She Who Blamed God and He Whose Dreams are Not for Himself

Chapter 4: The Masquerading Maiden

  As the voicemail sound dissipates, Aira Laura and Andrew were silenced, Laura stood up and grappled Andrew's collar and with her strength she pulled it up, forcing Andrew to look straight at her, "see what did I told you?" her tears still dripping down her face and she released Andrew and turned to Aira, "let's get the hell out of here" and she dragged Aira outside, Aira didn't say anything but she isn't resisting Laura dragging her outside. Andrew looked at his phone, 11:54 AM, still more than 6 hours before he has to go to the noble's mansion, he opened his drawers and took some scribbled papers and he went to a local bar.

Laura and Aira is already on their way, somewhere far away, away from the conflict, eventually, they arrived in Aira's apartment, "Aira take Celyn with us, we are going to cross the border and to the villages, at least give her something comfortable in the car" said Laura, Aira opened the car and she said " is there really somewhere safe ?, she committed a mass abduction and burning my family with ease, is there really somewhere we can run away to?", Laura responded "its better than being sitting ducks here, if we can cross the border, her influence would be no more" Aira paused for a moment and she went inside her apartment, after a few minutes passed, she came back with Celyn and she carried a bag, they went inside the car with Celyn and the bag behind and they drove away, Laura glanced at the time, it was 12:49, she thought to herself, "we must cross the border before 6 pm, who would know what happened after they talk to each other"

14:31, a text message popped on Andrew's phone, "don't drink too much okay, I don't want to talk to a drunk, I would have to force you if you don't stop now," Andrew stopped and held his shot glass mid-air, a little smile crawled on his face, he takes his last shot of alcohol and 2 figure approached him simultaneously, they grabbed Andrew and whispered "sir, that would be your last shot", one of them paid for all the drinks and both of them dragged Andrew outside without resistance. Outside of the bar, 3 cars were waiting and Andrew went inside the middle car with the 2 figures and they took off, they went to a hair salon, they ordered a fresh suit, and everything else to freshen up Andrew's appearance, until the time finally comes, 17:23.

At exactly 17:59, they arrived inside the mansion, just a few moments passed, the door to the inner garden opened and the 2 figures gestured Andrew to enter alone, Andrew stepped in and the door slowly closed. The scent of the various flowers has a very calming sensation, a very distinct scent from the city, a few small fountains surrounded by light blue flowers a sight for a sore eye, and in the middle of the garden, a beautifully carved open pavilion stood, a place where you can glare into every part of this beautiful garden, there stood a young woman, her light green dress and purple velvet outer lining gave the sense of elegance and natural in a way, Andrew walked toward her and she gestured Andrew to sit beside her facing the small fountains and she said

"finally, you are here teacher, ahh I guess that doesn't suit you anymore, Mr. Andrew" She clapped her hands twice and a group of servants came in and served a pair of lukewarm tea, set beside the white and gold bench for the mistress and Andrew, Andrew smiled and kneel down in front of her, taking her hand and gently kissing the backside of her hand, her head tilted up a little and she said "you still remember your manners, I appreciate that, come sit beside me",

Andrew stood up and sat beside her and he said " Lady Hana, it is my pleasure to be called into your mansion once more", Lady Hana chuckled and she responded in a sarcastic manner "is that so Mr. Andrew, I guess I assumed your actions in a VERY, different way". Andrew felt the bite to her words and was a little bit startled, but he regains his composure and said "well Lady Hana, what is it that you want to talk with me about?", Lady Hana looked away from Andrew's eye contact and she said " Mr. Andrew, you have achieved your dreams, in fact, surpassed it, 3 years ago you said to me, the very reason of you leaving me was to chase your dream, and today we will settle this, one way, or Another!". Upon hearing those words, Andrew's composure starts crumbling and his voice was startled with a faint fear in them and he said "Lady Hana, uh.. what.. what is it that you want from me?" his voice raised out of panic,

Lady Hana stood up and walked slowly to the fountain as she says "You possess the eyes I fell in love with, the sparkling light of hope and dreams shined within your eyes as you talk about your book, I see sincerity in your heart, a very rare attribute in today's age,... I want them Mr.Andrew, the love from someone I know for sure, have sincerity in their heart"

She turns around to stare at Andrew, "but first, I want to know why do I have to use such excessive force to even talk to you", Andrew was silenced, and Lady Hana slowly walked toward Andrew and with just 2 fingers she raised Andrew's chin to match her's, she leans in closer slowly and she whispered, "you know, if u cant say it, I would like an apology at least", she closed her eyes and leaned slowly, one hand on Andrew's chin and the other, gently pressing Andrew's shoulder, Andrew didn't move but he whispered "Lady Hana we cannot do this"

As soon as she heard it, she opened her eyes wide, like a viper targeting its prey, and she moved away from Andrew, a little laughter comes out of her and she said, "Mr.Andrew, tell me which of those girls that you love, they are both inside the same car, what a perfect way to end one of them." Andrew by reflex grabbed her hand and said "your problem is with me Lady Hana, let them be on their own, please..", Andrew lost his strength and lost his grip, the thought of either Laura or Aira dying corrupted his mind,

Andrew grabbed a piece of paper from his bag and presented it to Lady Hana, "Lady Hana, the dream that I talk to you with was never my dream, in fact, my life has never been on my own will, this was the last will my mother gave to me when she was dying, to tell her stories to other's, and I interpreted it as publishing her book, however after the release of the book, I didn't feel satisfaction at all, I devoted my life for it yet I do not feel joy out of it, it seemed like it was a heavy responsibility that my mother passed to me, that sincerity you see, was not me, your feelings for me was not the truth"

Lady Hana turned back to Andrew, her fist clenched, her eyes barely holding back her tears and she said in a very angry tone

"If it is not your dreams that are shining from your eyes back then, then what is it?, isn't devoting your life to something is the definition of chasing your dream?, You... out of all people I knew, you were the only one who sees me as who I am, not as a noble's daughter, I HATE IT !, I HATE BEING A NOBLE'S DAUGHTER, Everyone tries to use me to their own profit, I have to act reserved to even the people I hate, I never felt the warmth of a normal family, like how it is supposed to be."

"What is it that I lack ?, I helped you to achieve your dreams in so many ways, I waited for you all this time, this beautiful dress, it was designed to match your appeal, this garden, everything.. why can't you be with me?, I would do anything for it, I don't want to be treated as a Noble's daughter"

Her eyes can no longer hold her tears, and slowly the tears run down her face

She extended her open hand towards Andrew, and she said

Will you take me somewhere far away as a normal girl Andrew?

Will you help me to achieve my dream?

To be a normal girl

To love and be loved by you

I don't want to have a Maiden's life