Red

The Day I Lost The Prince

I looked up, and was unsurprised to see Levi kneeling next to me. I wiped my mouth with his handkerchief. "I'll replace this when I can."

"Don't." He commanded.

I opened my eyes wide, shocked at his tone of voice. A tear slipped down my already tear streaked face. Now I have ruined his handkerchief, he has to be so angered. He will have me killed! By now, fear for my life streamed through my mind, "Please, my prince, allow me to try find another one! I will find additional work, it shouldn't take longer than a month!" By now I was full on crying.

I felt his hand on my back again. "I only meant that you don't need to replace it. In fact keep it. I have many more at home. One won't make a difference. Let us just make sure you are okay. And please, I told you, call me Levi." He smiled down at me.

Next thing I knew I had flung myself into his arms and knocked him into the wall, not even thinking about what I was doing, just knowing that I needed comfort. His hand stroked my hair, that had been falling out of the hairdo, since we got here. He muttered soothing nothings in my ear and before long, I felt strong enough to go to auntie.

I bolted up, "Auntie! I forgot about auntie! How could I be so selfish?" I spoke frantically turning around so fast that I bumped my head. "Ow!" I rubbed my head.

"Do not speak like that, it's okay to be selfish for a bit, it is a horrible thing to go through, but now you are feeling better so go and help your auntie. Please tell me if there is anything I can do."

"I will. Thank you Levi." I ran towards where my uncle lay and saw my auntie rocking on her chair, her face in her hands and shoulders heaving with sobs under her blood stained gown. "Oh auntie! It will be okay. I will look after you." I threw my arms around her and she turned to bury her face in my neck.

"I know that Mrs. Levingston might need help and I can get a job there. I will look after you!" I said fighting to hold back the onslaught of tears threatening to release, as I stroked her hair that had fallen into disarray. We sat there for a while until auntie had fallen asleep. Doc Jenkins lifted her up out of my arms and place her on the bed in the next room. I looked around, but Levi had already left. I slumped my shoulders.

I was alone.

"Can I get you a cuppa?" Asked Mellissa, Doc Jenkins' wife asked.

"Tea would be a mercy, ma'am. Thank you." I wandered into the dining room and sat at the table like Mellissa thereafter directed.

My hair began to bother me so I ripped every last bobby pin, hair clip and messy ribbon out and threw them on the floor. Then I frustratedly ran my fingers through my hair sharply a few times. I couldn't help but remember all the times that uncle looked after me. When people tried to bully the "orphan kid," he would just come out and sit on the steps with his shotgun, began polishing it slowly and ask if there was a problem. They soon left me alone.

I chuckled to myself as more funny anecdotes filtered through my mind.

"Are you okay dear?" asked Mellissa.

"Yes, ma'am. Just thinking about how uncle was with his shotgun when the neighbor kids used to bully me."

Mellissa began to chuckle along with me, "Yes, he was always very protective over you. Wouldn't let anyone near you. Oh my lord, imagine if a young lad had asked to court you! How would he have reacted?" She set the tea pot and two cups and saucers onto the table and began to pour. I watched the steam rise out of each cup as she poured.

"Thank you, ma'am. Do you know where Prince Levi went off to?"

"Sorry dear. He said he had affairs to deal with and then he left." She smiled sympathetically.

"I really ruined it didn't I?" my shoulders slumped forward and I rested my head in my hands.

"And how did you do that? You acted quite well under the circumstances. I fear I was not so controlled when I lost my dear father. I screamed until I lost my voice and then cried for days, refusing to eat. You are doing fine dear."

I sipped my tea gingerly until it was finished.

I slowly stood up, "Thank you for your welcomed hospitality. But I fear I need to go home and fetch some clothes for auntie. I am sure she would like to change out of her bloodied up clothes when she wakes up."

"Certainly, dear. I will ensure she is alright until you get back. Maybe go home and bathe, wash your hair and you will feel a lot better. But please come back safely. Use the carriage your auntie brought. Do you know how to ride it?"

"Yes, ma'am. Uncle said he would never raise a girl to not know how to care for herself." I smiled proudly.

"Well good on him. Enjoy bathing and then hurry back."

"I will." I climbed into the carriage and drove the horses at a fair yet fast pace, knowing that I need to return soon.

I arrived at the house uncle had built with his own hands and couldn't help but smile. He was always very hardworking and loving.

Hurriedly I bathed in the river desperately trying to ignore the blood that stained the water behind me, dressed and selected some clothes for auntie.

As I was preparing to drive the carriage back to auntie, a large black carriage came up to my house and Levi stepped out. My mouth fell open as I took him in.

"Your highness, how may I assist you?" I asked timidly.

"Get in." he commanded. Shakily, I stepped into the big black carriage, praying that I didn't drop the suitcase I was holding for auntie, and then sat down inside.