chpter 12 : blessings

The quaint village found at the border of Egypt was in an uproar.
Never had there been such excited news over the nuptials of one of the most eligible bachelors & ladies - not even of the Pharaoh's arranged marriage with Shameeka.

The young ladies throughout were hoping more than ever to be invited to the infamous wedding, which would be held in a week's time.
But the old women speculate between the scandalous relationship of the Pharaoh's & Amelia Shari - was Amelia & Pharaoh not besotted with one another?
Has Amelia finally moved on?
& what of Pharaoh's feelings? Would he do anything about the matter?

Questions of all these were circulated around - until it finally reached the location of Zeddy's Hut.





"Anna! Anna! You won't believe what I've just heard from the water boy out there!" Adam laughed as he walked in at the clothing line area.
"Hm?" Anna responded, a few wooden pegs between her lips.
"He said," Adam said between chuckles. "He said that the Pharaoh plans to murder Golden Locks."
Anna giggled softly - she didn't risk letting out a huge laugh. She didn't want to choke on the pegs.

She hung a linen blanket from the basket & clipped it with pegs on the wire.

"Peophle dese days." she commented, her voice muffled.
"Precisely." Adam smiled, shaking his head.






"Oh, good morning, Edmund," Abby said happily as he passed by.
She was in a good mood, after a morning's walk with James.

"It's Sir Edmund to you, servant girl." he sneered.
"Oh." was all Abby could manage to say, a little taken aback. It was the first time Abby had been alone with Sir Edmund - she had thought he was a charming person.

'Maybe he had a bad morning.' she decided, shrugging the hurt feeling off.
"Are you coming by to visit Amy?" she asked, picking the conversation's pace.
"It is no concern of yours," he spat. "& her name is Lady Amelia."
"Well."

Back to one-word conversations.

'Sir' Edmund smirked. "Good morning to you."
& with that, he walked by her.

Abby shuddered - she felt the cold air trailing behind him.











"Amy," Edmund gasped.
"Edmund."

The two panted & gasped for two whole minutes.
Edmund cleared his throat. "Amy, lets talk."
"Oh, dear. We've suddenly gone serious." she nervously giggled.

Unfortunately, Edmund did not giggle.
(Although he was doing so a few minutes before)

"Amy, I must warn you of your... (ahem) Friends."
"Yes, what about my friends?" she smiled.
"It is just that... One of your social rankings... You should not be (ahem) seen with them."
"Edmund! Surely you jest. They are people with the kindest of hearts." she protested, feeling appalled.

A minute of silence passed & suddenly, Edmund burst out laughing, "Of course I was jesting. Do not take me seriously, dear. I'm just a fool in love."
"Oh, Edmund." she sighed & leaned in forward.

But Edmund pulled back & warned her, "But do be careful with that crowd. You shouldn't be fooled - they're very convincing."
"Convincing? So what are you suggesting?"
"Well. I'm not one to say... But I happened to bump into Abby just now &, well, she didn't act like her normal self."
"What? What did she do?"
"She looked me in the eye & called me a 'spoilt, little rich boy' to my face. I was furious, of course but a gentleman never hurts a lady. I just smiled & walked passed."
"She... I don't believe it! How could she do that? Why would she do that?" Amy sputtered.
"Maybe she's jealous. After all, I am about to marry her dearest of friends - who would like their dearest friend being taken away - even to fulfill her happiness?"
"But... Abby would never..." Amy trailed off, doubt filling her every passing second.
"Oh, I better leave. We've been here for nearly half an hour with the door closed." Edmund winked.

He got up & quietly closed the door, smiling as he whistled away.









"I've always told you that Golden Locks was a two-faced b-"
"Adam." Anna said with a warning tone.
"Sorry. I meant, boy. Two-faced boy." Adam said sheepishly.
"& you did not say that, Adam." Anna sighed. "What you actually said was that he was too pretty for his own good."
"Same difference."
"Ah, your brother the philosopher."

Adam shot her a sour look & opened his mouth for a remark but his sister cut him off. "I'm sorry but are we supposed to be flirting or stopping a matrimonial match?"
James coughed.
Adam & Anna turned into a deep shade of red.

"I really don't want to say it but I told you so," Anna said, brushing aside the previous remark.
Abby sighed. "Well, we didn't really listen because you're so... What's the word?"
"Determined?" James helped.
"Yes, determined for Amy to choose the Pharaoh. & really, why are you so intent for their relationship? Do you not know of how many obstacles there are in their path?"

Anna looked at James. "James, remember our caretaker, sweet Mrs. Cara?"
"Oh, yes. I was always her favorite student."
"No, you weren't. That's me."
"That's me."
"Whatever you say, James. Anyway-"

("Why do you always get away with the argument? What's your secret?" Adam whispered anxiously to James.)

"- she once told us that when we wait for something patiently, it'd be worth it in the end. It's just the Lord testing us. & the letters the Pharaoh had sent her... They were so sweet." Anna smiled.

For a reason Adam could not understand, he felt a tinge of jealousy towards Jeffer.

"But I just do not understand Edmund's behavior! I'd thought he was a gentleman."
"A two-faced, too pretty one, is all." Adam said sweetly.
"That, my dear friends, is why I do not like fair headed people. He's a specimen of a true Golden Locks."

