Elysium was never a quiet place. Ever since Emilia was born into this world this home was filled with laughter and jolly sounds that reached every corner of the castle. But today it was different. The castle was not crumbling down with the same ruckus that was signature of the two ladies who were locked up in Emilia's room.
"Something is definitely going on with those two," Amelia mentioned while she was helping set the table for dinner.
"Maybe, they are finally growing up and maturing into their respective roles," Nanny the ever positive could not help but try to think that whatever it was that was burdening the soul of her dear child was not something too serious.
"Nanny," Amelia glanced at her with a beautiful smile on her face. "You know very well, that when Elysium gets this quiet it is better to brace ourselves. I don't know what those two are cooking, but I hope it is not something we can't handle."
"I do hope its just child's play and not something that will get my sweet child in trouble,"
"You and my husband are the same, always overprotecting and pampering that child. I wonder what she would do without the two of you," Amelia said while placing her hands on her hips. She was always worried that her husband's and nanny's pampering would turn Emilia into an insolent child and although, so far this was not the case she stilled worried and took every chance she got to make sure that this never happened.
At this statement Nanny quickly placed her palms together in front of her. She could not cope with such a thought, "I dread that day and hope to always be by her side to guard and protect her dreams."
"My sweet lady, I don't believe I have ever thanked you for loving my girl so much," Amelia was always amazed by the sincere love that Nanny had for all of them. This love was not just limited to Emilia, but to her entire family and she appreciated it. If there was one person who was a constant reminder that they were a family, it was nanny. This small lady who has been part of her life for as long as she could remember was a shining beacon in her darkest moments.
"There is nothing to thank. I love her just as much as I love you. Don't forget that just as I pamper her, I pampered you since the moment you were born. And I must say, as of now she is not as half as rebellious as you were when you were her age."
Amelia could not help, but laugh remembering the adventures of her youth, "You are quiet right about that."
"Of course, I am," Nanny replied reminiscing of the years that had gone and past, "I still remember when you used to escape every dawn to go and ride your horse to the clearing. You said that you wanted to welcome the rising sun for good luck." Nanny reached to tug a strand of her beautiful fiery hair behind her ear. "You were always looking for adventures and always making your father so angry."
"Ah yes father," Amelia half whispered, remembering that one person that she wished she could see again, but new that it was not her time. "I miss him. I miss him so much," This was always a sour subject for Amelia. The death of a parent is not something one can easily forget. It is a heartbreaking pain that invades all your senses. This wrenching pain is never forgotten, but if you are lucky like Amelia you learn to live with it and with time smile again.
Nanny reached out to wipe, ever so delicately the cold tear that had escaped from Amelia. "He would be so proud of you," Nanny knew that this was not something that she just said to calm her down or give reassurance, this was a fact. Lord Emil would be beyond proud of the person his daughter had become. That was beyond question.
"You really think so?" Amelia asked, hope sipping from her voice.
"Of course," The ever-sweet nanny replied while holding on to Amelia's hands in a warm and reassuring hold. "Now let's stop all this sadness, if Lord Michael sees you crying, I will not hear the end of it." Nanny knew that she was correct with this assumption. If there was one think that was not allowed in this home was to hurt the lady of the house. Michael treasured her above all, and he was willing to do everything to give her peace and keep it at all cost.
<3 <3 <3
Meanwhile just outside Emilia's bedroom …
You could see the young lady of the house pacing back and forth debating about how to proceed. All the confidence that she had gained from her talk with nanny was gone and her insides were about to explode with nervousness. Then suddenly she stilled to take a deep breath.
"Come on Emilia, just open that door and get it over with," Emilia was encouraging herself. "You know very well that Clem in not going to let you of the hook."
And with that resolved Emilia proceeded to grab the doorknob to her bedroom, but just before turning it, she removed her hand just as fast. She wrapped her stomach in a big bear hug breathing in and out as if she were on the brink of a panic attack.
"I'm going to be sick," Emilia murmured trying to calm her nerves.
And then suddenly the door flew open and there in the in the doorway stood Clementine a huge smirk plaster on her face.
"Well, well, well what do we have here," Clementine could not hide her joy at seeing her friend in such a frail state. "It looks like the almighty Emilia, warrior and leader to the Elysium army is not as tough as we all thought."
Emilia could not help but give her friend a strong look of anger, "You, you are enjoying this."
"Of course, I am," Clementine said while wrapping her hands in front of her chest, "It was about time that you experienced this agonizing pleasure."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Emilia tried to hide her knowledge of what she knew Clementine was referring to.
