bet u wanna

Maybel had a knack for when something fun was happening. But it was just so easy to notice, it was like electricity through the air. It almost always started with a letter, just words on paper, and than the ball started to roll. Letters were just so easily read by the eyes they weren't supposed to, especially in a household that depended on servants. Humans were just so prone to error, and that's why you never knew who to trust. But people like harmless gossip the most, especially if they could start it. Because when you knew something you weren't supposed to, you were suddenly the most popular kid on the block. So when news was intercepted by.. lord who knows, that the new baron was coming to town, Maybel just knew she had to write to an old friend.

It was in fact her own hand-maiden Piper who had told her the duke was preparing to meet the new baron of Glimmerhollow. Piper was just a young woman as herself, just as hungry for scandalous details on what happened in society. She was just some girl, so she had to live her dreams through Maybel. Maybel knew this, but she never brought it up. They just enjoyed their mutual enjoyment. They dealt in little stories like they were trading cards. They spoke about the duke for a short while, over his pasts and the parties Maybel used to attend to. She even admitted that at one of his parties, it was the first time she became drunk. But she didn't utter another word. She was not supposed to be seen there, and they were not supposed to be talked about. Everybody did, of course, otherwise they would not be so popular. They had been so much fun. But then he suddenly disappeared to Glimmerhollow again and now he was a freshly crowned a baron. If he could do it, maybe there was hope for Maybel after all.

But she had no title to inherit. She was a Winter with a very successful father. She had just name, fame, money, and a lot of impulsive courage. So she wrote that letter to the new baron. It was small, in her own tiny, cursive handwriting. It had said: "Dear Frederick, I heard you were back in town. Care to meet up again to catch up? Kinds regards, Maybel." The baron was some few years older than her, but apparently age did not matter anymore, looking at her dearest father. So she did not care with who or what she was spotted mingling. Not that she had ever cared before, but... Maybel got worked up by even thinking about her father's new fiance.

Her note had worked, of course. Maybel had learned that being assertive was usually well rewarded. Some people called her rude or bad mannered. She just called it practical. The time and place were decided, and so she was standing in front of the church waiting a few days later. She had just found it ironic for their great rendez-vous to take place in front of a church. The Faith of Renestrae was just some sideshow in her life. The Faith tried to keep woman like her contained. And she did not like being told what to do.

Maybel was dressed in a scarlet dress, her lips painted blood red. A black umbrella leaned against her shoulder to shield her from the light drizzle. She tinkered with her absently fiddled with her dangling earring, watching the people go by. It didn't take long for a carriage to turn up and a familiar face to appear. She smiled broadly and waved happily at him. But as she saw him exiting the carriage, she noticed his cane and the accessory limp. ‘‘Oh my-’’ She caught herself cursing in front of the church soon enough. She hurried down the street, before he had to walk too much towards her. ‘‘What happened to you?’’ she asked him without much consideration. ‘‘Glimmerhollow was not kind to you, Baron Eckhart.’’ With those last words she looked up to him, struggling to hide a cheeky grin.

Maybel caught herself too late that she didn't even greet him properly. But she assumed he did not care about proper and etiquette, as she did. They were friends after all, and they were way past rules society had forced upon them. But they were in public after all, so when he tipped her head towards her, she quickly gathered her skirts and made a small bow. But she had barely lowered her eyes, before she locked eyes with him again and she answered his grin with a broad smile. ‘‘It's good to see you too.’’ She had to brace herself to not hurl his arms around him. She had missed some good, scandalous fun, which he had an aura with him. But she was scared everything had changed, now he was baron. And it was highly inappropriate to frolic around him like a love-strucken foal.

