My Meadow of Ash Trees

”I would like to go to the town. May I sir? ” Announce by Ashley as she and the Count sat in the dining room. They both are having dinner while the Countess isn due to her excuse of not having an appetite to eat.

The count stop eating and look at her with a frown. ”Father. Call me father. And of course you may. Just bring a knight and a maid. You can bring the maid you are always with, Mary is it? ”

”Really? ” Ashley look at him with flashing eyes as if they are diamonds.

”Yes, however are you going outside with that kind of clothes? ” The Count look at the maid clothes Ashley is wearing.

”Ill ask Mary to let me borrow some of her outdoor clothes. ”

”What? No need to do that. Carl! ”

The butler Carl walk towards the Count. ”Yes Sir? ”

”When will Baron Bennet come here? ” The Count asks him.

Baron Bennet? Ashley thought to herself.

”As per he is in the Capital, he shall be able to receive the letter this evening or tomorrow morning. So, I assume he will be able to come here tomorrow evening or the day after tomorrow. ”

”Hmm… Alright. Then you can go to the town after that. ” He said as he look at Ashley with a smile while slightly nodding.

”Do I really have to? ” Ashley asks in a low tone.

”Of course. I don want you to wear someones clothes anymore. You deserve to have a dress for your own. ”

”Scars… ”

”Scars? ” The count frown again.

”Hell see it. ” Ashley mumbled again.

The count sighed. ”I won know what you are talking about if youll just keep on mumbling. ”

”I will apologize in advance if what I about to say is wrong but I assume she is telling you that she doesn want other people to see her scars. ” Carl butt in their conversation.

The Count look again to Ashley whose head has downturned. Then he massage one of his temples while he close his eyes.

”Don worry. Ill make sure he won tell any soul about your scars. ” The Count replied as he open his eyes.

Its not like that. Their reaction bugs me. Ashley bottled in her mind. She just nodded while the Count smiled to her.

”And don worry, I already know someone who can teach you proper etiquette. ” She just nodded again, not uttering a word until the end of dinner.

”You should use the room I have given to you. I already ordered Carl to let your things transfer there even though you only have a few things. ”

Ashley nodded again as she slightly smiled. The Count thought to himself, What an obedient child.

”Good night, my child. ” The Count hug her which she didn return back.

”Good night, Father. ” Then he walks his way to the office while Carl slightly bow with a hand in his left chest to Ashley before he walks away with the Count.

The smile on Ashleys face faded away and as the sight of the Count disappeared. She wasn comfortable at all throughout the dinner. She return to her room which the Count provided for her.

As soon as she came in, she saw Mary who was tidying her room.

”Mary! ” she throw herself to Mary who was startled.

”Ashley? Whats the matter? Did the Count hurt you? ” Mary ask with her eyebrows pulling together.

”No. He didn . Rather, he was so kind to me and the Countess was not present at tonights dinner. ” Ashley answered.

”Then why? ”

”I just feel so exhausted. I didn do any job today but I feel like I just overwork myself. ”

Mary hug the lady in front of her. This must be a long hard day for Ashley because of the changes she is experiencing.

”Are you sure about this? ” Mary asked Ashley

”…. ” Ashley didn answered and gazed somewhere else.

Shes definitely against it. Ashley pondered to herself as she look at Mary again.

*sigh* ”Im against it. ” Mary protest to her. ”I don trust Mrs. Lana at all. I don trust the Count. The Countess, all of them. ”

”I don trust them too. ” Ashley muttered. ”You
e the only one I trust here. ”

”Then why still go on with her plan? ”

”I understand that you are worried about me being use. Even so, Mrs. Lanas suggestion is quiet useful too. ” Ashley stated. ”You can call it a desperate move but if it means not getting hurt again by the Countess and being loved by the Count, then Ill do it. ”

Mary look at Ashley with astonishment. Her eyes that was about to shed tears a moment ago, are now showing a determined and strong aura. It was as if she was a different Ashley from before.

