Sidesaddle Defiance, A Heart’s Unrest

With similar smiles, they took a step back.

Bloom saw Julian at the edge of the courtyard for the first time. A tall woman, who was clearly his mother, stood next to him and grinned broadly. Bloom choked back a flood of irate tears and turned aside while Julian regarded her with nervous eyes.

Her mother declared, her face glowing as though she had just been crowned queen, "It's time to go." "Dear Delphina, we have to leave now or it will get hard to get home."

With a smile, Julian's mother gave her a hug. "I'm glad to see you and your daughter again, old friend. We'll get together again shortly.

After releasing Lady Hartfield, Bloom's mother continued, "And you too, young man." "I forward seeing you as well. We will never be able to pay you back.

With ease, Julian answered, "It was nothing." Bloom avoided looking at him. "We also want to give you the horse. She seemed to have developed a strong affection for Liliana.

Bloom turned as moonlight pushed her from behind, a smile emerging as she caressed the devoted mare and cooed softly. Recalling her etiquette, she muttered a thank-you to Julian while avoiding eye contact with the cunning son of a nobility.

The party's women got on their horses and rode sidesaddle. Bloom defiantly flung a leg over Moonlight's back, exposing her thighs as her skirt rode up. Bloom caught her mother's critical glare but chose to ignore it and ease herself into the saddle. She thought rebelliously, "She'll just have to get used to it." There was no way to sidesaddle.

Beside her, Annelise bounced. Can Liliana and I ride together? Oh, please, please? I swear, I'll be fine!

Their mom let out a sigh. "You are welcome to ride with her." She didn't say anything about Bloom's unladylike stance, and Bloom let out a sigh of relief.

Before Bloom, Julian moved ahead to hoist Annelise into the saddle. With his eyes downcast, he muttered, "I'm sorry," and she tensed.

"You believe you can simply say you're sorry for that?" Her words were laced with malice as she snarled. Lord Hartfield, leave my life. Go because nothing you say can reverse what you've done.

The mare's hoof just missed Julian's foot as she pushed Moonlight into a trot. Bloom stared at the opening gates, ignoring his startled leap. She was followed by the parade.

Henrik pulled up to her. "That was impolite," he stated calmly. "You almost stepped on Lord Hartfield."

Bloom scowled. "Henrik, I'm not a noble. I was brought up common, even though I was born one. I've lost all faith in nobles, especially him, because everything I know about them is corrupt," she said somberly.

For a while, he rode in quiet. "Liliana, not all nobles are evil," he remarked quietly.

She turned her head away. "It would appear so. But in the end, they always turn on you. She was plagued with doubt. Would her new family be treacherous as others had been, or would they be stronger now that she was a part of them? Could someone hurt her even more than she had already been hurt?

"I wouldn't," Henrik whispered. "Mom refused. Neither my wife nor our siblings would. You've obviously been through more than all of us together, so I don't expect you to believe me, but you should hear it nevertheless.

Bloom examined his face, but he showed no signs of dishonesty. Perhaps because he was the brother she vaguely remembered—more dream than memory, but real nonetheless—something inside of her wanted to trust him.

"Believe me," she sighed. "I have a hard time trusting people, especially nobles." I've lost track of who my buddies are. My lone buddy destroyed my garden, I was expelled from my community, and my family was murdered by a nobleman I believed to be my patron. As she thought about Julian's betrayal and her departed loved ones, tears streamed down her face.

In order to put her arms around Bloom's waist, Annelise twisted in the saddle. "Liliana, don't worry," she said sincerely. "We'll look after you."

Bloom gave her sister a hug in return, her voice softer with love. "I'm sure you will."

She also did.

They stopped that night in a far-off village and booked rooms at a little inn. Bloom ended up disclosing to Charlene.

Charlene added, "My husband will bunk with his brother," in a hushed voice that had a faint lilt, almost like a northern accent, but Bloom was unable to identify it.

Charlene combed out her long black hair while she watched. With her olive skin, apple-green eyes, high cheekbones, and thick red lips that gave her dignity, the woman was incredibly beautiful. Her eyes flickered with apprehension as she smiled at Bloom.

With caution, Charlene said, "I don't wish to bother or offend you, but why are you so suspicious of nobles? I witnessed your treatment of Lord Hartfield, yet he brought you back to your family. I must have been wrong to assume you two were pals.

After considering her thoughts, Bloom decided to tell the story of Drake Clearbrook instead of revealing Julian's betrayal because it was too recent for a near stranger.

She described the deaths of her son, husband, and best friend in a cool, collected manner.

When she was done, Charlene muttered, "Oh, my." That's awful. I'm so sorry. Leaning forward, she embraced Bloom. "I sincerely apologize for what you've gone through, even though I know that words cannot make it better. I wouldn't want anyone to experience that.

Bloom shed a few tears as she melted into the embrace. It's okay. It's true that I will always love and miss them, but I'm doing fine.

Charlene let out a sigh. "I get it. My little brother passed away when he was two years old, and the grief almost broke me. Even though I've moved on, I still harbor a small regret for the life he might have had and miss his smile. She acknowledged, "Your brother helped ease that ache."

They sat in friendly silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Then Charlene said it once again.

Having a loved one who reciprocates your feelings is beneficial. Nothing, not even money or material belongings, can ease the suffering like they can. Every day, I give thanks to the gods for Henrik.

Her smile came suddenly. However, I believe you have also experienced this. Your suffering is not as intense as it must have been. The magic of being in love can be priceless. Don't discard it.

She got out of Bloom's bed and walked over to her own. To Liliana-Bloom, good night. Consider what I stated.

Bloom's thoughts reeled in startled silence, unable to answer. Didn't love come only once? How was she able to fall in love again? Other than her family, friends, and her deceased Nolan and Darren, she had no love for anyone else.

Bloom dismissed Charlene's advice as foolish, drew the blankets up to her chin, and fell quickly and deeply asleep.