Listen To Your Heart

Chapter 6

As soon as they walked in, Yvette rushed towards Elsie, tearing her apart from Gilbert and hugging her daughter.

“Elsie! I was so worried about you,” Lady Asheye cried and started checking the girl for any injuries. “What happened? Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?”

“No, mother, I’m perfectly fine,” Elsie tried to get out of her mother’s grip.

“Oh, thank God! Come, I asked the maids to prepare a warm bath for you. You must be so tired. You can rest now. You’re safe and you’re home,” Yvette continued and shot a death glare at Gilbert. “This pervert is going to get what he deserves.”

“What?” Elsie shouted. “No, he didn’t do anything to me,” she turned to Lord Ricardus. “Father, please, let me explain. Gilbert didn’t do anything. It was all my idea.”

“What kind of nonsense this boy has put into your head?” Lady Yvette was getting angry.

“Elsie,” her father finally spoke. “This is not a matter to discuss in front of our guests. We are all glad that you are home. You are too agitated for now. Get yourself cleaned up and rested. I’ll hear what you have to say tomorrow in the morning.”

“What about Gilbert?” she asked.

“He’s spending a night in a cell, I’m afraid,” Lord Ricardus answered.

“No! Father, please,” she stood in front of Gilbert, who was too weak and too afraid to say something. “He is innocent, I’m telling you. If you’re putting him in a cell, you’ll have to lock me up too.”

“Elsie, he’s committed a crime. Tomorrow he will be judged for his actions. If he's innocent, he'll be freed. If he's not, he'll have his punishment. But for now, I must make sure he won't take you away again," Ricardus explained.

“He's not guilty. Please, believe me, I am your own daughter!" she shouted as the tears rolled down her face.

“We’ll talk tomorrow. Go to your room, that’s an order!” he got up and raised his voice.

“Please, just make sure to send a healer for him. I’m perfectly fine, but he is injured,” Elsie pleaded.

“We’ll see about that,” Lord Ricardus tried not to give in. “Theo, please, take Elsie to her room. We have a trial to prepare for.”

Theobald walked towards her and gave her an apologetic look.

“I’m so sorry, little sister,” he said before picking her by the waist and carrying her away like she was a sack of potatoes.

They left the room followed by Lady Yvette and Anne, but not before Elsie could see Gilbert being taken away by her father’s guards. It didn’t matter how hard she hit her brother on his back, Theo still didn’t stop.

“Elsie, if you keep doing this, I’ll drag you by your hair back to your room myself. Did you hear me?” Her mother’s patience was at its limits. “You're not a child anymore to throw tantrums like this and I’m too old for that.”

Elsie stopped hitting him seeing that there was no point of it anymore, but she kept crying.

“Who said Gilbert kidnapped me?” she asked when they reached her room.

“Let's not talk about this right now, okay?” Theo answered and put her back on the floor. He gave her a hug and wiped out her tears. “It's all right now. You'll be fine and we'll take care of everything. I promise you that.”

He let her go and left. Elsie lay on her bed still angry and cried until she was sobbing, without caring that her mother and her sister were right behind her watching.

“Elsie, come. Take off these dirty clothes and wash yourself. We can stay here to hold you until you fall asleep, if you want,” Anne spoke after a while.

Elsie turned to look at both women who had pity in their eyes and it made her even madder.

“I don't want you. I want him!” she yelled.

“Elsie, please, calm down. How can you want the smith boy? He took you away from your family, from home,” Yvette replied.

“I ran away with him, okay? It was me! It was my idea to leave, because I knew no one would ever approve it and because I don't want to marry Nycholas Sternlash,” Elsie said.

“Elsie, maybe it was for the best,” Anne spoke getting closer to her sister.

“It was you!” Elsie yelled and left the bed standing in front of her sister. “You told everyone he kidnapped me, didn't you? Why did you lie? You knew we were together. You were supposed to stand by me. I'm your sister, for God’s sake!”

“It wasn't me, I swear, Els,” Anne sat on the bed crying.

“Then who spread the word? You were the only one who knew,” Elsie questioned.

“It was...Philippe, he said so to Nycholas, who believed him,” Anne hid her face with her hands and started sobbing.