If Anna had looked at Adam, she would have seen his grin grow or his face going a little red.









"How could you treat my fiancée like that?" Amy yelled as she approached Abby.
Abby looked up from her silk rolls to Amy, a furious expression painted on her face.

"To treat my fiancée like- like dirt!"
Abby opened her mouth to protest - to say that he treated her like dirt but decided it was best not to contradict her.
Amy gave a bitter glance. "Of course you have nothing to say. If it was Anna, it'd be understandable (but still not viewed upon). But it was you. You, of all people, are doing this just to ruin my only chance at happiness. Goodbye, Abigail."

She quickly walked away - she didn't want to see Abby's tears.










"Those two are revolting," Abby said to James.
"Agreed." James nodded.

They continued watching their 'friend' walk around the lake with her fiancée.
Ever since the fight Amy had with Abby, they hadn't spoken to one another.

Or in Amy's case, she hadn't spoken to Abby. Abby had tried to talk to her but to no avail.
Amy would either shrug her off or coldly inform her that laundry was due for cleaning.

Anna had never seen her friend acting this way - when they first met, she had initially expected this but instead, she was blessed with a kind-hearted person she dared call a friend.
But now... It was as if she had been alienated. She was no longer the Amy who had given Anna a slice of rum cake when she was sick nor the girl who had once given a bandage to wrap Adam's cut finger.

She was now Lady Amelia, niece of Master Zeddy.

"I just can't believe it." Anna said, shaking her head.
"Mm."
"I really just, can't believe it."
"I know."
"& all because of that- of that-" Anna choked.

'Good Lord, is she about to swear?' Adam wondered.

"Golden Locks!" & with that, she burst into tears like a leaking dam.
Frustration wracked inside of her - what had happened? How could one person change another so much?

Anna felt so upset, so miserable, so bloody frustrated that she didn't notice Adam's arms around her.
But she felt a little better as she heard him telling her that everything would be alright, murmuring in her hair.










"Anna! Hurry up! We're late!" Amy said.
"I'm coming, my lady," Anna said with a curtsey.
"For Lord's sake, girl, get up & do something about your hair. Honestly. You expect me to be seen with some girl in rags?" she muttered.

Every word, every sentence that came out of her mouth was a blow at Anna but she stayed strong & compressed everything inside her & remain her measly servant.

"Where are we going, sweetheart?" Amy asked as she cuddled up beside Edmund.
"Oh, we're following the traditions, schmoopie." Edmund said as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

Anna, who was trailing behind the couple, felt like retching.

"One being never engaged, I wouldn't know." Amy teased.
Edmund laughed, "Thank goodness for that."
The two looked at each other for a minute - Anna was convinced that they were about to devour each other right there & then.

She sent a silent prayer as the couple in front continued their walk to the carriage awaiting them at the entrance of Zeddy's Hut.
(She would have run for the Hills if they did so.)

As they got inside, Edmund asked amusedly, "But you honestly do not know?"
Amy shook her head.
"Oh, we're visiting the Pharaoh for his blessing! If one would wish for a happy union, one must get the Pharaoh's blessing."

Amy froze.
Anna tensed. She, Abby, James & Adam had been anticipating a fight so huge that would cause Amy to cry off the wedding.
But Anna didn't want to be in their presence when they fought.

Amy remained silent, staring blankly into space.
Edmund, of course, stayed blissfully ignorant, assuming that Amy was too happy for words.
Anna kept quiet, wondering how thick Edmund's skull really was.

The journey was not a pleasant one - although it was Anna's first time in a proper carriage.

As the three got off, they walked up the stairways, lining up to enter the Palace.
Finally, as the sky darkened, Anna, Amy & Edmund had finally reached the front of the line.
Anna wondered how nobody could hear the racing pace of her heart - it was beating so loud.

She couldn't help but speculate of the Pharaoh's reactions.
Anna was sure - so confident (& that was a rare thing, really) - that the Pharaoh cared for Amy.
She could just tell by reading his letters to her & all the stories told by Amy.

So how would a man in love react when his love of his life visited him to ask for his blessings?
She was about to find out as the magnificent oak doors opened.







Jeffer was still chuckling over the latest villager's visit. She came in & proposed (marriage!) to him.
& he was sure that that young thing was only the mere age of 10.
Oh, his villagers were quite the people.

The guard by the door (or as Jeffer had nicknamed him Biceps Fellow) cleared his throat, as he always did & announced the arrival of the next guests & their purposes.
"Announcing Sir Edmund & Lady Amelia of Zeddy for the blessings of the Lord."

What?

Whenever the Biceps Fellow announce the phrase 'blessings of the Lord', it usually meant for an engaged couple.
Amy wouldn't marry someone - Jeffer had thought there no men were good enough for her in this village.
That & also because Amy was a very, very picky woman.

Surely it was a different Lady Amelia of Zeddy. It was a big village, after all.
Well, actually it wasn't - it's quite small, you know - but a man can hope, can't he?

Jeffer gave a nod to Mr. Biceps, a cue to lead the following couple inside.
There were only two moments when Jeffer had felt a boiling rush of emotions in a jumble (fury, frustration, sadness, disappointment, hurt...) - one was at his mother's funeral & the other was when he caught Amy in another man's arms.

