Alright, I'm improvising here a bit, because the chapter had to be longer...I'm hoping you guys won't notice the part. HIT IT XD
I do apologize for the long wait, but I am very grateful for every reviewer. I try to reply always, but sometimes life does catch up with me. I got into Law-school by the way!
Chapter 12: It's Not The Clothes You Wear
"Come on now, May!" Misty urged the brunette.
May stumbled forward, "I'm not allowed to leave the castle, Misty!" she whined.
Misty rolled her eyes, while pulling the princess with her over the grass of the elaborate yard, through the castle-gardens. "Like you ever cared before, May," she said, as she entered the maze. Having been in it as much as May had over the years, she found her way easily.
Surprised, May followed Misty through the hedge-opening that she had went through at the beginning of the year, and she had made herself. The once that gave entrance to the overview of the training-grounds. It seemed a long time ago.
"You remember this place?" Misty asked.
May blankly looked at Misty, and nodded. Then she wanted to turn around. She didn't't want to be here, exactly because she remembered the place. Because she met Drew here, she didn't't want to be here. Yeah, she admitted it, if only to herself, she had fallen for him.
She was infatuated with the arrogant, blockhead, smartassed, but brave and selfless mercenary. It hurt that he didn't want to have anything to do with her, because she was the princess.
"Look who we have here?" Misty said, tone suggesting she had known damned well he'd be there, while she pointed down the hill.
Now, May could see the young man leaning against the pole. Drew. He seemed to be enjoying the sun, that had peaked through the late-year clouds, and he had his eyes closed. His shirt was placed next to him, and May found herself turning her head, blushing.
"Ah?" Misty said amused, "Why do you turn away, May? What makes him different from all those other men you've seen?" she asked. May blushed harder, and Misty smiled, "Because he's special to you, am I right?"
May nodded slowly, "Yeah," she breathed.
Misty laughed softly again, "Then, my dear May. Do you think you aren't special to him?" she asked.
May fidgeted nervously, "Well...I don't know..." she said.
Seeing this, Misty sighed exasperated, "You made your conclusions already, while you know damn well what you think," she said. Then she rubbed her sleep, "I wasn't supposed to tell you this, but seeing everybody would know already by now, I almost feel obliged to."
May looked curiously and Misty sighed again, knowing which reaction to expect, "Your father gave that young man down there your hand, May," she said, staring down at the oblivious man.
May snapped her head around at this. "What!" she hissed.
Misty rolled her eyes, "I said that your father gave you away for marriage again, this time to this young commander, Drew Hayden," she told the stunned female.
At this, May hissed again, like an angry snake, "And this hasn't been told me, why exactly? Before I have to get in a white dress again?" she said furiously.
Misty winced slightly, knowing her previous experience with marriage and white dresses. This was such a moment you wanted to hide from the princess, as she lived up to her name as vixen. "Well, you see, he never accepted the offer really. It's not like people hear ringing bells already. I think that's why he wanted to go to your room earlier," she said softly.
May calmed a little, "And you know this, because? As far as I heard from your story, this conversation was in private," she remarked.
Misty scratched her head, "Max told me in big lines, as he was there," she said.
An eye twitched in May's face, "He told you. And besides, why din't Drew tell me then, or asked that seemingly not so very important question?" she asked.
Misty sighed, "And I'eve just shown you literally his perspective." She shook her head, "Can you see Drew's back from here?" she asked.
May pinched her eyes, and nodded. "Yeah, I can." She said sadly. Now that she looked at it, carefully, May could see the long scars on his back, a myriad of white and deep red lines. It was the first time since that very day May had stalked out of his room after waking up from the fever, she saw it, and she was horrified by the looks of it. It wasn't a pretty sight.
Maybe horrified wasn't the word. May din't feel disgusted. Just saddened. She knew these scars would never really go away. Even hardened warriors seldom wore such marks.
"Do you realize, that his back isn't the only thing scarred?" Misty asked.
Confused, May looked back at her red-haired friend, "What do you mean?"
Misty snickered mockingly, "Think for a moment, May. He has not gotten these scars in battle, but as a dishonorable punishment. It only reminds him of the gap between you and him. You're the princess, and he's the scarred commoner," she said.
Suddenly, May realized what she was saying. Not that she liked it, but she understood! Before Misty had the time to react, May was sliding down the trainingfield (in the process, effectively ruining the dress). Soon enough she stood huffing in front of Drew.
"Does my title bother you?" she asked sharply.
Drew snapped his eyes open to face the fuming princess in front of him. "What?" he exclaimed. She really came out of nowhere with that question.
May rolled her eyes, "The reason why you can't accept my hand? Is it because of my title?" she asked.
Drew blinked stupidly, "Now, why..." he started but May interrupted him.
"Hundreds of men would love to take my hand and some other things as theirs. But you don't? What the hell Drew? What the hell? I thought you could at least stand me enough?" she busted, tears brimming in her eyes. Really, if she had to spend her life with somebody, she would choose Drew.
