Elegant

~ Chapter Twelve: Mud ~

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Suddenly, the pain seemed to go away and turn into utter confusion. Summoning up her energy, she pushed herself away from Jim and sat upright.

"Jim?" Selina said in shock.

"Are you okay? Your head is bleeding!"

"Were you following me?"

"What? No!" Jim responded with a similar sense of confusion. They stared at each other briefly as the rain fell on them furiously. The rain has lessened in intensity as they sat sheltered under a luscious tree.

Quickly, without warning, Selina stood up, the blood rushing down her head. She stood up, almost losing her consciousness again, losing her balance. Jim tried to reach for her again, but Selina yelled, "I am fine!"

"Okay," responded Jim with concern stricken over his face—another pause.

"I could not save your bicycle," said Jim, looking at his muddy shoes.

"You saved me?" responded Selina, laughing at the thought.

"Well, yes, what other choice did I have? The train was coming right at you! Besides, I should be asking you the questions!"

Selina took a deep breath and held onto her side bag as she turned around and continued her journey back.

"Selina!" Jim's voice echoed through the forest, and Selina continued to strut through with a light jog. Jim followed her pace.

They continued this for a while until they reached the forest's edge, where they could finally see the castle. Jim was out of breath, his heart pounding, hoping to speak with the princess. But to his disappointment, she kept running after the forest's end. So he continued with all his strength to catch up to her. Why was he chasing her?

He guessed he wanted shelter from the storm.

As they shuffled through the town, they ran past houses soaked by the treacherous rain. Somehow, Selina's pace picked up.

"Oh, come on, wait up!" Jim yelled through the wind, but his words seemed to be swallowed by the rain.

Soon, they reached the bridge leading to the castle, where Selina almost threw herself against the door. She furiously banged against the door, waiting for a guard to let her in. She held herself against the door, finally catching her breath. As Jim finally caught up to her, he rested his hands on his hips, completely breathless.

"What-" Jim tried but started coughing.

Selina banged against the door handles again, followed by her yelling, "Open these doors! I am here now!"

She looked around, still avoiding Jim.

"What is wrong with you?"

Jim finally muttered these words between breaths. Selina ignored him and banged against the handles again. Just as her last knock was heard, a soldier drenched in the stormwater opened the doors for her. She ran through the courtyard as Jim watched her. The soldier looked at him, wondering if he could shut the door on him and head back to his quarters.

"Are you with her?" the guard yelled over the storm.

"I am not sure, sir!" yelled Jim back.

"Well, I need to shut these doors quick!" Jim, with a blink, started another jolt through the castle doors and through the courtyard. He used the rest of his remaining energy to dash as fast as he could, catching up to Selina right at the entrance doors.

Selina opened the doors, and Jim followed right behind her, and she shut the door behind them. They both stood in the entryway, breathless. Jim didn't try to strike up a conversation with Selina, this time he let his thoughts come to him first.

Their shoes lay muddy, and they dripped on the castle floors. They heard a door bang close upstairs, and their heads turned in that direction. They heard heels click against the marble as they heard someone make their way downstairs. Selina finally turned to him, acknowledging him. He stared back at her. In the moment, he saw her realize what had just happened. The mess that had just happened.

"Selina, is that you?" her mother's voice echoed in the castle walls. Selina looked away from Jim, taking a deep breath in. She seemed like she was getting into character, like a role.

"Yes, mother!"

Her mother stopped dead in her steps as she finally got a glance at her daughter from the staircase.

"What have you done to yourself?"

Her mother's pace quickened as she flew down the stairs.

"I got caught in the storm and simply got hurt by the debris. I am fine, I assure you. Now, please, do let me get freshened up."

Her mother stepped towards her, looking pitifully at her bleeding face and dirty clothes.

"Dump your clothes!"

"Sorry, what?" responded Selina.

"Clothes on the floor now, and take off your shoes!"

Selina hurriedly took off her coat and shoes, doing as instructed. Jim continued his heavy breathing, coming more to his senses. He was not sure if he should leave or continue probing her.

"Well, what are you doing? You as well!" Her mother talked towards Jim as he quickly jolted into action, not wanting to upset the queen.

Soon enough, maids came by, picking up their dirty coats and shoes and wiping the area of any reminiscence of a storm.

Selina shot Jim a look as she rushed upstairs to clean herself. Jim stood in the entryway with the queen, not sure how to start a conversation. A butler sneaked up behind him, handing him a new assortment of clothes.

He looked back at the queen and replied, "I really should not. I must get home."

"Nonsense, the storm is raging! Go get yourself cleaned up!"

"I mean, Selina, what were you thinking?"

The King's voice did not seem to alarm Jim as much anymore, as he was rather becoming accustomed to it due to the lecture that continued to advance.

"We would have sent you a butler!" continued the King. Yet, Selina continued to glare at Jim from across the table. With his hair still wet, Jim simply glared at her back, hoping he could convey to her to stop with the childishness.

She slowly turned her head to her father, "I am aware. It was a mere mistake."

The King was supposed to be an intimidating man, but he never fulfilled his purpose in such a manner.