The Rose That Never Withered (Wattys 2017)

‡Chapter 11 - Worth The Kiss‡

"Your heart, and my heart, are very, very old friends" - Hafiz

Douglas Booth as Master Julliane Vilgrain *____* ^^^^^^^ 

As we left the kitchen, Dianne had called out to Regan "Master Regan," she said "take care of Eli for me"

"Granted Dianne" he replied. I pulled on his hand, avoiding further seeing Dianne's hurt expression and left.

Now I doubted if seeing young Master Julianne Vilgrain was worth hurting Dianne. It nagged at me. Seeing Dianne cry for the first time was like a stab to my heart. It felt like I died the moment those tears touched the ground.

As we made our way towards the table, my feet froze. It was like something was stopping me from even getting near the dining area. It was still several corridors down but my feet were frozen.

"What's wrong?" concern was plastered in Regan's face "You can't have cold feet now."

"No it's- I can't move. I can't literally move" I tried moving one of my feet. It was no use.

My feet was glued to the floors.

Frozen.

"I'm stuck, wha-"

He carried me, bridal-style, like I weighed not more than a piece of paper. I stared wide-eyed at him. He had a determined expression on his face while his mouth was pressed in a thin line. He caught me staring and it was easily replaced with a smile.

"You could have just told me that you wanted me to carry you. You didn't have to pretend E-li-za-beeeth." He dragged the last part out like a child.

He just had to ruin the mood with his big mouth. "Whatever floats your boat Master Regan. Whatever floats your boat."

"Regan" he corrected.

"Regan" I smiled.

We turned several corridors, climbed a couple of stairs, and not a single complaint was made. It was very uncommon for him to have kept his mouth shut for that long. I, on the other hand, kept quiet the whole ride.

"Stop." I whispered. He halted "We're here."

"Finally. My back is killing me," again with his big mouth. He kneeled and I dismounted from his back.

I made it sound like he was my horse on purpose. His hair was long and curly which reminded me of a horse's mane.

"Thank you Regan" as much as he annoys me, I won't forget to pay gratitude towards him.

"I would like to say "my pleasure milady", but my back is killing me" he brought his hands to his arm socket and rotated it. It cracked.

"Ow. Much better" he said relieved.

We heard voices from the dining hall. We kept quiet.

"They grow up so fast" said the voices.

I recognized them as Regan's parents'.

"Indeed they do." answered a voice.

The master's?

"Eli, there's something I wanted to talk to you about-" Regan started, but I was not paying attention, as it flew to the source of the melodious sound.

"Young master" it came off as a whisper. Regan's gaze landed on me and my breath caught in my throat.

"Who?" Regan asked confused.

I recognize that voice anywhere. It was the same melodious bells I heard one cold evening. It was the voice of an angel.

It was the young master's voice.