Chapter 3 (The Proposal)

A few years passed, and our love grew more each day. The evenings became routine, but a routine that would never tire, every day he showed me his love with different details, not so distinguished or expensive, but with immense love.

His nobility and kindness, his courageous heart; they are what I love most about him, and those eyes like the ocean so mysterious and beautiful ... they make me lose my sanity.

Makes my legs shake when I look into his eyes, do I deserve it? I really deserve this beautiful soul, whose personality is flawless.

Maybe not, but I promise to improve in all aspects. I'm not perfect, but really we are all not perfect.

Christmas is coming, and I am very excited, I would like to give Adrean something, a small gift.

—Mother– I say with an emotion.

—Yes?– "I would like you to accompany me to the merchants."Christmas is coming, and I would like to present something nice to my best friend.

—But of course– and he stands up.

We head to the floats, Louis makes a little bow, and we get inside. We passed a huge lake, and quite a few trees. And at last, he observed in the distance that beautiful cherry tree, the wonderful memories with Adrean come to mind. He created to have in mind what kind of gift I want to give him.

Upon reaching the merchant, he observed everything ... it's pretty cool, however there are things that are not so nice.

Hour after hour, looking for the perfect gift, and I find nothing.

We have to go dear, it's getting dark, it's not nice to come back at night, he says as we walk.

I look at a store, I don't remember seeing it.

—This store wasn't there– I say as I look at the store carefully.

—I don't know, maybe she was and because we were in a hurry, we didn't see her well. "If maybe you're right, I'd like to take a look at it." Maybe he will find what I long for. "Well, go."

And I go in, it's an antique store. It's creepy, there is total silence.

—Hello girl– says an old woman as she sits up.

—Hello ma'am, I'm just coming to watch." I am looking for a gift for a friend, Christmas is coming and I would like ...

—But of course you can't fool a 102-year-old woman. What exactly are you looking for? I know you might like her– she makes a sign to follow her.

He takes out a wooden box, and opens it.

—This jewel is beautiful. However, it has a somewhat strange history. The story goes that some lovers were totally in love, and the man had given her this jewel as a token of her love. However that same night. The pretty girl saw something atrocious, her father had hung up on hers who loved her. When she saw her lover lifeless, she lost her sanity. She was never the same again. The years passed, and every day that passed she was dying of sadness and pain.

She came her day, and she died with the jewel in her hands. And it was when she reincarnated, to finally find her loved one, it was her jewel, seeing that young woman cry day and night, she wanted to give her a chance to be happy. And she was reunited with her lover, in her next life.

—Fence, and what is the price?–

Young lady, it's all yours, without any price. It's a gift. I hope with all my heart you are happy, maybe you can fool your parents but a poor old woman who has lived many lives, no.

I look at her with wide eyes.

So she is a young girl, I am the young woman in the story I told you. And now I want to die with my beloved, we have already lived a long time, we want to rest. - she smiles. This jewel is not bad, on the contrary. However over the years, it is exhausting. Now, it's your turn ... you will see that it will help you a lot.

And she gives it to me.

She'll find you alone, you won't have to look for her.

She says it herself while she disappears.

—Daughter! My mother yells.

—What happened? I've been looking for you for 4 hours. Where did you go?" "Well, go into the antique shop, it's ... here." What the hell.- He scratched my head.

—But what antiques are you talking about? This establishment has been closed for 5 years. The old woman who sold objects died. "No, she gave me this." Look ... she gave it to me.

—What are you saying, let's go home– she says as she takes my arm.

She (she sighed), I don't know what happened. But my mother told me that the same old woman who gave me the jewel died together with her loved one, and the bodies were never found. As if they had vanished into thin air.

Upon arriving at the house, she directed me to my room. In a hurry, I open my bedroom door and carefully placed it in a drawer under my bed. There, I keep the gifts from my beloved Adrean.

What happened to the merchant left me with an intrigue, I don't know how to explain it. It was truly creepy. I still smell the scent of the old woman.

I spend 1 month of that situation. I have had chilling dreams.

I was seeing Adrean's eyes as he was dying. My mother, he was next to me and my father was just standing a few inches from us. What will it mean? I've been repeating that dream for weeks, and I just can't find meaning in it concrete.

We are a few days before Christmas, there will be a dinner ... in which my parents will invite a very important friend of high birth. The King of France will be accompanied by his wife Margot and his son Prince Alexandre.

I have never lived with this Felipe, but I have heard some rumors that he is highly desired by the young women of France and of any country, for his elegance and beauty. Honestly, I don't care about that, I wouldn't change my dear Adrean for anything.

—My dear, you've been very quiet lately, something you want to share– says my father as he takes a piece of meat to his mouth.

