Hearth: A Tail of Short Stories

A chuckle emerged from my lips unpredicted. It always astonished me how every thought of this woman somehow lifted my damp mood.

I didn't even realize when I had turned my gaze to the window beside me, the outside world in perfect view.

The giver of light had gone down by it's usual hour and the moon had risen in it's place once again, but even at that...the darkness had not yet come into view, instead a beautiful sky of pink and violet, brushed over the kingdom's terrain.

What a wonderful sight it was, if only she had been here to see it with me, then this heart fluttering feeling would have been complete. Levana, the woman's name had come to mind, the word lingering on my lips. Whenever she gets excited over the gifts I send, I can't help myself but be as well. If she was happy, I would be happy and if she were sad I would feel just the same.

Her emotions were contagious to me, dangerously so...but even at that, I didn't mind.

My brother thinks I should distance myself from her, because her family is of a lower caste...I do understand where he is coming from, but once again. I do not mind.

Sometimes, I honestly wish we both were some farmers in the village towns-quare with nothing to do but speak with each other all day.

Life could at the very least be more peaceful-

A knock interrupted my poetic thoughts and my foul mood had risen once again. I scoffed and turned my head to the door, awaiting what I could possibly hear next. "Y-your grace?" The stuttering voice at the other side pricked my ears, I could feel an annoyed breath escape my lips, but that was far out of my control. "Yes Abelard you can come in. I know it's you."

Quicker than I could've expected, the door swung open, as if he had been waiting to push it the second he got there. "What?" I let out and though there were hints of frustration in my tone, I was indifferent to his presence entirely. He seemed to be nervous and quite fatigued, probably why he was taking too long to say whatever was on his mind.

"They're here." And with those two words alone, I understood. I rose from my seat with no hesitation, my gaze falling to the open letter on my office desk, sitting right next to a stack of files and once again, I was reminded that I lived solely for my work.

Steps of haste I took, if I were to ignore such a visit my father would be furious and neither did I have the time nor the energy to deal with him again.

I felt beads of sweat rolling down my nape, it has been especially hot these days, even at night I found it difficult to sleep. To think I would be met with summer so early this year.... Though, it seems to be the only thing that might have differed from the last, if only my workload could have been different for a bit as well, it would be nice to gather favorable hours of sleep.

Not even fully down the staircase and I could already see some people lounging in my opulent living room, chatting over drinks and delicate snacks. The murmurs of polite conversation filled the air, I had noticed the relaxed postures and animations expressed, a stark contrast from my usual demeanor.

My quick steps had calmed as I strode towards them. "Father." I called out, the man who's back previously faced to me had turned in an instant, his gaze locked on mine. "Son! There you are! We've been waiting for you." He exclaimed elated, hm..? What's this? He seemed in a good mood for some reason... I wonder what he will ask of me today.

"Remember when I advised you to find a suitor quickly? Well look, an opportunity has fallen right unto our doorstep." He lifted his hand towards the family sitting across him with a low chuckle.

"Good evening your grace." They rose from their seats and greeted, two men and a young lady between them. She looked familiar... I wonder if I have seen her somewhere before.

I could tell my mother was smiling without even having to take a look at her, she seemed to like it every single time I was shown an ounce of respect. "Sit down son." She said, the words fell out of her lips like hot tea out of a kettle. Every movement she made was gracious and in every word she spoke there was formality. I could remember the stories I had heard of my mother in her youth. A woman of great beauty, of a family in which only she was refined enough to dine with the king.

My mother, the daughter of a baron... Was said to be so beautiful, that any man imaginable would chase down her heart and sought her affection, but I had also heard from others, who said she would go out of her way to entertain every single one of them.

It seems at the very last hour, she had finally chosen the man she's with now, my father and even though I'd sometimes ask myself why she would select him amongst all people, the reason was quite obvious.

He was a Duke at the time, second only to the king himself.

I took a seat right next to her, not wasting any more time than I had already. She raised her hand and placed it softly on my shoulder, my gaze naturally falling to the three other people seated before me.

"Good evening, I didn't expect to see you." I greeted, but most of my attention was drawn to the man sitting at the lady's right. I could recognize him, Dieter, the first son of the great marquis. He's attended every event held at the palace, it would be difficult not to notice him.

He only smiled in response, like he did with any person he wished to exchange business ideas with.

"As you all know, this is my son, Alaric. And son, these are members of the Marquis's family, seated right there is his youngest daughter, Juliane." Youngest? In the entire sentence, I believe that's the only word that piqued my interest. I could already tell what the rest would sound like.

"These wonderful people have arrived with a marriage proposal and I believe you know what you're answer should be." I predicted those would be the next words sliding out of her mouth and yet, it burdened me so. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at their persistency, this was the fifth time this week. I really can't help but wonder where they even find all these Noble women of high quality. With the amount of times they brought a new woman to my house and introduced her as a possible spouse, I thought their population would have dwindled by now. Unfortunately there were always remnants, as if the sky itself were on the providing end.

I turned my gaze to my mother, but of course the dear woman ignored my resentment towards their idea. That seemed to be when my father and I locked gazes once more. 'Just accept it and rest, before your mother loses her last strand of sanity.' Even though there were no words spoken, I had guessed what he was thinking quite well. His eyes spoke volumes higher than what his mouth ever could all twenty seven years of my life.

