Betrothed to Trouble

Chapter 14 - The Turning Point

A/N: I’m sorry for the very late update! School work is killing me. I don’t even go out on weekends anymore! O.O

So here’s a long chapter for you guys! Comments please! Vote if you like it!

Oh, and the last chapter only had like 3 votes! :(  Can I have at least 5 for this? That’s not much isn’t it?

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Princess Giselle:

            To my utmost surprise, the gardens were unguarded and completely deserted. I had thought there would be guards stationed in every corner, if the guards from before were anything to go by. Oh, well. Who am I to complain? I smiled to myself as I began tracing the familiar trail to mother’s fountain. The effect of the peaceful silence of the nature around me was immediate. My nerves were no longer at fraying point, the tension in my shoulders disappeared and my heart no longer felt like it was made of lead. I could feel a great weight being lifted off my shoulders. Yet, a part of my heart, small as it may be, seemed to have permanently lost its ability to feel. I felt strangely hollow as I gazed upon the gleaming white marble spire of Queen Anneliese’s Fountain. Even the soothing melody of the glimmering drops of water cascading into the pool of crystal clear water below was lost in the cacophony of my own thoughts. I averted my gaze to the silky azure petals of the ever-blooming hydrangeas, and for some inexplicable reason, began to cry.

I sank down to my knees onto the sun lit cobblestone path and cried. My tears did not come out as loud, heaving sobs; they simply flowed down my cheeks silently, like tiny river of pain. I sat on the ground unmoving as I watched the water droplets dance gracefully in the air, as if savoring every single moment of being airborne, before having to return to the pool below.

“Mama?” I began huskily. “You’re probably wondering why I am crying,” I chuckled darkly, as I wiped away my tears. “It’s over,” I continued in a tight whisper, flinching as the words rolled off my tongue. Somehow it felt more real to say it out loud.

“Everything’s over,” I repeated soundlessly. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes tightly and forced those three foul words out. “I’m getting married,”

 

Prince Sergei:

            I felt like a complete low life standing here eavesdropping on her moment of privacy. I knew what I was doing was downright wrong the moment I began tailing her. I could see my own stupidity and ridicule being reflected in the guards’ eyes as I asked them to leave her alone. Yet, something about her draws me in. She’s an enigma. Her expressions are always carefully guarded and her emerald green eyes never revealed anything of her emotions. She’s a spitfire, an outspoken young lady with a penchant for breaking the rules of custom and etiquette. I hated her with a burning passion ever since she ‘accidentally’ poured wine over me. I had branded her as spoiled and uncouth, and called her millions of names with the nicest of them being ‘whore’. But now, seeing her vulnerable and broken makes me realize that she is too, a human being, and a lady at that. A fleeting stab of guilt washed over me and the need to apologize and comfort her suddenly reared up in my chest, causing me to almost stumble in surprise. Why should I comfort her? In fact, why should I care?

            You were raised better than that you arrogant, selfish bloke! Imagine what would your mother say?

            I recoiled in surprise as my conscience again trounced me with its annoyingly rational arguments. He was right; I am raised better than this. I took a hesitant step away from the cover of the hedges and peered around it cautiously.