Chapter Six—Mistake

As soon as I caught sight of her friend, the universe stopped. Not a sound was heard, not a muscle moved. Right then and there, I was frozen, trying to understand what’s happening.

Not having a clue of what’s going on, Mallory began introducing us with a smile, “Robert, I would like for you to meet Laura. Laura, this is Robert, the man I was telling you about.”

Laura’s eyes were wide open, I couldn’t tell what she’s feeling right now. Is she in shock? Is her blood boiling out of rage? Is she as confused as me right now? What are the odds that Mallory’s friend is the same person that I’ve been very careful not to hurt?

“Robert?” Mallory’s faint voice became clearer as she continued to call out to me. “Robert?”

I blinked twice as I returned to reality. From the corner of my eyes, Laura took a deep breath in and started avoiding my stare, looking around the stable.

“Are you okay?” Mallory continued to ask, putting her hand on my right chest.

I cleared my throat. “Um, yes.” I then looked at Laura, trying to keep in my thoughts and the urge to tell Mallory that I know her. “Forgive me for staring… madam,” I spoke, my heart shattered into pieces as I acted that I don’t know her.

Laura cleared her throat as she replied, “There’s no need to worry, good sir. You didn’t do anything… wrong.” She continued to avoid my stare.

“Robert, Laura over here is a baker,” Mallory entered the conversation, “She made those cookies that I gave you before.”

“Well, the cookies are truly exquisite,” I forced a smile, trying to have a conversation with Laura. My face, however, doesn’t want to cooperate. Every time I tried to talk to her, my cheeks began to shake, out of panic and worry.

“My apologies, Mallory, but I need to return to the bakery,” Laura turned to Mallory, a forced smile trying to hide other emotions from coming out of her face.

“Oh, so quickly?” Mallory asked, letting go of me as she walked towards her.

“Yes, I have so much to do and I need some… time alone,” Laura replied. “For me to rest, I mean,” she added.

“Shall I accompany you back to your realm?” Mallory asked.

“There won’t be any need for that,” she shook her head, still forcing herself to smile. “I wouldn’t want to disturb you and Sir Robert here,” she finally turned to me and glared.

“Um, why don’t you stay for a little longer? I have something to give you,” Mallory answered as she headed to the entrance of the kitchen.

“You can give me that some other time. I just really need to go home,” Laura quickly protested.

“Don’t worry, Laura, it will only take a few seconds—”

“Just let her go, Mallory,” I intervened, my eyes closed out of frustration. My reply made everyone quiet. I don’t want this to go any further and I’m sure Laura feels the same.

“What?” Mallory asked from behind me.

I turned my gaze to Laura and she reciprocated, looking back at me. “Let her go,” I repeated, softly this time.

As she looked at me, she almost let her guard down. Her eyes were wide open as she held back her tears at the very sight of me. Her mind must be a deep ocean of questions by now. Her inner strength to hold back the tears can only go for so long. Her breathing sharpened when it was previously calm. Or at least, trying to be.

“But—”

“Mallory,” I stopped Mallory again. “If she wants to go, let her.”

For a few more seconds, Laura and I shared glances once more, painful glances. We just stood there, staring at each other. But in her eyes, the pain is undeniably there.

I could feel the pain.

“Robert? Laura? Are you all right?” Mallory asked as she walked towards us.

Laura, please say something. I implore you to say something. Tell her the truth. Let’s stop pretending that we’re strangers.

“Of course, we are,” Laura stuttered, shaking her head as she returned to reality.

“Are you sure?” Mallory asked. “Ever since you saw each other, both of you look stunned.”

“This is the first time we met. Don’t put any meaning behind our shared silence” I entered the conversation, my annoyance towards Mallory has started to show.

My response became an open door for the silence to come and join us again. This is one of the worst days of my life, second from the day I was informed of my marriage.

“Well, I’ll take this as my moment to leave,” Laura spoke, letting out a quick chuckle. A forced chuckle is painful to hear. She’s giving her absolute best to act as if there’s nothing wrong.

“Are you sure you can’t stay for a little longer?” Mallory attempted to convince Laura to stay again.

Laura gave her a gentle smile before engulfing Mallory into a tight embrace. “Maybe some other time,” she answered, pulling away after.

Mallory smiled at her. “I will see you some other time.”

Laura nodded, her smile in a tight line. “It was… a pleasure…” she struggled with her sentence as she slightly turned to me. “A big honor… to finally meet you, Robert.”

