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The Daily Life: Chapter 4 FINAL |
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Not long afterwards, Castella reached the distracted Prince’s vicinity.
“Your Highness?” Castella called out.
Cedric paused. For a moment, he remained very still and silent, as if nothing happened. The young maiden gasped in fear that she offended him somehow. Eventually, the prince he released the flower in his grasp.
“…yes?” he uttered coolly.
Castella sighed
“I’m sorry for intruding, but I’m just… feel relieved to see you again. I’m Castella Knoweling, one of the girls you met with earlier today. It’s a pleasure.” The maiden in red introduced herself.
Cedric replied with a simple nod. “Yes, I remember. You were the first one I saw, were you not?”
Castella nodded.
“You did well, by the way. I’m sure now many will consider you the pride of our nation.”
“Good. I’m satisfied in hearing I've represented my kingdom well.” Cedric replied with vague emotion.
Castella suddenly felt intimated by the lack of feeling in his words. She wasn’t so sure if she was being taken seriously enough by him. She then bowed her head and clasped her hands together right at the waste.
“Honestly, I’m not trying to gain favor through flattery, I’m just sharing my thoughts.” She voiced humbly.
“I was well aware of that… you have an honest air about you.” The Prince answered calmly.
Castella stared at him in surprise for a moment, and then breathed a sigh of relief.
“... Thank you very much.” Castella replied graciously.
“Oh, thank goodness!” she thought to herself in relief.
“So then… is there something on your mind you wished to discuss? The ceremony has already passed, so it isn’t necessary to see me again until a decision has been reached.” Cedric informed her.
Castella found herself approaching him even closer.
“I just… wanted to speak with you about something that’s been on my mind. We looked and gestured to each other the last time, after all.” Castella explained.
Cedric glanced back at the young lady before giving a nod.
“Thank you. Anyway, it’s a rather odd in ways, so please bare with me.
I believe it all started because of an interest I took in fencing. It was really fascinating: a sport so full of grace and precision, yet it can be terribly brutal in its highest form.
It drew me in so easily. I found myself requesting a tutor and everything, and I even picked up on basic lessons before I knew it. Mind you, I'm not all that skilled. I’m still a child! But… those I’ve sparred with keep telling me I have impressive natural skill and such. Unfortunately, I'm still so very weak despite all my effort… I’m afraid they may only be complimenting me out of courtesy for a young lady, yet to this day, I find myself too stubborn to give up…
I wasn’t sure exactly why at first. I once thought it was perhaps a desire to be a winner, but then easy victories didn’t satisfy me. I later believed it might be a competitive urge to master the sport, but I feel my drive fall short.
This thought continued bothering me for awhile:
What did I really want from this?
That question remained in my mind as I continued practicing at the sword until I looked outside until I began to understand:
There’s a whole world outside those walls.”
Castella gazed up at the sky with wonder in her eyes.
“I later remembered a time when I used to be so openly curious about so many thing in the world: heroes, monsters, magic. I really wanted to see the wonders of in the world, yet somehow this curiosity of mine was suppressed to keep me safe at home… until recently.
Yes, I wanted to see what was out there, but at the same time I was afraid. My home was the only place I am familiar with, so it was the only place that I was certain was safe. But with rapier in hand, I found holding confidence as well... maybe the kind that could assure me safety from the dangers of the outside world. Despite how weak I feel, something tells me that I will eventually be assured of that strength… of that confidence that will allow me to move forward.
For awhile, I thought about my reason for moving beyond the world I’ve known. Notions of adventure and freedom came to me at first, but it didn’t feel right to me… it just isn’t way to go against my parent’s wishes for a petty, selfish wish like that.
This mysterious curiosity drove to ask my servants of my personal lives. As it turned out, they had much more to share than I had first thought, and it was all so interesting!
It was then… with all their stories in my head… as I had taken up the sword once more… that I fully understood exactly I wanted.
I want to know my nation and its people. I wanted to understand what it is that truly makes this country thrive and weaken… so then I can finally know how I can best serve it.”
The young maiden suddenly trembled. She brought her hands together close to her chest.
“But… I’m so scared. This desire to wonder continues to grow stronger within me… and I’m still aware how much trouble I’ll be in if I act upon. I’ve had so many visions of the world draw me further and further in to my wish… at this point I’m even too afraid to tell my friends of this growing wish. No matter how much they support me in my goal to become stronger, I know this is the one thing they’ll try to talk me out of. And I knew it… this strange dream of becoming a wandering knight is crazy, isn’t it?”
Nervous Castella soon found herself wiping her own tears. She then knelt down and faced the Prince with distraught eyes.
