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Where's My Happy Ending? ((butterfly0408/Kolath))

She really thought she was just talking to someone else of her own station, and so she was a little more loose then she would be with someone higher then her. Crista thought he knew the same pains of working a hard days work that she did and so she rolled her eyes and laughed a little, "It's really a grass is always greener situation. You say it must be nice to be me, but I think it must be nice to be you." Turning to the merchant she didn't even think to ask for something for herself and just paid him for the books and the mirror from the purse that Aiden had handed her. He sighed a little, disappointed to not make more of a sale. "The candles are not far from here. This way," she said pointing and handing him back the purse of coins, leading him that way.
 
He nodded a little and turned to walk with her. â??So the books are for the baron and the mirror for the baroness I take it?â? he didnâ??t see many women reading not that he was against it just that he didnâ??t see it that often but when he did it impressed him. in fact it was one of the things he wanted to see in the girl that he wanted to marry. She needed to be interested in expanding her horizons. He turned to look at Crista for a moment, wondering if she read or at least was interested in reading. It wasnâ??t the having read or expanded her horizons that interested him in a girl it was the desire to read. â??Do the baron and baroness allow you to have time to yourself to read?â?
 
"No, neither is for the baron OR the baroness. They are for the baroness's daughters. She has two of them. The candles we are going to pick up and the wine are for them actually." When he then asked her if she read... she paused a moment. "I don't really have time to myself nowadays. So much to be done and all. The mistress is not happy until everything is perfect. Besides... I only have about three of my own books. They are so worn now you can't hardly read the words any longer. Plus, I've read them each so many times I know them by heart now. What's the point in reading them again when they are in my head."
 
He smiled nodding knowing just what she meant. There were a few books that he loved so much that he had committed them to memory also but she had so few books that it didnâ??t matter what they were she had memorized them just because they were hers. It was nice to know that she could at least read. â??Ah I understand working all day leaves little time for reading.â? He nodded as though he was totally in agreement and understanding but he really had little to no clue about it since he hadnâ??t worked a day in his life.
 
He had her fooled. She really thought he did understand and was just wording the hard truth nicely. "You could say it like that I suppose." The hard truth was more like she was so overworked it was impossible to stay awake long enough to pick up a book let alone read it. Soon they were at the next stall, filled with all kinds of candles. She pointed to the simple red ones just like the ones that were broken in half. After a quick swapping of coin, the candles joined the other items in her basket and it was off to the last stall for the wine. Their time was started to run out. Having gotten over her original shock and horror now, she was much more competent to hold a conversation, "I'm so sorry about this. It must be setting you back so much. It's not like a stable hand's salary can compare to my masters coin. I promise I am going to find a way to earn the money and pay you back."
 
He laughed lightly shaking his head about to brush off the money as he had his entire life but realized that the guy he was portraying would not be able to just brush it off. â??Wellâ?¦I had some saved up so it doesnâ??t really set me back just have to save more up now but its ok after all I did owe you since I was the reason you broke everything.â? He paid the stall worker for the wine nodding as he placed it in her basket. â??Now then what shall we do? There is a beautiful fountain over that way.â? He pointed toward the center of the market not noticing the time as it was getting on toward noon.
 
She smiled a little warmly but shook her head, "I am already going to have to run to make it home for noon as is. I sorry but I can't waste another second here today." She started to move away without even giving him a chance to protest or stop her. At least this time they were parting on a much more positive note and with more information about one another... even though all she knew about him was a lie besides his name. "Thank you again Aiden. And I don't care what you say, I WILL pay you back. Good bye!" She turned then and quickly started to head down the path. She had not exaggerated, she was going to have to run to make it without getting herself a beating.
 
Aiden stood there watching her run off about to call out and stop her wanting to spend more time with her, but she was gone before he could. Smiling to himself he started wondering through the streets not looking at anything a strange feeling rolling over him almost as though his feet werenâ??t touching the ground. It took him a second but he finally noticed the strange looks he was getting from people in the market for the second day in a row that he had been out here. Shaking his head he smirked slightly and hurried off to the castle slipping in the back way. He was going out tomorrow to see her again seeing as she said she would be out there every morning he wanted to spend more time just getting to know her.
 
The list for the day... yet another bottle of wine, a bottle of Juliet's favorite perfume... how VERY happy she was that it was not a request for some kind of item she knew would be used against her later! That was a change. Then there were ribbons for one stepsister's hair and a set of different books for the other. The last ones were not at all to her liking. She burned them even and smacked Crista for picking such horrible books for her. Crista felt horrible watching them burn to ashes in the fireplace, for it was like watching Aiden's money burning away.

Aiden.

