To any readers who have followed my story, I sincerely apologize for such a long absence. Editing this particular chapter was difficult, and I must admit that I'm still not satisfied with it. However, I feel that submitting it now, as is, is necessary for me to be able to continue writing, editing, and submitting the other chapters.
I have many (more interesting) chapters written, so please look forward to them!
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As Maya ran through corridor after corridor, she began to believe that she had gotten lost in a giant labyrinth rather than a castle. Eventually, she slowed her pace and lowered her head as more emotions demanded release. She couldn't help it. Despite knowing that crying wouldn't solve anything, it did make her feel a little better. She continued on like that for a while until she felt her body hit a hard surface.
Feeling a strong pair of hands reach out to steady her, she looked up, only to come face to face with an unfamiliar, yet handsome, stranger.
"Oh, it's you. You should really pay more attention to where you're going," he kindly advised.
Maya could only respond by staring at him with a blank expression. She was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the fact that so many people knew who she was, without her knowing about anyone else. Everyone was clearly in on this whole "Source" business, and the idea of them knowing more about her than she did led to her feeling isolated.
"Do you not remember me?" he feigned a melodramatic look of insult, "Well, I suppose I can't blame you," he laughed nervously.
"What?"
"Cedric Gillian, at your service," he said with an exaggerated bow.
Maya actually found herself wanting to laugh, but she stayed composed. "I'm Maya. We haven't met before, have we?"
"Well I
did
bring you back here, clean you up, dress your wound, and clothe your body. However, considering you were unconscious the whole time, I'm willing to forgive you just this once," he teased playfully.
Then it clicked. Maya realized that this was the same Cedric that Richard and his father had been talking about, meaning the same one who had supposedly examined her body while she was unconscious.
"You!" she backed away from him, subconsciously covering her clothed body with her hands. "Y-you mean you saw me naked?" she asked nervously, hoping that maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding.
"I couldn't leave you in the condition you were in, could I? You have nothing to worry about. I take my duties as a physician very seriously."
"You're a doctor? But you said you're the one who brought me here."
"I am willing to go to battle when needed. Not to mention I owed Richard a favor," he shrugged.
Even though Maya was definitely pissed at the thought of this man viewing her naked body, especially while she was unconscious, he seemed to be the most genuine person she'd met so far. Everyone seemed to be constantly scheming something, but Cedric gave off a very easy going vibe.
"Here," he said, holding out a handkerchief, "It's not my place to pry and guess what has you upset, but if you have some time to spare, I do know of somewhere that is guaranteed to make you feel better." Without waiting for her to agree, he grabbed Maya's hand and ran off, dragging her behind him.
Maya decided to go with the flow, and let herself be whisked away by the strange man. She figured she needed a distraction, anything to get her mind off of the little exchange she'd had with Richard, and Cedric appeared to be the perfect man for the job.
It wasn't too long until they reached a small wooden door, one that seemed out of place compared to the grandeur of everything else in the palace. When Cedric opened it, Maya was greeted with the sight of a massive, immaculate garden.
"What do you think? Coming here always helps me clear my mind...I thought it might do the same for you," he explained.
"It's incredible," Maya said in awe. She walked ahead of Cedric, onto the cobblestone path that led to the many displays and arrangements the garden had to offer. She'd always come across pictures of the impressive gardens belonging to European castles, but now she was convinced that there was no way a colorful piece of paper would be able to capture the grandeur of the landscape laid out before her.
Maya wandered around, letting her senses bask in the many sights and scents that surrounded her. Cedric was right, the fresh air and beautiful scenery definitely made her feel much better.
She turned around when she felt him tap on her shoulder. "For you," he held out a beautiful, blossoming pink peony. "Though it is not nearly as lovely as you are, I have always thought peonies were the most beautiful flower." Maya, embarrassed by the gesture, hesitantly took the flower.
"Thanks," she said in a barely audible whisper.
"It suits you."
"Pardon?"
