"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.
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