11 : THE STABLES

CHAPTER 11

NEOLA

'What? Oh my god, Neola!' I pulled the phone off my ear to avoid myself from going deaf. Geez, the woman can scream.

"Yep. He already knows that I am Neola." I sat down on the couch near the window which overlooks the sea as we both talk. We are back in Normandy, France. The view was just breathtaking I almost forgot that I was talking to Elle.

'Then what will happen now? Am I going to get murdered?'

"No, of course! You silly. He doesn't know that--"

"Doesn't know what, exactly?" I turn around just in time to see his smirk turn into a full blown smile. "Lucas, didn't your mother taught you that eavesdropping is not good." I whisper shout at him as I cover the speaker on the phone. He just laugh at my worried face as Elle asked out loud, 'Am I hearing my brother laughing right now?' I didn't have the time to answer her as the phone was suddenly snatched from my hold.

"Yes, you are."

I just have to admit it to myself that no matter how I reject my feelings, it still wouldn't fade. I mean look at his face.

"What is it that you two are talking about before I arrive?" He said to her on the phone which made me stare at him in a ridiculous manner. I mean, I didn't expect that he could be so nosy for a guy!

'Oh Luke. Easy, we're just-'

"We are talking about the wedding and the responsibilities that will come with it." I answered in a manner that would've made me laugh if some person did it instead of me.

'Yep. That's it. She already said it. Bye.'

"Elle, wait!" But his answer got caught between the ending call and my giggle.

He pulled away the phone from his ear and stared at the screen. "This is Jacob, right?" He ask me, his voice edgy.

"That's him when we went at the beach four years ago. He was so chubby and a very hyper one year old." I didn't receive an answer from him as he held my phone on his hands. "I miss that little prince..." I whispered and I was surprise when I hear a sniff, "Are you crying?"

"You know what? It doesn't matter." He nodded to himself before he sniff again. "The crowd will be expecting of us to make an appearance in the news. Meet me at the stables before ten, the TV crews will have the setup there." He leaned down and I though that he would kiss me but deciding against it as he dash for the door.

I breathe out a sigh of relief as I stared back on the window.

Did he say stables? Which meant horses....nope. But, I need to make an appearance. I need to make the king and the people believe in me.

Yet, the horse...

No. I need to be brave. I got to face this out now.

•

"Nu-uh. Not gonna happen!"

I cringe at the loudness of my own voice as I stay as far away as possible from the horse. "I just can't. Why don't you just ride around the town and I'll trail around you. Maybe I could ask for Argus to drive me around or something?" I sighed. I know this is a lost cause but I got to try. I mean, I can't ride on that thing! I just...can't.

"Neola, please. You gotta try this, it's very enchanting once you are here, seeing the world from the level you haven't even imagined. Plus, Midnight here is a very nice horse. I won't let anything bad, happen. Trust me." He extended out his hand as he tried to lean closer to me as far as the horse shall allow him. Staring back at the black creature and him, I made a last request, "I'd wear a helmet before I ride on that thing."

And I am serious. They handed me a red helmet and I shakily pulled it on my head. Staring back at the creature again, I whispered a silent prayer before I was helped by the guards to his arms. The maids giggle as I settle on the front.

"Open your eyes, Neo."

He was not lying when he told me that riding a horse was enchanting. For me, my description would be majestic. I mean, it was crazy that the tree branch is just on our eye level and that I could easily see every guard's and maid's face across the lawn as the creature starts to move.

Did I just say, it starts to move?

"Luke!" The little shriek came out unexpected as I had my mini heart attack. "Are you sure I wouldn't fall?" I whispered for I am afraid to turn around because I might just fall back and conk my head on some stone or something. "You wouldn't, love."

He smiled before he kicked the horse side and the creature began moving faster. "Oh no...oh no noooooo! Luke, make this thing stop, Luke." I grip his hand and stared ahead as the trees blurred past us and we start to gallop through a small village with banners and such. "Luke please."

"But we haven't reached the town yet. They've been waiting for us for the last thirty minutes of your whining."

"Then why didn't we just take the car? It's faster than this, this thing!"

I can feel him huff on the back of my head as he kick the horse which made it only go faster, "Luke!"