The first time he felt this was when he was the mere age of 9 - whispers of his mother's death had managed to reach his ears - majority were saying that his late mother was dead as she rode on a horse to meet her lover.
Apparently, she was pregnant, too.

It was too much to handle & nobody but Amy knew of this dark secret gnawing at the insides of him.

The second time was caused by Amy.
Amy, of all people! If it was Shari, Jeffer would've understood - lust was a wondrous thing, after all.
But Amy, his dearest & most trusted friend?

All because she was caught in an intimate position with another man.
The first feeling that had hit Jeffer's gut was jealousy - white, hot & unfamiliar.
The following were a rush of confusion (why was he jealous?), anger (why was she in another man's arms?), sadness (why was she in another man's arms?). hurt, betrayal, denial...

It was too much to bear. He felt like a woman.
The third time was now, the present, he thought as Amy, Edmund (& some girl behind the pair) bowed down before him.

"My Lord," Edmund said, bowing down so low along with Amy.
He didn't want that - he felt like laughing at the sight of his friend, practically on her knees.

Jeffer gave a nod of acknowledgment with a smile carefully spread across his lips. He didn't trust himself to speak.
"My Lord," Edmund said again. Jeffer began feeling irritated & thought, 'Out with it already!'
"Please," Edmund cleared his throat. "Indulge us with your blessings for our marriage."









If ever she had a time to freeze a moment, it would be now.
The look on the Pharaoh's face was priceless - she usually saw him as a tall boy with a smirk on his face.
Now... Now he had a face of someone who had just been slapped - appalled, shocked, speechless.

"Um, my Lord?" Edmund cautiously asked.
Anna had never met anyone as thick-headed as the man in front of her (Golden Locks, not the Pharaoh).

"Oh. Yes. Yes, of course." the Pharaoh said, blinking & giving a wide grin.









There had been a million times when Amy was furious at Jeffer - the time when he pulled her hair, their first kiss at the age of 5, the time when a rumor had spread of their liking each other at 9 years of age...

They had history &, though she may loathe a few moments, she cherished them all.
But this. This. How could he just sit there in front of them, grinning like a fool ('a hopelessly handsome fool,' Amy thought with frustration)?

Her fiancée was asking for his blessings! How could he merely sit there? Why was he treating her like a stranger?
What had happened?

'He's changed,' Amy thought.










It was near sunset & the four (Jeffer, Amy, Sir Edmund & Anna) found themselves seated at the Royal Dining Table.
The three could not help but be awed by the magnificence of it all - the rich coloured theme of gold, the delicious smell of roasted ham wafting through, the long, rectangular table taking up two-thirds of the room.

Anna wondered how such a situation of hell could be held in a place like this heaven.
'Heaven of food!' Anna (or Anna's stomach) thought.

It was pure irony for her.

"So, Miss Amy, Sir Edmund," the Pharaoh said casually, oblivious to the glory of his dining room. "Was your betrothal a, um, recent event?"
"Why yes. I proposed to her just a few days ago." Edmund said as he sat down eagerly on the Pharaoh's left side.

If Anna had not found the delicious meal of lamb placed in front of her, she would have noticed the razor sharp glare Jeffer had given to the ever unaware Edmund.

"We are thrilled." Amy said, breaking the silence.
"Are you?" the Pharaoh murmured.
"Yes, very much. I'm ecstatic, really."

The room was filled with heavy silence. It was not the kind which was normally awkward.
Nor was it the type of which one would grieve.
It was the kind of a silent war - one Amy & Anna knew only too well.

All eyes - except Edmund's, who had no difficulty expressing his hunger by gobbling down his meal - were on the Pharaoh & Miss Amy.
The two were having a duel - some unspoken challenge that had been issued by both/either parties.
Jeffer was clenching & unclenching his jaw - so hard that if one had looked closely, one would have noticed the bulge near his throat & neck moving.
Amy's fists on her dress were turning a dangerous shade of white.

"I really can't believe how delicious this meal! Send my compliments to the cook." Edmund said eagerly to no one in particular.
"I'll inform him right now. Excuse me." & with a nod of his head, the Pharaoh got up & stormed off.
"I'm not feeling so well, darling. I think a little of fresh air would do me good." Amy said with a queasy smile.

Edmund waves his hand & with that, she got up & stormed off, not unlike the style of Jeffer's.









"What do you want?" She didn't bother turning around.
She heard him.
Oh, he was quiet. Quiet, sly, sneaky... But she had heard him creeping up behind her.

Maybe it was the muffled footsteps or his heavy breathing... She didn't know. Or maybe it was just the scent of him that gave her the hint of his presence.
She didn't know.

But it was a curse to her.

"How could you?" Jeffer said, his voice tinged with silent fury.
"Be betrothed? Oh, it's simple, really. Get a man in love plus a woman. A simple equation to get an engagement. You would know, wouldn't you?" Amy asked, still staring at the stars.
"I meant how could you have humiliated me there?"

Amy gave a shrug of her shoulders.
She was too afraid to say anything. Because she might risk Jeffer hearing the sadness in her voice or catching a glimpse of the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"Who are you." It was a statement, not a question.
The tone of his voice - lifeless, flat... Like he didn't care. It felt like a stab to Amy's gut.
'He never cared...' Amy thought.

"The proud fiancée of Sir Edmund," Amy replied.
"So where's the Amy I knew?" Jeffer asked.

