The Villager

19

THE VILLAGER
ʚɞ Ruth ʚɞ

It has been utterly quiet in this little house of mine. Nothing but the lonely sound of my own mind racing with thoughts that blinded me within. My nails have turned into nubs as I have chewed all of them off, and when I finally looked too hard at my hand, I kept eyeing my ring finger.

I am a mess.

I have a book opened, but I have no idea what chapter I am in nor what page number I have flipped to. My tea's gone cold, and I cannot bake because I need supplies, and to get supplies I have to leave the house.

I haven't even been to see the royal family. I know they must be worried, and I'm shocked to not hear the guards breaking through my home to see if I'm well.

It won't be too much longer and they will until I show my face around the palace.

Light knocks are at my door and my eyes face the door but I make no move to get up from my couch. The knocks stop, and when I think the person has left, the knocks continue.

Oh god, it's him.

I know it.

I have studied him so much that I even know his knocks now.

"Ruth, I know you are home." I hear his voice calling for me. It's so deep, yet so muffled by the door. He knocks again. "Come on, Ruth. Talk to me."

"Do not shut me out. Please."

Knock again.

"Man, I guess I shall bring all these supplies back to the bakery shop..." Why does he know me so well?!

My feet lead me to the door, not opening the door, just standing there to see if he truly leaves. I do not hear footsteps, I can feel him through the door. Can he feel me?

"Such expensive things have gone to waste..." He clicks his tongue against his teeth. He knows he can spend as much money as he pleases and he still could be so wealthy. I just hate the idea of spending so much.

Biting my tongue, when I actually hear his footsteps leaving, my hand finds the doorknob and opens the door slightly, allowing all the light in and seeing a bit of Timothy standing in place.

He tricked me. He wasn't actually walking away. He stood there letting his feet play a trick on my ears.

He's holding a basket full of excessive ingredients that I could never afford to buy for myself. They were good items, I knew that.

"There she is." His voice brings more light inside, causing my heart to flutter. He shows the flowers he holds behind his back, showing it to me through the crack. "I also bought you these."

I did not like this. I didn't like how this made me feel. It made me feel like a little girl again who just realized she was in love with him.

Opening the door further, allowing him to fully see me. I pierce my lips, finally speaking. "You said you purchased supplies..."

A grin rises on his face, and he reaches out the basket. "All yours."

"Is there a catch?" I hesitantly reached for the basket, hoping he wouldn't have another surprise which could anger me.

"No catch," he promises, finally smiling now in reassurance.

Finally having the basket in my hands, I look up at the man standing before me and notice his carriage awaiting for him.

"Thank you." I shut the door, but it gets stopped by a foot wedging in the middle. I frown. "I knew there was a catch..."

Leaving the door open for him, I walk away, hearing the door shut behind him and his footsteps walk after me. He's in the house. Do not panic. There's no need for panic.