Payments Due

[Rose Swan]

Melody's face went almost completely red as soon as she realized she was being kissed. And then afterward there was just the awkward silence where she was fumbling for something to say, something to do. Any thought processes she had crashed and burned and she was attempting to reconstruct them, which was incredibly difficult to do with him sitting right there beside her and looking at her expectantly. "I... I'm sorry... I need... A moment...." she stammered before standing and hurrying out of the cellar.

She couldn't go to Mom. Mom had her mind in other places. Dad and Pent were out in there doing something that was scaring the daylights out of them all. And after considering all of her other options, Melody ventured out to the place where her mother's beloved grandfather was staying. He knew Espera's father, and he adored both her and her mother. This man had to have some form of good advice, with so many years of wisdom he had gained. So as she entered quietly and meekly almost, she said "Grandfather?" The nickname sounded better than Great-Grandfather or anything like that.

[Taiylor Wallace]

Ephriam rose from a chair before the hearth. He'd taken to staying in the abandoned house upon his arrival. "Yes, darling?" He turned to face her with a gentle smile as always. For all the rumors, all the stories, and all the horrific battles he'd been though, he was one of the kindest men she'd ever come across aside from Rogal, Pent, and Espera.

[Rose Swan]

Melody sat down in another chair. "If I were to tell you that Espera had feelings for me, and I wasn't sure what to really do, what would you suggest?" she asked him. She looked so confused.

[Taiylor Wallace]

"Espera, hm? Doesn't surprise me... Ephriam came to her side and kissed her cheek. "The best advice I can give you is to follow whatever you feel is the best path. Espera's a fine man and you already know he adores you and would protect you no matter what. What does he mean to you?"

[Rose Swan]

"He means a lot to me. Almost as much as my family. He's great and amazing and funny, I just... I've never had this type of thing come up before and I don't know what to do. He actually kissed me a few minutes ago, and I ran out because I got scared. I think that now I accidentally broke his heart and now he doesn't want me though." Melody said sadly. She may have just royally screwed up, and she had no idea what Espera was feeling now. But Grandfather was right, he cared a lot about her. And she cared a lot about him.

[Taiylor Wallace]

"Then go fix it," Ephriam suggested. "Things will run their own course. Just give the boy a chance. You may find that he's more than he seems."

[Rose Swan]

Melody nodded. "Alright, Grandfather. Thank you." She hugged him tightly before returning to her cellar where she had left Espera. "I'm sorry for running like that. I just kind of got scared and overwhelmed and I needed a moment. But I realized I felt a lot more than friendship towards you, but I didn't really know what it was because I never felt like that about anyone before. But I know what it is now." She walked over and sat beside him again before kissing him gently.

[Taiylor Wallace]

Espera had remained on his own in silence, feeling he'd ruined his chances, until she kissed him in return. He offered a smile, "Sorry... I just felt like it was the right thing to do at the time."

[Rose Swan]

"It's no big deal. I was just a little bit surprised. Mom once told me that she had surprised my dad with their first kiss. They were dancing and she said he had literally stopped in his tracks." Melody leaned her head on his shoulder. "I wonder what that life is like. Life in a castle with all the balls and dancing and being loved by almost everyone... Mom never really mentioned it much. I don't know if I make for a good princess." she sighed.

[Taiylor Wallace]

Espera wrapped an arm around her, "You'll find out what that life is like soon enough, but I'm sure you'd make a fine princess." He let his head rest on hers.