"Well ... lately, father, I've had some very strange dreams." Mmmm ... rather the word would be disturbing; honestly it has not been due. But what I do know is that it doesn't matter. - I take a sip from the glass.

—You're right, but bear in mind that there are premonitory dreams. Maybe it's one of them, or not– and he looks at me indifferently.

—Tomorrow will be a very important day. The King of France, Arthur II and his family will come. I want them to be received as they deserve, and also to the other guests.

We all agree, for my father it is something very important, and that for the family is something important.

Finding combing my hair, and humming a melody heard a small noise. Coming from the window. I approach carefully.

—Come down, I'd like to show you something– Adrean says as he whispers.

I put on a blanket, and I am about to go downstairs.

—What's going on?– I say while I give him a hug.

—Come on, I want to show you something. I dreamed that a shooting star was going to pass, before midnight. So we are in time to contemplate the– my taking by the hand.

I headed up a mountain, and we lay down a few feet from the cliff. He takes me by the hand. And I can see in the distance, as a shooting star is approaching, I quickly make a wish. He wished to be with Adrean all his life, that we were happy and that we could have many descendants.

(he crossed the fingers of his right hand).

—And so it will be– he says as he touches my cheek.

—I want to be with you my whole life. You do not know how much I love you Adrean, for you I would give my life. I would leave my religion and even withdraw from my family. Without you, I really don't know what I'd do, maybe I was lost right now. I just want to be with you, until death do us part– I say as he kissed him.

If she hadn't found it that day, under that cherry tree, she would be lost right now. With a huge emptiness in my soul, I was in a huge agony, while sadness took over my eyes. However, God allowed me to find my half, my happiness. I do not demand anything else.

We stayed a few hours hugging, enjoying the heat that our bodies make, our sweet love. Enjoyed the wind; seeing the beautiful scenery, and the stars. The moon in front of us well aligned, as if it was waiting for this moment for years, as if it enjoyed this moment as we do.

The aroma of nature is linked with the aroma of Adrean. It is so comforting to be together with Adrean, after a long, heartbreak-filled weeks. He makes me fill me with life, energy and happiness. And so be able to bear what comes.

—Why me, Adrean?– I ask while looking into his eyes.

He looks at me, and smiles.

"Why do you fill me with peace and happiness." With you I can bear even torture; without even removing that smile that you get from me. It's as if ... as if we were linked, our story is to be together. Our mission is to create unforgettable moments. You are my adoration Jessabelle Jones - touches my cheek, and I gaze into her beautiful blue eyes.

Arriving at the mansion, I look at him one last time, and we part ways.

I lie back on my bed, looking out the big window. I can perceive that as I cannot sleep. I'm a little nervous about dinner tomorrow, it will be a great day.

(I tell myself as I slowly close my eyes).

—JESSABELLE JONES!– My father says as he prepares the shotgun.

—Father, please don't go crazy, he yelled as he took Adrean's hand.

—How dare you, ENTER YOUR ROOM RIGHT NOW, YOU WILL MARRY THE PRINCE. HA THAT PLEBEYO I WILL KILL HIM RIGHT NOW!– And he aims ... shoots.

—DAUGHTER!– My mother says as she begins to cry.

—Princess, please don't resist, please.

But she heard a second shot.

—Adre ... an. And he falls next to me, we look at each other and I can't help not crying. My life will end but before. - Don't ... worry my love, we will ... we will be together ... in ... this ... life and in ... others.- I close my eyes.

I wake up startled, drenched in sweat and in great anguish and despair. This dream is becoming too recurring, it is not pleasant at all.

(She heard some murmurs).

—Here he was ... where will he be? ... here he was ... where will he be? ..." and I go out the window.

—Excuse me, are you lost?– But she does not respond to my question.

—Here she was ... where will she be? ... Here she was, where will she be?– And she puts her hands on her head.

"LADY, DO YOU NEED HELP! ..." she yelled at him as he tried to see her face. Turn to see me, she is a girl of about 20 years, with clothes that do not belong to this time. She ignores me, as if not she will listen to me ... am I dreaming?

And I wake up, I see my mother having the windows.

—Oh dear, today will be a wonderful day. Everything is prepared, only the dresses, the crinolines and the corsets are missing. Mrs. Williams will be here at 1/4 to 4.

I dress properly, and go out into the huge garden. I can smell Adrean's scent, I can feel her caressing and her kisses.

I must be fasting to be able to wear the dress as it should. But I really don't have an appetite. I go back to the mansion, and there is Mrs. Williams.

—Let's get started– she says as she watches me.

—But of course– my mother says as she signals her to go up to the bedroom.

I find myself in front of the mirror, with a slightly sad look, but at the same time happy. Mrs. Williams, she's starting to get me ready to put on the corset.

—It's going to hurt a bit, but after you get used to it– she says as she smiles at me.

