#griffius

[mariusthewizofawiz]

[mariusthewizofawiz]

The Break-up: A Griffius (+Cecilia) Drabble

Note: This was an ic chat between Griffin (jassy) and I (with a little editing to make it make sense grammatically and as a story rather than a chat). It does not affect any current threads or relationships (as of yet. It may be used as inspiration for later threads). Also, it is being put under a Read More simply because it is so stinking long.

(Cecilia and Griffin are sitting in a room and spending time together. Cecilia is finally annoyed and addressing the fact that Marius is always there with them.)

"Why's he always here?" Cecilia asks finally, fed up with the awkward silence that comes with Marius being in the corner of the room.

"BECAUSE MARIUS IS MY SERVANT AND I NEED HIM AT ALL TIMES! DON'T QUESTION IT!" Arthur suddenly bursts.

"BUT WHY?!"

"THATS QUESTIONING IT!"

"I COULD DO THE STUFF HE DOES!"

" ...no you really couldn't...."

"BUT HE JUST NEEDS TO BE HERE!"

"Yeah Cecilia. I don't think you've had to clean anything in your life." Marius adds in with a small smirk.

"SH-SHUT UP, MARIUS!" Cecilia screeches back at him, blushing slightly. "WHY ARE YOU EVEN HERE? THIS IS A PRIVATE CONVERSATION!"

"MARIUS WANTS TO BE HERE" Griffin adds.

"I was invited bitch. why are you here?" Marius says to Cecilia.

"MARIUS HOLD YOUR TONGUE, YOU CAN'T SPEAK TO EVERY ROYAL THAT WAY!" Griffin chastises. 

"WATCH ME, PRETTY BOY!" Marius retorts.

"YEAH, SERVANT!" Cecilia puts in, smugly. "GO CLEAN MY SHOES OR SOMETHING."

"WOAH WOAH WOAH, ONLY I GET TO TELL HIM WHAT TO DO." Griffin shouts at Cecilia.

"BITCH, YOU WEREN'T SAYING THAT WHEN I SAVED YOUR LIFE SEVERAL TIMES IN ENGLAND!" Marius throws at Cecilia.

"I SAVED YOURS TOO, DUMBASS" Cecilia retorts to Marius. She then turns to Griffin and says sweetly, "Oh, sorry babe. Can you tell him to go clean my room or something?" She bats her eyes sweetly.

" ....WELL MARIUS DOES NEED CHORES TO DO...BUT HE STILL NEEDS TO BE HERE FOR...REASONS. LIKE GETTING US WINE!"

"Well, then send him to get us wine!" Cecilia replies to Griffin. She turns to Marius. "GET THEE AWAY MARIUS! AND BRING BACK THE FINEST BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE CASTLE! OR THE COUNTRY! IN OTHERWORDS GO VERY FAR AWAY AND TAKE YOUR TIME FINDING IT!"

"WELL MARIUS...YOU HEARD THE LADY. FETCH US WINE AND GET BACK HERE RIGHT AWAY!"

"FINE! YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY AND CONTRADICTORY!" Marius shouts as he leaves the room.

Cecilia lets out a deep breath and giggles. "Finally, we are alone! Without that riff raff!"

Griffin uncomfortably waits for Marius to return. "He's not..."riff raff""

Cecilia groans. "Why are you so attached to him?"

Griffin struggles for words. "He's...well he's Marius. he grows on you, the annoying prat." He chuckles to himself.

"I mean, he's a sweat heart, but he's just a servant, right?"

Griffin is taken slightly aback. "O-of course, Cecilia."

"You could get another with the clap of your hands." She demonstrates by clapping her hands.

"I don't want another."

Cecilia suddenly becomes irritated and verge of angry. "You know. If I didn't know any better, I would say you have...." She chokes on the word. "feelings for that dunce."

Griffin becomes very nervous. "....I wonder where he is with..."  He coughs. "...that wine.  he should really hurry..."

