Chapter
Twelve
The
Rendezvous
Apprehension
beleaguered the heart and soul of Marek, the pauper. He couldn’t find the
courage to tell Princess Alythia, whose names means truthfulness and could even
mean purity, his true feelings and intentions for her.
Marek’s anxiety even heightened
when he noticed that Alythia seemed to be avoiding her. There are occasions
that her enthusiasm in meeting him seemed to have waned.
“Perhaps she’s just
busy with so many thing,” Marek thought to comfort himself because he has
noticed that the princess has been occupied with extramural activities for
Excelion and she has been absorbed with her studies. And he doesn’t want to be
detrimental to her academic activities.
Although another
thought pervades his mind. “What if the princess has already formed in her mind
that I have other intentions to her? What if this is the reason why she is
avoiding me? What if she disdains the idea of being pursued by me?”
He decided till the
concluding term examinations were through. Christmas Day is also nigh. Perhaps
it would be fitting to confess his intentions by that time. But Marek’s heart
is not given to the idea. He is hopeful to join the princess’ circle of friends,
called Metoché, in their
travel to Balpine Shire. He was invited by no less than Alythia herself. And if
he would tell the princess his heart’s content before the trip then he might be
shorn of the opportunity to go with the group. Or they might push on with the
trip but they might feel ill at ease with each other’s presence.
While waiting for the
suitable time, he decided to chronicle the events in their friendship and his
prayers and consideration to pursue the princess. He wrote an allusion of their
life story. They were written on parchments fashioned as scrolls. His intention
is to provide a lead to what he intends to tell the princess, and also to
immortalize a love story that could be a beacon for others. He didn’t mention
of the authors identity but it would be clear in the story that it is him who
composed the narrative. He labored to think through what would be said in the
story. He researched and invented suitable names of people and places. He
worked several nights and labored till early mornings. The allusion was done
with much prayer because the skill to write has to be infused with the Master’s
inspiration. It still has to give due glory and honor to the Master.
He planned that he
would personally hand the last scroll to Alythia because the previous chapters
were given through a herald. Thus he fervently hoped that Alythia will
favorably read what he wrote.
A few days before the
trip, Freia asked Marek if he would join them in the trip and he confirmed his
attendance. There was a concern however. Her father might not allow her to go
up to Balpine Shire because a stagecoach mishap happened. But Marek’s hope was
high because Alythia was already allowed by Lord Demas to go. He prayed to the
Great Master intervention. Perhaps he could have a chance to speak with her in
the cold mountains of Balpine Shire.
It was midnight after Christmas Day when
Alythia, Marek, Freia, Alfric Horus and Lady Edisia traveled to Balpine Shire.
Pietro and Xalie followed a few hours after. Wahrin, also a member of Metoché, wasn’t able to go up with them because he had
organized an assembly in his province on the same date of the group’s vacation.
It was already
morning when they arrived. The group took their lodgings in the villa of
Freia’s family. The group rested for awhile and proceeded to tour the mountain
city. The princess was excited to wander around and was pleased to check on
whatever attracts her fancy. Marek just took delight in observing the princess.
But he and Freia were conscious of giving rein in her excitement so that she
might become prudent in the leisure.
Balpine Shire is
known for its lagoon. The group, while waiting for Pietro and Xalie’s arrival,
went to ride a boat in the lagoon. It was raining that time but it didn’t dampen
the joyful fellowship of Metoché.
They went to several
trade fairs and ate delicacies not to be found in Metoria. It was already
evening when Pietro and Xalie arrived from the lowlands. They were allowed to
rest for awhile. After which, they all went to a pie parlour.
After enjoying four
variants of pies, the group went home and retired their bodies.
The following day,
Marek was awakened by stomachache and by the alarm set by Alfric Horus. Alythia,
still sleepy, thought it was Marek’s doing, so she called his attention. Not
intending to cause another ruffle, he turned the alarm off and went down the
kitchen to prepare the breakfast.
Before going out for
another tour of the city, Alfric was asked by the group to lead devotion. It
was a pleasant sight to see friends worshiping the Great Master.
Marek couldn’t think
of engaging the Alythia in a conversation during that time. He wouldn’t want to
spoil Metoché’s enjoyment.
At a certain point
when Lady Edisia and Marek were left in the stagecoach station while other
members of the group attended to some errands, the latter confided his plan to
confess his proposal to court the princess. She asked him what would be his
response if Alythia’s response to his proposal is either negative or positive. He
said that he’ll respect whatever it’ll be, though it will be hard if it’s
negative. Then she just reminded him just to be ready for the pain if the
response is negative. This time, it seemed that Lady Edisia was not restraining
him to pursue the princess.
