'I will come on the day of your wedding,' he says. 'Or maybe even a day earlier. Have a nice trip and enjoy your days at Bedigalhall.'
I and Calem wave him goodbye, and get into the carriage. It is a comfortable carriage, or maybe I am too happy to think otherwise. The dark blue evening sky can be seen from the window. I sit back and relax, as the horses start to move, pulling the carriage. Soon we are away from the Gharland castle, going to the place where my childhood passed, where I was a few days ago, where I would never think I would celebrate my wedding day. I recline onto Calem's warm and strong shoulder and close my eyes. The carriage is gently rocking, as it is being pulled by the horses, and it is so soothing, that I fall asleep.
I wake up in the morning, when the carriage stops for us to have some breakfast. Sileas, the maid, brings into the carriage a tray full of food. It is pleasant to eat inside the carriage, as the morning air outside is a bit cold. Sileas is a middle-aged woman, who is only temporarily our maid for the trip. She will return to the Gharland castle as soon as we reach the Bedigalhall castle. She is nice and kind, always smiling when she is with us. I appreciate Darah's kindness to think of sending her with us, so that she will take care of different things.
'Please let me know when you have finished eating,' Sileas asks me and leaves the carriage. She has her breakfast all alone, away from the warriors and us.
'Maybe we could call her here to have breakfast with us?' I ask Calem. He shrugs at first, but then says:
'I do not think that she will feel comfortable with us. She will not want to eat with us.'
I think about it and decide that Calem is right. The maid would probably not feel free while eating. So I just let her have her privacy and freedom on the green grass. We finish the tasty food, and Sileas takes everything away. Our calm and pleasant trip continues.
Chapter 17
Elsie
It is the third day that we are riding to the Bedigalhall Castle. I can already see the gates of the castle of my childhood.
'We are almost there, my love,' I announce, as I get the first glimpse of the gates in the distance. Calem also looks and nods.
'I have missed the delicious food that Ainslee makes,' he says, making me happy that soon I will see my most favorite maid – Ainslee. 'And your bedroom,' he adds, winking at me. I giggle.
'We will sleep in my bed during this week, and we will not do it in secret anymore, because there is no one in the castle beside us,' I say. 'The maid do not count,' I add, giggling.
'Of course! At last, we will feel ourselves at home,' Calem says. 'By the way, I have a surprise for you.
Elsie smiles at me waiting for me to tell her what it is about.
"I got a letter from Sloan, and she assured me they'll be here tomorrow."
'Oh, how wonderful!' I say, as I look out of the window, seeing that the carriage enters the gates of the castle. For the first time in my life, I am eager to enter through the gates of the castle, as I know that it is now clean of any kind of bad people.
Ainslee is the first person to come forward and greet us. The carriage stops in the middle of the front yard. As Calem opens the door of the carriage and get out, I do not wait till he gives me his hand to help me out, I just jump out and run towards Ainslee. She breaks into a big smile and spreads her arms widely to hug me. I hug her tightly.
'My dear girl, my dear Elsie, you are back!' She exclaims. 'I am so happy to see you again! My girl!'
'Ainslee, I and Calem are getting married soon! And the wedding will take place in this castle, at my home!' I tell her and watch how her smiling face starts beaming like a sun.
'Oh, are you serious, Elsie! I am so happy, you cannot even imagine! And then you will stay here to live, right?' She asks me.
'Umm, well, I do not know yet. I am not sure,' I say, shrugging. 'We will think about it later. But for now, we need to get ready for the wedding.'
When we enter the castle, it is as if many years have passed since I last visited it, and not only a few days. But this time, everything is so warm and pleasant, so lovable, that I feel instant happiness even by looking at the walls. Ainslee hurries into the kitchen to get the dinner ready, while I and Calem sit on the soft chairs in the big hall and recline against the comfortable pillows. This is the first time that we do not have to do anything in a hurry, and just can sit down and relax.