Cecilia erupts in anger. "YOU DIDN'T DENY IT! DO YOU?"

"OF COURSE NOT, HE'S A SERVANT!" Griffin retorts indignantly.

"DO YOU REALLY PREFER THAT THAT... SERVANT TO ME?"

Griffin becomes more and more uncomfortable. "NO, CECILIA. YOU MEAN A LOT TO ME. HE'S...JUST MY SERVANT."

 "WELL, IF HE MEANS SO LITTLE TO YOU, THEN WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR HIM TO NOT BE AROUND? YOU ALWAYS HAVE HIM AROUND!"

"PERHAPS BECAUSE I ENJOY HIS COMPANY!"

"AND I JUST WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH MY FIANCEE! OR DO I NEED TO REMIND YOU THAT WE ARE ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED?!"

"YOU ARE SPENDING TIME WITH ME! AND BELIEVE ME, I AM WELL AWARE."

"YEAH, BUT WHY CAN'T WE HAVE ALONE TIME? THIS IS THE FIRST SEMI-ALONE TIME WE HAVE HAD!"

"IT'S....IT'S IMPROPER!"

"DIDN'T STOP FERGUS!"

"WELL MAYBE I CARE MORE ABOUT YOUR HONOR THAN HE!"

Cecilia's anger is immediately quenched. "Awwwwww!!" She gushes. "Do you really, baby?" She hugs him tightly.

"Of course. Wouldn't...wouldn't want anything improper said about my future queen."

Cecilia is overjoyed by the change in conversation and snuggles closer to Griffin. "Awww!!!! And this is why you are going to be my husband! I knew I made a good choice!" She kisses his cheek. She hears footsteps approaching the room. 

Griffin returns her tight hug and snuggles back. "Yes, yes you did." Cecilia smiles. She touches his face gently with her fingertips. Then she kisses her fiancee. Suddenly, they are interrupts by the clatter of a dropped tray and a broken whine bottle as Marius comes in and is so shocked by the scene he drops everything.

 "Marius!" Griffin shouts in shock, pulling back and away from Cecilia.

Marius clears his throat, nervously. "Oh... I'm sorry... I'm... interrupting something aren't I?" He asks before scrambling to clean up the mess he has made. Meanwhile, Cecilia is grinning maliciously from the arms of Griffin.

"No no, it's fine. really." Griffin insists.

"You were, but it seems that the mood is ruined now. Way to go." Cecilia sighs and rests her head on Griffin's shoulder.

"Well he had to return with the wine..." Griffin smiles uncomfortably.

"Well, he was just ill-timed is all I was saying."

"Marius is always ill-timed, part of his charm. Worst servant in all Prydain." Griffin chuckles. Marius is blushing furiously as he cleans up the mess. He takes a moment to smile gratefully at Griffin before returning to his task. He couldn't believe he had been so shocked and hurt that he actually dropped the tray and made the mess.

"I suppose so...." Cecilia relents with a sigh. "But he should maybe work on that."

Marius stands and shifts awkwardly on his feet. "I... uh... I suppose I should get you more wine then... Since I, uh... broke this one"

"Well, yes I suppose you should. Isn't that right, Griffy-bear?" Cecilia says with a sickeningly sweet smile.

Griffin winces at the nickname. "Really it's alright, I can always fetch another servant to bring it."

"No, really, Your Majesty. I made the mess, I can go fix it." Marius insists. Cecilia rolls her eyes at the exchange.

"Maybe I don't trust you to not drop another." Griffin grins.

"That's not quite fair. I just... tripped is all!" Marius chuckles.

Cecilia sits unamused. "How... quaint."

"Ah yes. Tripped. you do that an awful lot now don't you? Another charm of yours." Griffin states.

Cecilia is finally fed up. "I'm sorry, but am I interrupting something between the two of you?"

