TFL ch.21

"OUCH! UGH!" Four pairs of eyes look at me, some with amusement, others with contempt. Blood pools on the finger I just pricked with the embroidery needle. Gwen coos, "Oh Amelia! Are you all right? Here, let me take the cloth from you so you can wash the blood away."

As I rise, I hear some covert snickers from the other people within our group. Three of Selina's ladies-in-waiting had been spending time with us, embroidering also. To them, I must seem incompetent. My fingers are clumsy, my stitches uneven- I look and feel like a fool doing this. When Gwen and I were at the castle, I just stood and watched while she embroidered with her company. Standing guard or reading a book- I never had to actually take part. But as the court here has guards and I am supposedly not a bodyguard in both Aspenvale and Rhodenheim, to protect I must pretend to be a lady.

Returning to my seat, I listen to the petty conversations as I try to resume my picture, but my impatience is starting to rise. Tapping my foot in rhythm with the sword fight going on in my mind, I absent-mindedly continue to sew. Gwen looks over after several moments and exclaims, "AMELIA! That's beautiful!!" I look at what I created. A bower of roses- did I really sew that?

The other come over and look at my work, gushing over it with faces slightly ashamed at the words they must have said about me. I barely utter my thanks at their compliments, when a servant arrives to announce it is time for supper.

Gwen allows the girls to go before us. I whisper, "Why did you give me your picture?"

With a smile, she responds, "They are too haughty. They needed to be put down a shelf." Giggling, we walk to our table at the head of the room. Eric and Sir Bentley are already there and move to push in our chairs. I avoid eye contact with Eric, by quickly striking up a short conversation with Sir Bentley. My muscles still are tense with annoyance. I would honestly prefer to sit at the other end of the room, if it were not for Gwen.

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The entire meal was spent in awkwardly avoiding Eric without being rude. I am proud to say that I succeeded with no more than three sentences. I pass through the corridor leading to the courtyard, relieved that dinner is over.

" 'Melia! Please wait!" Eric calls out. Perfect. Just who I was avoiding. I ever so slowly turn to glare at Eric. "Yes, your highness." Even in my annoyance, I notice how the sun lights up the auburn tint in his blonde curls. Ugh! I am certainly gaining too many maudlin thoughts, remaining in the castle!

"Lee... Please hear me out. I- I am sincerely sorry for scolding you yesterday." In spite of the contrition I see in his eyes, I turn away, not ready yet to forgive him.

"Is that all, your highness?"

Eric flinches at my cold tone. "Amelia, I know that I very badly hurt you with my words, but please understand that scolding you or preaching at you was not my intentions."

"And, pray tell, what were your intentions?" My tone even makes me wince at their curtness.

"I- I was concerned for your safety... You are very...very important to me... I just cannot bear the thought of you being harmed. And in the process of trying to protect, I hurt you. You don't know how sorry I am, Lee." He looks at me with such misery in his eyes that I look away to keep myself from crying.

"I'm sorry for acting like a petulant child. All you did was hurt my pride and I acted like a brat off the street." I mutter. So much for the resolve to stay angry with him.

An awkward pause occurs, with the two of just watching each other. Finally, he steps closer to me. He whispers, "No apology needed." Tipping down his chin, he kisses the top of my head. Then, he quickly leaves without even a good night.

The moment is over before I even register what took place. He kissed me! My hair, but still! I desire to dash through the hallways to Gwen. In the same thought, I wish to cry into my pillow. I had seen him kiss Gwen on the top her head so many times. His words, "You're like a sister to me," causes a penetrating ache that radiates from my heart into my whole body. No more than a sister. I sigh, trying to release the tension of my heart strings. They vibrate with chords of pain.

Enough! This maudlin sentiment is doing no one any good! "Dis is where people get kilt!" Teddy's voice repeats in my mind. Something has to be done. My questions have to be answered. Tomorrow- tomorrow will be the day.

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Hello lovelies!

Question of the chappie: why do you think Eric kissed Lee on the top of her head?

A. Because he is really in love with her and was trying to keep himself from kissing her but couldn't.

B. Because he sees her as his sister and he believes that Lee sees him as a brother.

As that I am the author (hehehe... Evil plans of authors...) I cannot possibly answer that question fairly. But... I wish to hear what you think I'm going to do! (Hehehehehe!)

Don't forget to.....

Vote! And...

Comment! And...

Answer the question!!!

Have a stupendous day!!!