I held my breath as I bowed to her. “The pleasure is all mine,” I responded, keeping my voice low to prevent it from shaking. As I heard footsteps leave, I slowly stood upright, letting a shaky breath.

“That’s odd,” Mallory stepped closer to me, the two of us looking at the entrance. “She was excited to meet you. For some reason, she started acting strange upon seeing you,” she continued.

My heart continued to break as I stared blankly at the entrance, regretting every decision that I’ve made that led me into this situation.

“Robert,” Mallory held onto the cloth of my sleeve, giving it a bit of a shake. “Why did you let her go so easily?”

I removed her hand, looking at her with an irritated expression. “Why would you prolong her agony? She’s completely uncomfortable in front of us,” I said.

“I was going to get the memory adjusting powder I bought,” Mallory replied, playing with her fingers. “You said you don’t want anyone to know about our relationship. So, I figured I could get some kind of concoction to erase her memory of this meeting.”

My nostrils flared as I turned my back in an attempt to calm myself. So, all this pain, all of these frustrations will go to waste because she already planned to wipe away every trace of this agonizing meeting at the end? She could’ve just not decided to do a stupid decision.

Mallory walked towards me and stood in front of me. “There’s no need to worry, Robert. I’ll simply visit her tomorrow and take care of everything,” she added, clearly in a panic.

“Just leave her alone, Mallory,” I spatted, no longer having control over my temper. “Hasn’t she suffered enough already?”

My response took her by surprise. She took a few steps back, keeping a wide space away from me. “What do you mean?”

I scoffed and headed to Lady’s stable. After removing the lock, I swung the gate door open, allowing Lady to roam free.

“Robert, where are you going?” Mallory asked as soon as I jumped on Lady. There’s no time to prepare Lady’s saddle. I need to catch up with Laura as soon as possible.

“Why are you acting like this?” she asked as she followed me out of the stables. When I still didn’t look at her, she stood in my path. “What is this? Why are you like this?”

“Because I’m ending this joke of a relationship that we have!” I shouted.

Tears immediately ran down her face. “What?” her voice fainted as it started to crack.

“I’m sorry, Mallory… but it’s for your good,” I answered. “This arrangement will only destroy you.” And with that, I went on my way.

“Robert…” Mallory called, her voice failing her. “Robert? Robert!” she suddenly started shouting, running after me. She continued to scream after me until I reached the gate.

“Don’t let Mallory outside!” I ordered as I passed the gate. As I was a few paces away from the gate, I heard the metal bars closed, locking loudly.

“Robert!” Mallory shouted for the last time as I disappeared from her sight.

The only person that matters to me right now… is Laura. And the only thing I’m praying for is that I hope it’s not too late.

♔♔♔

I rode to the shop as fast as I could. As soon as I arrived, I jumped off Lady and ran towards Ronald who was fixing and sorting a few things in front of the shop.

“Ronald,” I called as I approached him. He turned around and as soon as he caught sight of me, his face changed from baffled to absolutely annoyed. “Is Laura inside?”

“Well, if it isn’t Laura’s wealthy suitor,” he remarked sarcastically, clearly not amused to see me.

“Have you seen Laura?” I repeated.

“If it isn’t obvious enough, now is not the time to ask me questions, especially regarding the whereabouts of my fellow workers,” he replied sourly, focusing on what he’s doing.

“I understand that your hands are full right now and I don’t want to waste your time,” I answered. “But if you could tell me where Laura is, I’ll be on my way.”

“I’m quite busy right now,” he answered, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

“I know but—”

My sentence was cut short when he threw a piece of wood to the ground, facing me with a face full of anger.

“I am not the keeper of my fellow workers!” he shouted. He pointed quickly to whatever he is doing and continued, “I am currently in the middle of something so why don’t you turn around, get on your horse and leave?!”

Without warning, I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and shoved him to the wall. Behind me, I could feel some people have started to crowd and stare.

“What is your problem?” he shouted, his voice starting to shake, shock and horror painted across his face.

“Look, here, I’ve been patient with you,” I growled as I moved closer to him. “I’ve been respectfully asking you and I think I deserve to be answered with the same kind of respect.”

He gulped, looking at me with wide-open eyes.

“I suggest you answer me right now or the next thing you’ll be feeling on your back is shattered glass from that window,” I threatened, giving a glance at the window within arms’ reach. I continued, “Let me repeat my question: where is Laura?” My wound began to pulse as impatience ruled over my body. It felt as if it reopened and will continue to reopen if I continue to pin Ronald on the wall.

