Mariana is a song originated at the south. Mariana is composed by a musician for his longing to his loved one that passed away from a chronic illness. The title is also named after the deceased lady. The song is both slow and fast, the first half is slow to moderate and the tempo gets faster as the middle of the song approaches, the fast tempo will stay the same and it will get faster when the end is near. Dancing to Mariana takes too much energy and excitement that only the half part is danced by most southerners.
"Where is Milady?" Sarah asks arriving with the yellow parasol she fetched from the carriage.
Charles sighed. "Dancing with Milord." He said his gaze not leaving the dancing couple.
"Oh, it's this song."
"Is the Miss always this energetic?"
"No." Sarah replied not wanting to expound. Ainsley has become energetic because she was grounded for about a month and a half, she must have saved energy for this day.
The two watched their masters keep up with the speed of the song. The performers that can't keep up with the speed stopped and watch the couple from the side.
Seeing that Dorian is matching Ainsley's speed, this brought another surge of excitement to Ainsley so she danced without holding back. Dorian matches her speed with perfection and precision in angle, posture and speed. The couple is mesmerizing, a lady in yellow dress fluttered like a sunflower paired with the man in white blouse and black vest, they are dancing in a folk song but they look like nobles dancing in a ballroom's dance floor, well they are in fact nobles. The last verse approached, the footwork is as fast as the tempo but the couple still made it look flawless and easy to do. Ainsley extends her left foot and point on the ground bending her body slightly forward, her hands grip her dress and stretch it out like when she curtsy but a bit higher revealing her ankles. Dorian turned fast and fell on one knee in front of Ainsley and his arms spread wide as if the man is trying to catch the falling angel in yellow dress. The music ended on a good note, the audience erupts in loud applause and cheers. Both Dorian and Ainsley stood side by side bowed then retreated back.
"I'm surprised you know the dance Milord." Ainsley said.
"I'm also surprised you can dance on that speed. You're a great dancer."
"Because I have a great partner."
"Thank you."
Dorian and Ainsley catch their breath first, they must have gone crazy dancing in such speed on such heat and in such clothes. Ainsley's dress is heavy and hot enough. Charles reminded Dorian that they have to leave as the two are already behind schedule and the plan is to check the festival briefly and leave but the two are dragged around by the lady and now its already afternoon. It would be dark already when they reach their destination.
"I apologize for leaving at the middle of fun, Miss Durham."
"Please don't be sorry Sir Rian. It is my fault."
"It is my fault Miss Durham, you only did your responsibility as the host."
"No--" Ainsley stop and chuckle. "Let's just say it's both our fault. Thank you for sparing your time to enjoy the festival."
"I did enjoy the event. Well then, until next time."
"Yes. Please have a safe travel Sir."
Dorian stares at the blue eyed and hazel brown haired beauty in yellow dress before him burning the image in his mind. Unwilling to leave but he has to, he flash a smile and enter the carriage. Ainsley steps back and watch the leaving carriage of the lad.
"We should head back soon too, Milady. You played too much today."
"Yes, I'm a bit tired." Ainsley admits.
In Dorian's carriage, Charles rearranged the schedule while Dorian watched the figure of Ainsley getting smaller and smaller as the carriage pulls away from her. Seeing her again after such a long time feels like time really flew fast, the memory of a young girl hugging a white rabbit stuffed toy and looking down on a tombstone with melancholic eyes, not a tear or a sob, she simply looked lonely and sad. Back then she also smiled brightly despite her real feelings. Guilt squeezed Dorian's heart again.
"Your Highness, are you listening?"
"I am." Dorian replied not sparing Charles a glance and still searching for the vanished figure of Ainsley.
Dorian has the urge to laugh at fate at this moment, why of all the time he had traveled that he met Ainsley when he is returning back to the castle, it must be one of the magical funny whim of fate again.
"How hateful." Dorian mumbles.
~*~
In the Durham mansion's study room, the Count invited Ainsley to discuss the letter that is addressed to her. On the coffee table is an unopened letter with the royal seal. Ainsley received letters before but not with the royal seal.
Ainsley takes the knife and open the envelope She reads the letter first and her jaw almost dropped on the floor reading the content. It's an invitation to attend the Royal Academy at the Capital as a crown princess candidate.