"W-what?" Griffin asks, blushing.

 "Well, since he has walked in, you have hardly looked at me and all you do is compliment him and say how charming he is. Clearly I am not that important and am not even here to you. Maybe I should just leave." Cecilia answers, crossing her arms.

"I...I am just being kind, Cecilia."

"Really kind for just a servant." She looks at him pointedly.

"Well, he's not just a servant."

"I don't recall you ever being so kind to the others." Cecilia raises her eyebrow.

"I am kind to all my servants, aren't I, Marius?"

"Ummm... that is absolutely right, Sire" He coughs. "Not." He coughs again. Cecilia glares at him as if to say, "Seee???"

Griffin becomes indignant. "Excuse me, Marius! I can clearly hear you. I am good to my servants!"

"Well, if I recall, you beat me up when we first met. And you are kind of an arse to well... everyone."

"That doesn't count! You weren't my.servant, just some insolent boy who insulted me. And I am not!"

"You would have beat me even when I was your servant if Balthazar and your parents didn't make you be somewhat nice."

"I would never beat you! When have I ever hurt you?"

"Um... like all the time?"

"I do not!" Griffin insists. "List one time."

"Last week. Your bath was too hot. You smacked me for messing up." Marius replies smugly.

"That was not me hitting you, that was just a friendly slap."

"Oh right." Marius says sarcastically. "Well, it hurt more than a friendly slap."

"I don't hurt you, Marius. You are being dramatic."

"Right. Well, why you two solve your little love-spat, I will be in my chambers." Cecilia butts in, furious at being ignored for so long. She stands and begins to leave the room. "Griffin, when you are ready to treat my like the bride I am going to be to you in a few days, you know where to find me."

"Wait, Cecilia! You're being unreasonable!" Griffin calls, standing.

"Am I?" She asks. "Am I really?"

"Yes."

"Really? Because, to me, this was a whole lot of me getting ignored by my SOON TO BE HUSBAND! And who am I being ignored for? NONE OTHER THAN A SERVANT! So please tell me again where I am being unreasonable."

"I am not ignoring you just because I am talking to someone else..."

"Um. Yes you are. He walked in and you forgot I was even here. I could see it with my own eyes."

"...no I didn't."

"He did too. Didn't you, Marius?"

"Marius, I did not. Tell her." Marius doesn't answer. Instead, he blushes and looks down at the ground, mentally kicking himself.

"I think my case rests." Cecilia concludes. "Just remember, Griffin: We are getting married in 3 days. You have until then to figure out where your true affections lie..."

"Of course I know where they lie!"

"Also remember that this marriage seals a deal with our countires."

"...Trust me, I haven't forgotten that."

"Good. Then I am going to my room and preparing for dinner." She taps her chin in thought. "I'm thinking a nice quiet dinner. Just you and me. Got it?" She raises an eyebrow at him.

 "Of course." Griffin relents. "I'll have Marius set it up...then he'll retire for the night to assist Balthazar."

Cecilia smiles cheerfully, sensing her win. "Sounds perfect! See you at 7!"  She blows kiss and winks before leaving. Griffin frowns as soon as she leaves the room.

"Well... that was awkward..." Marius says after a moment's silence. "Definitely could have gone better..." He smiles, trying to cheer up Griffin.

"She has a point." Griffin sighs.

Marius stands at attention, listening. "Oh? And what is that?"

"I need to pay more attention to my fiancee. I need to treat her like my bride..."

"Oh...." Marius deflates a little. "Well... I suppose that is the, uh... right thing to do..." He pauses, mulling over his next thought. "Griffin... do you think she was right?" He asks after a long silence. "Or just being crazy? Were we really... you know... I know I shouldn't be asking and that it's probably a dumb question..."

"Having a love-spat? Of course not! It's...nonsense. I'm engaged and you're....you. My servant."

"Oh..." Marius becomes quiet and sad but doesn't know why. He looks at the ground sadly.