“I don’t know where Laura is. She’s not here,” he said, terrified but still, a hint of arrogance can be heard. “She was here a while ago, but she simply fetched Leo and left again.”

“Are you sure you’re telling me the truth?” I gritted; my eyes narrowed as I pinned him harder.

“I swear I don’t know,” he complained. “I’m just trying to finish my job for the day without being scolded by Grandpa Ben.”

Seeing that there’s no point in continuing this conversation, I slowly put him down. “Was that too hard?” I asked, sarcastically.

He gave me a sarcastic smile, chuckling as he continued whatever it is that he’s doing.

I took a deep breath in as I turned around, clasping my chest as the stinge of pain started to intensify. The adrenaline from my anger has died down and now, the only thing I can feel is pain.

“What’s going on here?” Grandpa Ben’s voice came out of nowhere. I turned around, forgetting the fact that my wound started bleeding. As soon as Grandpa Ben saw my situation, he screamed at Ronald, “What did you do?! Why is Robert bleeding?!"

Ronald quickly turned in my direction as Grandpa Ben rushed over to me.

“Grandpa Ben…” I struggled to breathe because of the pain. “This… is nothing.”

“Nothing?! How can you tell me this is nothing when you’re bleeding all over?!” Grandpa Ben screamed in panic. “Come and have a seat. Ronald, go to my study and fetch my medicinal herbs,” Grandpa Ben instructed as he gave me a hand towards the bench.

Ronald let out a scoff before following Grandpa Ben’s orders. Ronald certainly has an attitude. I don’t understand why Grandpa Ben is putting up with him. I’m not sure if this is how he treats everyone else but if that’s the case, he shouldn’t be working, especially since Grandpa Ben’s character is very different from him.

“Slowly, son,” Grandpa Ben said as I sat down on the wooden bench, mindful with my actions in order not to add more pain to the already agonizing feeling that I have.

Moments later, Ronald finally arrived with a basket full of little sacks made out of cloth.

“Can you tell me what happened here?” he asked Ronald, furious.

As Grandpa Ben rummaged through the basket for a specific herb, Ronald and I looked at each other. He was worried, scared, unsure of what he’s going to answer.

Grandpa Ben finally found what he was looking for and turned to the two of us. “Well? Can’t one of you answer my question?” he repeated.

“Nothing serious, Grandpa Ben,” Ronald smiled nervously as Grandpa Ben asked me to open the top of my shirt. “Robbert and I are just getting to know each other.”

“Is that true? Also, this may hurt a little,” Grandpa Ben asked, giving me a quick warning before proceeding. With absolute care, he patted a small lump on my wound. As soon as the herbs made contact with my skin, they stung, making me wince.

“What Ronald said was true,” I tried to smile as the herbs took effect on my wound. My response resulted in Ronald letting out a big, quiet breath of relief.

Oh, Ronald, I’m not yet finished with my response.

I continued, “Laura and I are in a bit of an argument. She walked away during a heated discussion, and I don’t know where she went.” I can’t tell Grandpa Ben the real reason why I’m looking for her. It’s better that I make up an excuse. “I headed here and asked Ronald if he knows where she is.”

“Ronald, luckily, was outside so I decided to ask him. However, his arrogance got the best of him, so I shoved him onto the wall,” I smirked while Ronald stared at me in horror. “But other than that, everything is okay.”

Grandpa Ben stood up and turned to Ronald, slowly approaching him.

“Grandpa Ben, I can explain,” Ronald put his hands in front of him in a panic.

Grandpa Ben suddenly hit Ronald behind his head. “Ronald, I’ve been warning you about your behavior,” he began to scold Ronald. “Just because you’re second in command, that doesn’t give you the right to treat others as if they’re beneath you,” he continued, his hands on his waist. “Go back inside the bakery!” he pointed at the door.

Ronald looked at him in disbelief. Realizing that there’s no chance of explaining his side, he surrendered and went back inside. As Ronald made his way back into the bakery, he turned to me and mouthed, “I hate you.”

“Don’t worry, I hate you even more,” I teased, making Grandpa Ben turn back to him.

Grandpa Ben gave him another hit on the back of his head. “Shut that hole in your mouth and go back inside!”

Ronald walked back inside the shop, rubbing the back of his head.

“My apologies about that, young Robert,” Grandpa Ben sat down and continued to tend to my wound. “Ronald has always been like that. I never knew what to do with him exactly.”

“I don’t understand why you continue to bear with him, Grandpa Ben. It’s clear to me that you’ve been frustrated with him for a long time now,” I remarked, wincing.