Does she always look stronger? When did this girl grow? Mary thought to herself then she sighed.

”Alright. If you are really set on to be his youngest daughter, then Ill help you no matter what. ” Mary conceded to Ashleys reasoning.

”Thank you, Mary. ” Ashley smiled then hug her again.

”I prepared your bath, you should take one now. ” Mary spoke as they separate each other from the hug while Ashley nodded as she agree with it.

After the bath, Ashley change into a white long sleeves nightdress.

”This is not mine. ” Ashleys eyebrows form a frown as she look the nightdress she was wearing.

”Ah. I found them in your bed when I came here. I bet it was the Counts gift to you. ” Mary answered her as she pulled her to a chair in front of a bureau. Then she combed Ashleys hair with a brush while Ashley sit.

”Stay still. ” Mary hissed at Ashley when she tried to turn her head to the right side.

”I can see the night sky here while you comb my hair. ” Ashley stated.

”You can gaze at the stars later so stay still. ” As she continues to brush her hair, Ashley is being impatient.

As soon as Mary finish combing her hair, Ashley walk to the small balcony of the room. The stars and the moon are shining in the darkness of the sky. As she gaze at them, Mary approach her with a shawl in her hand, wrap it up to her and stand beside her.

”Its cold so wear this. ”

”Thank you, Mary. ”

”Missing her? ” She asked Ashley. Ashley nodded as an answer. Then she clasped her hands and closed her eyes like she was wishing on them while Mary did the same.

The two stayed silent for a while as they pray through the cold night.

”Achoo… ” Ashley sniff as she rub her nose.

”Lets go inside now or you might catch a cold. ” Mary drag her inside the room and let her sit in front of the fireplace. Then she closed the door of the small balcony to prevent the cold wind from coming in.

”Its nice that this room has a fireplace. It was really cold at night in the Attic room, even in winter. Imagining it again… ” Mary shake her head as she rub her shoulders with her hands.

Ashley was silent only as she look at the burning woods.

Burning woods. The crackling sounds. The color of the fire and its ashes. Screaming and cries.

”So did you ask him? ” Ashley was awaken from her thoughts when Mary tap her shoulder as she sit down beside her.

”Yes and he allowed me however, he said I can go only after Baron Bennett- ” Ashley answered her.

”Baron Bennet?! As in the royal tailor? ” Mary asked with widen eyes while Ashley nodded to her as answer.

”Oh my! I didn know the Count have such influence to even have the royal tailor come to his household and make your dresses. I really love his works and want to meet him in person ever since I was a child. ” Marys eyes were twinkling like diamonds as she talk about Baron Bennett.

Ashley was silent again when Mary notice it.

”Im sorry I talk too much. ”

”No. Its fine. Its just… ” Ashley hug herself.

Mary look at her movements that she realizes Ashleys agony. ”Your scars… Are you afraid theyll see it? ”

Ashley shook her head. ”Its not that Im afraid. Its just… their reactions. ”

”You don want others to see it because you don want them to pity you. ”

Ashley smiled a little bit. ”Can you read minds? ”

”Silly you! Don you know how many years we have been friends? How can I not know what you are thinking or your fears? ” Mary giggled as pat Ashley in her head. ”Don worry too much. ”

Ashley nodded slowly as she look again at the fire. ”I really don want them to pity me. But having them see my scars feel like they will look down at me. ”

Mary just sighed and stand up. ”You worry too much. Come and stand up. Its time for you to sleep. ”

She stand up as Mary help her and they walk towards the bed. Its so big and spacious that it can fit 2 persons. Mary tuck her in the bed and as she look up, there is a painting above. Its a landscape of a forest with two Ash trees being separated by a river in the middle but they still lean towards each other.

”Beautiful. ” She mumbled.

”Isn it? ” Mary asked her with a smile as she look above too. ”Well. See you tomorrow. Good Night, Ashley. ”

”Good night, Mary. ”