A.N. Heyy everyone! So, so, so, SO, sorry that I haven't been able to update in a while. Grr long story short, I got my report card (stupid 3 B's -_-) , my parents didn't like the fact that I knew that I wasn't trying hard enough so they thought that I should be spending less time on the computer. So now, I've been having problems getting on the computer... but it's all good now! And I was GOING to update a couple days ago, but this guy and I had plans which were canceled ( twice -.-) so yeahh sorry! i promise I'll make it up to you guys somehow, maybe check tomorrow and I might have another chapter up again... so yeahh. Please Enjoy Chapter 5 of Servant boy ^.^ hope you guys don't mind that it took so long to update.
I woke up with a grin. Stretching my arms and legs, I got out of bed and yawned. Today marked the day that Edward came to the castle three years ago. So many things have changed drastically since then. The castle didn't seem as lonely or as empty as it did before. Since Edward came, I had someone to play with and keep me company. Looking into my huge closet, I pulled out a classic white Muslin Empire Gown that ended just below my knees. It had an orange silk bow wrapped around my midsection and flowed freely down my back. I then leaped into my chair, looked into the mirror, and started frantically brushing my hair. Then parting my hair, I braided it, tying the ends with two orange ribbons. After I was done fussing over my hair, I pinched my cheeks and headed towards Edward's room.
"Whoa!" Alice yelped as I rushed past her, accidentally knocking the towels she was carrying.
"Sorry, Alice," I apologized as I stacked the towels back in her arms. Just as I was about to run off again, she raised her eye brows and asked,
"And where are we off to in such a hurry?"
"Edward's," I replied curtly.
"This early? Have you even eaten breakfast yet?"
"Yes," I said between my teeth, trying to make my escape.
"Liar," Alice accused. "I know you haven't eaten yet. You shouldn't lie, Princess, one time you lies will catch up to you and get you in a whole lot of trouble. Lies always start off small and grow into something bigger. Imagine what your Mother and Father would think. I'm sure they wouldn't be too pleased. And, Princess, if you keep missing breakfast, you'll end up being sick. You can't blow off your health to play with Edward. Besides, you'll hurt Esme's feelings. She made a good breakfast today, hot biscuits," she said.
"Urgh Alice, do I have to?" I whined.
"Please Princess? It's for your own good," she begged.
"Fine," I groaned. Usually, I wouldn't of given in so early, but the sooner I got this over with and ate my breakfast, the sooner I could go see Edward and we could play. I was hungry too, and hot biscuits did sound pretty good. So Alice escorted me to the kitchen and I shoved a piece of bread into my mouth. It was still warm when I got there, and tasted salty with a hint of garlic.
"Happy?" I mumbled sarcastically, the bread still in my mouth.
"Of course," she smiled, eyes twinkling. "But you better start eating like a proper young lady or else your Father is going to have a cow!"
I sat up straight and took the smallest, tiniest bite out of the biscuit and started chewing it oh so slowly.
"That's better," Alice cheered. 'At least one of us was amused,' I thought.
"I must be off now, Princess. I still have to put these towels away. I'm sure Edward is out doing some garden work right now," she said, bowing, and left. I grabbed another piece of bread and ran outside. Alice was right, she always was. Edward was sitting crouched down on his knees, using some unknown garden tool to dig up a weed. I quickly and quietly tiptoed over, hoping to surprise him. As I got closer, I leaned in and...
"I know you're there, Bella," he said without even a glance back. I sighed. Edward knew. He always knew, but I never knew how.
Since Edward came, I haven't seen a single sad day pass by. Everything seemed so much brighter to me. He always knew what to say and always made sure I was happy- truly happy, not just happy for a while. He actually cared when I was sad, he really listened to what I said, and tried his best to understand it. The best part though, was that he was the only one who treated me like a normal person. There was no 'Princess' with him, just 'Bella'. There as no bowing or acting too nice. He told me things he thought I needed to hear, whether I wanted to hear it or not. He would tell me if I was being insensitive, or spoiled, or if I was bothering him. He would tell me things that no one else would. Like to get a grip, Bella, or calm down, Bella or even about his past.
When we played games, he wouldn't just let me win. He's make me work for it. When I didn't know something, he'd thoroughly teach me. To him, I was just a regular kid. Just Bella. It was because of Edward, that I didn't mind how much time Mother and Father spent with me anymore. I knew that I would never be left alone again. Edward was my best friend, and that's why I love him so much.