Amy kept silent.
For a minute, she thought that Jeffer was about to do something - something wild, something unexpected - grab her shoulders, tug her hand... Something.
But the moment passed & it felt all too soon as he heard him walk back inside the dining room.

'I'm still here.' Amy thought as she buried her face into her hands, letting the teardrops spill.



















It was a long ride back to the Hut but thankfully, the day felt short to Anna.
She yearned to reach out to her best friend & give her a hug - the sadness etched in her red-rimmed eyes was too much...
But she couldn't do anything. No.

Before working at the Zeddy Hut, Anna believed that there was no such thing as friendship between a high ranking of a lady to a low-life like herself, a mere servant girl.
But on that fateful day when she had bumped into Amy, dropping her laundry all over the road, when their friendship had begun to bloom, she finally dropped that cynic prophecy & moved on to a happier one - friendship can come in any form.

Now fate had decided to have a cruel twist of turn on the two's life - their friendship was as limited as any other master-servant relationship.
& Anna had no other choice but to let go.









"I think this has been the longest we've been silent together." Adam said, taking the chance of breaking the ice.
"I suppose." Anna said.

Adam wondered what Amy had done to her - to make her feel (& look) so depressed... To just rip her soul away.
He had a sudden urge to strangle Amy.

"Adam? Adam, what's wrong?" Anna asked, touching his arm.
Ever since the event of discussing his 'mastermind' plan, touching Adam's arm was a simple event that takes place every day.
It seemed... Natural - it was just touching his arm!

"It's nothing." Adam managed to choke out.
Although Anna had started this unnerving habit of touching him, he still wasn't quite used to the feeling of her small, satin fingers touching his skin.

Even if it was on his arm.

"Are you sure?"
He nodded his head.
"You look a little... Red in the face."
He shook his head.
"Okay then. I think I'd better be off."

As she headed to the stable door, she froze at her tracks.
"Anna, wha-"
"Shh!"

It's Golden Locks, she mouthed.
Adam nodded his head & silently told her to stay put, he'll go.
Anna stubbornly shook & told him (quietly) that she'll follow.
They then had a mimed argument - which included Anna flying her arms around & Adam pinching the bridge of his nose.

If there was a third person, one would find it a comical sight.

Finally, Adam gave up & mouthed Fine, you can go.
Anna was about to let out a (mute) whoop! of cheer but Adam cut her off with But you just stay behind me, okay?

She nodded.









It felt like an adventure, sneaking off somewhere in the dead of the night with Adam (but for a
different reason).
But Anna was a little impressed with Golden Locks thoroughness to cover his tracks.

He may be thick but he was alert as a thief.

Finally - finally - Golden Locks stopped at a wide, meadow field.
Adam pulled a gaping Anna behind the bushes & put a finger to her lips.

The sounds of crunching leaves & the wind humming a tuneless note (not to mention Adam touching her lips. Technically) sent a thrill up her spine.
"Oh, Sir, good e-"
"What in hell were you thinking?" an angry voice said.

Anna bit her lip from gasping. She knew that voice.
What is it? Adam mouthed.
Don't you know who it is? Anna replied. It's...









"What in hell were you thinking?" he said angrily.
Jeffer knew it was wrong. He was the bloody Pharaoh, after all.
But he was a human being, a friend. He was just looking out for his friend - that was the only reason he stooped so low to do such a thing.

"I greeted you? Sir?" Edmund said dubiously.

Jeffer felt his fists shaking. Edmund really doesn't know when the right time is to open that damned mouth of his.
Which, really, there was no such thing as a right time. Ever.

"No." The calmness in his voice was surprising - even for Jeffer. "Why did you propose to Amy? All I had asked you to do was to take care of her, woo her a little. Not propose marriage!"
"Well, you would know, sire, she really is a catch - pretty, charming, flirtatious - one doesn't kiss & tell but I wouldn't mind being shackled up to her if she would always-"

POW!

Edmund stumbled back. "S-sire?"
The blow to Edmund's jaw felt broken yet the blasted fool could talk.
He should've hit harder.
But he didn't regret it. Blood spilled from Edmund's nose, causing it to slowly drip down his jaw.

"All I asked you to do was take care of her. Was that so bloody difficult? I suppose it was for that idiot brain of yours. But now you list down the reasons why you so desperately want to marry her - or, as you said, being shackled up to her - was because she was pretty, flirtatious?"
"Now, see here. I am not an idiot brain!"

Good Lord, the man really didn't know when to shut up.
Jeffer decided to ignore that (after taking a deep breath & counting one till three).

"Why didn't you list other things? Such as her smile, her wit, her laugh?"

Silence.

Jeffer let out a bitter laugh. "You disgrace me. You disgrace not only I, but the rest of mankind."
His stony voice gave a better impact than yelling.
"Get out. Don't show me your face. Leave the country. & here's the money I owe you for your services."

He threw a bag of coins in front of Edmund's boots.
Wiping his nose with his sleeve, Edmund fumbled with the bag, got up & ran.

"That's right. Run." Jeffer muttered.
Kicking the leaves as he made his way to the palace, Jeffer walked off, unaware of the two witnesses behind the berry bushes.










"Should we tell Amy of this?" Adam asked the next morning as the two had their breakfast.
Anna shook her head.
"The Pharaoh doesn't seem to be one of her most favourite people right now."
"So he really punched him?" James asked eagerly, for what seemed to be the millionth time.