“Why did you tell him?”

“The night of the feast, Philippe drank more than he should. When we reached our chambers, he said something about seeing you with Gilbert at the commoner’s tents that day. He started saying horrible things about you and I couldn’t bear to hear them. I confronted him, because you may not think so, but I do care about you. I know I made a mistake the minute I told him about you and Gilbert, but I couldn’t stand there and listen to him call you a w***e and worse!” Anne admitted. “The next morning you were gone, and I hoped Philippe was too drunk to remember anything I had said. But he just likes violence and to harm people and he made up to Nycholas that Gilbert had kidnapped you and that Gilbert deserved to die for it. I think Nycholas believed him and that’s why they both told everyone the tale.”

“What are you two talking about,” Yvette demanded and both girls were reminded of her presence.

“Gilbert and I…Well, we’ve been together for more than a year now,” Elsie told her mother.

“I beg your pardon?” Yvette was in shock.

“You heard me, mother.”

“Elsie, what were you thinking? You know you have a name to bear. A position to hold! How could you let such a fowl man seduce you like that? A highborn lady like yourself cannot have a relationship with the smith’s apprentice. You are to marry Nycholas Sternlash,” her mother still didn’t know how to handle that information.

“He is not fowl. He is kind and good. He doesn’t treat me like his belonging, like I’m inferior to him just because I’m a woman. He believes in me and in my dreams. He never held me down like I know I will with any man you and father want me to marry. I know no one would ever approve it, that’s why we kept it a secret. And honestly, if you put Gilbert near Philippe, he’ll seem a prince charming to you. He may not be a highborn, but at least he respects your daughter.”

“What are you talking about now, child?” Lady Yvette was getting tired of getting riddled information.

“I know what Philippe does to you, Anne. I saw the bruises. He is a monster,” Elsie turned to her sister.

“Oh, Elsie, please, don’t,” Anne pleaded.

“Enough with the secrets, you two. Elsie, what do you mean by you saw the bruises?” Yvette asked.

“She’s saying she knows the hell I’m living inside my marriage, mother,” Anne spoke crying softly. “Philippe enjoys violence outside and inside the room. He beats and abuses me because it’s been more than two years since we got married and I haven’t given him an heir, he gets angrier each day that passes and that’s why he likes to humiliate me like he did in the opening ceremony.”

“Anne, why didn’t you say anything before?” Yvette felt hurt after her daughter’s story.

“What difference would it make? We are already married, and we already consummated it. There is nothing left to do. There is no way to get an annulment,” Anne replied.

“But there are other ways for you to protect yourself. Just because he is your husband doesn’t mean he can mistreat you,” Lady Yvette sighed, tired of so much trouble for one night. “Here is what we are going to do. Elsie, you’re staying here, bathe, put warm clothes and try to get some sleep. Gilbert’s case will be sorted tomorrow in the morning. If he’s as innocent as you claim, I’m sure your father will release him, although I don’t think this situation will pass unpunished. As for you, Anne, you come with me. We have some serious talk to do.”

Anne left with her mother and Elsie was finally alone in her chambers. She was feeling exhausted physically and mentally, even more than she did after spending a day and a night riding with Gilbert. However, she knew there was nothing she could do at that point. She wished she could visit Gilbert and make sure he got the medical attention he needed, but she knew that both of them would be very well guarded. She also wished that the mercenaries that caught them didn’t receive a single coin for treating them so badly.

Elsie entered the bathtub and cleaned herself up for the first time in days. She also took the time to plan her speech for Gilbert’s trial and clear her head after the conversation she had with her sister and mother. If she didn’t like Philippe before, now she was sure she hated him, which also made her think about ways of causing him a lot of pain. After her hands were wrinkled from the hot water, Elsie got out of the tub and put her night gown to lay on her bed. She had a hard time falling asleep and only did it after crying her heart out.

The next morning, she woke up with a loud knock on her door. She sat on her bed rubbing her eyes.

“Who is it?” she asked.

“Can we come in?” a small voice asked opening her door.

Mylla and Noah put their heads through the door and Elsie let them in. The two children entered the room and sat on the bed putting the tray of breakfast they had brought between them and Elsie.