I nod, and it is fastened one by one of the clasps, I try to breathe as I can. At the end she continues with the ribbons, and that presses even more. And she continues with the crinoline. 6 hours passed, it is very long.

She looked at me in the mirror, this is fantastic.

—My magic is done– she says as she saves her items.

—This is wonderful. Thank you very much Mrs. Williams.

You have nothing to be thankful for, delighted to beautify a young lady like you, she says as she gives me a hug.

I leave the room and head downstairs to the main living room.

I see Prince Alexandre, blond hair, green eyes like nature and a snow white complexion.

—Oh, this is my daughter Jessabelle Jones– my father says as he pulls me up

—What a beautiful girl– says the king's wife.

—He is my son, Prince Alexandre– and she does a little salute.

We introduce ourselves properly, and I ask permission to join the party. My intention is really to find Adrean. But someone takes my arm.

—Excuse me for my insolence in touching you. Would you grant me this piece? Says Prince Alexandre, as he extends his hand.

I look around me, and nod.

—Miss. Jones, I would like to tell you that her beauty is very noticeable at the party. Can she notice how they watch her?– He whispers in my ear.

—I doubt it very much, they are watching you. Not me– and he separated me, we were face to face.

—She is certainly much more beautiful up close– and she smiles.

—He says the same to all of them, or has she already changed her tricks?– and he smiled to hide it.

—So she gets carried away by rumors. Let me clarify something, one thing is to be desired and quite another to let yourself be desired. I have never given encouragement to any of the young girls who made the rumors, that is why in revenge, they began to smear me. To make a fool of me– and she smiles at me.

—He may be right, but he certainly confirms it– and she looked at him with a serious face.

—Given her insolence, I would have already withdrawn from this party, yet I can see in her eyes that you are like that by nature. And without a doubt, she has been the only one of the girls I have known to speak in that tone to a prince. It's admirable– she smiles at me.

At the end of the melody, I quickly part with him and prepare to leave here, but I bump into someone.

—Jessabelle– Adrean says as he grabs my waist to keep me from falling.

—Nothing– I answer as I regain my composure. I've been waiting for your presence, dear friend.

—I was anxious to see that smile too– and he takes my arm.

—Would you grant me this piece– he asks as he extends his hand.

I nod quickly. We begin to move the body to the rhythm of the music, thus uniting into one. Everything around me fades away, as I close my eyes, the scent of Adrean mixes with my scent, I can feel my legs shaking even though they don't want this moment to ever end, while my lips demand to join Adrean's. And finally after savoring this moment, the music ends.

—I love you– he whispers in my ear.

And we parted ways. The party passed normally, but I could see that the prince did not stop watching me.

3 days passed since that party, it was 6 o'clock in the afternoon. When I received one of the most surprising news of my life.

—Aren't you going to say goodbye to Adrean? Says my mother as she blows air with a fan.

—What are you talking about?– I stand up.

—Adrean, he agreed to go to work with the King of France. Didn't he tell you– and she looks at me in surprise.

Tears wash over me, I run to Adrean's room, but there is nothing of his belongings. I run with all my might to the front door. And there she is, (she hugged him).

—Since you can do this to me, you can't leave– and I keep crying.

—Don't cry my dear Jessabelle, I'll be back. It will only be temporary, hub

I would prefer that you not find out, you would not have allowed me to leave. However, I can't stay here, I'll be a ship's captain - and his voice cuts out.

—You can't leave me, I need you. I yank him by his arm.

—See you soon my dear Jessabelle, she thanks you immensely for what you did for me– and he gets on the float.

—NO PLEASE NOO! DON'T LEAVE ME, I NEED YOU!– and I run to reach the float, but I trip— PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ME!

I put my hands on my face, why did you leave me? Don't you love me? I ask myself as I keep crying.

—My dear, stand up. Please, –my mother says as she takes my arm.

—NO AND LEAVE ME ALONE! I run to the mountain where we always went to see the stars, and I sit down to cry.

Because she left me, if she loves me. Isn't it anymore? What I did to deserve this, it had to be the day before Christmas, the gift I had prepared for him. I'm lost, I don't know what to do I'm too sad.

The hours passed, I stand up and head home.

—JESSABELLE!– My mother shouts. —We were looking everywhere for you, where were you? Are you okay?– And she checks me.

I'm lost in my thoughts, I don't want to speak, I can't articulate any words. She directed me to my room, with a silence. And I take a shower, I lay down on my bed and I start crying.

—Daughter, the food is ready– says my mother as she opens the door a little.

I don't answer anything, I just go round and round on the day of the party, when our bodies became one, and she looked at me with those blue eyes ...

(I start crying again).

And he became a routine, for 6 months.

—You haven't said a single word since that day doctor– says my mother and father.