She smiled thinking about him. Fate had given her a second chance with him. A second chance at having a friend at last, even if she only saw him once in a blue moon. It was nice to have someone to look forward to possibly seeing.

She wondered if she was going to see him again today. Hoping so, anticipating so, she hurried to her all her shopping done. The more time she could have with him the better. She had the wine, perfume, and books already. As she was picking out the ribbons, the salesmen was trying to sell her something more, "Are you certain all you need is the ribbons?"

"Yes, that is all that is on my list for the day."

"Ahh, a list for your employer? Then why not get a little something for yourself? A pretty lady like you deserves her own ribbons for her hair."

She laughed a little, "I have no where to wear hair ribbons."

"But that does not mean you should not have them for wearing just to feel like a lady."

"I am no lady sir, just the one set of ribbons please."

But he was not so easily swayed. He would not give in without a fight. "Okay, so no ribbons. But have you not ever thought of a little something for yourself? Something pretty. Not ribbons, perhaps... This!" he held up a folded hand held fan and snapped it open. He smiled catching Crista's first reaction to it. It really was a well made, beautiful ladies' fan. Something to use for flirting with a handsome gentleman from across a room at a party. "This for example! I can see in your eyes you like it, yes? Made with a delicate hand Very nice!"

It was colorful! Black lace with a bright hand embroidered butterflies and flowers all over it. Yes, it was something Crista would have loved to have for herself... when she was still a baron's daughter. But not now that she was a baroness's slave. "It is lovely sir, but please, just the ribbons. That's all I need."

"But is it all you want?"

She paused a little and sighed, "Will you sell me the ribbons or will I need to take my business to another vendor?"

Defeated, the seller finally gave up the fight and sold her what she asked for, nothing more. The whole exchange left Crista thinking over all the things she could have had if she father had not married Juliet. They could be happy. She could have pretty dresses and nice things instead of the rags she wore and the few meager possession she had left in this world. It left her feeling depressed and missing her past life. More then just her life. Her father. He had been taken from her and the truth was, she would live a hundred lives like the one she was living now if she could just have him back.
 
Aiden had been up early going out to his motherâ??s garden finding it empty and taking a single yellow rose from it. he hoped that Crista would be in the market again today so he went prepared to see her. Christian was waiting by the wall door looking very stern when Aiden tried to slip out of it. â??And just where are you off to my prince?â?

Aiden shrugged, â??I am off to learn to be normal if it is any business of yours.â? Trying to slip past his loyal protector was proving to impossible and finally Aiden sighed, â??If it is any of your business I am going to get a job at the Green Dragon Inn.â?

Christian froze in shock at that and Aiden was almost able to slip past him before the guard stopped him once again. â??Why are you getting a job?â?

Aiden folded his arms over his chest sighing and after a short contest of wills, which Aiden lost. He finally told Christian the whole story about how he had lied to Crista and now had to do something to make it true.

Throughout the story Christian had to hide his smile and finally was just about rolling on the ground in stitches. â??You barely know the girl and already you are lying to her.â? finally gaining control of himself Christian shook his head slowly wiping away a tear. â??But seriously why did you have to pick the Green Dragon?â?

Aiden shrugged, â??Itâ??s the only one that I could remember being spoken of as though it was somewhere that no one that would know me would go. Which if I ever had to prove that I worked there I would not want someone ruining everything by calling out to me as â??Prince Aidenâ??â?

Aiden went to leave again and Christian stopped him sighing, â??Let me go and get you a job there your highness you should go talk to that girl see if she is even in the market today. I will make sure the innkeeper understands enough to make sure your safe but not treated as a prince.â?

Aiden nodded and before long the two parted ways the prince heading into the market. It was not long before he spotted her just buying some ribbons from a vender he smiled and walked over to her holding the single yellow rose behind his back. â??Hello there. Fancy meeting you here.â?
 
She gasped as she turned and once again there he was. Her shocked look however turned into a smile for once as she greeted him happily. His presence seemed to push away all the demons and bad thoughts that had just been haunting her mind. "Aiden. Hello there. Fancy meeting you here indeed. And we didn't crash into one another or break anything this time." Her smile truely was charming and genuine as well.
 
He was captivated with her smile and couldnâ??t help but return it. â??Indeed I believe I can only afford one of those a month.â? He chuckled in jest making it clear that he was merely teasing. He couldnâ??t resist any more and taking a step closer to her now a little closer then arms reach he brought the yellow rose out from behind his back. â??For you my lady, I thought a newly blossoming yellow rose fitting seeing as it signifies a new friendship.â? His smile shone lightly in the sun almost seeming to have a light of its own in its happiness and sincerity.
 