"It is a tradition for the prince to parade with his fiancé using a horse. Plus, we need to arrive with style." I bit my tongue to avoid myself from snapping another remark. I mean, a Ferrari would be far better than Midnight.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here to support you." I hold on to that and on his hands as we thrive deeper on the small village.

I was about to ask him about what happen a while a go when a small drop of rain fell on my helmet.

"Luke, I think it's about to rain." And as if to prove my point, the rain poured down on us uncontrollably making the horse rush for shelter.

I shuddered as we went down the horse. He help me go down and we both settled on the floor, our clothes wet. I look at him as he wince, his wound might open up if he continue to do this. It's been two weeks since the accident and his wound is still raw in the inside I keep on trying to catch his gaze but he refuses to meet my eye. He tied the horse on the side of the shelter and settle next to me.

"I am really sorry if I snapped at you a while ago. I'm just, I got annoyed with what you say and I got irritated and--" I put a finger on his lips to make him stop mumbling. His eyes bored unto my own as we both look at each other.

"I always do that. Getting everyone annoyed or irritated by my presence because of the words I say." I sigh and pull away from him, settling on his side. "You really did miss little Jacob, though." His head snap at my direction as his eyes asked me the question. I just nod at him and said, "I just kind of know it."

He frown a little before he stare at me. "You are right. I really do. I missed him so much. The five years I've been away is so hard and I thought I can just get away like that. Pretend it never happen, you know that kind of thing."

My eyebrows furrowed as he pause making me say, "But, no. You cannot and you know that. You can't just vanish and think that they will forget about you as you thought they would. Disappearing like that only make them remember you more because they keep on wondering where you are or what you are doing or if you are still alive!"

"That is just you, Neola. Not all people will miss me like you do. I'm a wanderer. I didn't even do something to really remind you that I am some kind of a superhero of such."

"But you save, Elle. You're kind of a hero, too. "

"I just do what a concern citizen

would do in times of crisis." He smiled at me and we sat there in the silence. The rain pouring down on us and the occasional whine of the horse is the only indication of the ceremony of which we have delayed again.

"Why did you go then?" My voice floats back on the empty space between us as he sat across me.

"I was scared."

"Scared, of what? Of Gabriel? He's only jealous because he thought you are scoring with Elle. But when he finally founds out that you and her are siblings, he--"

"He asked for me to stay away from her, Neola. For numerous times I received threats yet I didn't back out. But then when he showed me those documents about her being my sister and the letters I've sent to her foster parents reminded me our ugly past."

He pulled me in and just held me close before his shaky voice came out again. "The real truth is I sold my sister, Neola. I sold her to a wealthy couple so she won't have to suffer more on the hands of our aunt. She beg me, Neola. The first time was worse when we were at our relatives in Germany. They always make her clean the floors while I tend to the horses. Sometimes we don't even eat and her cries just make me feel worse because I cannot take care of her as I promise our father..."

Tears fell on the sides of his face as he continue, "it was really a luck when I offered to just take her and sell her to those wealthy couples at Switzerland. My aunt agreed without second thoughts because she hated my sister for Ela reminded her of our mother. Ela cried so much when I took her at the docks. She kept crying out for help, asking me to save her until they finally let go of her and let her run. Then she trip and fall unto the water. I got really scared when I pulled her out there, her hair dripping and her mouth is blue from the freezing water.

"I thought I'm gonna loose her , Neola. I pumped her chest and push oxygen from my lungs to supply hers. When she finally cough out all the water, I ran away from there and never look back. I didn't even say goodbye to my little sister, no kiss nor hugs. I left her there without even getting the money..."I could feel him rocking his body with me on his arms as he sniff.

"That's why I am so scared to go back and face her. I am afraid that now that we know the truth we will be both held responsible for the royalty. But she has face the worst and I don't want our past resurrecting and ruining what might still be a chance of us reuniting as a family." He pulled away and wipe the sides of is face. Clearing his throat, he stood and dust himself, "Grandpa has talked to me this morning, the chosen maiden will arrive next week." His announcement shocked me. I watch as he untied the horse. He climbed up the horse and said, "You don't have to worry about anything. We will proceed with the engagement before she arrives. I will be giving my Grandpa a chance but only a false hope. I assure you that you won't be left out."

He lean on the farthest back before he offered me his hand, "Come on, the rain had stopped pouring, we have to get going if we ever wanted to give this a shot. "

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