SAVIOR AND SURVIVOR #wattys2017 (Under Editing)

CHAPTER 11: A WALK IN THE GARDEN

Ella woke up the next morning filled with curiosity about what Nate will tell her this night. She got up and refreshed herself and went to the balcony of her room to take in the beautiful view of the garden in early morning and to enjoy the gentle breeze touching her skin softly.

The breeze was cold as though conveying the message of light rain, the dark clouds had covered the sun and prevented its rays to reach down the ground. The wind gently passed through the leaves of the trees as though tickling each and every leaf, the birds were chirping merrily and flying from one tree to the other. The colorful tulips surrounding the statues, were dancing in the breeze, spreading the happiness of their colors in the surrounding.

There was a knock at the door which drew Ella's attention away from the breath taking scene. ''Come in!'' she said looking at the door and waiting for the person behind it to enter. The door opened and in came Eric.

''Good morning Princess Ella.'' he said bowing his head.

''Good morning Eric.'' Ella bowed back, ''Come join me, its a beautiful scene.'' Ella said turning her gaze back to the garden.

Eric walked towards Ella and stood beside her, he looked at the beautiful scene in the garden Ella was mentioning, ''Beautiful indeed.'' he admired.

''Something wrong, Eric? I think your'e not enjoying the morning breeze.'' Ella said with a smile not looking at Eric as she noticed that he was quiet.

''I think you really love nature and prefer to stay close to it.'' Eric said gently as Ella's smile grew wider.

''And I think that you are a really good observer.'' Ella said looking at Eric for the first time.

''Well, if you say so...'' Eric replied smiling back.

''Nature is something that clears my mind when I'm confused or worried.'' Ella said her brows furrowing.

''Would you like to take a look at it even more closely?'' Eric said looking at the fountains. ''Lets go for a walk.'' he said putting his hand forward for Ella to take it. Ella gave a smile and took Eric's hand. As they were going out of the room Ella stopped.

''Wait, mother forbade me from going out of the room.''

''Well, I'm with you, she won't say anything.'' Eric said smiling taking Ella out of the room. They walked out of the palace doors silently.

''So Eric, I noticed you have a certain interest in books. Am I correct?'' Ella said trying to start a conversation to kill the awkward silence.

''Your'e right, but that doesn't mean that I'm a bookworm. I read only when I'm stressed, it helps me take my mind off from certain disturbing things.''

''Well you have something in common with a friend of mine, Edward. Well now he's just a friend or I think not even that.'' Ella said stopping by a cherry tree.

''Edward?'' Eric suddenly came to a halt. ''The person whose letter you received a few days ago?''

''That wasn't Edward.'' Ella replied picking a cherry from the tree.

''But that day you said it was Edward.'' Eric said calmly looking around.

''Eric, my dear cousin, that was not Edward that was Ruby, who used to visit me a lot when we were kids.'' Ella lied and chewed the cherry in her mouth. ''Anyways, even if I get a letter from him I won't reply, or even better I won't read it.'' Ella said with a bit frustration.     

''Noticing the tone of yours..... um.... I mean to say,  did he hurt you? In anyway?'' he added quickly looking at Ella's expression.

''Let me put it this way: We were in a relationship and after two months then after some time he told me he wasn't interested anymore, so he wanted to finish everything, and when I asked him what was the reason for all of this....'' Ella stopped suddenly noticing her sad voice. She turned away clearing her throat and said: ''It doesn't even matter what he said, its already been three years.''

''Tell me because sometimes you just need a good listener. Trust me I am a good listener, helps to relieve your mind.'' he said looking at his cousin.

''He... he said-'' Ella broke off in the middle.

''I'm listening.'' Eric spoke patiently.

''He said that I'm weak, too weak to stand up for myself and that no one prefers weak women and I'm perfect at nothing, in anyway, and anyone can dislike me easily.'' she spoke quietly looking anywhere but at the guy beside her. ''And from that day I made a promise to myself, that I won't fall for anyone no matter who he is and what he is capable of.'' Ella said looking down at the ground.

''Ella, not all promises are made to be fulfilled, and that bastard did not know whom he was talking about, he did not know what you are capable of because he did not know you. And sometimes you won't find the right person when you are looking for him, he will come to you when the time is right.'' Eric said now wiping  her tears. ''Sometimes all you have to do is wait, and everything will fall into pieces.'' 

''What about you?'' Ella asked while taking a seat on the green grass.

''Well, about me...'' he said taking a seat beside her. ''I met Elizabeth two years ago when her father held a gathering at his palace. She was nice at first but slowly she started changing, then I realized tat she was just interested in visuals and not the actual thing itself. The day you gave that long lecture,'' he paused and they both laughed. ''Was when I realized that how wrong was I and what I had to do to make things right. The thing is, I learnt from my mistakes and you should too.'' 

''So sorry to disturb this cozy meeting,'' Amber's voice made them both jump out of their skins. ''But everyone is at the table and there will be guests joining us tonight.'' Amber said smiling.

''Guests? Who is here? I did not get any information on this.'' Eric said his brows furrowed.

''Duke Peter and his son David are here. They just arrived.'' Amber informed.  

''We will be right there.'' Eric said to Amber and she walked away.

''Well, I needed this lecture.'' Ella let out a breath.

''We Both needed it.'' Eric said and they started laughing. ''Lets go.'' he said and they walked towards the palace doors.

'Not all promises are made to be fulfilled.' You should think about that a small voice said in her head.  

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Sometimes we all need that kind of lecture. Don't let anyone bring you down.