Maybel had not expected the next words out of his mouth, as he complimented her deeply and.. what was he doing? Taking her to Glimmerhollow? Maybel was not quickly lost for words as the gears in her mind started to turn. Was he... courting her? He wouldn't, would he? She tried to hide the surprise and confusion on her face as she felt her cheeks fluster red. This was her job to do, to bewilder the other. So she smiled at him happily, hiding the dumbfound expression on her face. ‘‘You are mighty kind, Frederick,’’ she mused at him. ‘‘Planning to steal me?’’ she joked quickly. Then she raised her shoulders quickly. ‘‘I believe I have never been to Glimmerhollow. Who better to show me around than the new baron?’’ And suddenly he had fished a present around for her, and she looked up at him with newfound disbelief. ‘‘You shouldn't have-’’ she started. But she took the small wrapped gift in her hands, and her magpie eyes couldn't help but caress the red wrapping. She sighed and rolled her eyes, unable to hide a pleased smirk. He knew she liked presents. ‘‘Thank you.’’

Maybel pulled the golden string and unwrapped the parcel. The most beautiful pendant unveiled itself from the wrapping. Her lips parted in awe when she turned it around in her hands. ‘‘It is most beautiful,’’ she eventually breathed out. From the golden exterior, inlaid with small gemstones, to the big rubies inside. But what she liked most were all the intricate gears that were incorporated in it. It was exactly the kind of things she liked most. ‘‘How did you know?’’ She perked up at him again. ‘‘That I just love things like this.’’ She wrapped her fingers around the pendant and pressed it close the her chest.

How exiting! She never imagined that he would invite her to his hometown, because he had always spend so much time in Alderrath. But now it sounded very tempting to go on a little adventure. Frederick was sure someone who could bring life to a party. She rolled her eyes when he called her young lady. She giggled softly. ‘‘Well then. I look forward to our little adventure.’’ She raised her eyebrows once while she looked up at him with small michievious sparkles in her eyes. ‘‘Whenever that may be.’’

It was somehow funny that she was a girl who had everything, but was still able to feel like a little girl on her birthday when she received anything. But she had also fun picturing how someone would have trouble picking something for the girl who had everything. Frederick dit not disappoint, as he even color coded it to her outfit. Some magic touch that was. He was also not afraid to come closer, touch her hand, guide her like a puppet. And as soon as he asked if he could, she let him. The umbrella was handed over again and she turned around, while she raised her hair with her other hand with practices ease, while Frederick attached the necklace. While he could not see her face, she took a deep breath. It was her initiative that made this situation happen, and she could not be happier to be pampered like this. So why was she feeling this childish nerves? But she soon realized that they were good nerves. Nerves that made her wonder what would happen next.

So when she turned back around, her usual confidence shone though. The baron asked her to let him see, so she twirled around once with a giggle. He called her simply gorgeous. A broad smile widened on her face, while he was way to kind again. ‘‘Yeah?’’ she asked with that sparkle in her eyes, like if she could not believe his words. His flattery knew no bounds, and she touched the pendant with two fingers again. ‘‘Thank you again. I think it is simply gorgeous too.’’

Maybel was looking up at him, wondering what would be his next move. But he wanted to go inside and offered his arm. She had not even noticed the rain. Maybel accepted gracefully and turned her umbrella somewhat to the side to avoid to knock off his top hat. She chuckled at his next statement. ‘‘Oh please, eloping is so not my style.’’ No, when she did something, it had to be grand. She adjusted her pace to his, taking slow steps. ‘‘I thought it would be funny,’’ she grinned. They would be bulls in a china shop, almost offending the people with their combined presence. She of course had heard about the gossip going around the baron, that he was not the perfect poster child for the Faith. But neither was she. ‘‘However, we are very central. We could go anywhere you'd like, if you would prefer.’’ She glanced up sideways to him as they were walking towards the hall to take shelter against the rain.

Maybel looked up at him with an amused grin. No, Maybel, like perhaps any girl, had imagined her wedding day down to the smallest details. She knew what kind of dress she wanted to wear, what the location would be, what her bouquet would look like. Maybel would never skip a party, especially not the happiest day in her life. Although, she had been to some dreadful weddings. Girls that were wed of like cheap champagne. Most of the time it was still politics. Like how Alison was forced to marry that dreadful boy. No, something like that would never happen to her. ‘‘Please, like you ever avoided a party,’’ she said with a raised eyebrow, raising her chin defiantly in a bit. ‘‘Or has your new job sucked the joy out of you already?’’