Adam, Anna & Abby said, "Yes." tiredly & loudly.
"Never knew he had it in him." James muttered.
"So how is Amy? I haven't seen her this whole morning." Anna asked worriedly.
"I wouldn't know, being the mere servant girl that I-"

Suddenly, a girl ran through the pantry doors & stood there, in front of the four.
"Amy?" Anna & Abby asked softly.
"H-He..." Amy sobbed. Her cheeks were tear-stained, her eyes were red-rimmed, her hair flying unusually everywhere. She was still in her night gown & her pale face was a contrast to her eyes & nose.

The four crowded closely & slowly around Amy, hugging her into the tight circle.
"He broke off the proposal." Amy said softly & tears began streaming down.
"It's okay, Amy." everyone begun to say.
"He wasn't worth it."
"What an ass."
"James!"

The gang started laughing - including Amy.
"I'm s-sorry. For being an equal ass." she murmured.
"Amy!" the girls cried while the boys said, "It's alright."

& the five remained like that for a wonderful 10 minutes until Mrs. Geraldine burst in the pantry, scolding everyone to not suffocate Amy.

chpter 11 : a proposal

"You go."
"No, you go first."
"Why should I go?"
"Because, sweet, you're her best friend."
"& why shouldn't you go?"
"Sweet, the real question is why should I go?"
"Because-"

"Lord, how long have you been standing outside her door?" an angry voice said.
Abby & James turned & found themselves facing an irritated Anna.
"Um..." both of them stalled.
"Are you telling me that the two of you have been flirting the whole time since you got here? Abby, go in!"
"Oh, fine. But the next time we're doing this, he's going in."
"Abby, why in heavens would we let a male inside our mistress's chamber?"
"Precisely!" James said triumphantly.

Anna rolled her eyes. Abby took in a deep breath, knocked on the door & entered the chamber.

"How long do you think she's going to last?"
"5 minutes tops?"
"Definitely."





Amy felt like hell.
Yes, she knew it was not her position to go so low as to swear but really, she's only human.
A wealthy, healthy merchant's niece but human nonetheless.

She felt like hell since she heard of Jeffer's news.
What was he thinking? How could he abandon his own village just for... Well, whatever reason it was.

& it is not to say that Jeffer had anything to complain about. He's a Pharaoh! The ruler of this village.
Yes, he may have a crabby old fart as a counselor.
& yes, maybe it is that he is becoming socially declined.

What else is there?
He has a beautiful fiancée, he's the Pharaoh...
Good Lord, how selfish could one person be?

He threw all that away to selling robes for a living? He wouldn't last a season!

So again, Amy locked herself in her room for two whole days with no contact from the outside - asides the meals from the servants.
But that was different.

Knock knock.

'Who could that be?' Amy wondered.
"Hello, Amy." Abby chirped with a smile on her face.

Amy instantly went suspicious.
On rare occasions, Abby would use that smile & tone of voice to when she had to inform someone of bad news.

"What is it?" Amy asked.
"Can't a friend drop by & say hello?"
Amy raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, all right! It's just that... I've got some bad news."
"I see."
"Well, it's not to say bad, really. Maybe, um, unfortunate."
"Unfortunate? How unfortunate? As unfortunate to know that one of your so-called 'dearest friends' abandoned his life for no apparent reason & came back to reclaim the throne? Never sending a letter? Breaking friendship without giving notice to the other end?"

Abby gulped. She knew James should have come in instead.

"Um. Maybe."
"Go ahead then."
"It's... Edmund."
"Sir Edmund."
"Right. Sir Edmund."

& so Abby told the story of Adam & Anna spying on Amy's 'friend'.

"So?" Amy asked.
"That's all you have to say? Aren't you wondering what it could be about? Why is he being so mysterious of all this?"
"Well. Maybe he's gambling."
"Gambling? What for, a man of his status gambling?"
"For pleasure, of course."

Abby mumbled something under her breath & Amy could have sworn it was "Well, men find pleasure in other forms, Mistress."

Amy decided to ignore that.
"So the man is a gambler. Loads of men gamble in this village!"
"How are you certain that Edmund - er, Sir Edmund - is a gambler? He could be a thief, a spy!"
"Oh, really, Abby. This imagination of yours is frightfully entertaining." Amy laughed.

Abby gave up but before she left the room, she said something to Amy that left her food for thought.
"Just be careful. Men of your taste... They really aren't at all what they seem."
"Yes." Amy whispered as Abby closed the door. "They really aren't."









4 days of isolation was enough for Amy.
She decided she should take a walk - one has a limit, even a depressed one.

Her stomach rumbled loudly & she laughed to herself. "Oh, dear."
Changing route, her feet took her to the pantry.

Unfortunately, Amy bumped into her uncle.
"Ah! Amy, dear! How nice it is to see our young relation coming out from her room!" Master Zeddy exclaim.
"Ah."
"Where are you heading, Amelia?"

She winced. Amy hated being called by her full name.

"Pantry?" she said weakly.
"Speak in full sentence, child! Good Lord, running my business soon & you speak a word as a sentence! What am I to do with you?"
'What am I to do with you?' Amy thought scornfully but kept the smile on her face.

