I am the One

I am the One

I watched for you to come home. Everyday, I watched. Because you are my one and only. I have waited for you for a year now. But you never showed up. You never came back. I live here now in the castle, waiting. "Life must go on," all the servants say to me.

But I can't help but think that you are life. Your are my life. I accepted you in my life because I knew you would make life better. I know. I don't understand why you went away. I can remember when you first came to me. It wasn't that long ago. At least not at my 17 years of being here. It started two years ago.

Yes, I can remember it clearly. I was standing on the dirt pathway to the palazzo I lived in, and you were there. A weary traveler climbing the large hill to get to safety. Mother told me not to help you, that you were just an unwelcome person. But I couldn't help notice the blood stains on your face, and dried on your face. You had come from a beating. Your father hated you. Your mother didn't need an extra mouth to feed. They set you out, but you wouldn't leave.

If words wouldn't work, then force would. You used to say that your parents screamed this into your face. I couldn't imagine why they would say it. It was their choice to give your life, why would they then just go and want to take it away?  The heart's of some men just yearn for more than we, you and I, will ever know.

I gathered up what you had carried with you, a small bag and a hat. I had run down the hill and grabbed them from you. You whispered something, and then started to fall. I caught your weak body, slim from little food, and carried you up to my house. I bathed you. At least, I got most of the blood out of your clothes, and off your face. I had the seamstress make you a new outfit, throwing your old one away. I nursed you everyday back up to health, until you were a bright young face with a lively spirit. Your humorous jokes made all of us here at the palazzo laugh. Once I introduced you to all of the palazzo, you were the talk of the town. Everybody, who was anybody wanted to meet you and give you their blessings.

That was one thing I didn't understand. You were a small palazzoger from another town, yet they all loved you. You were an utmost nobody, and they all adored you like you were the highest of nobility.

I had pushed that matter aside for the time being, but I had made a mental note that I would ask you about it.

We spent the days together. You would take me and we would hide away, telling secrets like little children, or I would take you to the most beautiful picnic places I knew of. We always enjoyed each other's company. That's why I liked you so much, because you made me smile; you could always bring my day around when I felt down.

I remembered when my father would take me horseback riding, as a young child, to a place in the nearby vineyard to have picnics. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And I hoped it would be your favorite too.

One summer day we saddled up our fastest horses and rode out with a small basket of food. I rode out in front of you, trying to win the race. But of course I won. You didn't know where we were going. I started to slow down, so you did too. We both got off of our horses, tying them up to a small vine post. I grabbed your hand and ran up the hill, carrying the blanket and basket of food.

I laid the blanket down, and you sat upon it, taking out the grapes and bread I had packed for dinner. We took turns feeding each other, and daring each other to do out of the ordinary things. That summer was my favorite.

As night got closer, the colors in the sky exploded in all kinds of pinks and reds. I looked at you to make sure you loved it. And then you looked at me. We leaned in towards each other and kissed. It was my first kiss.

And you were my first love.

You had lived with us for two months at that point.

We started courting.