Drew clenched his teeth, "I beg your pardon, princess. Allow me to speak freely," he said, but May's hand collided with his face sharply, and as Drew touched the not-quite-painful-but-stinging spot, May grabbed his other wrist to drag him with her.
Meanwhile, Misty smiled softly, "It'll be alright now," she muttered to herself as she saw May drag Drew off. Then she walked back to the castle to find a cover for her princess.
-()-()-()-
"What are you doing?" Drew exclaimed as May dragged him away from the castle and towards a simple farm. There she knocked on the door. A middle-aged woman opened, holding a small boy on the arm. The child looked with curious eyes but stayed silent.
The woman herself was well-formed, a result from bearing her children. She had a kind face and bleached blond hair. She was often outside by the looks of it.
"Excuse me, madam, but could I ask something?" May asked.
The woman smiled, "Of course, dear. What is it?" she asked.
May smiled, "Would you happen to have a daughter my age? And if so, could I ask to borrow one of her dresses for a moment?" she asked.
The woman raised a brow, "That is a strange request, but yes I do. You have to ask her yourself however. I don't see why you would want that though. As far as I can see, you already have a dress on your body, one of better quality then ours could possibly be," she said.
May laughed, "That's the point. I want to prove this guy here, I am a normal girl."
The woman nodded, "Very well. Do you want something to drink meanwhile?" she asked. Both Drew and May shook their heads. A girl May's age walked in, as they were in a small kitchen. Like her mother she had sun-kissed hair and skin, and she was perhaps a little leaner than May.
"You wanted to borrow a dress, right?" she asked. May nodded, and the girl led her up the stairs. May found herself in a small room, stuffed with two beds, under a low roof. The fabric on the bed was rough and May finally began to understand what Drew had told her. It really was different from her own room.
The girl grabbed a brown dress from a crate and she held it up high, "This looks like it should fit you enough," she said and handed May the dress. Then she smiled, "What's your name?" she asked,
May hesitated, "I'm May," she finally said.
One and one fit together in the girl's head, "The silky dress, the smooth hands. Princess May!" she exclaimed falling on her knees and kept her head down. She sounded scared.
May waved her hands in front of her face, actually embarrassed, "Please don't act like that!" she muttered.
The girl kept looking down, "You honor me with such a visit, your highness," she said.
May sighed annoyed, "Please don't. I am May, just May. What's your name for starters," she asked.
The girl kept kneeling, "It's Emma, your Highness," she said.
May crouched down, "Then, Emma, I want to be friends with you, so treat me like one too, alright?" she asked kindly.
Emma nodded, "Why do you want to try one of my dresses when you have so many beautiful ones of your own, if you don't mind me asking?" she asked softly.
May smiled, "You have seen the young man downstairs right?" Emma nodded. May scratched her head, "He has just been promoted as replacement of Gar and has permission to ask, well take my hand," she continued.
Emma raised her brows slightly, "You are saying, that basically, I have two of the most powerful people in this whole kingdom in my home? And he is to be wedded to you?" she asked.
May nodded sheepishly, "Well, it's not like we'll be married anytime soon, but yeah," she said.
Emma sat down exasperated and peeked an eye at May, "So why did you want to borrow my dress? I'm guessing, with your clothes, you could win over any man's heart."
May mumbled incoherently, as her face darkened for a second, "Except for this guy. The reason I want to borrow your dress, is to show that I am just a girl, in the first place," she said. "Drew can't get used to the idea that I am a princess, and doesn't see the girl."
Emma snickered, "You aren't much of a girl, more a woman. Are you sure, that's not what he's scared off?" She snickered again, before smiling, "You'd better invite me to the wedding!" she joked.
May's face lit up, "You bet I will," she said, and ignored the embarrassed sputters of the farmergirl.
Before long, May had changed out of the expensive dress and pulled on the simple brown over her head. "You know," May muttered, "This actually feels like I'm wearing something," she said.
Emma looked confused, "What do you mean, that stuff itches and scratches."
May laughed, "You'eve never worn silk before right? All those posh dresses feel so sleek that it feels like you are wearing nothing but the bodices." She remembered with a painful face the hell called bodices. "Yet this fabric is so rough to me, that I can feel it very well," she said.
Emma laughed, "I never thought of it that way,"
May smirked, "Let's make a deal. Can I have this dress? Then you can have mine," she said.
Emma's eyes, widened, "Are you sure, I mean, even only that dress would be enough to be my dowry."
May smiled, "Well, I never would be able to find this kind of dress in my reach in the castle," she said. The she pushed away the cloth that led to the stairs. "Do I look like a normal girl now?" she asked.
Emma smiled, "Except for your light skin, shiny hair and flawless hands, yeah, you do," she said.
May grinned, "Then, let's go!" she said cheerfully.
-
Meanwhile, Drew was seated at the kitchen table, which had a rough but clean surface. He snickered slightly at the irony. In the legion barracks, there existed no such thing as clean while they were most certainly better paid.
"What are you snickering about?" Came May's voice suddenly.
