A Leap Of Fate

Chapter XI- Signs

“And then what?”

Camilla asked with her curious, tiny voice while looking at me with eyes as curious as well.

“Um, well, they lived happily ever after.” I said and smiled at her.

She looked away and pouted her small, pink lips. “It’s that easy?” She asked while returning her stare to me.

“What?”

“Just because the shoes fitted her foot, the Prince thought she was the girl at the ball and he loved her? That easy?” Her words came that did not fit with her baby’s voice.

“Uh, well,” I shrugged. “That’s….uh, the sign that she was the beautiful one on the ball. You know, he already knew it. Perhaps he felt it.” I tried to reason. I thought I did not have to think of an excellent excuse for a child.

She pouted her lips again. She looked adorable. “But he can’t sure that she was that girl, right mama? Right?”

“Oh…uh, yes, you’re right, sweetie.”

She looked away again with such deep eyes. I sat quietly with her on my lap. It was already midnight but none of us can fall asleep. I was contemplating, as usual on my bed room when Camilla knocked quietly on my door and forced me to sit by the balcony. It became her favorite place since she came here just this morning.

And yes, I was now back in the Lopez’s residence. Since the day I forced Siervo to accompany me going to the Cruz’s, quite many things had changed.

I gave out a heavy sigh while looking on the quarter moon on the dark sky tonight. My hands felt cold as I wrapped it around Camilla’s body. The memories still made my knees weaken when I thought of it, my last night in the Cruz’s house.

~*~

I gently stroked Camilla’s light brown hair and watched her peaceful visage as she fell asleep on my lap. I inhaled deeply before looking up and speaking.

“So...how are you doing? I heard you’re just as busy as the Gobernador Heneral nowadays.”

He looked at me then turned away quickly. “Yes. I have been helping him since you left. The things we have to do are increasing everyday. But I am glad to be able to help papa. I now feel how it is for him, and I can’t imagine him doing all this by himself.”

I nodded understandingly. “He indeed is lucky to have you as his son. And I am glad what you’re doing is making you happy somehow.”

He turned to me again with a half smile that still looked lovely. “Thank you, Alix.” He looked up again and added. “How are you with Don Cipriano and his family? Are you all right there?”

“Yes, I am all right living there. They give their utmost attention and care to me, even Bienve. I know its all pretention but at least I am all right there. Though it’s just unbearable when the days I thought of… you and your family. I always feel like I want to go back here so badly.”

He nodded. “I am really sorry to cause you that feeling.”

“No, don’t be sorry. Just like you doing your father’s hard works, I do feel happy to be able to help you all as well.” I smiled.