I turned away from them with a sigh. The silence of the family before me growing rather uncomfortable. In all seriousness, I wanted out of here and with half my frustration and a completely blank mind, my gaze finally fell on the lady alone.

The woman did seem a bit younger than I was, she shouldn't be a day older than twenty four.

I had somehow maintained an air of indifference as I observed her. Despite my usual detachment, I found myself quietly impressed by her understated elegance. She seemed small and quite reserved and unlike most of the ladies i had encountered in the past who were adorned with jewelry and extravagant gowns, she exuded a refined simplicity. Her style of attire, though modest displayed an impeccable precision of tailoring and her poised and silent demeanor revealed a depth that might have piqued my curiosity.

Oh yes and her shoes seemed nice enough, almost cute.

My gaze lingered on her without even a moment of realization. Before I had taken notice of it, my eyes had already ventured down every corner of her slim body. To me, this was merely a formal obligation, I really possessed no such thoughts but I'm sure the lady misinterpreted my scrutiny. One more look at her face and she couldn't be any less obvious about how flustered she was. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, probably assuming my mind was filled with improper thoughts. I guess that was partly my fault. I would apologize if I could, but I just couldn't seem to help myself. My lips had curved into a slight knowing smile, discerning the source of her embarrassment, I found an unexpected amusement in the situation.

"Introduce yourself." I said, she finally lifted her head towards me, her gaze lingering on mine. I could see the sudden flood of discomfort in her eyes, was what I asked that difficult? Maybe my intense stare had frightened her, I did hear there were stories of me being some ruthless womanizer spreading all over the kingdom, but aren't there stories about everyone these days?

Probably, boredom and fatigue had overcome the people. They had nothing else to do with their spare time other than sharing random none-sense with one another.

Though looking dishevelled, she finally opened her mouth, I figured she was about to attempt in response. But just as I was earlier today, she was interrupted by one of my messengers. "Your grace!" The man called out, pulling the attention of everyone seated around me towards him. I really hated seeing his face, his presence usually meant more work. But for once his existence had been put to good use.

Anything was a good thing if it aided me in escape.

"Yes my good sir." I turned to him with a far too pleasant smile, if only I were capable of shedding tears as well, I would be able to fully express my gratitude. Though, being honest I did kind of enjoy this gathering a bit more than expected, but my fancy to leaving was extremely greater.

My messenger then took a step back, one brow raised in question. I was sure I saw confusion wash over his facial features, but it seemed to have dissipated within seconds. I couldn't help but feel the pierce of everyone's surprised gazes, I could tell they were just as appalled. What? was it suddenly impossible for me to smile?

"Well- my grace... You have received an invitation to an elite gala." He let out with a cough, my cheerful expression drained within an instant. "It's from his... his highness. Apparently tomorrow is his birth day and it says you must attend."

An exasperated sigh escaped my lips as I raised my hand and pinched between my brows. Today must be one of a kind, I've never experienced a day that's been this hectic throughout and the only moment I had started to enjoy it, I was rudely interrupted.

"Y-your grace? Your reply..." I couldn't help myself but turn to the fool. What was he waiting for? What did he think I was going to say? A dreadful glare I shot him though I had to admit, I don't think he was that deserving of it. "What do you expect my reply to be-

"Of course! Tell the king, his grace would very much love to attend. It is his birthday after all, why would he not want to go and celebrate with his cousin."

From one bad news to another, why couldn't anyone just let me rest?

"If his grace would be attending I would love to attend as well." Dieter started, I could definitely tell he was looking for the right words to appease me, he was a business man at heart, a business man indeed. The other man though, was far from my recognition, I had never seen him anywhere near the Marquis before and I knew of all the sons the man had, even when they were never introduced to me. It made me wonder. "Do not be mistaken, I definitely would not be going."

"We'll see about that." Aren't I the duke now? why were my parents still controlling me as if I were a toddler?  it's shameful, especially infront of the guests.

"I dined with his Majesty once, he is a wonderful man." The same man spoke once more, but this time my family suddenly felt the urge to join in on the conversation.

"Do you wish to go as well Juliane?" Amongst the continuous chatter, I heard the man at her left whisper into the lady's ears. Thinking about it now, where exactly have I seen Juliane before? she seems more familiar the more I set my gaze in her direction, but I just couldn't seem to remember of any moments where I would've taken notice of her presence.

Juliane's eyes fluttered to mine, a quick aversion followed after. For some reason, I sensed a bit of vulnerability. She nodded shortly and once again I was left to my thoughts.

It had only taken a matter of minutes, but as swift as wind, she flooded my mind once more, occupying my thoughts as she always did. I do hope Levana would be there as well, it has been a while since we last indulged in conversation. She's the only one I ever looked forward to meeting, yet she was the only one being pushed the farthest away from me. It seems as if nature itself didn't agree with us becoming a whole.

I could imagine her vividly, standing before the setting sun, her hair rimmed with an orange glow and a smile that lit up the universe. I had spent weeks dreaming about her, wishing I could embrace her and hold her in my arms, pressing my lips against hers as she ran her hand through my thick hair.

The woman that had overtaken every fibre of my being and with every second we stayed apart, I only yearned for her more.

So yes, if she were to be there tomorrow. Then tomorrow would be good as any day Levana was present, was a good day.

To Be Continued...