chpter 10 : suspicions

"Those two are revolting," Anna said to Adam.
After forgiving one another, the two had been as close as pea pods.
Because it was an especially sunny day, Mrs. Geraldine thought best to have a rest till the weather changes.

The youths at Zeddy's Hut decided to spend their free time at the Lakeside.
Anna & Adam were sitting up on the grassy bank while James & Abby were playfully chasing each other around the Lake.
Meanwhile, Amy was walking with Edmund at the far end of the Lake.

"My sister or Amy?" Adam asked, perplexed.
Anna gave it a thought & said, "Both."

Lately, the only person Anna could talk to was Adam. It wasn't as if she had a choice, really - her friends had their own company.
But it wasn't to say that Anna disliked having an excuse to be with Adam nor was she unhappy for her dearest friends.

She was just a little, well, disappointed that Abby & Amy had already found their happiness whereas she was pinned with a case of unrequited love.

"Looking rather serious for a day off," Adam commented.
Anna blushed but hesitatingly looked up from the flower petals she had been playing with. The minute she did so, however, she felt even more flustered as her eyes met Adam's intense grey ones.

She could hear the loud laughter of Abby & James' from afar. The sound echoed inside Anna's mind.

"N-nothing's the matter, Adam," she stuttered & flashed him a nervous smile.
He returned the smile.

She felt herself melting but she refused to let Adam see her in such a pitiful state.
Instead, she decided to close her eyes & bask in everything - the happy sunshine, the gentle breeze. Everything seemed perfect & so... Alive.

Anna blinked. The volume of the laughter increased.
Anna's eyes flew open & found a teenage couple at her feet - wet, flushed, giggling & rolling around the green grass like puppies.
"Hello, Anna! Hello, dear brother!" Abby giggled.
"Are you two not even tired running around the whole Lake?" Anna asked.

Although Anna's job was to perform such exhausting activities, she was not precisely the picture of fitness. Truth be told, she would rather be at Master Zeddy's disposal than do such tiring exercises.
"Of course not, Anna! We are no fools," James said.
"Except fools in love?" Adam muttered.

Abby & James turned into a deeper shade of red - a feat Anna did not think was possible - but Abby quickly changed the topic.
"I'm deliriously happy for Amy! She's finally moved on - & snagged herself a handsome catch."
"Bah." Anna said aloud.
"Why are you so against Edmund?" Adam asked. "He is rich & I suppose quite attractive," he hastily added, "- if you fancy those blonde locks of his."
"I suppose..." Anna said after a pause of hesitation. "But do you not feel something wrong? Something about that man strikes me odd. & I intend to find what th-"

She abruptly left her sentence hanging when Adam (harshly) nudged her in the ribs.
"Ow!" Anna half-yelled. "What in Lord's name was th- Oh, good morning, Mistress & Sir Edmund."

She got up & curtsied to the pair - it was compulsory for herself & the others to be polite to Edmund.
Amy had explained it all the minute he left the Hut. She told her friends that it would take time for Edmund to befriend them so in the meantime, Adam, Anna, James & Abby were nothing but the helping hand.

It stung as Amy made clear of their behavior towards her new friend.
As she did so, Anna could not help but to think they did make a rather attractive couple. Amy's light brown eyes a contrast with Edmund's marine blue.
Their difference in height was nothing if not amusing.

'But she'd look even better with the Pharaoh,' Anna thought stubbornly.









"Oh, would you give it a rest, Anna? Good Lord, I never knew you were so... Tenacious!" Abby exclaimed.
"Or more suitable the word, stubborn." Adam murmured.

Anna shot him a deathly glare but Adam was all innocence as he nibbled on an oatmeal biscuit.

"But it's true, isn't it? She would be a better match with," Anna paused as the nosy Madame Zeddy casually passed by. ""***you-know-who than that stuck-up, pretty boy!"

Anna wasn't certain but she could have sworn she heard Adam choking on his biscuit. "Honestly." she continued, pretending as if nothing has happened. "Has it ever occurred to you that he is of no substance?"
"He most certainly is of substance! Does his wealth not show, let alone his title? And his looks, for sure," Abby said.
"Excuse me?" James politely inquired.
"Nothing, dear," Abby sighed & he smiled back.

Adam & Anna exchanged glances. They were most certain that at any minute, their breakfast would be coming out.
Anna thought wryly, 'Well, unrequited love does have its perks - we don't revolt our friends.'






Later in the evening, Anna visited Adam at the stables.
"Good eve," Adam said loudly as he groomed a handsome horse's mane.
"Good eve, indeed," Anna spat as the stable door swung close.

Adam turned around with a smile spread across his face. Anna couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at the sight of him - he looked rather disheveled than usual. His uniform of a white cotton shirt had dirt smeared all over & the bottom of his trousers tattered. His hair, even, was messier than its usual limits.
It was not to say that Anna was a sight, either. She was positive that her hair had a mind of its own.

