Did Not Know His Name
Hermione sat at the dresser, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She had styled her long blonde hair in an updo bun, with a little tint of light red rose gloss on her lips. She could not do more than this.
Any minute from now Sir Aspen will be at her doorstep. Sigh, she Indeed planned on going to the fair, but just not with anyone. Her stomach twisted in feelings she could not define, but deep down she knew it was discomfort.
Getting up from the seat, Hermione stood to pick up her dress. It was an old dress that she had and took care of, and she didn't want to let it go. It was also her reason for searching for a needle in a haystack. Remembering the incident she gently giggled. She must admit, that was foolish of her. But thanks to the stranger she found her needle, Hermione couldn't forget the look he had when he found out what she was looking for. She giggled again.
Her mind could not help but go back to his words the previous evening. "Is that an invite Miss Larabee?"
She then pursed her lips, regretting why she asked in the first place. "If you want me to be there, I will be there." And then he disappeared into the crowd.
Hermione didn't know why but she felt suddenly hot.
Gently, she pulled off her clothes and then replaced them with the dress, when she realized something, she did not even know his name.
An abrubt knock was heard on the door. She did not need anyone to tell her who it was because she already knows. She gave herself one last look in the mirror before stepping towards the door. This is going to be one hell of a night.
If only she knew the accuracy of her thoughts.
"Good evening lady Larabee." Kasper Aspen said with his right hand stretched out.
"Good evening…, Kasper. " She made sure not to forget again. Placing her left hand in his palm, she carefully walked out of her house, closing the door behind her.
"Shall we my lady?" He said with a charming smile.
"Yes my Lord." She went along with a small chuckle.
Hermione sighted a carriage further down her neighborhood, she very well knows it belongs to Kasper. If he was not holding her hand right now, she would have loved to rub them together to get rid of the nervousness bubbling in the pit of her stomach.
He lead her to the carriage, helping her to get in before going in after her.
It was an uncomfortable silence. Very unnerving. Sigh! This is going to be a long ride.
"I believe this is your first time going to the fair in Avalon right?" Kasper immediately broke the silence.
"Ah! Not actually, I have been here last year too." Hermione replied.
"I see, I thought you recently arrived at Avalon this year?" Kasper asked, wanting to know more about her.
"That is not so. I have been in the town for a while now, I came during last year's new year." Hermione replied, sensing his curiousity.
"Oh, that means I knew you late." He stated.
"It doesn't matter, we are still friends." Hermione said smiling at him.
"Perharps we would have been something more."
Now, Hermione really wished that he was joking. Of course she knew what he meant by what he just said.
"You know, I am interested in you, Hermione." Kasper said, not being able to hold back any longer.
Hermione remained quiet.
"Say something." He called out.
"I don't have anything to say, Sir Aspen." Came Hermione's reply.
For the first time, Hermione saw a smirk on his kind face. It was somehow a smirk of disbelief.
"So we are back to the formalities again, huh?" He asked her looking hurt.
"Not like….."
"Tell me, if I had met you earlier. Would you have considered me?" He spoke, interrupting her.
"I…I…" Hermione couldn't find the right words to explain to him now. Not like she was obliged to. She thought.
"Is the someone else?"
"What?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"Do you have a lover, lady Larabee? Is that the reason you chose to turn a blind a eye to my advances?" He spoke rather calmly, his brown eyes fixed on her.
"That…how did you even think that?"
"That is not the case then." He estimated, nodding to himself.
"Kasper…. Do not get me wrong, having a friend like you is already a huge blessing to me. I cannot ask for more." She told him in a gentle manner.
Kasper nodded again as if understanding her words.
The carriage remained silent until they reach the venue for the fair.
People were seen jumping, dancing and parading the whole place. The event was lively. Loud musics coming from far away with different stans and merchants, who had travelled from afar to come expose their different precious items for money.
All Hermione had her interest on was the different food which came from various towns and villages.
After alighting from the carriage, Kasper stretched out his arm to her, offering his hand to assist her.
Hermione was reluctant at first, before placing her hand on top of his as he assisted her down from the carriage.
Her eyes went to his face to check for any signs of anger, any signs at all but the was none. She inwardly pondered if he was just masking his expression or if he really had forgotten about it.
She shouldn't have come here in the first place.
"Sorry, it was rude of me. You look beautiful." Kasper mouthed to her. As if he just realized that she had dressed up more than usual.
"Thank you." Hermione replied, putting everything behind her. She so desperately hoped that he would not bring it up again, because so much as she wanted avoiding him, she did not want to ever loose him. He was her hope when she was hopeless.