he wanted to taste and touch. His hands slid backward over the narrow of her waist then firmly pressed upward against her stiff bodice. The tips of his fingers brushed against softness of the very tops of her corset lifted bust then traced along the straight top hem of the bodice. His lips continued to taste her sweet mouth while fingers begun to unravel the dainty ribbon laced up the front center of the dark green bodice. He heard and felt her soft hums. His lips shifted and swiftly found the soft slope of her neck. His fingers loosened the tight bodice.

Her eyes snapped wide open. Too far, she screamed in thought. She responded the only way she thought right. Her arms pulled back and she gave him a rough shove against the shoulders. "No," she protested with a gasp, "Wrong, all of this is wrong." She stepped back and gathered the front of her bodice closed. Her eyes shamefully remained down.

"I cannot say that I have any understanding how this all came about." she confessed her confusion, "In all these years you have not spoken barely a single word until this night. Not even the many days I cared for you, you said nothing." She forced herself to look at him, he looked nearly as flustered as she did.

She straightened her poise in defense of her own honor then scolded him, "What woman you think I am, I am not." she lifted her chin pridefully, "Aye, I am a servant in your home but this does not give you rights to do with me as you please. No, I am not some fancy high society twit but I am definitely not something to satisfy your damned fancies."

His eyes widened at her firm outburst and scold towards his behavior. Her impression, to him, was way off the mark. Yes, perhaps he had been a bit aggressive in his determination to physically express his desires for her. He went to speak but she quickly spoke over him.

"You spouted unlikely love for me." she nearly shouted with her eyes narrowed and face twisted with anger, "How dare you make the assumption that simply speaking some false drivel about love," she stepped forward and aimed her finger at him accusingly, "Would sway me to be improper and disrespectful towards the nature of the woman I am!" she took another step forward with her narrowed eyes focused on his which were oddly frowned as if he were amused, "I apologize for my forthrightness, but you, My Lord, are an ass!"

"An ass?" he questioned with a slight chuckle, "You dare call me an ass?" he pointed at himself, "I am now an ass? You surely have gumption to assume that I am an ass. Yet, if having fallen in love with you defines me as an ass then so be it." He tossed his hands up then crossed his arms over his partially exposed chest.

Her face twisted with disbelief then she snapped, "You do not love me!"

His brow tensely furrowed then he asked, "And who are you to pass judgment towards what I feel?"

"I am who you claim love for." she again snapped at him while pointing at herself, "And so I do have the right to judge and my judgment concludes that you do not love me. It is an improbability, My Lord, for a man such as yourself to love someone such as me." she pointed at him, "You are Lord over this household and the land that surrounds it. I, My Lord, am just one of many servants of said household."

"And what difference should any of what you say make, hmm?" he quickly asked, felt frustrated by how she desperately wanted to believe that a man in his place in society couldn't actually fall in love with a woman many would see beneath him, "I am but a man and you are but a woman, end of story."

"No, not end of story!" she grumbled angrily at him, "Have you not heard fairy tales, My Lord?" she tightly crossed her arms over her chest, "Happy endings happen for princesses not commoners. Always, it comes to be that common maidens were born to royalty and do not find their happy ending until they are revealed a true princess."

He knew she was more so trying to convince herself that he was incapable of loving her. He huffed then gave his rebuttal, "Oh, have you not heard those tales where the prince falls in love with the maiden who is simply just a maiden?" He grinned the moment her angry expression softened and her eyes widened in realization that he was again right.

She pressed her lips together in defeat but she wasn't completely defeated. "Goodnight." she grumbled then roughly shoved passed him

He rolled his eyes then grumbled, "Not again." He quickly turned around the moment she went for the door. "You will not," he stated then took a few wide steps forward, "We are not through."

"Oh, through we are with all this nonsense!" she said back and went to swing the door open but he swiftly slammed his hand against it and held it closed. Her narrowed eyes stared forward at the door, refused to give him eye contact. "I wish to leave, please." she spoke as politely as her frustration would allow.

"No," he denied, leaned against the door focused on her angered profile.

"Please, My Lord," she nearly referenced his title with disdain, "I wish to leave."

"No," he again denied, "But you will be allowed if one question is answered."

"Very well," she agreed and continued to refuse him eye contact.

"You came to me, why?" he asked, knew she came to him because she wanted to.

She huffed through her nose, truly didn't want to answer but gave one, "You asked."

"Aye, I did." he agreed then asked, "But why did you?"

"Because," she gave no real answer.

He studied her suspiciously and commented, "An answer, that is not. Again, why had you come to me?"

"I don't know." she again gave no real answer.

"Liar," he said with a smirk.

She gasped and finally snapped her head to the side then glared up at him. "Am not!" she defensively snapped, "You are the liar." she accused then looked forward, "Ha, you have fallen in love with me." She mockingly laughed.

"Do not mock me." he said with dislike towards her blatant mock of his confession, "You have not one bit of understanding the difficulty in making such a confession."

"If it were truth then there would have been no difficulty." she commented and turned her head looking the opposite direction of him.

"And what do you know of love, hmm?" he asked, leaned forward, "Have you been in love, Thea? Have you loved someone with all your heart so when they are no longer with you that you suffer alone in misery continuously mourning that loss?" he leaned even closer bringing his lips near her ear, "I have loved then lost that love but again I love." he continued his words, "And there is surmountable difficulty when you fear your love will not be returned. A risk I had taken when I confessed that I had, aye, fallen in love with you." his eyes focused as her head turned but she didn't look at him, "Yet, the risk I had taken."

Her eyes shifted and looked to him.

"All I ask of you," he spoke with soft emotion, "Please, take your own risk and perhaps you might love me."

Her eyes looked forward.

"What say you?" he asked though he nearly wanted to plea for her to give him a chance.

She sighed then again forced herself to look at his handsome face, his expressive eyes riddled with hope and fear. "Might I ask for time?" she asked, something as what he offered needed time for her make a decision, "This I do not take lightly, My Lord." she explained, "Much thought is needed for any decision to be made. I request that you give me that time and thought."

He forced a soft smile and nodded then dropped his hand from the door. "Aye, then time and thought you shall have." he agreed, reluctant but there was understanding to her request. He understood that what he confessed was sudden as were his moments of weakness where he indulged in her lips.

"Thank you, My Lord." she gave a slight curtsy then quickly exited the room.