Chapter Three - Stranger

As Charella walks toward the garden it begins to rain. Instead of running from it, Charella dances in it. She takes in the smell. She takes in the free feeling she has, paying no attention where she is dancing or going, she soon finds herself in the woods, that border their cottage home. It's very dark and she quickly sets about trying to find the way back to the path toward the house. The moon shines, lighting the way.



"Excuse me?" someone says in the dark.

Charella freezes. Who else would be out late at night in the dark. She bites her lip and tries to run for it, but trips over her shoe and falls into the dirt. She knows the stranger heard her fall and she scrambles to get up, driven by fear.

"Please don't go, I only want to talk." the voice says as she gets up and hurries away, not watching where she is going, when BAM! She slams into a boy not much older than herself.

Charella is embarrassed and scared. She doesn't know who this person is.

"Oh. I'm so sorry." he says jumping up and giving her his hand, "Let me help you up." he helps her up and introduces himself as Augusto.



"I'm Charella. Augusto, if you don't mind my asking, why aren't you at the ball?"

"Ah the ball. Yes, well, my family isn't so keen on matters which pertain to royality. I might ask you the same question.." he says with a smile, although in the dark, Charella cannot see it.

"It's the same in my home as well." she lies.



As the moon climbs higher into the night sky, the rain subsides and Charella and Augusto chat. They sit upon a log in the forest, talking about their lives, Charella of course is the daughter of a poor millmen who's only wish for her is that she be happy. Augusto's father has been killed in battle and he lives with his mother. He is an only child. The chat is going well, until Charella hears the bell toll for midnight.

"I'm very sorry Augusto, but I have to be getting back now." she says standing.

Augusto is sad to see her go but smiles and takes her hand, kissing it.



"Farewell Charella. Will we meet again?" he asks hopeful.

Charella smiles as well, pulling her hand away.

" I should hope so." she says blushing.