“I don’t know why, but everything I heard about you… and from what I’ve seen from you today, I have a strong feeling you’d understand what I’ve told you… and even give me an answer I can accept. Yet even now I still see the sad truth … no matter how much strength and refinement I receive, I still feel too weak… and even if I can gain the strength I want, it still won’t make me accepted as a true heroine. After all… I’m still a young lady born to be betrothed to a true nobleman and live a humble life as a wife. All these thoughts and dreams of mine… it’s all really some pointless dream, isn’t it?”
Castella lowered her head while fraught with grief and shame.
“Am I not useful to people, after all?” she uttered in a cracking voice.
“ I think… the desire to take care of this nation and its people is admirable… no matter who it is that wants to do it.” Cedric answered.
Castella looked up at the Prince in surprise.
“…Actually, Arvol would be a very strong land if many more people were to share those feelings, would it not? I can understand the feeling to serve and protect the people with my own strength… I’ve reminded myself of this to the point where it feels it’s my sole responsibility…” he confessed, “I know what it is that I want to preserve and protect in this land. Perhaps I should I out find a way to learn what my people want to protect as well…”
Castella picked herself up and stared in amazement.
“Are you… did you mean what you said earlier… was it meant for me, too?”
Prince Cedric kept his eyes straight on his flowers, yet his attention was still keen in the conversation.
“Why not? There was much resolve in what I heard just now.” He replied calmly. “It would be a shame to see those sort of principals unfulfilled.”
A spark of new hope shone in the maiden’s heart. She released a bright smile as her former grief was lifted. She then gave the young prince a curtsy in deep gratitude.
“Thank you so much for your words...” Castella said in deep gratitude.
For a moment, Prince Cedric turned his head slightly and gave a single nod to the young lady before turning his attention to the flowers once again.
Castella noticed his constant focus on the flowers.
“So, what they say must be true after all. He must really treasure the Royal Garden…” she thought to herself.
Her soft smile quickly turned into an amused one. The earlier success in the conversation urged her to continue on to satisfy one more curiosity.
“I know this sounds most forward of me, but… even if I am not the one to be chosen as your bride, is it alright if we become friends? I think it would be nice if we could talk like this more often. I feel like I can be open with you, somehow… and I like that feeling.” Castella requested.
Cedric turned his head once more.
For first time in the entire conversation, their eyes finally met.
“I don’t think it makes sense to declare a sudden friendship right here and now… but if you want to have further meetings with me, then that can be arranged.” He explained.
Castella felt taken aback by the Prince’s sudden show of charity, but quickly found herself smiling graciously once more.
“That… that is to say… em… t-thank you, your highness! I look forward to speaking to you again, sometime!” she answered back.
The maiden in red curtsied one more time as she prepared to leave.
“Good day, Prince Cedric.” She said aloud before she retreated to the company of her friends.
“Good day, Milady.” Cedric replied before once again facing his precious flowers.
The Prince’s eyes focused strongly on a single red rose as he was once more deep in his own thoughts.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a few nurturing flowers bloom, would it?”
“What was up with leaving us behind earlier for the Prince, anyway?.” Brianna gripped to her returning friend in red.
“ I really wasn’t expecting to see him alone after the courting ceremony, so I thought it was a good chance to talk to him on my own.” Castella explained with a nervous laugh.
“So… did your meeting with him go well?” Danielle asked calmly.
“Just fine, really. I actually feel very much relieved.” Castella replied with a bright smile.
Brianna stared at Castella’s cheery expression.
“Wait a minute… don’t tell me you suddenly fell deeply in love with Cedric all of a sudden! What were you scheming in that mind of yours all this time, anyway? You were already gushing over that wizard boy earlier today, so you don’t need to go try and secure your future with”Mr. Stone Face” over there. No offense, but I don’t see any reason to be thrilled about being engaged to that Prince of ours.” Brianna huffed.
“N-no… it’s not like that at all! With either of them! I just wanted a talk, that’s all! It had nothing to do with the courtship ceremony!” Castella cried in a fluster.
“But, hey… it would be pretty neat if we could introduce your Wizard Boy to the Prince and they decided to have a fight over you if whatever charms you have actually worked! Sure! The two chivalrous jerks will go at it stubbornly until they tire each other out, and then you can just stand over their bodies in triumph and have a laugh at their stupidy!” Brianna rambled.
“Brianna!” Castella shouted.
“Just relax. You know our girl and how she can get carried away like that.” Danielle interjected.
“Right, right. I just wish she didn’t always assume so much.” Castella sighed.
Soon enough, the trio realized that the sun came close to setting.
“It looks like you used up quite a bit of time talking to the Prince. Well, if you want to see more of the garden, or even explore a little outside the Castle Grounds, I suggest you do it now. Waiting around will only be a waste, I’m afraid.” Danielle suggested.
Castella paused to ponder the possibilities for a moment. She arrived at an answer in little time.
“For now I can just stroll through the garden a little more. It would be a shame if we left much of it unexplored while we’re here.” Castella shared. “I promise this time I’ll try not to wander too far away from you like before.”