“Ronald isn’t all that bad, Robert,” he replied as he put one last lump of herb on my wound before closing the sack. “Ronald is a good person; I just don’t know what’s going on in his mind right now. He’s been acting… a bit strange for the past few months now.”

I nodded, wincing as the herb continued to stinge. Letting my wound sip in some of the juice from the herb, I closed the top of my shirt.

“However, what you did to Ronald isn’t excusable at all,” he continued as we looked at each other. “I know Ronald can be rude at times, but we shouldn’t do that to others. In situations such as that, we should always be the bigger person.”

I sighed as I nodded. “I do apologize for how I acted, Grandpa Ben. I was just in a rush to catch up to Laura, my frustrations got the better of me.”

“I understand that Ronald’s actions were horrendous, but we shouldn’t treat them with hostility,” Grandpa Ben continued. “Those who act in such a way were treated in such a way. Most of the time, I would stay silent but whenever I see his actions crossed a line, that’s when I act. You, on the other hand, must learn to control your temper, especially with people such as him.”

“I will, Grandpa Ben. Again, my apologies.”

“Here you are,” he handed over the little sack. “Should your wound start bleeding again, just use this herb and it will fix everything.”

“Thank you, Grandpa Ben,” I smiled, receiving the small sack of herbs.

“Also, I came out here to see if Laura’s with you,” Grandpa Ben continued. “I saw her arrive a while ago and I thought she was already back to her work but when I checked, she was nowhere to be found. I didn’t know you were also looking for her,” he chuckled at the end.

“We just… had a little bit of an argument and I wouldn’t want this day to end for us in that manner,” I explained, my lips in a firm line.

“Well, she did fetch for Leo and rode away. I guess if anyone knows where she went, that would be you,” Grandpa Ben answered, smiling as he put a hand on my shoulder. Grandpa Ben is so sure that I know where Laura would be. Perhaps I’m not thinking enough. Perhaps, I’m in so much of a panic, I forgot to put myself in her shoes. “Well, I need to go back inside. Should you find Laura, make her come home,” Grandpa Ben stood up, me following suit. “If she doesn’t want to come home, let her be.”

I nodded with a smile. Grandpa Ben is amazing in his ways, approaching this kind of manner with calmness and kindness. The world would be a better place with more people like him.

Grandpa Ben proceeded back inside of the bakery. I hopped on Lady and began making my way to the hills. It’s the one place where I know she would be right now.

♔♔♔

A few moments later, I finally arrived at the hills and I started looking around in search of Laura. After a few more searching, I finally found her on one of the hills, under a tree with Leo enjoying the grass just right in front of her.

I slowly made my way to her and as I arrived behind her, I hopped off of Lady and walked towards her. She was just sitting, looking towards the big, open field in front of her. I already sat down beside her but she continued to act as if I wasn’t there.

Her cheeks were wet, clear evidence that she had been crying. Her eyes are puffy and she’s quietly sniffling to hide it from me.

“Laura,” I finally called out to her after letting out a deep breath.

She immediately turned to the side, wiping her face. “What are you doing here?”

I cleared my throat, readjusting my sitting position. “Well… I figured that you would be here after that… disaster in our stables,” I replied as she returned to staring at the view.

“Mallory might be looking for you,” she answered. “You should go back.”

“I ended everything with Mallory. It wasn’t even real, to begin with,” I explained.

“Even if you say it isn’t real for you, she loves you and she loved you throughout that relationship,” she sniffed, running her hand under her nose after. “In some way, that relationship was real.”

“Laura, if it was real, I would’ve been in love with her, too,” I interrupted her, not wanting her to believe what she’s currently saying. She believes that I have different feelings for Mallory when this couldn’t be farther than the truth. “Mallory is like a sister to me, that will never change.”

“And yet, you kept it from me,” she said, finally turning to face me. “You lied to me,” her eyes narrowed as she said those words with silent fury.

“I didn’t lie to you, Laura. I never lied to you,” I moved closer. “I didn’t tell you anything about that because it’s not worth telling anyone. That relationship meant nothing to me.”

She shook her head as she stood up. She was about to walk away when I quickly wrapped my arms around her.

“Please, Laura, allow me to explain myself,” I begged, holding her tightly as she cried quietly in my arms.

After a few struggles, she finally broke free from my grip, turning around before giving me a push. “And you have the nerves to say such flowery words to me. You have the nerves to get mad when I don’t answer you in the way you’re expecting me to,” her teeth gritted as she tried to speak without shouting. “How could you do this to me? How could you lie to me like that? How dare you use that kind of tactic to gain my trust just so you could crush it in an instant?!”