"No young lady should enter the pantry! Come, join me & your aunty for dinner at the dining room. I won't take a no for an answer."
& with that, Master Zeddy put his meaty paw on Amy & dragged her upstairs.

The dining room was the least liked room of all (asides the Zeddy chamber, of course).
It was huge & elegant but it was so... Dead. No life seemed to radiate from this room.
It was coated a nice emerald, with velvet curtains hanging from ceiling to floor.
The Dining room was used only for the most important - in other words, very wealthy people.

Portraits of the previous Zeddys were framed up on the wall. Amy shuddered. It felt like the eyes on the wall were following her every step.

Master Zeddy sat at the head of the table & Madame Zeddy sitting faithfully on his right.
At the far end of the wide table, Amy sat down.

"Now, Amy. How is Sir Edmund?" Master Zeddy asked.
"Fi- Um. He is fine, my dear uncle. Healthy & breathing. Wonderful, really." Amy smiled as Anna came in, filling the cups with wine.

Master Zeddy ignored Amy's jibe. "Has he, er, talked to you?"
"Well. Yes." Amy said, surprised.

Really. She knew her aunt & uncle were dim at times but she didn't know they were that dim.

"Talked to you about any particular (ahem) subject?"
"Um. We've discussed about many 'particular subjects'." Amy said, confused.
"Amelia, we must discuss of something. When a lady meets a gallant, a lady must be honorable."
"Oh, heavens." Amy blushed.

Surely her uncle couldn't be discussing about... That, could he?
Heavens, she hoped not.

& Anna snickering at the corner really did not help the situation.

"A lady must remain (ahem) committed to the gentleman." Master Zeddy said, putting an emphasis on 'committed'.
Amy let out a breath of relief. "Yes. Yes, I am loyal to Sir Edmund."

She sent a prayer to heaven.
The bread & cheese had arrived.
She kicked Anna when she brought the next platter.

"That is good. To when is the date of your next (ahem) re-union with Sir Edmund?"

Amy dropped her fork with a clatter.
Anna's coughing was suspiciously brought to a halt.
Master Zeddy let out a wheezy chuckle.

Silence (asides the wheezing) was filling the Dining Room with a thick pressure around everyone.

"Close your mouth, Amelia. Portraying as a fish is not one of your attractive traits." Madame Zeddy barked.
Amy closed her mouth.

"You, chit with the jug of wine, come here & fill my glass." Madame Zeddy ordered.
Anna walked over & did as she was told.
The shock was still numb in her brain.








Meanwhile, outside the Dining Room, Adam & James were planning something in the stables.
"I can never fathom why you have such a passion for horses. Among other things (ahem) person, of course." James said, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Oh, shut up." Adam said.
"But, really. Why, out of all the careers & jobs you could get here, did you take this?"
"As a horse keeper? Do you know, you're the second person to ask me this."
"& the first, I presume, is Anna?"

Adam said nothing but James smirked at the red of his face.

Adam turned around & groomed his favorite horse, Charcoal, quietly.
He smiled at the memory of when Anna had asked the exact question.

...

"So... You love horses?"
"Yes." Adam smiled.
"Why?" she asked.
"Well. Four years ago, I was at the docks & I met this Chinese boy. He was holding a wooden toy. I got closer & asked him what it was. He told me that it was a horse, given from his father. The boy then smiled & told me what it meant. I still remember his words : 'Horse means freedom. Power. Friendship.' With that, he gave me the toy & I never saw of him again." Adam turned around. Anna quickly wiped her tear away. "What happened to the toy?"
"Oh, threw it away."
"Adam!" she half-screamed.
"I'm kidding." he laughed. "It's here."

Adam took the wooden horse from his pocket.
"Can I... Hold it...?" Anna asked shyly.
Adam nodded & handed her the toy.

Anna was amazed - the carvings... It was all so detailed. & it was so small! No bigger than her palm, Anna ran her thumb over the face of the horse.
It looked as if it was running, the mane brushed back.

"It's beautiful." Anna said softly.
Adam looked at her. "It is."

...

"Adam? Yoo hoo? I'm a little afraid here, Adam. You're smiling to air!" James said, poking Adam's shoulder.
"Huh? Oh, sorry. Was a little... Pre-occupied there." Adam said.
James gave him a knowing smile.

"We were planning something, remember?" James said.
"Oh, yes. Do you notice that after Edmund's every visit to Amy, he quietly slinks somewhere?"
"Everyone knows of it. But what could we mere servants do? We're just here for the work."
"& did my mother say that?"
"Yes."
Adam looked up & muttered, "Forgive me, mother."
"So what's our plan?" James asked, deciding best not to inquire of Adam's actions.
"Here is what we're going to do. First, we..."






"Edmund! What a surprise!" Amy exclaimed.
"Good eve, SIr," Anna & Abby curtsied.
"Good eve, ladies." Edmund said with a smile & a bow.

He flicked his blonde hair aside & excused himself & Amy for a little privacy.
"But of course," Anna said with a smile.

The two quietly walked out of the couple's radius.
As soon as they walked passed the stables (where James & Adam were), Anna & Abby quickly discussed the shocking news.