“Are you feeling better today?” Mylla asked.

“Not really, I just want to get through this mess I made,” Elsie took a piece of black bread to eat.

“Why did Gilbert take you away from us?” Noah questioned.

“He didn’t take me away, Noah. I left with him,” she explained.

“Why? Don’t you love us anymore?” He looked at her with his lost puppy eyes.

“Of course I do. I always will, but I love him too. If I had stayed and gotten married to Nycholas, I would’ve left anyway. Just like Anne did when she got married.”

“We were worried about you. Mother barely slept these past days. She stayed up walking around your chamber hoping it would bring you back,” Mylla told her.

“I know and I am sorry you had to go through this. I should’ve left a note of something. It was an act of impulse. I just couldn’t stay here and let father decide my future.”

“About that, Gilbert’s trial has already begun,” Mylla said.

“What?” Elsie asked alarmed.

“Yeah, it began a while ago, though I’m not really sure how’s it going. Father didn’t let us in,” the little girl continued as Elsie jumped out of bed and started dressing up with the first pieces of clothes she could find. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to stop Father from doing something stupid,” Elsie replied and left the room in a hurry.

The girl ran through the castle without caring if the servants were on her way. She had only one thing in her mind and it was to save Gilbert. She reached the throne room and opened the door roughly. Everyone in the room stopped and looked at her, even Gilbert, who was sitting in the middle of the room alone and with his hands tied in his lap.

“Elsie, what are you doing here?” Theo asked rising from his seat next to Lord Ricardus.

“I thought you would let me explain, Father,” the girl spoke fiercely. “That’s why I am here. I won’t go away until you let me speak. Why wasn’t I called?”

“We thought you’d be too tired and that you wouldn’t have a clear mind to speak on this man’s behalf,” Theo answered.

“I’m sorry, Theo, but I am talking directly to my Father. Lord Ricardus, you wouldn’t want to convict an innocent man, would you?”

“No, I wouldn’t,” Ricardus spoke for the first time as he watched his daughter walk up to Gilbert. “If you have something to say, feel free to speak.”

Elsie looked at Gilbert. His nose was cleaned so she felt relieved that at least a healer had come to see his injuries.

“I will say the truth and only the truth, but I’d appreciate if no one interrupted me,” she looked around the room and saw Lord Sternlash frown in discontent and his son, Nycholas, who wasn’t happy either.

“Elsie, what are you doing?” Gilbert whispered to her.

“It all started many years ago,” she started ignoring him. “Gilbert’s mother had died and Ury took him out of the streets to live with him and make him his apprentice. I was just a kid when Gilbert arrived at the keep. Ury made him do small chores in the forge as he was too young to manage the fire and I would always stop by to watch him and sometimes even help because I thought it was better than knitting with my sisters. Within months, we became best friends and I’d always look forward to the time he was discharged from his duties to play with me,” Elsie almost smiled at the fond memories.

“ He didn’t care that I was a girl, we just had fun. Time passed and we grew up. It must’ve been about two years ago when I realized that I had feelings for him and that I wanted to be more than just friends. At first, I suppressed those feelings thinking he would never look at a girl like me. I’m not as pretty or ladylike as my older sister and he could think of me as just a younger sister or something. Besides, knowing my place as an Asheye, I knew we could never be together. I spent months going to the forge wishing that I had the courage to tell him how I felt and it got even worse when he stayed away from me for a while,” she started to cry.

“Then there was a feast and I had had a few cups of wine, I went to the forge that night and spilled it all out to him. It turned out that the feeling was mutual. He had pushed me away because he also knew no one would ever approve of us. However, since then, we’ve been seeing each other in secret, even though we knew it would never work. But somehow it didn’t matter, because when we were together, I felt that we were the only people in this world,” she paused for a moment and took a deep breath.