“Laura, I meant what I said to you, every word,” I hold onto her arms, keeping her in place. “You’re the one that I want to be with all the time. What I had with Mallory was nothing but a joke, a mistake that I’ve regretted since the day I let it happen,” I explained, trying to get every single word out. “She’s my childhood friend and yes, I’ve known her for my whole life, but I never saw her differently. She’s been a sister to me and no matter what happens, our relationship as friends will never go beyond that.”

And she stared at me, her nostrils still flaring as she breathed heavily. Her jaw clenched before she gave in to her emotions and began to cry as she slowly sunk to the grass, my hands still holding onto her arms.

I never wanted for her to feel this way. I never wished to see her in this situation. She doesn’t wail when she cries. Her tears are shed in silence, which breaks my heart even more because I know she’s trying to keep it all to herself.

I moved my forehead close to hers. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me,” I whispered. I pulled her into me, wrapping her in a warm embrace. I continued as I rubbed her back, “I never lied to you and I will never lie to you. I’m sorry if I hurt you. I didn’t mean to.”

As I continued to hold her in my arms, she never stopped crying onto my shoulder, but not once did she hug me back. And I understand why she doesn’t want to hold me. She doesn’t even want to see me. I shouldn’t be expecting that she would reciprocate my embrace.

♔♔♔

On our way back to the bakery, Laura was riding in front of me. I was able to convince her to return to the bakery and she did stop crying before we started to make our way back home. But she hasn’t said a single word to me throughout our journey home. I didn’t try to start a conversation with her, respecting the fact that she doesn’t want to talk either.

When we arrived, Ronald was fixing the sign for the bakery. Laura was the first to hop down and when I did, I quickly held on to Leo so he wouldn’t run away.

Ronald turned around as he heard the horses whinny and started to walk towards Laura. “Laura, where have you been?!” he started screaming at her. “You were needed an hour ago! Why did you leave? What were you thinking?!”

I stepped out of Laura’s shadow, greeting Ronald with a sarcastic smile. “Hello, Ronald. How’s the signage?”

Ronald quickly took a step back, startled by my presence. “It’s… n-none of your business,” he stuttered, trying to put up a brave face in front of me.

I stood beside Laura and Grandpa Ben came out from the shop. He started looking around for Ronald and when he saw him with us, he immediately marched towards us.

“Ronald,” Grandpa Ben gave Ronald a slight nudge on his left arm, making Ronald jump. “Did you do what I told you to do?” he asked, irritated.

“I’m already finished, Grandpa Ben,” Ronald complained. “You didn’t have to push me. You could’ve just called my name.”

“I told you to get back inside right after you finish the sign. Why are you still here?” Grandpa Ben replied. “Go back to the kitchen,” he pointed to the bakery.

Ronald gave us one final glare of hatred before mouthing towards me, “You deserve to be in the Realm of Darkness.”

I chuckled before answering with a teasing smile, “No need to worry, little one, you’ll be the first one to go there.”

My remark was enough to make Laura snicker, which only angered Ronald even more.

This time, Grandpa Ben hit Ronald on his arm. “Will you just return to your station and quit bothering other people?”

Defeated, Ronald quickly went back to the bakery, rubbing the back of his arm.

Laura slowly turned to me. “Thank you for… making sure I return home safely,” she said with a faint voice, gently grabbing Leo from my grip.

“You’re welcome.”

“You can leave now. They might be looking for you,” she continued.

“Who’s looking for me?” I asked, confused. “Are you pertaining to my family? Why would they be looking for me?”

Laura looked at me, unsure if I’m being serious with my questions. “If you haven’t noticed, Robert, it’s near dinner time. For sure, they will be looking for you.”

“Oh, of course,” I quickly shook my head. “In that case, I would like to see you tomorrow morning before the sun rises.”

“Why?”

“I would like to watch the sunrise with you before I do anything else tomorrow,” I explained, trying to convince her to agree.

She took a deep breath in, thinking. “I will see what I can do,” she replied. Her face wasn’t giving any implications that she’s interested in seeing me tomorrow. Maybe I shouldn’t move too fast.

“Or we can do it some other time. If you want to have some time away from me, I understand,” I answered, smiling gently.

She simply nodded, not looking me straight in the eye.

With all the remaining courage within my body, I walked closer to her and laid a soft peck on her forehead. “I will see you soon.”

“Goodbye,” was all she said before turning around and proceeding to the back of the bakery.

I hopped on Lady and went back to the castle.