A Daring Damsel

Section 2: Frustration, Fools, and Food

Cassandra

I am furious at Father. How dare he do that to me! Mumsie said I could marry for love, but Father goes ahead and arranges a marriage for me. Ugh, I hate him so much. Charles had better be as good-natured, kind, and jaw-dropping gorgeous as his older brother is, or else I will run away. With that thought in mind, I pictured him in my mind. His firm muscles, calloused hands, strong stance, and perfect height. Not to mention his curly black hair, tanned complexion, and green eyes. Sometimes I feel like I could stare at him all day for the rest of my life, yet never grow tired of him. But then I remember that my fiance (mental scream/sigh) is his brother, so no. I can't even entertain the thought of marrying him, let alone having him court me. Life is not fair.   

Running away a few years sooner won't change any of my plans, I just have to speed up my preparations. I already have enough dried meat, fruit, and vegetables. Now I need to get some cheese, preserves, coffee grounds, tea leaves, flint, bread, potatoes, a coffeepot, a plate, a fork, a spoon, and a cup. I thought as I started to make a list-both mental and physical. I will also need a tent, a new pack, some thread and needles, leather, and a canteen for my water. 

My weapons are all in their hiding places, so I will need to retrieve them before I leave. The sword and throwing knives are inside the willow tree on the far side of the gardens, my bow and the arrows are with my repair kit and case in my secret library, and my maps are in a drawer in my desk. I should be ready to go in a week or two.

I rang my bell for my maids. "Evanlyn, Lacey, Katriona. I wish to have dinner - with coffee or tea instead of wine - in my room, and could you also ask Macey to visit me before dinner if she has the time?" After a moment of thought I also said "Thank you for always helping me." Then they left. After half an hour Macey came to visit me, while Evanlyn came with dinner around fifteen minutes afterward. "Macey, I think you should probably go to the great hall for dinner soon or else all the food will be gone." I joked, "But afterwards will you come back? I have something else to talk to you about."

"Sure thing Dria, I have something to tell you too. See you then!" Macey said while walking away. After I ate my dinner: bread rolls, carved slices of lamb leg, mashed potatoes with gravy, fruit, and coffee, I decided to start gathering some of the items on my mental list. But not before a flow of unstoppable tears came rushing down my face and my body shook from my silent sobs.

The food tasted heavenly.

A.L. : I could not resist putting that last line down. Hope you liked it. Sorry for the short section. The next one will be from the lovely Stephán's point of view and longer. You should learn more about Macey's life then. 

Have a lovely time reading.