“A few days ago, Nycholas Sternlash proposed to me in front of all my family and my father’s people. I did what was expected of me, nothing else, but in my heart, I knew I wasn’t marrying the man I loved. After the feast, I went to the forge, because I had to explain myself to him. We were both frustrated because we were going to stay apart, so I convinced him to run away with me to Poisart at the Duchy of Burgundy, where we could live together, and no one could say he wasn’t worthy of me. He did not kidnap me, he would never cause me any harm. It was me who left and took him with me. I don’t care if I’m noble and he’s not. All I care is that I love him, and he loves me back,” Elsie looked from Gilbert to her father at last. “I am deeply sorry for the worry and trouble that I’ve caused, especially to the Sternlashes. I did not mean to embarrass or dishonour anyone. I just wanted to be free to be whoever I want to be and with whoever I want. You can punish me if that’s what you have to do, Father, but Gilbert is innocent and I won’t let him take the blame for something he did not do,” she finished.

“I thank you for your honesty, Elsie. What you did caused too much trouble as you already acknowledged and it can’t pass unpunished,” Ricardus spoke.

“I understand, Father, however I must also add that you made your mistake as well taking Nycholas Sternlash’s words as the truth. I understand that there was no reason not to believe him, but I never thought of you as a listener to gossip, especially one invented by a fool like Philippe. You’ve known Gilbert since he was a child and you always knew we were good friends. How could you believe that he would harm me in any way? Besides, I don’t have any injuries and I took all my belongings with me. How could I have time to pack if I was kidnapped in the middle of the night?”

“You’ve made your point, Elsie,” Ricardus said silencing his daughter. Then he turned to Theo and whispered something to his heir, who replied in a whisper that no one could hear.

Ricardus kept quiet for a few minutes and Elsie took Gilbert’s hand, who had stood up next to her.

“Gilbert, from the evidence and facts showed by Lady Elsie Asheye of Nevettia, I declare you innocent of the charges held against you,” Ricardus finally declared and Elsie hugged him in relief then started untying his hands. “However, you must face the consequences of your acts, Elsie. Therefore, I’m sending you straight away to a convent nearby where you shall stay until your wedding day with Nycholas Sternlash as planned.”

“I understand, but there is something else you should know, Father,” Elsie spoke once again.

“What is it this time?” Lord Ricardus asked.

Elsie first looked at Gilbert and took his hand for support and for some courage as well.

“Gilbert and I… We got married two nights ago, when we reached the village where we were taken by those mercenaries,” she said.

“That’s an absurd! I’ve never been so insulted in my life!” Lord Sternlash rose from his chair and yelled.

“William, silence, please,” Lord Ricardus held his hand to the man and looked at his daughter. “Was the marriage consummated?”

“Yes,” she admitted blushing.

“That’s enough. I declare this trial closed,” Ricardus said coldly. “Elsie and Gilbert, come with me. Theo, you as well.”

Lord Asheye left the room roughly before William Sternlash had time to begin complaining once again. Elsie, still holding Gilbert’s hand, followed her father with Theo right behind them. They entered a private room where Ricardus stood facing a window. After Theo closed the door behind him, Ricardus turned to face his daughter and her husband.

“I cannot believe that you were so careless and reckless, Elsie. I would’ve never expected that of you or any of my children to be honest. I thought I taught you better. Life is made of responsibilities and you just showed me you don’t even know what’s the meaning of that word,” he said harshly. “What am I going to tell the Sternlashes? William is already furious. You’re my daughter, my own flesh and blood, but I can’t let you stay here while you call this boy a husband. I’m sorry, but I just can’t. It will be an insult to all the sworn bannermen of Nevettia.”

“Father, you’re not really…” Theo started.

“Expelling me from the castle?” Elsie finished.

“You have until noon to gather all your belongings and leave,” Ricardus determined. “I’ll allow you to take two horses, food and water and some money for survival, but I cannot do more than this.”

“Father, don’t you think this is too harsh?” Theo asked as he watched Elsie cry silently.

“Theo, you will rule Nevettia one day and I’m making sure you learn to be fair with those who deserve it and think about the people who support you. Without allies you are nothing, and I can’t let my bannermen think I was weak in my punishment just because she’s my daughter. Respect takes time to be built, but only a second to be destroyed.”

“Fine, punish me all you want, but know that I will never forgive you for this,” Elsie said.

Ricardus didn’t reply and Elsie left with Gilbert. He followed her to her chambers. She started to pack all over in a rush, but her anger just made her throw clothes into a pile in the middle of the room.