"...Why do you ask?" Griffin asks after a pause.

Marius jumps nervously "Oh! No reason!" He squeaks.

"You always have a reason for the odd things you say and do, Marius."

"I was just.. wondering what you thought of her comments is all!" Marius laughs nervously.

"They were uncalled for, and could have had consequences. If anyone had overheard... She should not have said such things...Did what she say make you uncomfortable?"

"Oh... I'm not sure if uncomfortable is necessarily the word..." Marius chuckles nervously.

"Then what would the word be?"

Marius is taken aback. He think about what to say. "I don't know...." He takes a deep breath. "..Accurate?" He mutters under his breath.

Griffin rolls his eyes. "Why must you always mutter things under your breath? Just tell me what you have to say!"

Marius takes a deep breath. "I THINK SHE MIGHT HAVE A POINT!" He blurts suddenly. He claps his hands to his mouth, a surprised expression on his face.

"...and what exactly might that point be?" Griffin asks nervously.

Marius sighs and accepts his fate. It is too late to back out now. "That maybe... there is more between us than servant and master..."

"There isn't. You are my servant...and my friend. I'm...I'm engaged...There can't be anything.." He looks down sadly and avoids Marius's eyes.

Marius deflates, embarrassed. "Oh... perhaps it was nothing then... just something I imagined..."

Griffin steps closer to him. "However, you tend to see things i do not, as much as i hate to admit..."

Marius blushes furiously. "I-I-I.... I do?"

Griffin swallows nervously and laughs. "Don't sound so surprised! You always notice what i don't."

Marius grins. "Oh yeah? Like what?"

 "Just things, that i don't always pick up on...emotional stuff for example.  You were always such a girl."

Marius gasps and smacks Griffin in the chest playfully. "I am not!!!!"

Griffin chuckles. "Are too!" He pulls him into a headlock, using his free hand to playfully mess up his hair "Admit it, you girl"

Marius groans between laughs. "Never! I am no girl!"

"You could have fooled me." Griffin laughs and lets him go, but keeps his arm around Marius's shoulders.

 Marius chuckles and grins at Griffin, the weight of his arm burning into his shoulders. He blushes and looks down. Griffin smiles and looks at Marius fondly. "Now Marius, are you blushing?"

Marius blushes even more. "NO!!!" He squeals.

Griffin gently reaches up and touches Marius's cheek. "I can feel the heat coming from your face. There's no denying it!"' He laughs.

 Marius instinctively reaches up to touch Griffin's hand on his cheek. "Maybe I am a little...." He blushes more, peeking through eyelashes at Griffin.

"Not just a little, your whole face is red, even up to your ears." Griffin smiles teasingly. "Why are you blushing, Marius?" He gently caresses his cheek before pulling his hand away.

Marius sighs. "I don't know... it seems to be a habit as of late..." 

"Well, it certainly isn't a bad look on you."

If possible, he blushes even more. "R-r-really? What makes you say so, Sire?"

"Just...just that...it's a charming look on you is all. I like seeing you...seeing you blush."

"Really?" Marius asks, dumbstruck. "And you think I'm... charming?"

"Of course. In an annoying, clumsy sort of way. As I said earlier, you have many charms."

"But you... like me...?"

"Of course i like you, Marius. You've been my servant all this time, and are my closest friend after all."

"Right." Marius replied, slightly dejected. "Closest friend."

"You...you like me as well?"

"Of course, Sire! I've told you several times I would do anything for you. Forever and Always, right?"

Griffin smiles sadly. "Forever and always, yes. Marius, I really do always want you by my side."

Marius smiles sadly in return. "Well... I suppose I should go get dinner ready. Cecilia will not be happy if it does not happen."

Griffin sighs. "We certainly wouldn't want that. She really...she really shouldn't dislike you as much as she does. Once...once we are married she'll grow to like you I bet....ugh I don't even want to have this stupid dinner."

