Simple Servant

Chapter 16 - Truths

Chapter 16 - Truths

~~~ Alexandria

"I'm sorry I'm late."

The sound of his voice caused a familiar sensation to travel across her shoulders and down her back. She felt Tilly turn to face the person that spoke but she didn't move. She feared that her mind had played another trick on her. Something within her needed to see him, but she was afraid that if she turned around the illusion would be shattered.

"I got your letter." The same voice continued.

Alexandria looked down yet again at her ink stained fingers. It wasn't an illusion.

He got her letter.

He came.

A smile found its way to her face, but when Alexandria turned toward him, she found herself blocked by her escort. In barely a whisper the girl informed, "Your Highness I'm not sure that this a good idea."

Alexandria tried to reason with Tilly, "I've lied to him enough, he deserves to-"

"It's alright Tilly." His voice interrupted.

She heard sadness in his voice, and she couldn't help but be confused by it. Why would he be sad?

Wait!

He had said Tilly. He remembered her escort's name? How? It had been nearly two months since she mentioned it to him in the town stables.

Alexandria walked around her escort finally able to see the man in front of her.

She almost didn't recognize him.

He seemed different, more reserved perhaps.

He wasn't wearing the clothes of a member of Society. Instead he had on a pair of worn wool trousers, and a dark brown tunic. His face carried a busted lip and the hint of a bruise hidden behind his bangs just above his left eye.

"What happened?" She asked in his direction.

He ignored her question and instead asked her escort, "Could you give us a minute Till?"

"Noah," Tilly cautioned further confusing Alexandria by not using his title, "what if someone-?"

"I'll be careful I promise."

The two shared a silent moment before she sighed loudly, "Get out of the streets." Tilly warned. She waited for him to nod in agreement before continuing, "You know where to find me." With that she was off.

Alexandria's eyes scrutinized over the person in front of her. What was going on? Who was he and how did her escort know him so well? And why did he look like he had been robbed?

Wait!

His shirt; the red stains on the front of it. Had something happened at the ball? Had he been injured? Was that why she hadn't seen him again?

"You wanted to talk." His reminded.

Alexandria was unable to respond, she just kept staring at him while questions piled up in her head.

"We need to get out of the streets." He informed. Alexandria could feel him watching her as she struggled with the situation. "Do you trust me?"

He held out a hand in her direction and although she was still trying to comprehend the earlier events she remembered the words she had written on the letter-

- you are one of the few people that I believe I can trust completely -

Without a second thought Alexandria grasped firmly onto his hand and let him lead her away from the growing crowd. As they weaved through the people Alexandria couldn't help but concentrate on the feel of his hand around her own.