Scars

Mystery

"Did you hear?" Valora Versace sat at the fountain and turned the page in her book as Sue babbled. She sighed when the heroine finally reunited with her prince. "Valora! Did you?!"

She paused in her reading and glared slightly before finally conceding and closing the book. "About who Sue?" She pushed a strand of hair that escaped her braid behind her ear.

"Him!" She squealed.

"Really Sue you mustn't be so specific." She grinned.

"Oh you know exactly who I am talking about Valora. He is visiting the village soon. Some say he hopes to take a wife. Wouldn't that be perfect?" Valora's eyebrow rose as she studied her friend. Sue's head had always been stuck in the clouds and she had always had dreams about being whisked away in the dead of the night by some hero. Her blond hair was tied at the nape of her neck simply and blew in the light breeze. Her garments were tailored well to her mature form. Valora could very well see the man taking her as a wife to bear children. "Maybe he has family and your hand could be asked for too eventually after we have wed." She giggled.

"Sue, I am well past the age of marriage."

"Yes I know and over the years you have turned down so many offers for your hand. The men have given up hope for the slender hand of yours."

"I do not desire to wed, I am fine with looking after father and the book store." She affirmed nearly defensively.

"And after your father leaves then what?"

She held the book to her chest. "Like I said, I do not wish to marry anytime soon. Now, this man who is visiting, what is his name?" She changed the subject hoping her friend would drop it.

"I know you are trying to change the conversation, but alas you are twenty five and you make your own decisions." She decided with a huff. Nevertheless her eyes brightened at the thought of the expected visitor. "I do not know the man, that is what makes it so exciting. The mystery and allure."

"Has anyone ever seen him before?"

"No, but I hear his face is to die for, and" she lowered her voice to a whisper, "his body is heavenly. I heard that he is quite too a ladies' man. That would stop with our marriage of course." She giggled again.

She shook her head. "How old is he?" Sue opened her mouth to answer but she beat her to it. "Let me guess. No one knows but the mystery, oh the mystery."

Sue nodded enthusiastically. "And his wealth. It is legendary."

"Surely you cannot feel comfortable marrying a man you know nothing of. You do not even know where he lives."

"Easy. I will find out once he takes me away."

Clearly done with the conversation, she stood. "You are nineteen and despite the constant pressure to wed, I advise against it. You can wait."

"Oh like you did? And are? No I will wed him and be with him."

Palming her book, Valora simply began to walk away and bit her lip to ease to pain the words inflicted. She sighed when she heard Sue scurry to the group of other gushing females. "Did you hear?!"

She walked through the village smiling shyly at people as she passed them.

"Such a lovely girl."

"Wonder when she will wed."

"It is a shame really."

"I imagine her father would prefer her married before anything happens."

She clenched her jaw shut and picked up the pace to the store ran by Mr. Griswald. The store has always been her refuge away from social pressures. It was also the source of money that she needed to pay her father's medical bills. "Ahh, Valora. Did you finish this book already?" He chuckled as she gave him a brief hug.