"Then why go? Why even put up with her? You don't even like her from what I can tell."

"I do like her, though. She's a funny and interesting girl. I just don't love her. We met and flirted...but it wasn't meant to lead to an engagement...Maybe if I fake ill I can get out of dinner."

"Yeah.... maybe..." Marius chuckles sadly.

"What do you think of her? Honestly? You mentioned you knew her before we met..." Griffin asks nervously.

"Well... when I met her before, she was really nice and fun and outgoing.... and not to mention drop dead gorgeous. But since you guys have been engaged... she has become so much... meaner. And for whatever reason, I can't find it in me to like any bit of her. She makes me so mad and I don't know why."

"She certainly doesn't give you much reason to like her...Cecilia is really only that mean when it comes to you...and our relationship- I mean... friendship."

"Re-relationship?" Marius swallows nervously.

 "Yes, the relationship we have clearly upsets her...She seems jealous without needing to be...unless there really is reason?"

"I-I uh... do you think there is a reason?" Marius has taken up blushing again, nervous for where the conversation is heading.

Griffin looks away. "More than anything...I wish there wasn't a reason. It would make things....simpler."

"So you're saying there is a reason?"

"Maybe..." Griffin nervously runs a hand through his hair.

 "So... you... I... we.... what? I don't.... " Marius fumbles with his words and his face is beet red. 

"Cecilia is right. There's something...wrong... if I prefer to spend time with you than my fiancee... It makes you think..."

"R-really? I am... honored you think so highly of me. I... I don't... know what to say...." Marius blushes heavily.

Griffin chuckles. "Well it would be nice to hear that you enjoy my company as well..."

"Well, of course I do!" Marius splutters. "Would I go through your torturing and teasing day in and day out otherwise?" He grins like a madman at Griffin, a feeling of elation spreading through him.

Griffin laughs. "You are my servant, so you'd technically have to go through all that anyway."

 "I could quit at anytime! But I don't..."

"Oh is that so?" He grins smugly. "You know I could always have it so you have to stay? But I am grateful you stay on your own."

"All because I lov-like hanging around with you... you prick of a prince." He laughs nervously.

 "You lov-like spending time with me?" Griffin teases with a playfull smirk. "I lov-like having you around as well...you prat of a servant."

Marius chuckles. "Good. Because like it or not you are stuck with me. Forever and Always."

"I'd like that....forever and always." Griffin pulls Marius into a hug. "Even if I marry Cecilia?"

Marius hugs him back, tucking his face in his neck. "Even then." Griffin kisses the top of Marius's head then blushes when he realizes what he did. Marius pulls back and looks into Griffin's eyes, surprised at the sign of affection. Marius thinks for a moment, then, grinning bravely, he reaches his hand to caress Griffin's cheek. "Now you are the one who is blushing." He whispers.

"Oh shut up, Marius! Don't ruin the moment..." He brings his hand up to cover Marius's. Marius steels himself. He takes a deep breath, deciding to just go for it. He closes his eyes and closes the distance, pressing his lips to Griffin's. Griffin's eyes widen in shock before quickly kissing back, hands moving down Marius's sides so he can grip his hips and hold him close. Marius grins as happiness floods through him and wraps his hands around Griffin's neck.

The door slams as Cecilia enters. The two spring apart, terrified. "SO THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I LEAVE, EH?" Cecilia screams. "IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL DINNER PREPARATIONS?"

"Cecilia!" Griffin splutters.

"WELL YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD EXPLANATION, GRIFFIN!" Marius shrinks into the shadows, his cheeks are red with shame. Griffin similarly looks down towards the ground, feeling guilty. "I'M WAITING..." She shouts, seeing that neither of them were going to speak.

"I'm guessing..."it's not what it looks like" wouldn't be a good answer...?" Griffin attempted.

"You got that right. Because if that was anything than you and your "just a servant" making out, I have no idea what it was." She taps her foot furiously.