“Elsie…” Gilbert called. “Elsie, please, stop.”

He grabbed her shoulders and made her look at him. He kissed her forehead and pulled her close for a hug. Elsie rested her head on his chest sobbing and embraced him by the waist.

“You didn’t have to do any of that. Not for me. I’m so sorry for putting you through this,” he said softly.

“I did it because it was the right thing to do and because I love you. You don’t have to apologize for anything. I chose to do everything we did on my own,” she looked up at him.

“I love you too, I just didn’t want you to do anything you would regret later.”

“I don’t regret anything, I promise you. We are going to work this out, aren’t we?”

“Of course we will,” he gave her a small kiss and looked at her pile of clothes. “Do you want help with that?”

Elsie smiled weakly and together, they packed her belongings. This time, Elsie went through everything carefully. It was also brought to them their packing from their escapade, some food and wine to their journey. This time they’d reach their destination and they could travel through the main road without the need to hide.

When they were sure they had everything, they went to the front gates, where their horses were already waiting for them again. What they didn’t expect to see was Lady Yvette, Theo, Giselle and their son, Anne, Mylla, Noah and even Ury, standing there was well.

As soon as they got closer, Noah ran towards Elsie and hugged her.

“Please, don’t go! You just arrived. Please, don’t leave us again,” the small boy pleaded with teary eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Noah. As much as I’d like to stay, I can’t. This time, I’m just following orders,” she hugged him back and fought her own tears.

“But I’ll miss you,” he looked at her.

“Yeah, I’ll miss you too,” she kissed the top of his head.

While Elsie said her goodbyes, Ury held Gilbert back from everyone else. He gave Gilbert a slap on the back of his head.

“Ouch,” the lad whined. “What was that for?”

“That was for doing something stupid and almost getting yourself killed,” Ury said, but then hugged his apprentice who he had always taken care of like his son. “And this is because I’ll miss you, lad.”

“Thank you, for everything,” Gilbert said.

“There are sword fighting academies in Poisart. Look for work at one of them. You were well trained and know the work. They will be lucky to have you as one of their blacksmiths,” Ury continued and let Gilbert go. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will, thank you again,” Gilbert hugged him again.

They let go once more and looked back at Elsie who had already said her goodbyes to Mylla and Noah and now was standing in front of Anne.

“I am so sorry, Elsie. This is my entire fault,” Anne apologized with tears in her eyes.

“It’s alright, Annie. I don’t blame you, really. I’m sorry too, for everything. Just hang in there and if Philippe ever tries anything again, you kick him right in the middle of his legs with one of those heels you love so much to wear,” Elsie replied and Anne giggled. “But I’m sure mother can give you some advice for you to protect yourself. Don’t let him make you think you’re less than anything. He is an i***t and you are amazing.”

Anne hugged Elsie tight and both sisters cried together. Elsie was heartbroken to leave Anne behind knowing how badly Philippe treated her. The young girl wanted to stay and plot revenge against him with her sister, because it really touched her heart hearing Anne saying she stood up for her and it made Elsie so proud. And although Anne was sad to see Elsie go, she also had a sparkle of excitement and hope to know that Elsie would have the adventure she always wanted and that she would live the romance Anne always heard and wanted to know.

Then, Elsie turned to Theo. He kissed her forehead and took her hands in his.

“We’ll miss you, little sister. But if there’s anyone who can survive the wide and open world, that person is you,” he said embracing her as well.

Elise finally reached her mother and she could tell that Lady Yvette was putting her strong face on without letting show how sad she was to see her daughter leave.

“You brought this on yourself, Elsie, although I don’t agree with your father’s decision. I’ll pray for your well-being. Just don’t forget to write us now and then, okay?” Yvette turned then to Gilbert. “You lad, you better take care of her and make sure she is happy and live the good life she deserves.”

“I will, my lady,” Gilbert replied.

Yvette, then hugged Elsie and let a shy tear stream down her face. Elsie forced herself out of her mother’s embrace and got on her horse with Gilbert beside her. She waved goodbye once again and so they left with the actual chance of being together.