"Marriage? Hell's teeth!" Abby exclaimed.
"Abby." Anna said, appalled. Although they were not of blue blood, they were still ladies. Ladies unfit of swearing.
"Well, can you really blame me?"
"I suppose not." Anna sighed.
"Master Zeddy really emphasized on marriage?"
"It would give Zeddy's Hut a boost. Sir Edmund is apparently a very sought out bachelor of our humble village. Marrying such a popular one would rise scandals - & Lord knows how the villagers here love a scandal."
"Lord knows." Abby agreed.
"Our Amy is very notorious."
"Anna!"
"For different matters! I wasn't implying otherwise."

Both girls had turned a delightful shade of crimson.

& so the conversation went on until they had both reached the pantry.
"Abby! Anna! Good Heavens, have you eaten?" Madame Geraldine asked.
"No..." both of them admitted. One could never lie to the Head of Staff.
"I can tell. The two of you - so skinny! Men would never want sticks, you know. They prefer healthy women." Madame Geraldine smiled.

Anna wondered why today was filled with such... Corruptive suggestions?





"Mother," Adam said with a nod of his head.
"Madame Geraldine." James smiled.
"Boys! Come, join us for supper." Madame Geraldine said heartily - she loved having company for any eating event.
"Yes, please, boys. Join us." Abby said, patting a seat next to her.

Adam quickly sat down there, sandwiched between Abby & Anna.
Abby threw a sour glance at her brother while Adam remained blissfully unaware.

"The food's delicious." Anna said with her mouth full.
"Yes, I can see that." Adam said, amused.

Anna narrowed her eyes. Adam remained his angelic look.

"They're making progress." Abby whispered delightfully to James, who was standing behind her.
"They're always making progress. Today's just a fast day." James whispered back.
"You know, we can hear you." Anna hissed to the couple.

She had to lean so far as to go over a very flustered Adam.
Adam cleared his throat.

"Well, I'll leave you children alone." Madame Geraldine laughed & walked off with a laundry basket in her hand.

Anna immediately returned position & continued eating her bread & cheese.
Adam quietly sipped his beer.

"We have plans." James said as soon as the coast was clear.
"Plans? Of what, may I ask?" Abby smiled.
"Plans to follow our beloved Sir Edmund."
"Oh, you mean our best friend's future betrothed?" Anna casually asked as she sipped her glass of water.

Adam choked on his beer (causing Anna to pat him on the back) while James allowed his jaw to drop ("Close your mouth, dear." Abby said).
"B-betrothed?" Adam managed to stammer.
"Yes. I think the definition of that word is engaged to be married."
"B-betrothed?" James echoed.
"Or so Master Zeddy says."

"Would make sense. The popularity of the Hut would increase by a miles' worth." Adam said after a moment of silence.
Anna shot Abby a look that one would interpret as I-told-you-so!
Abby shot Anna a look that one would interpret as Oh-you-really-are-meant-to-be-with-my-brother.

The look Anna shot next was one that needs no interpretation.

"Wait. I thought we were supposed to tell you about our devious plan?" James asked, confused & oblivious to the silent look war.
"Oh, yes. Sorry. Gossip corrupts." Anna joked.
"Continuing?" Abby asked.

"Yes, well. We plan to follow Edmund as soon as he slinks away." James said.
"I thought you've already done that?" Anna asked Adam.
"It's foolproof."
"If you subtract the fact that you got one to your eye, then it's definitely foolproof."
"Do you know," Adam asked. "that sarcasm isn't very attractive?"
"Hm."

Adam did not like that 'hm'.

James cleared his throat. "The conditions?"
"Ooh, let me guess! We can't follow you?"
"Precisely. My sister is smart." Adam said.
"Thank yo- Wait. What do you mean by that?" Abby demanded.
"Well, I'm ju-"
"Here he comes!" Anna whispered.

The four plastered a smile upon their faces. "Oh, back so soon?" Anna asked sweetly.
Amy & Edmund looked at each other & burst out laughing.
"Yes. Very soon." Edmund said, giving a glazed look at Amy.

Amy wondered why the room felt very hot all of a sudden.

The four could feel their supper coming back in their throats.

"Well. I'll be off. See you next time!" Edmund said & walked out of the door.
"Say, Adam. I thought you were suppose to groom Charcoal?" Anna asked as soon as Amy opened her mouth.
"Wha- Oof! I mean, yes. Yes, I did. James, care to meet Charcoal?"
"Couldn't think of a better thing to do." James said with a too-wide grin.

If Amy was in a sober state, she would have narrowed her eyes in suspicion & pester all four of her dearest friends to tell her what was going on.

But alas, she was not. Amy was too besotted to mutter a sensible word.
She was a fool.
'A fool in love!' Amy thought giddily.

"See you soon." James & Adam said. With that, they were off.









"He may be pretty," James puffed. "But Golden Locks here really could run."
"Shush! Those too-pretty ears of his are sharp as a goblin's." Adam hissed.

The two had been following his every step, turn & twist. If an unexperienced stranger would have followed, he would've thought that Edmund was lost.

But Adam knew better. There really was a brain beneath those gold locks of his. 'Devious, little mind.' Adam thought scathingly.

Finally - finally - Edmund stopped.
He looked around to check if he was being followed.

Adam & James quickly hid behind a broad tree.
"Not the Sacred Gardens?" James asked.
"They must've changed the location."

Devious mind, indeed.

"Someone's coming." Adam whispered.
The two held their breath & every muscle. They did not dare take the risk of being discovered.