"....Marius, tell her what this was." Griffin says, throwing him under the bus.

"Alright. Tell me, Marius," Cecilia turns on him. "Since my fiancee seems to not be able to speak for himself."

"Umm..." Marius blinks in surprise. He clears his throat nervously. "It was... um..."

"Well, speak, Servant!"

"We were.... I was... teaching him CPR" He says finally, bowing his head in shame. Griffin looks at Marius like he's an idiot.

"CPR?" Cecilia repeats doubtfully. "Do you really expect me to believe that?" Marius winces.

"CPR..." Griffin smacks his head and then tugs Marius close. "Really? You couldn't have thought of anything else?"

"Sorry! I panicked!" Marius whispered back. "It was the only thing I could think of!"

"You don't do well under pressure, my God."

"Well you could have answered for yourself!" Cecilia is still standing there, watching the exchange without amusement.

"Clearly I should have, I'd have had a better answer."

"Well, if you are so sure your answer is better, Griffin, why don't you share with the class." Cecilia finally puts in."I'm sure I am not the only one anxious to hear what you might say."

Griffin turns to Cecilia. "I know how this must look, and I am sorry for you to have wittnessed this, but truthfully this is the only time something like this has happened."

"And how can I be sure it won't happen again? Clearly, you can't deny you have feelings for each other." She takes a deep breath, tears forming in her eyes. "Perhaps, then, this marriage isn't something that should happen." She says finally. The boys are shocked.

"N-no one said anything about feelings!" Griffin panics. "It just...it just happened..."

"Oh no? then that was just a show of servitude? I'm pretty sure that that is a show of affection at the very least. And it was clear that was nothing lacking in feeling."

"Cecilia, this...this doesn't mean the wedding...can't happen. Please just...just wait...."

"Doesn't it? DOESN'T IT?" She bursts. "BECAUSE I'M PRETTY SURE YOU JUST CHEATED ON ME! WITH YOUR SERVANT! WHOM, MAY I REMIND YOU YOU INSISTED WAS JUST THAT. A SERVANT!" The tears start to spill, despite her best efforts.

"HE WAS JUST A SERVANT TIL YOU HAD TO BRING IT TO OUR ATTENTION MAYBE THERE WAS MORE! NOTHING WAS HAPPENING TIL THEN!"

"LIKE YOU COULDN'T SEE IT! IT WOULD HAVE COME OUT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER!" She stops and takes another deep breath, trying to calm the onslaught of tears. "I suppose it is for the best that it was now, while we still have the option to cancel the wedding."

Griffin frowns. "We aren't canceling it over something this idiotic..."

"IT'S NOT IDIOTIC! YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT AFTER THIS HAS HAPPENED, THERE WON'T BE ANOTHER INCIDENT!"

"THERE WON'T!

"UNLESS HE IS GONE, I CAN NEVER BE SURE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN! WHO KNOWS THAT ONE DAY I HEAR RUMOR THAT MY HUSBAND IS CHEATING ON ME WITH ANOTHER! A SERVANT! A MAN!" Tears are flowing heavily from Cecilia's eyes now.

"Wh-what do you mean by "gone"?" Griffin asks, scared.

"I mean gone, Griffin." She says a bit more calmly. "Out of the country."

"You....you want Marius out of Prydain?" Griffin says cautiously. Cecilia can only hiccup and nod. Marius is shocked, standing in the shadows, watching his fate balance horribly in front of him.

"That is what I want." Cecilia says finally. "If this wedding is to happen as scheduled, he must be banished." She tries hard to stop sobbing and breath normally so she may look serious and intimidating.

"I-I can't just banish him...On what grounds would I even do so?"

"I don't know!" She sobs. "Just make something up! On second thought, you are bad at that. Ask someone. Someone can find a reason I'm sure."