"What is it this time?" he asked.
"I passed by a dark corner & what do I hear but giggles & soft whispers?"
"It could be the servants... Er... frolicking around?"

Anna raised an eyebrow.

"Well, it could," Adam muttered.
"No, to my everlasting dismay, it was not the servants who were doing the frolicking but Amy & Sir Blonde Locks!" she cried, her arms flailing about.

Silence filled the air until Adam laughed, "Sir Blonde Locks? That's rather funny."
"Adam! This is serious. How could Amy be... Frolicking with ***him? She belongs with you-know-who & she knows it!"
"Well, you really can't blame her, Anna. He left Amy - no, he left everyone. You should be happy that Amy is finally letting it go."

Anna sulked, "Well, I don't like it one bit. He is as suspicious as Mr. Browner, the butcher."
A moment passed as she sat on a pile of hay & watched Adam shining the horse's coat. They stayed like that for a while, with Adam stealing glances over his shoulder.

Finally, he turned around & looked at Anna.
"Anna," she heard him say in his deep voice, "Are you really that upset?"
"Are you really that short?" Anna replied.

Adam smiled & quickly wiped the smile off of his face (but Anna could still see the tinged humor in his eyes).
"I will not rest until he does something to gain my approval," Anna said, folding her arms across her chest.

White lines appeared at the sides of Adam's mouth. She knew he was trying not to smile, let alone laugh.
He sighed & runs his hand through his hair. "If it makes you happy, I will keep an eye on Sir Blonde Locks."
"Really?" Anna brightened, standing up.
"But only for one day," Adam quickly say as he caught a gleam in her eye.
"Oh, thank you, Adam! Thank you!" she said, jumping up & down.

At that moment, she completely forgotten about the awkward past & her unrequited love for him.
At that moment, she ran to him & hugged him.

"Adam?"
Adam could barely hear her. The roaring in his ears were too loud. "Hm?"
"I need to tell you something."
The roaring grew increasingly louder. "What is it?"
She tore herself away from him & said with a serious face, "You need a shower."











The following evening, Abby caught sight of a girl hiding around a corner.
Curious, Abby crept behind the girl & said, "Lord, Anna. What are you doing, skulking?"
Anna jumped a mile. She put her fingers to her lips.
"Are you playing go hide & seek with my brother? What a coincidence! James & I did the exact thing a few hours ago! Why, I have to let you in on a little cheat I discovered-"
Anna put her finger to Abby's lips.
"Are you going to tell me what exactly you are doing, Anna?"
She sighed resolutely. She knew that, at this rate, she'd be caught because of Abby's notoriously loud voice.
"Yes, I'm precisely playing hide & seek with your brother," Anna said with a sweet smile.
"Oh. I was teasing, to be honest. Have fun!" & with the basket of woven silk in one arm, she was off.

Anna felt the guilt climbing again. Not just because she defied Adam's main condition - not to follow him under any circumstances.
But because she just lied to Abby. & really, her experience of lying had gone moot.
Until now.

Anna looked around the corner again. She could still see the incredibly tall figure standing at a distance, hiding behind a potted palm.
Beyond that, she could see two silhouettes standing closely. The taller of the two leaned down towards the other.
Anna shut her eyes fiercely - really. There are some things that one should not learn about their dearest friends.

When Anna thought the coast was clear, she opened her eyes & noticed that Adam was already running towards Sir Blonde Locks (SBL, for short). She followed his lead.







Anna was right.
That was what Adam thought as he followed Edmund's every move.
He really was as disreputable as Anna made him out to be.

The minute Amy left Edmund's side, Edmund's (supposedly) 'charming' smile vanished & he seemed to favor walking in shady areas.
Also, Adam noted as he sprinted after the boy, Edmund's walking pace gradually increased in urgency.

'If that Blonde Locks' urgent matter happened to involve the chamberpot, I ***shall murder him. Or Anna. No, both,' Adam thought grimly.

The sky was turning darker & darker still until it reached a beautiful deep shade of indigo.
There were no stars tonight but ironically, it was a full moon - perfect for a mystery story such as this.
Edmund looked around to check whether anyone was following him (in vain, Adam thought smugly). After deciding that the coast was clear, Edmund quietly walked into the Sacred Garden.

'Aha! A secret lover!' Adam thought triumphantly & ran full-speed to hide behind a curious shaped hedge.
He peered behind & saw Edmund having a conversation with a figure.

Damned. Adam couldn't see the figure's face. The only queer thing he could see was that the mysterious figure was extremely tall.
Or probably an inch - or, Adam fancied, half an inch - taller than Adam.

The mysterious figure handed Edmund a bulky-looking sack, no bigger than a fist. In response, Edmund's grin grew impeccably wider.
Clearly, the sack held something valuable.

Was it a Mafia mob? Was Edmund in the actual Italian Mafia mob?
Adam shook his head. He ought not get carried away.
He supposed it was getting rather late. Imagination could get the best of him at these times.

Adam wanted to hear what the two were saying. He moved forward - by just a step.
Crack!

