The Unknown

Chapter Nineteen

I bolt up into my bed and grab for my journal that was under my mattress. The pen shook in my hand as I tried to recall the dream I had. But my brain had wiped it clean and I couldn't remember anything except for one thing.

"Whatever is at the end must be worth finding." The words looked at me from the white page. The way they curved and blended into one another was appealing, but the words were familiar. Lukas had spoken the words to her several times. It had become their mantra to keep going towards better times, but I had forgotten about it. To be honest, I had forgotten about Lukas. He was a part of my past that I had tried to burn with my mother and father. Thinking about him reminded me of the pain and tears it brought. But why was he returning to my thoughts?
I shook my head to clear it and stood up to stretch. My hair brushed against my back as I pushed my arms toward the ceiling. Today I wasn't in a rush to get downstairs. Victoria and Ophelia left this morning at the break of dawn, which meant no pot to carry and no person to help wash. 
I felt free.
I took my time getting dressed and braiding my hair. Apparently the entire estate felt the same way I did. I watched the gardeners sit under the shade of the big oak in the back yard. They sat in a small circle laughing and joking with one another. It was a good day to be at Pineridge.
I head downstairs to begin my day an hour later than normal, but what I find instead is unusual of Liz. A note was left on the table declaring that Liz had taken the day off and had gone into town for the afternoon. She left me a small list of things that needed to be done; dust the dining room, sweet the entrance hall, and make sure the servants have been fed their meals. I smile to myself, today was a grand day. 
I dusted the room in record time and the entrance hall was already spotless so it didn't take long for me to sweep. The servants had all eaten by the time I was done with the two items, so I grabbed myself an apple and headed upstairs to find my book. The rest of the day was spent in my room alone with peace and quiet. I was able to read and nap for the first time in months. I had never been happier. Not one thought about my past or Alexander entered my mind until a knock came at my door. 

"Hello?" I open the door and found Frank impatiently bouncing from foot to foot, "Oh, hi Frank."

"Good afternoon Mae. I've come with a message from Prince Alexander. He has requested you to attend to him for dinner tonight." My heart pounded and I felt shaky all over. Alexander wanted to have dinner with me? I could tell I wasn't the only one who thought that was strange, Frank watched me unsure of what I would do. But I couldn't go, Victoria made it clear I was to stay away from him. 

"I'm sorry Frank, but could you tell him I can't? I think I'm falling ill." I put a hand to my stomach to add to the show. Frank nods and heads back down the hallway towards where Alexander was. I closed the door and leaned back against it. The prince wanted to have dinner with me? Why? What could he possibly gain from having dinner with me? I shook my head side to side as I walked over and took a seat at the chair next to the window. The sun was beginning to set, although it was still quite early. The thing about having the day off was you got time to yourself and to rest, but once you become used to always having something to do, you're not sure what to do when the time comes to not do anything. It was a vicious cycle that I hated. I heard the kitchen door open downstairs and I figured Liz was back. Sure enough a few moments later a soft knock comes at the door.

"Child? Ah you in there?" Liz's voice travels easily through the thin wooden door.

"Come in Liz." 

"I've got something 'ere for you. Would you like it?" I turn to see Liz holding a parcel wrapped in cloth. I stand and take it from her thanking her. She nods her head and places a motherly kiss on my cheek. "Make sure you get good rest tonight. We've got some things to do tomo'ow." She leaves and I open the cloth. A blueberry muffin sits cradled in my hand. I smile and look out the window. The sun had begun to fall, and a muffin and clear night meant only one thing.
Jornaling in the garden.
Grabbing my journal and the muffin, I head down the stairs and out the kitchen door. The servants had all gone inside and I began to feel the freedom that one only gets when doing things by yourself. My feet know the path to the garden because I've traveled it many times. The garden was one of the finest in all the country, it was also the largest. I discovered at a young age that there were many nooks and crannies that one could hide in to get some alone time. This was the place that I first discovered that writing was something that helped me. 
I quickly found my favorite spot, a soft patch of grass under a hanging lantern. I sat down and breathed in the smell of roses and grass. It was a smell that has followed me all through childhood. My mother had a rose garden and the orphanage had a small garden that contained roses. Roses was one of God's finest inventions. I looked down and opened my journal and began writing.

Alexander's POV:

The stuffy air of my bedroom had become too much. I couldn't stand to be inside any longer and I needed to clear my head. I left the large bedroom forgetting to put my jacket on but the crisp air seemed to help me think. I couldn't get her out of my head, and not the one that should be there. Mae was a creature that you don't come by often. Sure Victoria was beautiful, but Mae was gorgeous. She had the kind of beauty that was subtle at first, and then when you got to know her, it seemed to be blinding. The way her eyes stared at you like you were the most interesting thing on the planet. And her lips looked so soft. 

No, you can't think that. Mae is not for you. She is not who you are here for. What would father think if he found out that you were fond of a maid? He would be disappointed. 

I found the entrance to the garden and began to wander. The smell of the roses was strong and sweet, intoxicating. Victoria smelled that way, she smelled of roses. Most likely because she spent most of her time here in the garden. Victoria was surprising. She seemed to be predictable, but she held many sides to her that I didn't know she contained. She loved gardening and was very good at it. But what was it Victoria said yesterday at lunch? Mae had planted a lot of these flowers? 
I stopped to look at a sunflower that had fallen asleep for the night. It's yellow petals had curled slightly inward. I wonder what Mae's favorite flower was?  Would it be too much if I brought her flowers next time we met? No, I couldn't do that. I don't even know what caused me to befriend her. It could have been her fiery attitude, or the way she looked at the world around her. I clench my hands into fists, I need to forget about her. I need to move on. 
I round a corner and stop midstep for there sitting on a patch of grass beneath a ring of light, sat Mae. Her head was bowed and her hair fell to one side. She stared intently at the page she scribbled on, her face determined. Her eyebrows were scrunched together deep in thought and her small nose scrunched together randomly as if she didn't like what she was writing. She bit her lower lip which caused my heart to stutter.
My breath was caught and I couldn't move. She was beautiful and she didn't even know it. If I'm not careful, I could make a big mistake. But did I care what my father thought? Did I care what the kingdom would have for a queen, because Mae Gwennly would make a fine one.