"The innocent pink of your cheeks, the bashful way you're averting your eyes and biting your lip," he lightly took her chin, urging her to look up at him. "You're like a little peony that has yet to fully blossom."
Maya was taken aback by the comment, stuttering to find a decent way to respond. She felt a warm finger reassuringly placed on her lips.
"It looks like you're feeling better," he winked. "I suppose that means my job here is done," he took her hand, and marked it with a quick, gentle kiss. "Until we meet again, my little peony."
Maya watched as he turned his back on her and returned to the castle. She stood there, dumbfounded at what had just happened.
He was just trying to make me feel better, that's all there is to it,
she told herself, staring down at the flower in her hands. Still, regardless of the meaning behind his actions, she struggled to calm her rapidly beating heart.
Looking around her, she decided it might not be a bad idea to explore the rest of the garden. She turned to continue down the pathway, only to jump in surprise as she found herself facing Sir Aldred.
"The whole castle is looking for you, you know." He stated calmly.
"I-I'm so sorry. It's just that-,"
"If you don't mind, I'd like for you to come with me for a bit." Aldred turned away from her and began walking deeper into the garden. Maya took once last glance back at the direction Cedric went before nervously following suit.
"Um, sir, I thought you said people were looking for me?"
"It won't do any harm to have them looking for a bit longer." This answer shocked Maya, but she held her tongue.
"Maya, it seems as though you and Richard haven't been getting along."
"Well, I-I, uh, I..." she stuttered, not knowing how to explain what had happened, or where things had gone wrong. "I guess he's just not my type."
Aldred smirked, "Is that so? I suppose that is one way of putting it. But you are aware that you do not have to feel any attraction towards him to be married, aren't you?"
Maya fought to keep from rolling her eyes. "I heard the same thing from Richard...multiple times. But that's not something I can accept. Where I'm from, most people marry for love. Sure, there are other things to take in to consideration, but how you feel about your partner typically comes first. And, I'm sorry if this is out of line, but I feel like you're the last person who should be lecturing me on marriage without love."
Aldred was slightly taken aback by Maya's frankness, but he lightened up and began laughing. He continued walking until they arrived at a gazebo. When they entered, Maya took a seat across from Aldred, and waited silently to be lectured and reprimanded for her behavior.
"You know, you remind me very much of my late wife, Rosa." The kind words took Maya by surprise, but she let him continue. "There are a few things that every Source has in common. They are always from the past or future, never our present. They are always virgins. Always young women, women who are entering the prime of their life. However, there are just as many, if not more, differences between each Source. Each woman comes from a different social status, ancestry, country of origin...of course, you're probably the most extreme case so far." Maya almost felt the need to apologize, as though she were making their lives more complicated. She stayed quiet.
"Rosa was from a wealthy family, and at the time of her arrival here, she was engaged to man of equal status and wealth. Although, truthfully, she was overjoyed to not have to go through with it. However being immediately told that she would have to marry my brother did not go too well, either."
"But she was fine with marrying you?"
"It is not as though marrying her was ever my intention. I was going hunting when I happened upon her. She was lying unconscious on the forest floor, and it would have been unforgivable to just leave her. I took her back with me and we discovered that she was the next Source. It had been two years since the Source before her passed away. She was told the same thing you were, and refused in a manner similar to the way you did. They gave her time to think about it, but she never changed her mind. Since the whole situation was none of my concern, I never felt the need to personally pressure her. As a result she began to see me as a confidant.
"We became closer over time, and one day she told me that she would act as the Source if she could be wed to me, as opposed to my brother. The King and my brother were both furious, and refused her request."
"How'd they come around?"
"Rosa locked herself in her room and said she would starve herself until they changed their minds, but the King and my brother stood by their decision, thinking she would give in eventually," he lightly chuckled, "she was so stubborn. Eventually I took it upon myself to intervene on her behalf. The King and my brother finally agreed to our union."
Maya quietly pondered what she'd just been told. "Please do not try what she did," Aldred said, as though he could read her thoughts.
