A Guilty Conscience

As Renat stood by the door he smelled a faint fragrance. It wasn't overpowering or too sweet. The Fragrance almost reminded him of spring. Renat opened his eyes and looked toward his desk. There sat a beautiful, brunette writing away on what seemed to be his Flyer Blueprints. Renat was stunned speechless. Not sure what to do in this situation.

He approached the beauty. Her head was still down starting at the blueprints in front of her as her hands continued to draw. She seemed to be in a trance as she worked. Renat after observing her work couldn't help but be surprised. If he understood correctly. The maid was adding exactly what he had been musing about not long ago. It was being drawn into existence before his very eyes.

Allison didn't even acknowledge his presence. He did not get upset but was even more fascinated. It seemed that he and the young maid had more things in common than he'd liked to admit. He too would drown everything out to complete his work. There they stood. Both entranced, one drawing the other watching in fascination.

When Allison finally looked at her work she stared at it in shock. While it looked like she was drawing on her own, her "mother" had been guiding her all this time. Allison had also gained some understanding of the blueprint. Working on it enough had allowed her to know what certain parts did and how they worked. It was simple enough for her untrained mind to understand.

Renat approached her from the side giving her a scare.

"This is amazing", he said in all honesty. There was nothing that got him more excited than learning and seeing something new. He looked at the girl with such an intense gaze that Ally couldn't help but blush.

"How did you come up with this? This is ingenious. I wouldn't have been able to make something so refined on the first try. "

"I... can't say", responded Ally. How could she tell him her late mother gave her all these ideas? Would he not look at her as if she were crazy?

"No...No... you're right it is improper of me to inquire about your methods for free like this. I'm sorry I got so caught up I couldn't help but be rude." He said in exasperation.

"No your fine," she said a little more forcefully than she meant to. She didn't want to reject his request in any way. She just didn't know how to respond. "I..."

"No, it's alright. You've done a lot for me with this modification. You've all but guaranteed that I will be able to build the prototype in a few days. Four or five at the most, he interrupted.

As Renat was speaking an internal battle was going on between Allison and a voice in her head.

'You must Ally. Now is the time'

'Mother I can not. It is too improper.'

'You were always running off and playing in the dirt like one of the boys. Claiming to be an explorer. What would you know about what is proper for a lady to do or not?'

'MOTHER', Allison yelled internally. Her face went red as she contemplated what her "mom" asked her to do.

'You can do it, Dear. My forest pixie is the bravest girl I know. It is now or never.'

Allison sighed. She took a moment to gather herself and steel her resolve. 'Mother is right I can do this. If I do not tell him how I feel now. I will never do it.'

Renat meanwhile was engrossed in Allison's ingenuity.

"The wheels don't need power in the air so creating a lever to remove the gear turning them is indeed brilliant. That way the passengers don't have to waste....."

Renat's speech was abruptly cut off. A soft pair of lips had found themselves pressed against his own. His mind had short-circuited trying to process what was happening. His eyes were wide open to see Allison's beautiful face so near his own. He reflexively closed his eyes as he grew embarrassed from starting at her so close.

The closing of his eyes thou seemed to enhance his other senses. It was as if a bolt of electricity was sent from his lips down his spine. Butterflies began to flutter in his stomach. He felt Allison's hands lightly gripping fabric on his chest, as she pressed into him. It was as if at that moment time had stopped freezing them both in place.

"Did you have to freeze them both like this?" Asked Persephone.

"Of course who knows if he would fall with her leaning into him like that and use that to escape"

" So how is this supposed to make him forget Mairwen?"

"So many questions just watch," Sophia harrumphed. Though her plan was going well she couldn't help but be a little irritated by what she was seeing. Though Renat would never admit it. She could tell he enjoyed the feel of such a delicate woman pressed against him. She could also feel the guilt rising because of that enjoyment and would have to let them move soon. Lest he notices he is not frozen from shock but magic. It was all a delicate balance.

'I'm kissing him,' Allison said to herself. 'This was all worth it. I'll remember this moment forever.'

Instead of Renat, it was Allison who pulled away first. She separated just enough their lips to part. She mustered all her courage and spoke.

"I have liked you since the moment I saw you. Others might think of you as lanky or unattractive, she said remembering the words of her fellow maids. They swore the princess would ever be attracted to such a boy, " but to me, you are the most handsome man I've ever seen. You are smart and adorable. Capable and brave. Sweet and passionate. The only man I'd want to be close to. I like you Renat and could very easily come to love you. I'd hope you give me the chance."

After saying all that she lightly kissed him on the cheek and ran out of the room. She didn't wait to hear his response because her heart told her that he would reject her. It was a beautiful moment that would have been perfect. If only not for one thing. He never kissed her back. The kiss was long enough for him to and he never did. If feelings were there for her even unconscious ones he would have kissed her back.

It had taken all her resolve to say those words, but her mind told her that she was rejected even before it came to an end. The more Allison thought about it the more tears began to well in her eyes. She had made it to the door hoping against hope that he would stop her. She even turned to see if she could read his emotions through his face. All Allison saw was pain and what looked like anger. She was crushed. Allison rushed out as fast as she could lest the tears that threatened to fall make her look worse than she was now feeling.

"Looks like your plan didn't work," said Persephone. "I'll be sure to make it quick and painless. Though I can't say it will be painless for you."

"Didn't work?" Sophia chuckled. "It's going just as planned. Now it's time for the Coup De Grace. By tomorrow morning he will never want to see Mairwen again. He will be much too ashamed to face her. Who knows in two weeks when he leaves Valiant. He might even be taking along a young beauty. Don't forget to hide Renat's work well. We can't let those gnomes interfere with my perfect plan."

Persephone could only nod. She honestly felt Sophia was enjoying this too much. It's a good thing the maker was on their side or their plans would not be going this smoothly.

Renat stayed rooted to the ground for a long time. He could not help it. His thoughts whirled about his mind akin to a cyclone. He felt angry with himself. Why did he enjoy the kiss at first, before realizing what he was doing?

Did he draw Allison in? Even though he could guess her feelings a bit. Why did he allow her so close? How could he not recognize the pain in her eyes as she left? it was the same pain he felt after his dream. Confessing to someone who does not feel the same. What was he doing really? Why chase a princess that he was unworthy of? Would he risk his friendship with her for these fleeting feelings? Fleeting they were based on how he initially reacted to Allison.

"Ahhhhh," he screamed in frustration. He tossed the blueprints aside and flopped onto the couch. He tossed and turned on the chair for a few hours. Brinn came to see him, but he refused to talk to her. So She sat on him and gave him a headlock noogy till he spoke.

"I'm not sure I love Mairwen." He balled finally.

"You're an idiot for a guy with such a big brain," Brinn said, Not acting surprised at all. She knew enough of what happened around her to have some idea. "If you didn't love her would you even be this sad at whatever is bothering you? Do I have to get a new maid?"

"No!!" Renat panicked. He did not feel the maid should be punished for her feelings, and if he was being honest he was a bit flattered when she called him handsome but that was beside the point.

"Don't do anything I will handle it. For someone who can't feel love, you are quite knowledgeable"

Brinn shrugged, "What can I say I'm an elf of many talents. If you're not better by tomorrow. We can delay the plan or maybe I can think of another way to get them out. This is taking longer than I would like. King Barf is building new guest rooms for his trophies. I need your head in the game"

"Don't worry my head is just fine. Now please get off me so I can sleep." With Brinn looking like Mairwen she was starting to affect him.

"Okay loverboy, Good Night."

Renat nodded. It didn't take long for him to drift off even though he hadn't eaten dinner.