Then they all
gathered together again to check on a silversmith. They saw a design and each
bought a size that would fit their fingers. The ring would signify the unity of
Metoché’s friendship and fellowship. Marek realized that his fellowship with
the group is now legitimate. However, he realized that it would somehow affect
his plan to pursue the princess. He doesn’t want to waste the bond he has gained
just in case Alythia’s response is negative.
Freia and Lady Edisia
went home to Metoria early. Freia have
to attend an activity organized by Acropetros. The rest of the group stayed.
Marek decided to stay behind also, hoping he could take a chance to talk with
Alythia.
The following
morning, the remainder of Metoché went to the market to buy the rest of the
stuff that was not bought the other day. Marek brought them to Hangar to buy
baby carrots and strawberries for Alythia’s mother.
Then they left
Balpine Shire. Marek prayed that he’ll be able to bring Alythia home to their
villa and then give the last scroll before he would leave. The prayer was
granted but he was overwhelmed with cowardice and was unable to hand the last
scroll to her.
Intuition dictates
that Alythia knew already. The scrolls reveal so much information that won’t
escape the princess’ keen perception and understanding. There are also
occasions during the trip in Balpine Shire that the princess refuses Marek’s
courtliness. It confused him and broke his heart. Her refusal seems outright
avoidance of him. He tried to be discreet by being gallant to other ladies of Metoché.
Although there are also times that she would welcome his chivalry.
He went home feeling
fortunate with the experience he had. He gained new friends and got to know
them in a deeper way. The vacation also provided a venue to observe the
character of the princess. At the same time, he felt frustrated since he was unable
to confide his feelings to the woman she dearly loves and esteems in his heart.
New Year came and
he’s more anxious about getting an appointment with the princess. He’s wasting
opportunities already and he’s allowing himself to be enslaved by his fear.
He was already ardent
to propose when Paedagogue Ocythius came to him and asked him about his plan to
pursue his special someone from Excelion. Marek informed his paedagogue that he
will propose before long. Ocythius was stunned. He wasn’t expecting that it would
be that soon. He thought that he wasn’t really consulted by Marek. He inquired
if Marek’s decision matters to him and if his life with Acropetros was
considered. The questions penetrated his heart. The inquiries sounded like,
“You are not allowed to pursue anyone outside our kingdom.”
Marek believes that
he is being guided by the Great Master himself. He also knows that he gets
direction from the Book. And he did not lack counsel from his beacons. Ultimately,
regardless of the advices he receives, it is he who will decide. Thus he
defended his love for the princess by presenting his case. He told his
paedagogue that he didn’t disregard him and the kingdom of Acropetros.
He loves his instructor and his kingdom. But he also loves Alythia, in a
greater conceivable extent.
He also asked
Ocythius if he meant to ask him to postpone his proposal. He confessed his
anxiety that postponing might mislead Alythia since he already sent her the
scrolls and much have been communicated from it. He told Marek to pray.
It disturbed Marek so
much. His paedagogue really sounded as if he shouldn’t pursue Alythia. Though
disturbed, he was not dissuaded to pursue the princess. He really loves the
princess. His resolve was firm regardless if his proposal to court the princess
would be turned down.
The following day in
Potsherd Tavern, Princess Alythia seemed to have avoided him. It made him feel
awkward because almost all of their friends are also there and she’s the only
one who didn’t talk with him.
It is the same thing
the next day in the Chamber of Annals. He was looking for Alythia to invite her
to talk with him. She wasn’t in the Tavern. But he found her sleeping in the
corner of the Chamber. He waited outside till the princess awakes. Pietro came
and told him to wake up Alythia because she will be late in her class.
He headed to the
princess’ spot and found her to have awakened. She turned her head upon hearing
the voice of Marek. She appeared surprised seeing him. It seemed also that her
countenance was inquiring. “What are you doing here? Have you been there all
the while?” She looks angry. He told her that Pietro asked him to wake her up.
Realizing that she’s
already late, she ran to her class leaving Marek more troubled. He felt that
the situation is so dense and tense awhile back in the Chamber of Annals. He
really felt that they are getting uneasy with each other. The urge to talk with
her really settled in this time. He wanted to wait upon Paedagogue Ocythius
counsel but he deems that he won’t receive it that soon and prolonging his
confession with Alythia would jeopardize their friendship and with the rest of
the group.
Marek waited for her
class to finish and invited the princess to talk. She responded favorably with
the invitation. “Here’s the awaited rendezvous,” he said to himself. He sought the
intercession of Elder Kannon and his wife Iem. Then he went to talk with her.
He doesn’t know what
to really say but the inevitable is already in front of him. They went inside
the Potsherd Tavern. They sat face to face in the middle of the table where they
had their first proper acquaintance. But she decided to sit next to him to
avoid distraction from the outside.
