Turned, Twisted, and Tossed Around

Lady's Last Days-Chap. 11

A few days later I had found myself getting closer and closer to Lady Evangeline, which Loretta doesn't seem to be too thrilled about. Perhaps she was slightly jealous, or her hatred for me just happened to experience a growth spurt. It could possibly be both. Evangeline is the type of person who makes herself appear different to get certain responses from different people. This makes her job as a consigliere slightly easier. 

Lady Evangeline has a good sense of humor, but doesn't interpret things the same way that I do. She enjoys twirling my dark red hair through her fingers, and listening to my life in the human world. Its strange how interested she is in my life, nobody would actually sit down and listen to me endlessly. Well except for Michael, but I'm not really counting him right now. 

The closer we got, the more I feared the date Evangeline had to leave. There are others with Evangeline's job that visit everyone's house, because it would be impossible to do it by yourself. Evangeline informed me that the Royal Ball was next week, and that she would have to leave to help set up the palace.

I asked her to describe the palace for me, but Evangeline couldn't find the words to fit it. She said that its every little kids' fairy tale put into one. I wondered if I was going to the ball...if I even wanted to. Michael...might be there. I might see Michael. If..if he hasn't been caught. But he would be caught in the palace...or maybe not. Everyone is looking for him in the Human World. Who says that he hasn't taken refuge in the place they would least expect it? Right in front of their noses?

But...what if Michael doesn't want to go to the ball? But the ball would be the best shot I've got at seeing him. I must go if I ever want to see him again. So what if he doesn't know me? A look would be enough. Just to make sure that he's alright.

Evangeline sat awkwardly on the chair in the room she had slept the previous nights. I sat on the bed, anxiously waiting for her to get to the point. Evangeline was about to say something important, I could tell by the way she tried to casually bring it into the conversation we were having. "If you've been keeping track, you would notice that I'm leaving tomorrow morning..."

The blurriness in my mind from all of the anxiousness cleared out for a moment, and I could form a few clear thoughts. I was sad that she had to go, Evangeline and I had started to become great friends. She cleared her throat, and stared down at the pattern on her orange gown. "We are allowed to bring with us one maiden to the Royal Court. Whom we believe the chosen male is..compatible with. I was wondering if you wanted to be that maiden."

I hadn't really understood what she had said. "What exactly are you asking me of?" I hiccuped, and looked at Evangeline with confusion. "I was asking if you would be interested in traveling, possibly living, with me to the Royal Palace?" I bit my lip, and stared at a crack in the wall. Then I dragged my gaze back into Evangeline's eyes. "I have a few..questions. What would happen to my training? And Vanaferra? I-I must make sure Abigail is alright with this.."

Evangeline looked as confused as I did. "Abigail? This matter does not concern the girl. You are in charge of your own life, hence you should be able to create your own decisions." I was quite  startled at her tone of voice, but understood the meaning behind it.  "They are the ones who brought me here, so I thought it would be polite to at least tell them." "I suppose it would, but you are allowed to make what ever descisions please you. They do not own you, or make your choices for you."

I thought of Abigail who was probably as old as Evangeline. Abigail always seems to have some sort of authority. It kind of felt against the rules to leave without at least telling her. I nodded at Evangeline's comment. "But you still haven't answered my question...what will happen to the training, and-" Evangeline cut me off with a small gesture. "Everything will be provided by the Court."