“Oh. That’s nice to hear… I actually wanted to see more of the garden myself.” Danielle replied.
Brianna managed to cease her rant just in time to catch on to what was going on.
“Um…. If you don’t mind, I’d rather head off towards the horse stables and see what kinds of breeds are being raised here. I’m not expecting you guys to come with me, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Brianna announced.
“Oh, no. We’re just fine with it. The two of us can just meet you at the Royal Stables when we’re done exploring, then.” Castella proposed.
“That sounds a look a good plan.” Danielle agreed.
“Okay, then. See you guys later, then! I’m off to see some horsies!” Brianna smirked before she took off.
Two of the maidens waved their dear friend farewell, then moved on to explore the Royal Garden even further.
“By the way, how was His Highness’ company, anyway?” Danielle asked. “ I know you said you were relieved after meeting with him, but I still don’t understand why…”
Castella nodded. “Actually, I wasn’t sure what to make of him at first, either. When we met informally, his mind seemed to be on something else as he was looking at the flowers. He always seemed… distracted in ways. But when I began talking to him, he made it very clear that he was listening to me. I was impressed that even then, when he didn’t have to pay attention to me, that he chose to anyway. He’s a good person. And I’m almost certain he understands my “problems” when I could not.” she explained.
“I see…” Danielle grinned. “It was a strange thing I noticed at first, but the two of you do seem to have a similar air. It’s an honorable sort of essence… it’s possible you two might even share a similar dream.”
“Odd that you mention that… it’s the feeling I had as I talked with him. Maybe his mind is constantly on the dream he holds onto.” Castella guessed.
“Perhaps.” Danielle said. “I’m not sure if he and the Royal Family will end up choosing you as his betrothed, but these similarities you both share suggests you two could form a lasting friendship.”
“I… certainly hope so. It would be a pleasure if I could speak with him again.” Castella admitted.
For awhile, the ornate pair continued to wander through the garden in serene silence. Eventually, a thought occurred to the girl dressed in red.
“Say, Danielle…” Castella announced nervously.
“Yes?”
“…Are you really fine with me? What I just did… I talked to him of things behind you and Brianna’s backs. But you two are my best friends, and I feel like I’ve done something dishonest.” Castella confessed.
Danielle’s smile never wavered. “No, I’m just fine with it, and I’m sure Brianna will be understanding, too. The three of us are the best of friends, and so there’s much we can trust with each other, but I know that I can’t expect you to share every little thing with us. There’s always a little something that’ll make us too anxious to share, but I’ll fine knowing that at least you were able to tell someone. And if that person just so happens to be the Prince, then so be it. As I said before, the two of you are somehow similar… I doubt a young man as honorable as him will betray your trust with what you shared.”
Castella breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you for being such a good friend, Danielle.” Castella said.
“It’s my pleasure.” Danielle replied. “At the very least, you should be happy that you got to experience more than you expected today.”
Castella found herself gazing in the sky as Danielle’s words stirred a feeling within her.
“Yes… I did, didn’t I?” she uttered aloud in a wistful tone.
The red-clad maiden soon found herself lost in thought as she reflected upon the events of the day.
“Yes… Some amazing things did happen to me on this day of ceremony.
I was lucky to come across that Young Wizard, Master Gades. He was even kind enough to show me some interesting magic that I wanted to see so much. Those beautiful lights, and that warm, soothing flame... both spells were amazing to behold. I was even luckier when I found out about his experience in swordsmanship. I know still that he did not use all of his skill, but at least he tested my own ability in ways that my own instructor was unable to do so. And all the while, he tried so hard to keep me at ease. There’s an encouraging, thoughtful quality in Master Gade. Somehow, I feel that he wouldn’t want me to give up on my dream as well. I hope he continues to share his kind nature and wisdom with others. He just might make a difference in this world. At least he did for me…
And then, after finally going through that stressful courtship ceremony, I was able to speak to the Crowned Prince whom I felt would be able to understand me. Of course I was nervous, that I could be wrong about him, that he’d refuse to listen to a girl like me, or that with certain understanding that he’d demand I cut my ideals short out of fear. But he actually listened, and valued my dream. With all my heart… I’m truly blessed that I had that chance to talk with Prince Cedric unhindered.
I know that right now, to act upon this dream of mine would still be foolish. So many people will hold me back from claiming freedom. Even my best friends out of their kindness, but I can be patient. There’s still so much I can learn from my friends and servants, after all. It will be better to be with them as much as possible, and gain everyone’s understating, so I can finally begin my travels without regrets.
Yes… for now, I will be just fine living with my friends.”
Suddenly, a gentle breeze caressed the young maiden’s body. And she welcomed it with a most serene smile.
“I am most grateful… for this one day of my life.”
 Chicken Yuki · Thu Jun 21, 2007 @ 07:58pm · 2 Comments |
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