He stammered. He was
just thinking of setting an appointment with her but she appeared adamant to
push on with their conversation. It seemed that she really wanted to talk with
him so he yielded.
He tried to muster
all his courage. He even thought of opening in prayer to ease his nerves. Voice
trembling and all, he confided that he is praying to pursue her. He prayerfully
tried to compose his thoughts and recounted how he ended up deciding to pursue
her. He mentioned things written on his personal journal and on the scrolls.
Marek paused and told
her that if she needs to think and pray about what have been said then he could
wait. But she seemed to be ready to tell him what’s on her mind.
Alythia told him that
she appreciates his transparency and willingness to tell her the truth. She
said that she appreciates him for trying to protect her from the people of
Excelion who are talking about her or the two of them. She realized that
somehow someone gave her attention and thought of her in a very special way.
She confessed that
she was surprised when one of the officers of Shin Manor asked her before if he
was courting her. And then she had some mixed emotions about him. She got
confused, she said. She got angry. She felt betrayed. She even thought that
Marek could just be using their friendship as a way to get close to her. She
asked what did she do or say that made him think of pursuing her. She confided
these things with the Shin Manor’s nurse and with Lady Edisia.
After her
conversation with the two, she tried to avoid him for some time. But she
eventually realized that she shouldn’t behave in such manner and tried to act
normally and pursued friendship with Marek.
She said that she was
already aware of his intentions to pursue her when she read the scrolls. She
appreciates what he did. The scrolls laid it down nicely. She likes reading and
she likes how the story appeared like a fairy tale. She initially thought that
the scrolls were trash. Good thing she didn’t throw them away.
She said that she was
able to recognize the people in the story, the places and the events. That is
why even though the author was not indicated, she knew that it came from him.
She learned a lot from what have been written. She learned many things about
Marek and the things he went through in planning to pursue her. According to
her, it was her first time to be sought in such manner.
Alythia said that she
prayed to God to help her respond to him. She knows that she could be impulsive
and she could just say words that are not appropriate. And she’s thankful to the
Master that they were able to talk civilly.
Princess Alythia said
that if he had told her early in their friendship his intentions to court her,
she would have avoided him and terminated the friendship. And if he had delayed
confessing, then she would have avoided him nonetheless. She’s grateful to the Great
Master for the timing, though she confided that she would have wanted for them
to have talked in Balpine Shire.
She eventually told
him that she just wants to maintain their friendship. She believes that she
could still learn more from him realizing that he’s also intimate with his walk
with the Master. There are also things yet to learn from each other. She said
that she has made a commitment regarding her studies. But it’s not her primary
reason why she doesn’t want to be pursued. She also told Marek that she doesn’t
want to give him false hope. She doesn’t want him to court her because she
couldn’t assure him that it will be well in the future.
He told her that he
respect what she said. He really wants their friendship to grow. But he just couldn’t
easily let go of the feelings that have grown inside his heart. It’s not that he’s
insisting on pursuing her. He reminded her of the fact that he have prayerfully
thought of her and considered her for a period of almost two years. And his
emotions have grown and reached a certain peak that he couldn’t just make his
feelings for her disappear instantly.
They ended in a
prayer. They went out of the Tavern and saw Kinsley. He and the princess talked
and Marek slowly walked ahead. She bade him goodbye as she headed to another direction.
He looked back and waved his hand acknowledging her farewell then rushed to the
meeting he almost missed.
He attended the
commoners’ meeting but his mind wandered back to what he and Alythia have
talked about. He couldn’t exactly remember the words that they have uttered. He
doubt if he could recount them correctly and faithfully. And as his mind trailed
back, the pain started to really sink in his heart and he started to feel a sadness
he never felt before. There’s a resounding emptiness that echoes within the
walls of his heart every time it beats.
Some of his friends,
who learned his fate and who journeyed with him in praying, tried to comfort him.
They assured him that things will work out fine.
“The following days will
be different from now on,” Marek said but he is hopeful that his friendship
with Alythia will really grow. He prayed that they could really act normally
and comfortably when they see each other.
Marek started to sing
one of the saddest love songs he knows to console himself but then he asked
himself, “Why don’t I sing a worship song?” But his mind is clouded. He
couldn’t think of an inspired song that will get through the pain.
He prayed still. No
one could really understand the heartache, except him and the Great Master. He couldn’t
blame him. He has been too good and kind to be blamed.
“My Master, help me
to grieve well. I really love Alythia... I love her.” His eyes burned as he
cried. And he cried till his tears ran dry.
The Book said, “In
everything give thanks for this is the Great Master’s will in Immanuel for
you.” It was difficult to thank the Master but it was a necessary exercise of
faith in him.