Griffin frowns and glances between Cecilia and Marius, weighing the choice heavily. "Hey, Marius is the one who made up the CPR nonsense. I could have easily have thought up a better lie."

"Well then why didn't you? Not that it probably would have mattered. I'm not blind nor am I stupid." Cecilia says as tears begin to spill from Marius's eyes as he watches with horror.

"...I...I didn't want to be the one who lied to you." Griffin looks down, ashamed.

"Well then don't lie to me." She replies quietly. "If you didn't want to marry me, or thought you may have had feelings for another, why didn't you just tell me? Instead of putting me through such heartbreak?" A heart-wrenching sob escapes from her throat.

"At no point did it occur to me...that any of this would happen. This with Marius... It wasn't supposed to happen."

Cecilia wipes at her tears furiously. "Well, it did."

 Griffin glances guiltily at Marius before turning back to Cecilia. "However, I can't banish him- I won't banish him. He has done nothing wrong. This is all on me."

"Well then. I suppose we know what must happen, then."She says sadly. "If he stays I cannot, so... this is it, Griffin." The tears pour down her face in rivers.

"Cecilia...request anything else." Griffin pleads.

"I guess there is no other choice. There never was. I am leaving on the next boat to Kuzco. The wedding is off. Goodbye, Griffin." Cecilia choes on a sob.

"Cecilia, please. You don't have to-"

"I hope you find happiness with your manservant." She turns and runs out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Damn it...Cecilia!" Griffin pulls the door open and runs after her. Marius raises his hand as if to stop him, but lets it fall by his side. He slumps to the ground against the wall, knowing this is all his fault.

Meanwhile, Cecilia had run down the hall and stopped at the corner, her sobbing heavy. She has a hand braced against the wall and the other covering her tear-stained face, trying to pull herself together. She doesn't even look up as she hears the footsteps approach. "Just go, Griffin. There's nothing more you can do." She says dejectedly.

Griffin slowly approaches Cecilia. "Please, just...hear me out. I am truly sorry to hurt you this way...

Cecilia finally lowers her hand and turns to him furiously. "Haven't you done enough?!" She practically spits at him. "How can you just come at me with "sorry" and think it will all go away? You hurt me, Griffin. And as much as I want to forgive and forget, I know it will never happen. Something else will just pop up and it will happen all over again."

Griffin is dumbstruck. "I...I truthfully don't know what to say, Cecilia. I know you're hurting, and believe me, seeing your pain hurts me as well. I want to make it right..."

"Then just let me be. I think we both know that you will never love me the way I love you, nor the way you and Marius love each other."

"...I wanted to. And I tried, I swear on my life that I tried to love you."

"And that's just it, isn't it? It wasn't enough. I think it's best for the both of us if I just pack up and go. I will heal, in time. And maybe then I will be able to find someone who loves and treats me the way I want. The way I deserve. The way you and that... servant treat each other."

Griffin bows his head and accepts her statement. "If you no longer wish to marry me...I understand. however.. What do you plan on saying...is the reason for the cancellation?" He asks nervously.

"Simply that we decided we could no longer get along together. Don't worry. You and that servant can keep your stupid secret for a while longer." She spits venomously. She turns and starts to walk down the hall again.

Griffin follows her and gently grabs her hand. "...Thank you. I know you could easily give Marius and I away, and I wouldn't blame you-"

Cecilia turns and looks at Griffin for a moment before frowning and jerking her hand away harshly. "You don't have to thank me. I'm sure you both shall give it all away soon. You are not very good at hiding it. I'm sure a large part of the castle already knows. I've just done a good job at denying it and proving your loyalty to me. But now that is gone. So keep that in mind: you won't have me cleaning up after you anymore, keeping your secret safe." She turns and leaves dramatically.

Griffin becomes annoyed and calls out. "I dont want an enemy of you, Cecilia!"

Cecilia shouts back over her shoulder. "And hopefully you haven’t made one."