Maybel had a small spring in her step, balancing on her heels with practiced ease. Maybel laughed at his next words, proving the truth in them. ‘‘Incredibly,’’ she mused. She had to admit, he was fun. It was people like him that she wanted to be like when she was a bit younger. The small Winter, trying to be like the big, bad dogs of the upper ring. She had managed to sneak in secret parties, force her name on the guest lists, charm her way in rooms where she probably should not be seen. But she was addicted to the adrenaline kick it gave her. To see sparkles in peoples eyes when they knew an aristocrat was among them, even if it was just little Maybel Winter. So it still gave her this giddy feeling when she could summon a baron with a small letter, and to hear him lean over to him and whisper covertly to her. She placed her hand in his and let herself be dragged through the church, sparks of excitement in her eyes. ‘‘Deal,’’ she whispered back eagerly. Wherever she wanted? Oh, she could come up with a place or two.

They crossed through the church, their every step echoing through the grand halls. She looked around, wondering what he had in mind in this damn place. But they stopped by a candle rack and she couldn't help but look a bit bewildered. She expected a lot, but when he explained why he stopped here, a  compassionate expression replaced her mischievous one. She took the small wooden stick he gave to her. She was a bit dumb-struck by this sudden moment of intimacy. For him to allow her to see this part of him. ‘‘I'm sorry,’’ she spoke softly. ‘‘I did not know.’’ She gently lit a candle of her own, following his lead. She might as well light one for her mother, although she had no idea if she had been a very religious woman. As she placed the small wooden stick back at the rack, she noticed he did not mention his late father. Not much love lost there then. She looked back at Frederick and without much hesitation she grabbed his hand again, intertwining her fingers between his and resting her head against his upper arm for a moment. But that moment quickly passed as he cleared his throat. No time for sadness, so it seemed.

No. It was time to quickly get out of this place. The soft glow of the candles danced over his face and she saw the Frederick she knew again. ‘‘Oh, I have been thinking,’’ she said with a cheeky smile. She locked arms with him again and started to loop back towards the exit of the church again. ‘‘I have always wanted to see the ships in port Silverstone. But I think we have to take a rain-check on that.’’ After all, it was literally raining. ‘‘So I was thinking; I have never been allowed to go to the lower ring. Will you be so honored to break some rules with me?’’ Maybel looked back up at the Baron. She knew he spend some time there. Men were always allowed to do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. So why shouldn't she take advantage of that?

Maybel wanted to open her mouth to argue, because she could not believe he of all people would avoid a party. But he soon continued that he only attended his own, which she answered with a all-knowing smile. ‘‘Ah, yes. Well, I like those as well,’’ she answered with her lips pressed together to not smile too happily. And then he started to complain about weddings and she hid a smile behind her hand. Well, some weddings were fun. She was not looking forwards to the next wedding she would have to attend. Well, to watch your own father get married again was probably a sight no daughter should ever see. And she would have to behold it for the second time. Lucky her was too young to remember the first. She made her eyes roll, but he told her he would attend her wedding. She almost choked on another laugh. ‘‘Who says you are invited?’’ she chirped as she looked up at him. ‘‘You just admitted you hated weddings, and I would hate to have a party-pooper at my wedding.’’ She looked at him smugly. ‘‘But yes, my wedding will be grand and glorious, and you will forever spite me for having to miss the only fun wedding you will ever hear about.’’

Seeing Frederick in a different light was refreshing. She only saw the same side of the coin. But today she saw a glimpse of the backside. To see a tender look on his face she wondered why he was hiding. Men were a peculiar species anyway, thinking softness was weakness. And maybe in some ways, it was true. But she was incredibly charmed by it. So when they stood together for just a short while, she knew it would not last, but she would cherish it. Keeping it safely in her memories, where nobody would ever pry.