The Count opens his mouth to speak but no word came out. He already expected this would be the case after the Crown Prince's return. The Crown Prince is already past 20 and he is still out in the world traveling, pushing his royal responsibilities aside. The Crown Prince should have returned before his coming-of-age ceremony three years ago which was also his appointing of the crown but he pushed it aside making him the unofficial crown prince. The prince is also supposed to choose his future queen but even that is pushed aside. The Count wouldn't be worried as he is now if the Prince chose his future queen before because only ladies that are past their coming-of-age are allowed to attend the competition.
The arrival of the crown prince was announced a day after he arrived at the castle, instead of holding a party to welcome and do all the pushed away responsibilities, the Prince decided to do everything in one day and that is when the crown princess is chosen. The selection is done by ladies competing for the title, all noble houses and the council shall give their vote to the lady that they think who fits the role.
"Father, I attracted quite the trouble this time."
"It was meant to be."
Ainsley dryly smiled at her father. "I'll be fine Father also, Ailen will be with me." She clasps her father's hand and lightly squeezes them.
The competition sounds like a wonderful opportunity but in fact it is a war against fellow nobles. Alliances will be made and life threatening situations are inevitable, although Ainsley is immune with poisons from her training with the knights and can hold on her own, Count Durham can't stop to worry for his daughter's safety. If it's only possible he would reject the invitation to make sure his daughter is safe, however, it is from the royal family and he can't reject an invitation from the royal. The Count remembers how the last competition went, three ladies died of poisoning, the current Queen almost died of assassination and all kinds of evil schemes were played. Greed, envy, power and money circulated in all corners of the kingdom not sparing one innocent life untouched.
Ainsley left her father in the study to think for herself. Upon reaching her room, Ainsley searched for the small plain wooden box hidden at the bottom of her shoe cabinet. Her hand run along the dusty cover of the box wiping off the dust, she lifts the lid slowly and reveal what is hiding inside; a blue gem necklace, obsidian rose cuff links and a sloppy embroidery of the kingdom's golden roaring lion. Ainsley picks up the blue gem necklace that has the same shade of her ocean blue eyes.
"Does he remember?" She asks herself in low voice. The distant memory that was supposed to be forgotten resurfaced along with the sadness and loneliness that once drowned her.
In a field where tombstones of heroes stood, a girl sadly looked on the cold tombstone where her mother's name is engraved.
Aivory Durham
Countess and Black Knight Lieutenant
The girl lifts her head towards where the rustling sound came from, a boy his hair dark as obsidian and his eyes glow golden as the setting sun hits it. The young boy walk towards the girl then halted leaving a meter or two in between them, he opens his mouth but his words fell somewhere else he closes his mouth and take a step forward. His head is wrapped in bandage and his left arm is on a cloth sling hanging from his neck. The two stared at each other for quite a while, the cool autumn wind blew by rustling the orange and red drying up leaves in the trees, the fallen leaves flew and landed on another spot. The girl's curly hair waved like the ocean waves and her nicely combed hair became messy. The girl smiled silly. Although her lips are stretched in a smile the sadness and loneliness in her eyes can't be masked. The boy's heart hurt seeing her. He'd rather see her cry and shout at him with anger than smiling.
"Sorry." The boy whispers as the wind blew harshly than before drowning his voice. "Sorry." He said again in a louder.
The girl stared at him her eyes asking what he meant she opens her mouth to ask but stopped when someone shouted from somewhere. A maid calling him came, as the prince is not supposed to be seen by anyone the boy dropped the blue gem necklace and ran away. The girl picks it up, staring at the very familiar necklace she finally cries just how a child should be. In the quiet graveyard the girl's cry resounded loud and clear as if her cries are saying not to leave her alone. The boy who's still nearby heard her painful cries and guilt ate him blaming himself that he stole someone else's mother.
The blue gem is Aivory Jome-Durham's last memento. The necklace that she had it custom made because the gem resembles the eyes of her other half that she loved dearly, the other half that treasured and treated her with so much love and care, the man who made her once frozen heart melt and beat to life again, and the man who allowed her to become a mother of two lovely angels.
______________________________End of CHAPTER IV