"Edmund? Edmund! I'm here." a voice said loudly.

Adam frowned. It was the Venom voice - the voice he last heard before someone threw that punch in his eye.
But something else was not right... He just couldn't put his finger on it.

"Oh. It's a good eve, don't you think so, Sir?"
"Cut the proprieties. We're here strictly on business - nothing personal."
"Oh, yes, Sir."

It was disgusitng. Pathetic, really.
Clearly Edmund was trying to get on the mysterious man's good side. He was practically a lap dog, for Lord's sake!

"How are things doing?"
"Fine, sir. Just fine. Amelia is as fine as rain."

The mysterious man kept silent.

Adam & James heard a rustling sound. The mysterious man must be walking.

"Good, then. Now here."
Sounds of clinking metal was heard - every man could identify this sound - money.
A sack of coins thrown.

"T-thank you, Sir!" Edmund said, barely restraining the glee to creep in his voice.
"Now go." the mysterious man ordered with disgust. "Before that meddling ass appears."

James gave a smirk to Adam, the 'meddling ass'.
'Oh, this day is getting better & better.' James thought to himself.







"We must tell the girls!" Adam said as soon as they got to the stables.
"It's the middle of the night. We must care." James hastily added when he glancd at Adam. "-for at least their sake. What good would it do to find boys like us going in their rooms?"

Adam gave a sigh of frustration. "You're right. Lord. But I just think that we better do now before it's too late."








"Where is Amy? We must tell her now!" Anna said as soon as Adam told the tale.
"I haven't seen her yet. You know how she's not a morning bird." Abby said.

"Good grief. Even I'm not that bad!" Anna muttered.
Adam coughed but Anna could still see his smile.

Suddenly, someone bursted in the stables.
"Lord, James! What in the- Um." Adam cleared his throat, remembering that there were ladies present. "Why couldn't you just walk in like a normal person?"
"Funny. I never realized how blessed your brother is with humor." James said to Abby.

It was the girls' turn to cough & hide their smiles.

"Sir Edmund is waiting for Amy. She's coming down now. I think he's about to court her." James said.
"NO!" both the girls cried.
"So soon? It's barely half a season - a quart of the season, even! They barely know each other." Abby exclaimed.
"He comes at the crack of dawn to court her?" Anna said skeptically.
"It's actually nearing noon." Adam muttered.

Anna narrowed her eyes at him. Adam shrugged helplessly.

"See how well this Edmund knows her? He doesn't even know the basic fact that she sleeps like a rock!" Anna said.
"Well, we should be grateful he doesn't." James murmured.
"James!" the girls half-shrieked.
"I'm just saying!"

"What do we do? Come on, boys. You're the Master Mind, right Adam? Think. Think!" Anna pestered, holding tightly on his arm.
Which, really, was no help at all. It was distracting him more than ever.

"Okay. Maybe James could do that walk of his just now & distract him. &, as you said, it takes a lot to wake our mistress up." Adam said.
"Oh, funny. Funny man. Or should I say 'meddling ass'?"

Everyone - except the butt of the joke, of course - laughed heartily before remembering their dilemma.

Abby cried, "We can't laugh! Our best friend is about to marry some- some-"
"Person?" James helped.
She ignored the jibe. "-who has a deal with most likely a murderer of some sort. A stalker!" she gasped.

Anna gasped too & felt her eyes stinging with tears.
She didn't want her best friend like this - treated like dirt by her first love & then about to be chained to a man with Lord knows what sins he has made for the rest of her life!

She felt Adam's arms around her shoulders, which helped (just a little).
"Don't worry about her. Keep in mind that this is the girl who had once held a ferocious fear of puppies because they looked demonic."
"I was five! & really, that puppy was about to bite me!"

Anna half-laughed & half-sobbed.

"Lets get him." James said.









But no such luck.
The four were not allowed to enter the green room (the waiting room for guests).

Master Zeddy had given strict orders that no one - no one- under any circumstances were to walk in there.
"Not even if you saw the Grim Reaper passing by." Master Zeddy said.

So the four friends had no choice but to wait for Amy & the courting 'gentleman'.
"What are they doing? Are they really courting?" Anna whispered.

James & Adam exchanged masculine glances but remained silent with a smile on their lips.

"Never mind. Forget I asked." Anna whispered, shaking her head.
"You boys! Such animal minds." Abby snorted.
James' grin grew even wider.

As the two quietly & slowly walked off to a corner, Adam & Anna were left alone.
The two were silent, standing next to each other closely - Adam with his crossed arms & Anna with her hands behind her back.

Adam couldn't help but notice the beguiling scent of lavender - it was Anna's trademark scent since way back when.
Anna, on the other hand, could not help but to notice how ruffled & thick Adam's hair was & how tall & broad his shoulders were.

(Not to mention the muscles bulging at the arms.)

Adam decided - it was now or never.
"Anna," he whispered.
She looked up. Adam felt dizzy as he noticed how quick her brown eyes were.
"Yes?"
"Things have been awkward since-"
"Yes."
"& I really value our friendship s-"

But before he could continue his sentence, Sir Edmund & Amy walked out quietly of the door.
Anna & Adam straightened & distanced themselves.

They both greeted Sir Edmund & Amy.
Anna could not help but notice the red in Amy's cheeks.

"We're getting married!" Amy said proudly.