A handsome man... giving her flowers. She blushed as she reached out to accept the beautiful flower and truly thoughtful gift from him, "Oh Aiden. It's so thoughtful of you. You really didn't have to do it. I mean, what if we had not run into one another? You would have looked awfully silly walking around the market holding a yellow rose all day long. Not very manly now, is it?"
 
He blinked, he had honestly not thought of what would have happened if he had not run into her and in truth it was a bit shocking that they had. â??Iâ?¦well then I would have looked silly and not very manly in hopes of seeing you. However since I have run into you I look like a very thoughtful and considerate if slightly shortsighted man.â? He smirked playfully, he motioned out toward the rest of the market, â??Shall we walk since fate seems to want us to meet?â?
 
Smiling somehow even brighter she nodded her head in agreement, "A walk would be lovely. I do have some time before I need to start heading him, and my errands are all done for the day." It was such a lovely day and indeed fate was on her side. She deserved one nice day every now and then, didn't she?
 
He smiled and gently slipped a arm around her waist his hand resting on a acceptable place on her lower back merely to show that they were walking together and he was guiding her bit trying to mean anything else. He walked in silence for a moment trying to think of where they could go or what could be said. He snapped his fingers suddenly, â??Have you ever had a chance to see the public gardens that the king made for people to enjoy?â? he was just looking for a way to spend more time with her.
 
A very small gasped escaped her lips as his hand touched her back. It was totally appropriate, yes, but she had never walked with a handsome man before. She had never walked with ANYONE before. This was a total change of her daily routine. Blushing, she stuttered a little with her response, "N-n-no... I... I haven't. I've... I've had a reason to before... and it's a bit out of my way from my daily errands."
 
He smiled and gently reached over to take her basket from her for a moment his arms were almost totally around her body. Though shockingly he didnâ??t do it on purpose he was just trying to be a gentleman. â??They are well worth seeing. Come on if you have about half an hour we can go see them and have some good time just chatting as we walk the paths through them.â?
 
Her face was down right red as he was all but hugging her. However, she didn't say anything to stop him. Who knew how long it would be before she had a happy day like this again? She was going to take every moment of it for all it was worth. "How fortunate, a half an hour is just about all the time I can spare without having to run all the way home again like yesterday. I was so out of breath when I reached it, I was very lucky no one wanted me to speak during lunch service."
 
He chuckled softly nodding as she mentioned about having to run home. He still could not understand first how someone so beautiful could be a commoner it just wasnâ??t fair. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen and she was below his station to marry. However he also wondered how someone could be so uncaring toward their servants to not care that they were out of breath. He led her through the market over to another square that was not that far away. Throughout the square were hedges and trees and all sorts of plants that you would find in a garden. â??Well here we are, what do you think?â? all the flowers were just starting to bloom and show their colors so color was everywhere.
 
Looking about, she had a sort of shimmer in her eyes. "It's beautiful. Reminds me of my mother's gardens..." she had not even realized what she said until after it had slipped out. The manor once had beautiful gardens that was her mother's pride and joy. After she died, it feel into horrible condition until one spring, just a few years before her father passed one, together they restored it to it's glory once more. And once again, with the death of a loved one it had fallen into disarray. The garden was in the back of the house so Juliet cared little for if it was tended. Only the front mattered. Juliet was the queen of facades.
 
He stopped at that looking at her, how had her mother had a garden like this? There was no way that a mere servantâ??s family had been able to have the land to house a garden that would even compare to this. He had only heard of a few gardens that besides the palace gardens even came close to this one. Only one he had not seen with his own eyes because it had fallen into disrepair when he was very young and never achieved it glory again. He blinked, â??Really? I think you are hiding something from me then. Or did your mother work in a garden like this?â?
 
She panic a moment, thinking she'd have to tell him the truth, but thankfully... he gave her her own excuse. How kind of him. "Well, it was LIKE it was her garden. That was her... uh, her job in the house. She tended the gardens at the house. She was always out their working in them. Until she died. After that, no one could ever do the gardens justice like she could. It was like they refused to grow for anyone after she passed on. My father and I tried once later. It was close, but nothing like she had been able to do with it," she sighed and shrugged.
 
He nodded seeing that it made perfect sense that she would think of that as her motherâ??s garden. He gently touched her shoulder looking into her eyes from beside her. â??Iâ??m sorry that your mother is gone. I canâ??t imagine what it must be like to lose someone that close to you. â?? he smiled comfortingly to her the back of one finger brushing over her cheek as he sighed. â??Come let us go walk and remember your mother in good times as we do.â?
 
She walked with him, but there was not much she could speak of, "The truth is... that garden is the only real memory I have of my mother. She died when I was very young. All I have left are flashes of memory, seeing her there among the flowers..." she trailed off a bit.
 
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