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.