My brows furrowed. "How did you know?" I demanded.
"I just do," he said smugly. I could practically hear that smirk in his voice.
"Are you busy right now?" I asked innocently.
"What does it look like? Of course I am," he rolled his eyes.
"Need any help?"
"Not really... How come? Did you have some plans with me?"
"Well, I was hoping we could take a ride on Jeluby and maybe visit the meadow?" I said, looking in the forest's direction.
"Sure. How about you just keep me company right now, and when I'm done, we can go get Jeluby?" he asked. Without answering, I sat down next to him, watching him work.
"Silly girl," he murmured. Standing up, he dusted off him hands and grabbed my white chair. He brought it to me and, while staring in the other direction, he handed it to me.
"Here, sit on this. You'll get your pretty dress dirty if you don't," he warned. Grabbing the chair, I put it down and sat down obediently as he went right back to work. I continued to watch him quietly. He seemed so concentrated on pulling the weeds out.
"It's so pretty outside today," I commented.
He nodded. "It is." We sat in comfortable silence.
A couple minutes later, he wiped the sweat off his brow. Breaking the silence, he said, "Almost done... there. Ok, just let me get cleaned up and I'll meet you in Jeluby's stable." Nodding, I skipped to the stable humming a song to myself. Soon Edward was with me, bringing Jeluby out and getting him ready. I watched in astonishment. I've seen it so many times before, but it was still wonderful to watch Edward brushing through Jeluby's mane. There was such an elegance evident each time Edward stroked of his fur. Once he finished, Edward put on Jeluby's saddle and lifted me on.
"So did you have any specific places in mind?" he asked.
"Yes please, to the meadow?" I replied.
"Sure," he agreed, and we were off. As we were strolling past the garden and into the forest, I saw butterflies flying around. 'Butterflies,' I thought, 'So free to go where ever they please without any "duties" to the world, or kingdom for that fact.'
"So what has you all wound up today?" Edward asked, breaking my thoughts.
"Don't you remember? It's been exactly three years since you first arrived to the castle!"
"Has it? Wow, that seems shorter than it should. I haven't really noticed the time passing," he muttered.
"Yes! I thought that it would be nice to sort of celebrate it together," I said.
"Silly girl, what's there to celebrate for you? I'm happy because I started a new life when I came to the castle, but you don't really have a reason to be happy for me to be here, do you?"
"Of course I do, Edward! You're so funny sometimes," I teased.
"How so?" he asked casually.
"You just are," I giggled, "Ooh! It's the meadow!" I said before he was able to reply. Sure enough, we were at our meadow. Edward helped me get down from Jeluby and made me sit on a stump. I watched for him to tie Jeluby's rope to a tree and waited for him to sit beside me before I turned to him and asked,
"So what's your favourite food, Edward? I could ask Esme to make it for you, and I can ask Father if you can rest for the remainder of the day. No one will complain, you deserve a break," I rambled on.
"Don't be ridiculous, Bella," he said, cutting me. "That's hardly fair. You've already given me enough; a place to live, a bed to sleep on, food, clothes, what more can I ask for? Besides, I need to pull my weight in the castle too. I've only been here for three years, so I've got a lot to catch up on. It wouldn't be reasonable, Bella, to just blow off my duties. If I don't complete them, I mustn't even bother living here, I wouldn't deserve to. We all have a specific job to do, and we need to do it, no matter how much we don't want to. Besides, I don't even have a favourite food. Just put some food on the table, and I'll eat anything," he said.
"Suite yourself Edward. What time do you have to leave for work, then?" I sighed. Sometimes he could be so difficult.
"I'd best be off soon, I believe that it's already noon. You should come with me and we should have our lunch," he said. I shrugged, how very unladylike like of me. 'Noon time already?' I thought, 'Time passed so quickly with Edward.'
"What are you going to do after that, Edward?" I inquired.
"Probably some more work. I think that guest room needs some more cleaning," he said.
"Can I come too?" I asked eagerly.
"Sure, but it won't be that interesting," he got up, dusted himself off again, and gave me a hand. I got back on Jeluby and we headed home. Edward put Jeluby in the stable and helped me get off of Jeluby. I started to walk out of the stable, but then tripped on something. Before I knew what was happening, Edward was already right in front of me, holding me up. He some how caught me before I even touched the ground. Steadying me, he asked me if I was okay.