The smirk slid off his face. Gone was the royal princess. In front of his stood just a normal girl with the same face, voice, eyes, hair...oh hell, who was he kidding. The argument that she was just a princess couldn't be less true. For a moment, Ash' voice haunted him, 'It's the girl you fell in love with, not the princess,'
"It...fits you," he said, not voicing his real thoughts.
May laughed and twirled, "It does, huh?" she said.
Drew shook his head, "Really, princess, May, I'm more and more convinced you'd go to any lengths to prove me wrong. I'm just wondering why," he said.
Emma and her mother watched amused at the two, silently laughing because of their antics. The older woman worried slightly for her country, if this young lady was supposed to lead it some day. Emma just wondered about who was going to trip first in this careful dance, and when.
May stood proudly, "Because if I marry you, I have one worry less, well two actually," she stated.
Drew raised an eyebrow at this, "Even though I am quite curious concerning your worries, and the decrease of it, I'm afraid we have to bid these kind ladies goodbye," he said as he offered May his arm.
Frowning May hooked her arm in his, "Hey, what do you mean with that," she asked him.
Drew smirked, and then turned to Emma and her mother, "M'am, I am most thankful for your hospitality. You have been very patient with us, especially with the lady here." At this May pinched his arm, but he din't show it. If anything the corners of his mouth twitched upwards. "We will now take our leave then." At this Drew went for the door, taking May with him.
Emma ran to the door and just got the last bit of their conversation. "When did you even learn to suck butt like a petty little politician?" May asked as Drew dragged her almost off. Drew laughed, Emma heard, and chuckled herself: that wasn't how a princess was supposed to talk like.
"Three things, my lady. You talk like the kitchen chef's wife, and no, that isn't a compliment. Two, it's called politeness, not sucking butt, and three, I learned it from listening to your suitors."
May let out a furious growl, and before Emma knew it, May had chased Drew from her view.
"Well, wasn't that the most funny couple you'eve ever seen," Emma's mother sighed behind her.
Emma looked back at her, "Mum, you're talking about the future queen and possible king of the nation, you realize that?"
Her mother looked at her, suddenly busy on the stove, "Oh, shush. Find yourself a fine man like that, and then we'll talk again about this," she said.
Emma groaned, "Mum!"
-()-()-()
May caught up with Drew, after having given up chasing him. Though sourly, she had to admit, that militia training was good for the body, and for him. Not that she had seen that, of course. As such, she had been out of breath before long and at a safe distance, Drew kept waiting for May, an amused smirk playing at his lips.
"Wipe that smile off your face," May growled softly.
Drew cocked a brow as he began to walk again. "As you wish, your Highness," he said.
May sighed but then hooked her arm in Drew's and he blinked surprised at her. "For once, will you stop calling me that, Drew. Today, I'm not even wearing something that screams princess," she mumbled.
Drew looked down at the frail woman on his arm, "Sure thing, my lady," he said.
Without looking up, May punched his arm, "Drew, don't..." she started, but Drew hushed her.
"What now, May? My lady is a respectful name," he said.
May sighed again, "But, I'm equal to you now. I decided so, so why don't you use my name?" she muttered.
Drew snickered softly, "May, listen. Lady is not only a term of respect towards a higher female. It does have different uses as well. Surely it's used by servants addressing their mistress, however, when I use it, I'll use it as a man speaking to a woman," he said.
May stared up, shocked, "You mean, you do take my hand then?" she asked.
Drew smiled softly, "It means that for the time being, I will treat you as my equal. Who knows, I might decide to marry you," he teased, more muttering to himself than answering May.
Said one wasn't happy with the half-heartened in-between he had taken. Why couldn't he just answer straightly? It wasn't a no, but it wasn't a yes too.
She sighed and Drew peeked an eye at her, "Unhappy?" he asked.
May huffed, "Of course, I wanted to stay outside the castle for just a little bit longer," she muttered.
Drew snorted softly, "I'm not going to take more whips for your desire to stay outside longer. There's only so much I can do," he said.
The castle doomed up and they crossed the bridge to the courtyard. May hesitated for a moment, "Did it hurt?" she asked.
Drew raised a brow at the obvious question, "Explain yourself?" Drew asked, a careful politeness to be sure he wouldn't insult her.
May fidgeted with her fingers, "The whipping I mean."
Drew contemplated if he should laugh at her but noticed in time, she was completely serious. So he turned his face forward as the crossed the courtyard towards the doors to the royal living quarters. "I suppose it hurt, but I don't remember it all too well anymore. Only the first sets," he replied.
May turned her head away, "Sorry, I bothered you," she muttered.
Drew smirked, "The day you stop being a bother has yet to come," he said.
May punched him halfheartedly, "Jerk," she grumbled. But then she opened the big castle-doors. "Thanks for walking me here," She said cheerfully. Drew eyed her strangely at her mood-switch. But she leaned forward and gave him a peck on his cheek. "I'm not letting you go away that easily," she whispered.
Then she skipped inside and left an astounded Drew being. He touched his cheek lightly as the heavy doors closed. She kept him on his toes, "Oh, god, what have I gotten myself into," he muttered but couldn't help the smile that graced his lips.
Well, that's a wrap. Please review.