Strawberries And Crows (Canceled, For Now)

Part 12- River Djules

The maids trot into the dining room, plates of French toast and eggs on their hips.

" Bon Appetite. " Marie announces, bowing and quickly leaving the room.

I eat in silence as my family chats with each other.

" Mother, will Elizabeth be required today? " I whisper to her.

" Well, not today, my dear. " She smiles.

" Okay! Perfect. " I smile back.

After everyone had finished their meals, Elizabeth and I excuse ourselves from the table.

" Isn't it great they are getting along? " I hear my mother say as we walk into the Hall.
My father simply grunts in response

We run down the cobbled path, and I lead her down it until we are at my family's little bridge.

We stand on it, watching the reflections on the water.

" Y'know, " Elizabeth begins. " If I could paint, I would paint this. " she explains, " I can imagine it. " she sighs, resting her head on her hand.

" It's truly beautiful. " I say.

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, Elizabeth occasionally pointing out a bird grazing near by, or gasping as a fish jumps out of the water.

When we leave the bridge and ho down to the shore of the river, Elizabeth jumps with excitement. " Wow, that rock is gourgeous! " she points to a rock under the water.

" I'll get it for you. " I say.

I Wade out into the water, until it's up to my knees.

" Kalese. " Elizabeth starts. " Before you were at the table, your father told me... " She pauses as I hand her the rock, my feet still under the water.

" The weddings next week. "

" Huh?! " I gasp, stepping back and therefore falling backwards into the water. I spit a strand of my hair out of my mouth, Im dripping, but I stay in the water, on my bum.

" The- The wedding? " I want to scramble up, but I just sort of lay back in the water.

" Kalese!! " she yells at me. " There are sharks in the river. "

" I was lying when I said that. " I sigh, the water nearly covering my face. " Joking, I mean. "

She huffs, crossing her arms. " Get out of the water. "

I shake my head. " It's nice. " I say quietly.

I lay there, the crystal water trickling through my hair and over my dress.

That way, my tears blend with the water.

I sigh, sitting up finally, but when I open my eyes, she's gone.

I can see her in the distance, over near the house.

I frown. It's not like I'd suspected her to stay, though I'm still hurt.

A manly figure steps up beside me.

" Are you alright there, m'lady? " He says.

I turn to face him.

" Quite alright. " I look up at David, Elizabeth's brother.

I stand, swiping beads of water off my dress and hair.

" Quite a nice day, am I right? "

" I'm not interested. " I say.

" Neither am I. " He steps closer, whispering in my ear. " Your parents are watching from that window up there, and I'm afraid they want us to marry. "

" You should be afraid. "

He sighs. " Please? " he says, holding his hand out for me to shake. " You have to go along with this. I- I have a plan to free Elizabeth. "

" Hm. " I raise an eyebrow at him. " Hmmm... "

" Please? "

" Beg. " I say.

" You are one wild woman. "

" I'm only being myself. " I curtsey, then link my arm with his. " Explain this plan to me. "

" ... "

" Elizabeth? " I open the door to my bedroom.

I sigh when I find her sitting on my bed.

" Phew, I was worried that since your brother is back... " I pause, " Never mind. "

" Kalese. " She tuts. " I don't want this. " she has a grim expression on her face. " I don't want this at all! " She cries into her hand, and I take a step back, agast.

" You- don't want to sleep in my bed with me anymore, well.... That's alright then, you'll just have to-"

" I don't want to get married to him. " she stands quickly, only to trip over her feet and cause me to rush towards her. She looks up at me in my arms.

" I don't want this at all. " she sniffles.

" I know, baby. I know. " I comfort her. " We will save you, I promise. "