Page 46 - RotalTutor

Nell could come live at the castle, but they’re all each other has in the world, and her grandmother would never leave the mountain.” Louise found herself troubled by what had happened with the children. She wanted so desperately to hate Alexander that anything that drew her feelings in another direction bothered her. She worked hard to put it from her mind, but it was impossible as she sucked on the sweet candy he had given her. As they came down off of the mountain to a point where she could see the castle in the far-distance, she realized how hungry she was. She reached in her saddle bags and pulled out the dried food Alexander had packed for her. As she bit in to a piece of cheese, she suddenly realized how hungry Alexander must be. Due to her callousness he had had nothing but water all day. The thought made the cheese swell in her throat, and she choked. Alexander stopped his horse. “Are you all right?” Louise regained her composure. “I’m fine. Continue on.” She ate all the food and was still hungry, and though it looked like the castle was very near, it never seemed to get any closer. It was almost dark when they finally arrived. Everyone had eaten long before, but it only took a moment for a meal to be set before them. As they ate, she stewed about the events of the day. Her emotions confused her. She tried to dull the discontent in her heart by telling everyone, servants and nonservants alike, the story of the 44