The two suspects instantly looked at Adam's direction.
Adam looked down. He cursed at the branch under his foot.

Before he could say anything to his defense, he heard a deep voice say - with alarming venom, "You."
& right after that, a blow was given to him squarely on the jaw.

The indigo sky suddenly enveloped him in darkness.
The last thing he heard were a scurry of footsteps & a familiar feminine voice crying, "Adam!"











"I told you not to follow me, Anna! You could have ri-"
"Shh... You are supposed to rest. You can nag at me all you want when you get better." Anna said as she handed him a cool pack of water.

The black eye was getting worser by the minute. At first it was a light indigo but now it turned into an ugly blue-ish purple around the eye.
To top it off, Adam's eye was a little swollen.
The stranger must have been stronger than expected.

Anna shivered at the thought if she hadn't followed Adam - he could have been alone there for days - no, she was getting a little carried away - a day outside the Sacred Gardens.
Tongues would instantly start wagging at the scandalous scene - what would a sixteen year old boy be doing outside the Sacred Gardens with a black eye, sprawled on the ground?
A lover's quarrel? A hit and run theft attempt?

"I'm getting better, Anna. Don't look at me as if I might di-"
"Don't say it! Adam! Just don't."

She was getting ridiculous. Adam was made of tougher things. If she thought that he could get killed by that one instant blow, then she had another think coming.
But that punch did hurt as badly as it looked. He felt like hell.
& he wanted to relish in that feeling by yelling & drowning himself in brandy, if only Anna would just go away.

Adam sighed. "Alright, Anna. You have nursed me back even though I must add that it was completely unnecessary. & I thank you. So can you please leave? It's getting quite late. I'll deal with you tomorrow."
"Excuse me?" He made her sound as if she was the plague or some financial news that he doesn't want to hear.
'Deal with you tomorrow'? Who does he think he is? The Pharaoh? Even he couldn't dismiss Anna with a wave of his hand.

But looking at Adam, she decided better than to argue with him.
It wasn't that he was just.... Well, Adam, but because he looked so tired & drained, not to mention pained by the look of the shiner.

"Okay, Adam. Goodnight." Anna said. She got up, pushed her hair aside & walked quietly to the door.
As the stable door swung back & forth, Adam tried to ignore the sadness & the pain in her voice, in those mere three words.
He wondered why just hearing that made him feel the sadness & the pain?











Two days later, Master Zeddy's Hut was filled with buzzing & excited whispers.
"Did you hear?" a merchant asked one of the salesperson.
"No. What?"
"Pharaoh Jeffer has returned to the throne!"
"Lord Above! Did he say why?"
"No. No one has a clue. You see, my cousin's wife's brother's nephew works at the palace as a guard at the door. Apparently, a man in tattered robes walked in casually, not even flinching as he passed them. The guards, see. So my cousin's wife's brother's nephew stopped him & the man asked whether he knew who he was. My-"
"Acquaintance, yes."
"Ah, yes, acquaintance said no & then the man claimed he was the Pharaoh. My, er, acquaintance was about to laugh but he said that there was no mistaking the arrogance in his voice."
"Could only mean our Pharaoh."
"No doubt."
"Your acquaintance didn't ask why?"
"Would you?"

The salesperson shrugged. "Maybe."
"If you're looking for a death wish, child."

They exchanged more pleasantries until the merchant chose one of the Japanese silks. As soon as the man left, the salesperson walked into Madame Geraldine.
"Oh! Watch where you're going, child." Madame Geraldine gently scolded.
The girl nodded her head & asked her, "Have you heard, Madame Geraldine?"
Madame Geraldine shook her head.
"Pharaoh Jeffer came back to claim his throne!"
"Heavens, what a miracle it is. I always knew that boy had a good head on his shoulders..."
"Yes, yes." the salesperson said impatiently. "& would you believe that the last merchant's brother's cousin's wife's nephew - or something of the sort..."
"Just say the Person, dear."
"Yes, well, the Person was a palace guard & he stopped this man in tattoos &-"
"Lord, the Pharaoh would not have images printed on himself."
"But it's true! I heard it with my own ears."

Madame Geraldine sighed.
"Little gossip ladies?" Madame Zeddy said from behind.
"Oh, Madame Zeddy! Have you heard?" the excited salesperson exclaimed.
"Well, I am about to, I presume," she said.
"Well, Pharaoh Jeffer," she paused dramatically. "Has claimed the throne!"
"No!"
"Yes!"

& it went on & on.
After the (rather useless) conversation ended, Madame Zeddy excitedly ran to Mr. Browner, the butcher, whose assistant had overheard the conversation.
The said assistant then discussed about this latest piece of gossip at a gathering of his friend's the night after in a drunken state. So it began, the wagging tongues.

The news spread all over the city in less than two days.
Finally, the last person had came to a conclusion that Pharaoh Jeffer drunkenly barged in the Palace, disgracing the palace guards & sold robes.

The said last person was Amy.