Wanna Be Yours- Chapter 7

Around noon the household servants gathered and watched as Lady Luzcrezia and her daughter Lady Lucina got thrown into a carriage. Royal knights escort them to a prison where they will be monitored. Some erupt in cheers, others quietly wipe away their tears. Soon as that’s over with Milan clasps her hands together.

“Interviews. Shall we?” She smiled at her secretary. At the gardens there were dozens of people. Milan blinked as she pointed.

“That’s more than fifty!”

Her secretary smiled. “As it should be your grace. Your kindness has already spread through the land.”

“My..?”

Her secretary smiled. Urging her to conduct her interviews. The rest of the afternoon was filled with chatters and smiles. By the end of it Milan rested her head on the table. “Ahem.” A feminine voice said. Clearing her throat. Milan looked up. A familiar woman with red wavy hair and a bright smile.

“Lindsey?”

The woman immediately bowed. “I’m sorry for suddenly pushing you. I simply followed a request.”

“Request?”

Milan stared at her. She sucks in a break and touches her shoulder. Her finger tips grazed as she said, “lift your head.”

Lindsey slowly rose up. Hands at her stomach. “I…your grace..”

Milan wanted to hear her out.

“Come, sit.”

“What happened? Who put you up to it?”

Lindsey used a handkerchief to dab her eyes. “Seeing you all these years in a tower while your extended family lived a proper life made me sad. So when you started getting close to his grace, I reached out to him. After a while we made a plan to get you out, but suddenly that day a guard had decided to come. Not the usual time and so I had confidence that your gift would save you but…”

Lindsey wept, “I didn’t have time to explain and I was worried that you’d resent me for it.”

Milan took a moment to think. It was no coincidence that Oliver found her in that forest. Perhaps it wasn't a coincidence that he planned to take her to that elven village.

“I see.”

Lindsey looked down staring at her tear soaked handkerchief. Milan lightly smiled. “How would you like to be my head maid?”

Lindsey blinked up. Lifting her head to catch Milan’s gaze.

“Pardon?”

“Do you accept?”

“I…I’m not sure I deserve to be by your side.”

Milan stood up, held a hand across the table. “I believe that’s for me to decide. I believe you. There was never a point where you stayed and tended to me at the tower with hatred.”

Tears began to fall from Lindsey's eyes as she wiped her tears one last time. Taking her hand in Milan’s.

“Thank you.” She smiled.

***

In the following days the Celeste household has been running smoothly. Milan had been going into town. Assisting villagers with their crops and creating a small shop for fruits and vegetables. Her ability to mass produce and connect with plants.

On the last day of this month she was able to see her relatives off. Her aunt and cousin were sent to a forest of darkness. Her cousin's biological father was permitted to go with them. He was considered powerless without a sword after all. This particular forest had high mortality rates because of the beasts that dominated the terrain. Her aunt gave her one last look. Shouted at her, “You’ll never be able to achieve what your parents did!”

But Milan smiled.

“So you acknowledge them?!” Milan shouts.

Her aunt screamed as they shut the gates. The fortress that would separate this vast forest from the human population. Although she felt relieved. A part of her wondered whether this was the right decision or not. Blankly staring at the ground. Next thing she knew a shadow was casted over her frame.

“Milan.”

She looked back, a warm smile greeted her. “Oliver?”

“At your service.” He said.

He took her hand, guiding her to his carriage.

“Where are we heading?”

“To an area I think you’d like.”

The carriage rode them out far enough. To where a vast flower field laid. “It’s beautiful.” Milan says. She crouched down. Her finger brushing against a sunflower. It shined brightly, absorbing the nutrients her magic gave. Oliver crouched beside her, his hand brushed against hers. Static forming between them. Their magic resonated with one another.

“It’s been a while.” He said, his hand now resting on his knee. Milan gazed at him, “It has.”

She sat down on the path, the sun that had been setting created an orange glow in the sky.

“I had a chat with Lindsey.” She says.

Oliver nodded, “And what’d you think?”

“I appreciate the push.” Milan laughed. Oliver chuckled, her laughter rang in his ears. Putting a smile on his face.

“I’m glad.” He said, his shoulder bumping against hers.

“Though I wanted to ask. Why?”

Oliver, glanced elsewhere. Scratching his stubble. “For a motive.”

She stared at him to continue.

“I…had grown to appreciate your presence. I wanted you. I wanted to see you, be a constant part of your life but you were trapped.”

“I’m free now.” She said,

She faced him, lighting biting her lower lip.

“Do you think you could live without me now? I have my own household to run and…”

“No. Never. You’re all I’ve ever needed, Milan. I would rather lose my status than to spend this lifetime without you by my side.”

She smiled, “Then I’d like to be a part of yours too.”

Oliver took a small box out of his jacket. Popped it open, revealing a gold diamond ring. “Milan Celeste. I have dreamed of you since the day we met and I believe today is the day where I get to ask, may I be your lover from this day on?”

Milan’s cheeks flushed as she held her hand out.

“Yes. I too have dreamed of you since we met. At the very least now I can stand by your side confidently.”

He slid the ring onto her finger, bringing her knuckles to his lips. Then cupping her face. Kissing her cheek, forehead, nose, then her lips.

“I love you Milan.”

“I love you too, Oliver.”