"I'm fine," I said, standing up on my own.
"Are you sure Bella? You're not hurt at all? Are you feeling a little faint?" He asked, concerned. I laughed, "I'm okay, I promise. No bruises, not cuts, not a scratch. I feel the same as when I woke up this morning. Don't worry Edward, I'm fine," I reassured him. I smiled and that still didn't convinced him that I was okay.
"Did you skip breakfast again? I don't understand why you do. Think about your health, Bella,"
"No, Edward I didn't. Alice made sure that I ate something before I went to go see you," I explained.
"You mean, you've been missing breakfast every morning because of me?" he questioned in disbelief. I shook my head.
"Of course not. I've been skipping breakfast because I no longer find it necessary, not because of you. I just feel like going to you right away, you know?" I tried to make him feel better. If I told him the truth, he'd never forgive himself. I knew Edward enough not to tell him it was his fault if something bad happened to me. He had such a morbid sense of self worth.
"You're a terrible liar, Bella. But please excuse me, you and I both should have some lunch," I smiled. He excused himself and went to eat his lunch.
I wondered off a bit before going to the kitchen for lunch. After I ate, I went to go look for Edward. He was where he told me he'd be, cleaning the extra room for visitors. I sat on the the bed and watched him clean.
"Are you sure you don't need any help?" I wondered aloud.
"Positive," he smirked. "We wouldn't want our Princess Bella to get dirty," he mused. I sighed. He seemed to get a kick out of the fact that I was a Princess. More so, he didn't care what I was, to him, I was still a bratty little kid who followed him around everywhere. One thing was certain though, I needed Edward as much as he needed me. We were friends, we needed each other.
I looked up at the clock and groaned. It was almost 4 o'clock and I had my piano lesson soon. Edward looked up after hearing me groan.
"Is something the matter Bella? Are you hurt from the fall?" his expression grew worried again.
"No, it's just that I have my piano lesson in a few minutes," I told him. Relief flashed across his face and he chuckled.
"Say, will you come to watch me? Will you listen to me play?" I asked. It wouldn't be too bad if Edward was with me, would it? I mean, Edward made everything better.
"I don't know Bella, I still have some work to do..." he trailed off.
"Please?" I urged. "No one will mind, and if they do, I'll tell them it was all my idea! Please Edward? Please? It would mean a lot to me."
"I- I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world if I do... and you seem like you really want me there... sure. Why not?"
"Great!" I smiled, and he smiled his dazzling smile back. Grabbing his hand, I dragged him to the music room where I practiced. The music room was slightly smaller than my bedroom. The south, east and west walls were cream coloured, while the north wall was formed by four large mirrors. Pictures of distant relatives and ancestors who played the piano hung on the wall. A diamond chandelier dangled from the ceiling, and my Grand Piano stood, undisturbed, in the center of the room. I grabbed Edward a seat and made him sit down. Just as I sat down in my chair in front of the piano, Chelsea walked in with one of her fake smiles. Her smile immediately faded once she saw Edward sitting down next to me.
"What is he doing here?" she asked, eyeing him.
"I asked him to listen to me play," I said without emotion.
"But why, Princess?" she asked, confused.
I glared at her with one of my deadly looks and said, "I want him to hear me play. Will this be a problem, Chelsea?"
"Of course not Princess!" she yelled, sounding alarmed. "I guess we should begin. Why don't you play Pachelbel's Canon?" I turned the booklet to the proper sheet music and started to play. I knew Pachelbel's Canon off my heart, it was one of my favourite songs. I watched as Edward's eyes grew bigger and more absorbed into the song. I smiled. I liked being able to surprise Edward. As I hit the last note, Edward looked at me, stunned.
"How did you learn how to play like that?" he asked.
"Well, here of course," I giggled. "Did you like it? Did I sound good?" I asked.
"You were amazing!" he praised.
"Yes, very amazing, Princess! You're doing better and better every time you come!" Chelsea cheered.
"That is it! I must learn to play the piano as well as you!" Edward declared. I snickered.
"Play another one, please," he asked. I started to play Beethoven's Piano Concerto number 5. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the music room, listening to the piano and teaching Edward how to read simple notes. I smiled. Since Edward came, I was no longer alone. I didn't need anyone else to cheer me up when Mother or Father canceled plans. Yes, this was just another day at the Castle.