—She suffered trauma, and right now she's in depression. I recommend not forcing her to do anything, otherwise they will make things worse. Give him teas to reduce stress, and also this medicine. It's made up of llerbas, it's very good— and they come out of the room.

I find myself, it is a chair, looking towards the large window. Staring into space. Remembered Adrean, the scent of him and the jewel that he was going to give her 6 months ago. All I do is cry uncontrollably, I can't control my emotions, I'm in shock.

One of the maids puts me on the bed.

And I start to cry, until I fall asleep.

—Don't cry anymore, my dear Jessabelle– I hear Adrean's voice in the distance.

—I'll be back, so we can both go away together. Now, stand up and show them how brave and powerful you are. I will always love you— I feel his warm hands on my face and awake.

I open the huge gold curtains, and I see the sunlight. I get dressed, and go down to breakfast.

—Jessabelle?– Says my mother, startled. And she starts to cry.

—Why are you sad? It's a very beautiful day– I say as I hug her.

And she nods. She had a quick breakfast, and she headed for a walk for a bit, and rode up to the cherry tree.

—I promise I won't cry again. I love you too— and I smile at the cherry tree, put the jewel around my neck and ride.

Among the trees I can see a cabin, and an old man.

—Good afternoon– I say while smiling.

—Good afternoon young lady, you must be Jessabelle, the daughter of the most important merchant here– and she puts a hand on her forehead so she can see me well.

—That's right, but just tell me Jessabelle– and I smile at her again.

—Could you help me cut firewood? I'm an old man and I can't push myself– The young man who came to help me disappeared a few months ago. And now I do not know what to do.

—Sure– I get off the horse and secure it so it doesn't escape.

The old man and I created a bond. He taught me to chop wood, to handle a sword and to use a bow. I changed my way of dressing, and my way of behaving, without losing that hint of my essence. I began to help my father, to lead the business.

—Okay, take it or leave it?, I ask crossing my arms.

—5 gold coins.

—I said, take it or leave it? I'm not going to lower the price, what you offer is a pittance. Have you gone to get married? Do you know the effort? If you're not going to buy it, get out of here and stay out of the way— and I signal you with my eyes.

—He bought it.– He takes out more coins and gives them to me, takes the skins and leaves.

At the end of the job, he directed me to tell everything. One boy snatches my bag.

—BASTARD BOY!– I took my bow, and took aim ... he relaxed and fired. I hit him in the leg.

I run, and smack him on the back with my arm.

—Please don't hurt me– and he hands me the bag.

And I look, and I hit it.

—THIS IS A LESSON FOR ALL THOSE WHO TRY TO GET READY!, He grabbed his hair, and dragged him to where he was.

—Damn rat, now you see, I took my sharp knife and cut off two of his fingers. He threw them in the mud.

(I spit).

—Let's go!– And he headed home.

Upon arrival, I find my mother making dinner.

—Oh my dear, how you've changed ...– I interject.

—Please don't remind me. I'll go take a shower, now under mother— and I kiss her on the cheek.

When going down to dinner I was in

I meet Prince Alexandre, in the doorway.

—You– I say in a cold voice.

—A pleasure to see you again– he said to him, pushed the housekeeper.

I try to slap him, but my father stops me.

—Control yourself– he says curtly.

I gulp, and he head to the dining room.

—I don't want to talk right now– I tell my mother.

—I'd like to say something to Jessabelle– and she looks at me.

—Adrean, I send my best regards. And I'm sorry she couldn't attend— and I look at him with contempt.

—He couldn't, or didn't you quit?– And my father looks at me.

—He couldn't miss– and he smiles.

—He didn't create you, not a single word of what your scavenger mouth says– I stand up.

—Sit down please– he says while giving a murderous look.

—You are nobody to order me around– and he headed for my room.

I look at the large window, and caress the jewel that he was going to give Adrean. A tear springs up, but he quickly wiped it away.

(They play).

—Come in– I say as I hide the necklace.

And Alexandre passes.

—I'm sorry if I bother you, at dinner– and he walks over.

She ignored it.

—Remember that evening, 2 years ago. When you told me how you really felt, and I told you that you were very brave. That day I understood what love at first sight really is. I fell in love with you Jessabelle Jones. These last few years I have been ordering my feelings, and I cannot contain myself anymore. I've tried to forget her, but I honestly can't. You are nailed to my heart— he approaches, tries to kiss me.

—Get away from me, I don't even hurt you. He doesn't deserve my love, and he knows why, because he's a shameless bastard. So, if you don't have anything else to say, go away GET OUT AND NEVER COME BACK!– And she kisses me forcibly.

This kiss tastes sour to me. It's disgusting.

He slapped him.

—You are truly unashamed.– I wipe my lips, and cast it away.