Chapter the Fifth

Baeddan was reading under candlelight. A simple, uplifting activity after a rather depressing day. Unfortunately, he was reading Romeo and Juliet. This made his sadness worse, especially considering the rain pouring. He had grabbed it off of his adoptive mother’s bookshelf, figuring he could relate to it now. Although, he and Iraella were far from lovers, separated by royal status. They were friends, separated by his foolish choice.
Baeddan set the book aside and started to blow out his candle, but just before he let out the breath he heard a knock at his low front window. Baeddan jumped, then looked out the window and saw Iraella waving at him.
Baeddan laughed softly, opened his window, and let the wet girl in. Through her stumbling, Iraella managed to get through. She tripped and nearly fell, but Baeddan caught her. “Sorry,” she said. “I’m still a complete uncoordinated mess.”
Baeddan smiled at her as he closed the window. “No problem. How did you get here while you’re like this?” he asked.
Iraella smiled. “Please, don’t ask,” she told him. She looked to the bedside table and started giggling. “Bae, is that Romeo and Juliet?” she asked between giggles. Baeddan felt his face heating up. “Yes,” he mumbled.
Iraella grinned. “Should I ask why you were reading this, my dear friend?” she asked teasingly, sitting down on Baeddan’s bed.
“Probably not,” Baeddan said.
“So why were you reading it?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“So romantic tragedies help you sleep?”
“Be quiet, Iraella!” Baeddan laughed. Iraella smiled at him and then asked seriously. “Honestly, why were you reading it?”
“I thought I could relate to it more. You know, us being separated and all of that,” Baeddan rubbed the back of his neck, as he always did when he was embarrassed. “And you sneaking over here in the middle of the night does not help!” he added, smiling.
Iraella grinned at him. “I don’t believe that our tale is nearly as beautiful or dramatic, Bae,” she said. “No, perhaps not,” Baeddan sighed.
Iraella sighed and laid back on Baeddan’s bed, staring at the ceiling. Baeddan remained standing, watching her close her eyes and clasp her hands under her head. “I wish my parents weren’t being so foolish, Bae,” Iraella said.
“They have a reason, though. At least your parents protect you,” Baeddan said. Iraella sat up, and what she thought would be a permanent smile turned to a frown. “What are you talking about?” she asked.
Baeddan looked away and stared at the steadily slowing rain on his bedroom window. “Nothing,” he said.
Iraella looked at her friend with concern. For the first time, she studied his eyes. In those perfect, beautiful hazel eyes was a story of hurt that she had never seen before. “Baeddan, you know you can tell me anything,” Iraella said, wishing she could stand up and give him a hug.
Baeddan shook his head and looked to Iraella. “Don’t worry, Iraella. I’m fine,” he said, his eyes pleading with her to not ask for any more. Iraella nodded, her bright green eyes promising to keep quiet.
They sat in awkward silence for what felt like an eternity. But then Baeddan heard footsteps. “Iraella, you need to go home, Calida is coming!” he said in a hushed whisper. Iraella gave a barely audible gasp before bolting upward. She stumbled and Baeddan grasped her hand. He hurried her out the window. “I hope to see you soon, Ira,” whispered Baeddan.
“Me too,” Iraella whispered back. Baeddan released her hand and watched her leave. It was almost painful to see. She stumbled and fell and rose again, only to fall. Baeddan wanted so badly to reach out and help her, but he knew she could make it.
At last, Calida entered Baeddan’s room. He stood in front of the window, to hide Iraella. “What have you been doing, Baeddan?” his adoptive mother asked groggily.
“I was reading Romeo and Juliet aloud,” Baeddan said, trying to sound convincing.
“Oh, well goodnight,” Calida said. After she left, Baeddan couldn’t help but laugh in knowing that Calida was so tired as to fall for that.
When he looked back out the window, Iraella was out of sight. Baeddan sighed and smiled, going to lay back in bed. Perhaps that day wasn’t so depressing after all.