Chapter 27 Decisions



Am opened the door of her room after the knock on the door. Maik stepped in the maiden's dormitory looking at her with pity. She was still pallid and had lost a few pounds after she returned from the castle a week ago. She wore a sad expression on her face day and night. Nothing seemed to lift her spirits. The duke came twice and brought her gifts. He brought her a canary in a golden cage. It was suppose to make her happy, but the canary sang beautifully every minute, and she was mute.

The girls also visited Am daily trying to amuse her, but she was still depressing. Her voice was gone. She was not able to talk with none of her friends... She was not able to sing, and that was what really made her miserable.

- Hi. How do you feel this morning, my sweet?"Maik asked her. Am looked at him with a "well, it can be worst" expression on her face. She pointed the bench on her room asking Maik to sit. He sat on the bench and she sat on her bed looking at him. She managed to draw a straight line smile on her face as he narrated the last events on the hunting mission. For Am, it was difficult to maintain a conversation, in special with Maik, with whom she enjoyed to chat a lot.

Am answered to Maik's questions or reacted to his conversation by drawing faces or familiar objects in a piece of paper. It would be easier if Maik could read with fluency. But Maik was having fun trying to decipher Am's scribbles and mimics. He laughed, and she giggled moving her shoulder in an awkward stile of silent laughter. She was giving to the fact that maybe she wouldn't be able to talk or sing again, and then was sad one more time.

Maik moved the bench closer to Am's bed. He grabbed her hands tenderly and pushed himself closer as he spoke softly to her.-"Am, I am so happy you are here again. I missed you so much and I feared for you. I don't know how would I live without you. We have been friends since we were in our cribs..."- He giggled, -"And I've loved you since we were kids... You know that for sure. Am,"- now he cupped her chin and lifted her face so both pairs of eyes were locked. -"I just want to know if you are considering my proposal... that I haven't lose you yet. -"Am's eyes watered. She wanted to tell him so many things. But worst than being silenced, she was still confused. Am loved Maik. She enjoyed being with him and missed him when he was not around. But she felt that was no enough to make her take a decision at this moment.



Maik saw the look on her eyes. She was not able to answer and it was not because of her condition. It was because she didn't love him the way he wished her do so. -"You don't love me. I see it in your eyes... It's that duke? Is Lord Roderick occupying the place in your heart I want to be in?"- Am opened her eyes wide and stared at him. She wanted to tell him it was not the duke either. Maik kept talking.-"I know I'm just a poor hunter. I know I have no estate, nor gold, but I can offer to you my life, my heart, my soul... I will love you and take care of you. I won't let anything bad happen to you. Nobody would harm you by my side Am."- Maik stood up and walked to the door of the room with the saddest expression she had seen on her best friend before. -"Just think on what I've told you Am... Don't reject me yet..."- And he left the room.

Am knew Maik was right. Nobody would love her like he did. If she had denied that invitation to the Masquerade, nothing of this would have happened to her. But she wanted to be at the castle to see... to see Prince Alasther... or Lord Roderick?...Was she in love with the prince? That is impossible!... An impossible love. He was about to marry Lady Katharina... and Oh, please Am, he is the prince. You are nothing compared to Lady Katharina. You will never be able to fit in his world... or in his heart. Besides he had never spoken of love with you... Only the vague images of that hallucination when you were ill... when he kissed you... but it felt so real... That kiss felt so real... - Am thought she tried to convince herself that the prince was just out her reach... And now... there was the duke. He was so charming and attentive with her and her Mamah. He was a gentleman.

Lord Roderick was a very attractive man. He was mature and experienced in life, what makes him to gorgeous to be true. He treated her like an equal, making her feel special... He talked to her like bards do... with passion, and metaphors of love... as in the poetry books she likes to read. He is so educated and loved books as she did... And that kiss her at his manor ... made her melt like snow in the sun.

Am's trail of thoughts were interrupted when Jocelyn entered her room with a tray of food.

-"I brought you lunch, my dear... I saw Maik leaving your room a moment ago... and he looked quite distressed."- Am looked at her mother with that sad expression children give parents when they regret something wrong they did. Jocelyn continued talking. -"Am you need to make a decision. It is not that I am urging you to get married. But Maik is suffering. He loves you with his life... I know it is a tough choose. But if you do not love him... if he doesn't make you feel the way another person does... you need to tell him... Or if the duke is not your choice... let him know... I know it is difficult to choose between three marvelous gentlemen."- Am opened her eyes, she hurried to grab a piece of paper and a pen before her mom continued talking. She quickly wrote in the paper and showed to her Mamah: What three men?

Jocelyn realized she had committed an imprudence by mentioning a third man... the prince. It was obvious Am was too young to notice certain things. But she was sure the prince felt for Am too... However it seemed that everybody knew it but Am... or she knew it too? - Are you talking about Prince Alasther? Did he tell you anything about me, Mamah?- Am wrote in a paper asking her mom with urgency. Maybe she was wrong and Am noticed something too but what if she was in love with the wrong man?... the prince... no she wouldn't let her sweet daughter suffer for an impossible love.

-"No, of course not, Am. He came to see you every day when you were ill, yes, but he is engaged Darling. He was very busy with his wedding preparations... That is exactly what I meant, sweet. You have experienced a turmoil of emotions and all this new feelings and experiences had swirled around three men... But that doesn't mean the three of them are suitable for you... Am I do not know your feelings and I can't tell you which one to choose. You are a wise young lady... Think with your heart, but don't let it suffer... or others suffer. You need to decide soon my sweet. Now I will leave you to eat with ease... I love you Am."-Jocelyn kissed her daughter on her forehead, and left the room.







I think it was a lovely Chapter... What do you think??????