"Sorry to startle you, Marie," Caelem smiled.
Mariana took a step sideways creating a decent distance between them. "You scared me. What are you doing here at this hour?"
It was long past dinner time. He had never stayed this late in her house. Him arriving now did not feel a good thing. Mariana was already scared from his behaviour these days. Staying alone with him seemed a bit awkward. Should she call out to aunt Penny?
"I wanted to apologise to you," Caelen said before Mariana could think further.
"What?"
"Yes, forgive me please." Caelen looked normal, just like he used to be before proposing marriage to her.
"Don't look at me like that, Marie. I am serious. I know I hurt you yesterday. But I cannot control myself when I think about loosing you."
"Caelen, I-"
"Please let me finish?" He asked with an innocent tilt of her eyebrows.
Deciding to hear him, Mariana nodded her head.
He smiled. "It's just that I always thought we love each other. Ever since I understood what is love, I have loved only you."
Mariana's breathing increased. She could understand how hurtful he must've felt when she had broken his heart.
Caelen continued. "Now when you told me you don't love me in return, it was a shock to me. Very unexpected. And that made me react that way. Could you forgive me for that?" He took her hands in his. "And now I am not the one who proposed you. I am standing here as your best friend. Can you forgive your best friend?"
Mariana looked at her best friend and felt a stab on her heart. How lovely things used to be between them. How happy they used to be. Caelen was her only friend all these days. Veronica and Martha were harldy available to her. Now when she looked at him, she saw that same Caelen looking back at her. Mariana could forgive him anything. Yes, he had hurt her, but now he was apologising.
Mariana too, was going to apologise to the king tomorrow for behaving in a wrong way with him. If she deserved the king's forgiveness, them surely Caelen deserved hers.
Summoning a small smile on her lips, she nodded.
Caelen widened his smile. "Thank you, Marie. You are a dear."
Mariana decided to make her feelings clear to him. "Caelen. I want you to accept that I am not going to marry you. Can you do that?"
"No, Marie."
Mariana frowned. However, before she could open her mouth, he spoke.
"I am going to wait for your answer."
Mariana opened her mouth to say that it was futile but he raised his palms up, again stopping her. "You can take your decisions. But I will wait for a week. You think for this week and after then, whatever answer you give me, I will accept it happily. But I just want you to have a thought about it. Then, I would be glad with your answer and I qould respect it."
Mariana breathed long. If he was ready to show an understanding for her, then she too, was ready to bid his wish. She could let him wait a week and then she would tell him the same answer. He promised he would accept that and then Mariana would be free of this emotional torture. Again, listening to him,
she nodded her head.
Caelen's smiled widely and then suddenly he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her.
Mariana was shocked.
"Caelen," she pushed him away. "This is not right Caelen. I don't want you to touch me this way." She felt vulnerable suddenly. Weak and confused.
When she looked up at his face, he looked hurt.
But then, smiled. "Sorry, Marie. I am just so happy that you agreed to think about me for a week."
Mariana averted her eyes. "You should go now. The hour is late and it's not proper that we are alone."
"Alright," he nodded his head. "I'll see you later."
Mariana dipped her chin in a nod.
"Good night, Marie."
"Good night, Caelen."
Mariana reached the palace very early the next morning.
Mr. Lawrence assisted her in climbing down the carriage. Closing the carriage door, Mr. Lawrence caressed his hand on the horses's neck. Mariana smiled looking at the connection. She loved when that day the horses nuzzled her hands. She wanted very dearly to buy them. Not just for the travelling, but for having someone to silently share the affection. To spend time with them when she didn't want to talk or face someone but still wanted a listener.
Last few days, she had experienced many such times because of Caelen.
A sigh left her lips thinking about last night conversation. She was glad Caelen was behaving in polite manner.
Ascending the front stairs of the palace, she started to scan the surrounding to find a glance of the king.
But failed to do so.
The butler came to receive her. The man was now familiar to Mariana and instantly informed that the princess was in the queen's room.
Obviously, she couldn't barge in Her Majesty's chamber, so the butler seated her in the sitting room. He went out of the room to inform the princess about her arrival and Mariana sat there waiting, fidgeting with the fingers on her skirts. She was in the same skirt and blouse she wore here on the first day. The day she had met the king.
She had once seen the king enter this very room when she had misunderatood him as a servant. Keeping her eyes on the door, she wished he could enter so she could apologise to him.
But Alas, he didn't come.
Should she look for him? The members here knew she was the princess's seamtress so nobody could blame her as an intruder.
Mariana stood up and walked out of the room. The corridor was silent, free of any guards or servants. She tiptoed through the corridor and reached a turn.
The left had a long corridor leading to another turn. And the right one had many chambers.
Mariana chewed her lip as she thought. The right had more chance that the king would be in one of the chambers. She took a long breath and turned right.
Standing before one room, she pushed slightly and opened the door.