"Oh yes you do," Clementine was not going to let it go. With a speed that caught Emilia by surprise Clementine stretched her arm to pull her friend inside the room. "Spill it."
"I really don't know what you are talking about." Emilia kept repeating while she was being dragged by her friend to the bed.
Suddenly Clementine stopped on her tracks causing Emilia to crash into her. Then with a slow-paced motioned as if she had just realized something, Clementine turned around to face her friend. Intrigue and melancholy evident on her face.
"Come sit with me,"
"But I already told you, I do not..." Emilia started, but was soon stopped by Clementine who placed her palm on her mouth.
"I know you don't know what I am talking about. I get it, NOW I get it. I think that you are just as confused as me. So, let's talk about it." Clementine had realized that this was the first time Emilia had looked at anyone the way she looked at Ezequiel and there was a huge chance that she was confused and had no idea how to deal with these feelings. Liking someone, is not black and white. There are many gray areas and there are those who have a hard time understanding them, and Clementine now understood that Emilia really believed that there was nothing to say or talk about because she herself did not understand what she was feeling.
As if a child was caught stealing candy from the candy jar, Emilia felt exasperated and annoyed. She jumped into her bed faced down and started to punch the mattress. A big yelp escaped her mouth only to be hidden on one of the pillows. After her little outburst she finally sat up with a frown on her face. Clementine who had been sitting next to her started fixing her hair and whispering encouraging words.
"It's okay. We will figure it out together," Clementine hugged her with such strength that Emilia felt like crying.
When Clementine pulled away, she saw the almost tears that threaten to escape Emilia's eyes and it broke her heart. "Tell me, are you scare?"
Emilia released a deep breath while looking down at her hands that were on her lap.
"I don't know what I am feeling. But every time I see him my heart races and it gets hot." She moved her hand to rest on her chest, "It gets hot in here." Emilia swallowed deep, scare to be feeling this.
"Sweety, I think that that might be love,"
"But how?" Emilia was shocked, "We don't even know each other, and he is so rude."
"That he is .. but sometimes, well most of the time we don't have a say on who we fall in love with. It just happens."
"Well, I don't want it to happen with him,"
Clementine who kept caressing Emilia's hair gave her a sweet smile, "I don't think that is your choice," Placing her hand on top of Emilia's that was still on her chest, "your heart is the one who decides."
Emilia looked at her friend and she felt as if she was falling into her fantasy, but before this idea could completely take over her, she moved to stand up, "You don't understand," Emilia was angry, "Even if this is love it doesn't matter because you know just as I do that it is not allowed."
"Times have changed. Look at Azael and me,"
Emilia gave her friend a heartbreaking look. "You know that for him and me it would be different."
Clementine knew that Emilia was right. Although Azael and herself were fortunate enough to be allowed to be together for Emilia and Ezequiel it could be different. They are both members of opposing families and as such they had responsibilities that came before anything else, including love.
Clementine stood up and pulled her friend to the bed to sit with her. "Okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves. We are not even sure if he feels the same way. Although, judging by the way that he looked at you earlier today its quite easy to guess what he is thinking."
"You think?" Emilia could not help but he hopeful. Although her sense of logic was telling her to move on and not give this matter another thought her heart kept fluttering every time, she remembered how their eyes had locked as if they were both giving in an accepting what they had fought to deny for so long.
Clementine burst in laughter. "You do like him!"
"Oh you," Emilia said while pushing her away, but this cause Clementine to laugh even louder.
"It's okay to admit it. Let's take it day by day and see what happens. I don't want you to be heartbroken before you even start something."
"Wait!" It seemed as if Emilia had just remembered something, "You have to promise you can't say anything, not even to Azael."
Clementine looked at her and started to walk away shaking her head. "Come one Emilia, you know I tell him everything, no correction we tell him everything,"
Emilia jumped on her feet and chased after her, "Promise, please. I am begging you"
Clementine who was now evolved in a side hug looked at Emilia and breathed out, "Fine, but if he finds out before either one of us tells him you know he will give us hell!"
"I know, I know. We will tell him, just not now."
Clack - clack
Both ladies froze at the sound of something hitting the window.
Staring at each other Clementine was the first to ask, "What is that?"
"I don't know." Emilia was just as confused ad her friend.
"It's me, open up!" A loud hissing voice was heard and the girls run to the window recognizing the owner of the voice.