4 III. Even if he is a servant?

Dedicated to Cecilia Nguyen

*+*+*+*+*

'How did you enjoy your first suitors ball?' Nä-tashâ asked smiling sweetly at Nä-ræl. Her pure white teeth shone brightly, probably lightening up the dull atmosphere of Nä-ræl's chambers.

'Spiffing.' She lied smoothly showing off her teeth as well. Thinking about it she realized it was actually spiffing. At least she got to see one humble but handsome face.

She thought about his hair once more. How she would have loved to....

'Nä-ræl did you hear me?' Nä-tashâ asked raising an eyebrow.

'Yes. Yes go on.' Lying seemed to have become her hobby now. First the ball with Ærtle and now her mother.

She wondered who she'd lie to next.

'I hope you get a suitor before the next three full moons. There are many handsome young men out there.' Her mother continued.

'Yes a whole lot.' She said while thinking about the handsome young servant at the ball.

'We just have to find one that's eligible. Who was that handsome young man that danced with you first? The Duke's son?'

'Hmm. Yes. Ærtwhatshisname?' Nä-ræl said trying her best to remember the Duke's son's name.

Ærtlan? She thought.

No, it can't be.

Ærlen?

No.

Ærtle?

Yes. She thought as she finally remembered.

'He seems like a noble man.' The queen mused already making plans of her own in her head.

'Of course he is a noble. His father is a duke.'

'That is not what I mean. Some of these men have titles but they are not good for you.' Her mother said holding Nä-ræl's hand in hers.

'Pray tell me what your idea of an eligible suitor is?' Nä-ræl asked narrowing her eye at her mother.

'Well for one thing he must be respectable. I want someone who holds fast to his honour as a gentleman. Someone who knows how to take care of women.'

'Even if he is a servant?'

'By näbough!' The queen exclaimed. 'How can you think such horrible things? Why in Cupid's will you marry a servant? Perhaps your father's right. You need to have your head checked by a healer. I wonder what lunacy has befallen you.' Nä-tashâ said standing up and smoothening her dress while Nä-ræl wondered how she could be so comfortable in the corset which seem to choke her waist and the crinoline which was even puffier than hers.

As the queen exited her chambers two of her chambermaids came in to help her change into something suitable for the rest of the evening.

'Do you by any chance know a quiet place I could spend the rest of my evening?' Nä-ræl asked Äalna once she was done putting her hair into a low bun.

'Why, yes of course milady. You haven't been to your royal garden in years. Although I hear that your mother out someone in charge of it. One of the castle servants.' Äalna responded immediately smiling brightly and still in shock because Nä-ræl had no interest in matters like that. She was always wanting to be by Captain Œrlan's side, always wanting to watch the war when there was one.

'Okay. I will see you later.' She said smoothening the dress - a habit that she had picked up from her mother.

'You don't want me or any other person to accompany you?' Äalna asked, clearly reluctant to let the princess out on her own.

'Nay. I want to be alone for a reason. The garden is on the castle grounds. What harm can befall me there?' Nä-ræl told Äalna.

'As you wish milady. näbough's blessing be with you.' Äalna curtsied.

*+*+*+*+*

Nä-ræl walked slowly out of the palace taking her time to greet every servant that she came across.

She hoped in vain to see the humble but handsome servant. Perhaps she would visit the servant quarters tomorrow.

Finally she exited the palace after declining the numerous offers of guards and servants to accompany her. She walked by the stream which flowed out of her garden towards the castle so as not to miss her way for she had not been to the garden in years.

She finally reached the garden and was amazed by it's beauty. It was more beautiful than she had even remembered it. The leaves of the plants and trees were surprisingly green and flourishing even though winter was so close.

She ventured further into the garden, noticing how beautifully the rambler roses and grape vibes clung to other other trees. They looked to perfect to be arranged naturally. Perhaps someone took his or her time to arranged them carefully in a beautiful pattern.

The place was clearly blessed by nature.

As she walked further she noticed a figure holding and caressing the young apples as if they were his own life. The male figure turned round but she can't see his face clearly.

He sat on the ground and began to draw a beautiful pattern shaped like an arrow which found itself stuck on a shield or perhaps the arrow was very strong to have pierced the shield on the dirt (:as in: loose earth or soil) with his fingers.

He squinted at it as if trying to make meaning out of it while adding little details.

He removed his hands from the loose soil and began playing with a rose petal that grew from a flower beside him.

Nä-ræl looked round her garden once more. If he was the one who took care of it he did a very good job.

Nä-ræl felt something cold drop on her nose and then water ran down to her mouth. She scrunched her eyebrows in confusion then ignored it and looked at the male figure again.

She noticed a snowflake fall on his nose.

So that was it.

The first snowfall.

Was it a bad omen that she had felt it?

When the first snow comes...

She couldn't remember the remaining lines. She remembered it had to do with the story of her missing betrothed.

She took a cautious step forward wanting to see the male figure clearly but not wanting him to notice her.

She took another step forward and a movement in the undergrowth startled her, making her shriek involuntarily and tripping

Rapha sat up immediately and looked round about him. He noticed a female figure in a light green dress by the light of the moon.

He dusted his hands on his trousers which had become damp because of the snow and approached her.

He used his hands to carefully pull her up from the ground and opened his mouth to speak but his tongue got in his throat as he beheld the beauty he held in his arms.

The princess.

Nä-ræl stared up at the male who had picked her up and her breath caught in her throat as she managed not to gasp loudly.

The servant from the ball.

Rapha steadied the princess in his arms and blinked twice to confirm he was not daydreaming.

Convinced, he cleared his throat and spoke.

'Milady.' He said, giving a small bow.