Today I feel out of sort. It was nice to see Draco yesterday after having spent so much time away from him. I still wish I were able to give him more comfort after the horrible things he went through with his father. He had angered me so much with how he handled the situation. If he had just told me at first about his situation instead of making me feel like a child I could have expressed my feelings. I feel a burning need to tell him of the love I feel.
I want to know if he feels the same way. I know that he is courting me to be his bride. The only way that I would refuse him when he asks is if he does not love me the same. Deep down I believe he does, but he has yet to speak on how he feels. The situation worries me. I have been thinking on it all morning. My work in the fields could provide no distraction to the pain I feel if he refuses my love.
When I arrive home I expect to see Huli who would be bringing me my next gift. However, I am surprised to see the girl who is Draco’s friend on my doorstep instead. I wave in the distance, and she begins to walk toward me.
“Hello again Zi. It is good to see you” I greet her.
“Hello Io. I have been sent to bring you something from Draco. He knows you were expecting Huli, but he had to do something else. Here” she rambles shoving the parchment my way.
The parchment almost crumbles at her rough delivery. I am taken aback because I have no idea what I have done to anger her. She gives me a strange look then appears to turn on her feet to leave.
“Excuse me Zi, Have I done something to anger you?” I question her.
She stops in her tracks and whirls around to face me. “What do you think? You meet him once and all of a sudden he spends all his time with you the girl from the poor paddy village. Do you honestly think he cares for you?” She says harshly.
“Yes, I know he cares for me. I have done nothing to warrant your reaction, however. What have I done to cause you to be angry?” I yell back.
“You stole him when you don’t deserve him. He belongs with someone in his village of his station. You won’t be able to stand by his side and be what he needs.” She yells.
I take a step back at her harsh words. What could she possibly know and who is she to tell me what Draco needs. I open my mouth to yell back her when I catch her eyes and see that they water. It seems she is not angry at all but saddened. “Someone like you” I say with benediction knowing it is her truth. She just nods at my question and stares. I shift on my feet uncomfortably trying to figure out what to say but she speaks first.
“I wanted him. I have tried to get him to court me. We even had a date where we kissed but that is all it ever was. Even still I tried for more. I care for him” she mutters biting her lip.
“I am sorry that our union causes you pain. I did not ever imagine I would find someone like him. I know we have only know each other for a brief time but I care for him too deeply” I explain to her.
“And Draco does he feel the same”? She asks not meeting my gaze.
“That is a question I cannot answer yet I’m afraid. But I hope that he does” I tell her looking off into the distance.
“Wow…”.. she exclaims. As I meet her gaze I see that her tears have dried, and she regards me as if I mean her harm. “You love him, don’t you.”
“Yes, very much so” I answer her honestly.
“I can see it. I can tell by the way you speak of him how you feel. I did not come here to interfere Io. I just came to give a warning.” She states. “His parents will never allow you union. They will set him up with someone else when you fail to meet their requirements. He won’t marry for love” she assures me.
As I look at her I can see that she believes what she says. I do not feel that it is the truth, so I just nod my head as if I agree with her.
“Enjoy this while it last Io. I wish you the best” she says turning to leave.
I watch her go with trepidation. What if she is right about how things will go? Would I be able to handle it if Draco were to marry someone else? I sigh loudly and walk into my hut. I remember the bent parchment in my hand and decide to read it to get my mind off the subject.
Io
You are a soul so sweet
That my own fails to retreat
I am drawn like the sun to the sky
Together soon we will tie
The binding of cups and rings
To be together in all things
You are a love so full of peace
I savor the feeling unleashed
I burn for you like moth to flame
My heart is yours to tame
This poem for you is my decree
For all we are meant to be
From your courted to you my bride
With you I will always reside
You who I will cherish all my life
I will be husband as you are wife
So, as we go from one to two
Always remember I love you
Draco
I wipe my eyes at the tears. I am so happy I do not know why I am crying. He said it. He loves me. My heart is almost bursting with joy. I cannot wait to tell him that I feel the same. (….) had to be wrong. He feels for me as I feel for him. I wish I could see him right now. I want him in my arms so I can show my love. I sigh knowing that I will have to wait another day. It cannot come soon enough.
Draco
I worked all night on a way to tell Io of my feelings. Since I have read so many works on poetry I gave it a shot. I hope it says what I feel. Hopefully in two days’ time I will find out if she feels the same. Once I am finished. Once I am finished completing the poem or rush out the door to meet Huli. As I sit in the bench the time passes slowly.
My leg is rocking restlessly as I wait for him to get here. I was already running late, and it worries me that he has not shown up yet. I still have to meet my father soon. I turn my head to search the center of the village again when someone covers my eyes with their hands. I freeze my body but reach up to remove the hands. When I turn around I am surprised to see Zi.
“Oh, hello. What are you doing here” I ask her.
“It has been ages since you have seen me and that’s all you have to say Draco” she pouts reaching toward my face. I quickly lean away to avoid her touch. She bites her lip and looks saddened at my actions.
“How are you Zi?” I ask her to be polite. I scan the area again silently hoping that Huli will show up any minute. I do not want to be around her for too long. Now she still wants me to court her. It will just never be possible.
“Fine” she says. Her tone has turned a bit harsh. I imagine she can tell I do not want to be around her. “Huli sent me here to do a favor for you. He is unable to leave his quarters. What do you want? “She ask snidely.
I wish I had of known he could not make it. I would have left earlier to deliver the poem myself. I do not trust that she will give it to Io. Once again something has made me regret kissing her. I just did not want to hurt her feelings that day. I never imagined she would become this infatuated. “Uh… no that’s all right. I will just deliver it when I can.” I hope that this day with my ba will go by before sunset so I can make it.
“Look. I know you are into the girl from the celebration. Huli told me. I also know you are courting her. I just couldn’t stop myself from trying again to see if you had feelings for me.” She states.
“I’m sorry Zi. I do not have feelings for you. We are friends and we can be nothing more.” I inform her. She silently nods her head, but I can see her blinking away tears as she looks down.
“Then you have nothing to worry about. I will deliver what you need, and this doesn’t have to be an issue again” she says holding out her hand.
I remove the parchment from my pocket and begin handing it to her. I pause just before it reaches her hand waiting for her to look at me. When I have her gaze I watch her intently. “Promise me that Io will receive this. You will hand it to her directly.” I need to hear her say it. I know the value of a promise to her and that she would not give one freely.
“I promise.” She declares. I hand her the envelope and she starts to walk away toward the hill. Huli must have already given her directions. I hope that she will truly give the poem to Io.
I watch her until she disappears. When I reach my father’s office he is already heading toward the door. I see two servants holding the reigns for the horses we road mere days ago and know that we are traveling today. He boards his horse and gestures for me to follow. As we trot toward the edge of town I wonder if we are going back to the children’s home. It is in this direction.
“Where are we off to?” I ask him.
“Today is a special day for the children at the home with Haiti. We are going to attend their celebration to show support.” He says. When he looks at me I feel myself raise an eyebrow in question. “Many of them do not know the fate of their birth. So, a day has been chosen to celebrate all of them. We will eat, play, and be merry. The provisions and presents have all been set ahead” he says.
“This is what we will do the entire day” I ask him.
“Yes, I find that I quite enjoy it. They are always so appreciative and happy” he says with a smirk.
Well, it does not sound so bad. At least we will not be in the office doing paperwork all day. I settle into the journey and mentally prepare myself to play with kids all day. Who knows maybe doing this can give me practice for the future.