But Maybel also appreciated the more upbeat mood. The smile widened on her face when he theatrically gasped. They both knew that it was a lie, and that was exactly the reason why she had asked him. He would never deny her. He longed for adventure as much as she did. Well, maybe he outlived his rebellious years as she was lagging a decade behind him. But surely she would be able te revive his youth. And as expected, Frederick agreed willingly and led her to his carriage. Excited she followed, wondering where this place might be, but she did not ask yet. When he opened the door, she chuckled again, joining in his little play. With a exaggerated gasp she laid her hand on her chest. ‘‘How curtious, my lord,’’ she said as posh as she could. She took his hand and stepped in the carriage. Stupid, little Maybel, people would say if they saw her. But screw them. She would have a night to remember, and they would return to their sad homes.

Maybel folded her dress neatly as she sat down, when her eyes went back to the baron who joined across from her. Frederick soon made a remark about her father, which made her eyes roll again. ‘‘Firstly, what my dear papa doesn't know, doesn't hurt him,’’ she told him. It was a silent plea to keep this secret, at least for her father. ‘‘Secondly, he isn't that holy himself either.’’ But she could not suppress a smile, biting down her lip. When he asked her what she would expect, she gave a small shrug. ‘‘I'll tell you, but don't laugh at me if I'm being ignorant,’’ she warned him, pointing a finger at him, but it was all light-hearted. ‘‘I imagine... normal people. People that do not have a care in the world, because their lives don't matter that much anyway. Like, freedom, in some ways.’’ Maybel was probably romanticizing it way too much. But how would she know? She looked back at the baron, expecting him to laugh at her. ‘‘Oh, and I imagine it is filthy.’’

The carriage was like a little private box, where nobody would hear or see them while they skipped past. The only people who might have known about this meeting were some passerbies at the church who had seen them enter and, of course, the driver, who's scolding gaze she had picked up for a second. She could roll her eyes at men like that, who probably lost the definition of fun somewhere in their childhood. So now they were sitting across from each other, their knees would probably be touching if she had not been so ridiculously short, her toes - as always - barely reaching the floor. Maybel blinked slowly as he loosened his tie, this time biting the inside of her cheek as she studied his side profile as he looked away. Her gaze would not falter, even a second, as she just liked it a bit too much to provoke men and make them a tiny bit nervous. Or, even better, a tiny lot. Eyes up, mister.

Frederick kept his promise as she spoke, romanticizing freedom and being happy with what was given to you. She would never know the true hardships of having to bend and scrape for every little penny. She just imagined some simple life, and that the people were content. At least, that was what had been told to her. Perhaps to keep her mind at ease. And when their eyes crossed again, the baron looked almost amazed by her answer. She looked like she just passed some test, a little bit smug, and she giggled with him as he laughed at her little joke. She sat up straighter, tilting her head a bit backwards. ‘‘Well, I am not afraid to get my hands a little bit dirty every now and then.’’

Maybel had been looking out of the window of the carriage for a while as she happily chatted away to the baron for a while. She spoke about nothing really special in particular. She told him all about the latest news in the upper ring while he had been away in Glimmerhollow. Just silly gossip, mostly. But as the carriage came to a sudden halt, they shared a look. Frederick was a bit confused and went outside to collect news about the matter, and she bent forward to peek outside. It looked and sounded very busy, and the merry music did really surprise her. It sounded like a feast, although it did smell like they partied in a pigsty. Maybel scrunched her nose and sat back again while she waited, watching her very vague reflection in the opposite window to fluff up her long, blonde locks. Maybel let out a chuckle as she heard Frederick from outside exclaim "wedding", releasing her locks of hair away from her ears. The universe was really playing with them today. She perked up from her seat as she heard a slam on the roof. And leaned back as nothing had been going on, watching Frederick turn back in the carriage.

‘‘I see,’’ she said while tilting her head to the side. She glanced sideways to the outside. ‘‘Well, it seems that the stars aligned for us to crash a wedding.’’ They both knew they had to keep a bit of a low profile, but come on, this was just too perfect. Frederick said they would just have to walk, and she gave him a determined nod. This was all she wanted, right? To see the lower ring, the people, and what better to get to know it all than a party. A wedding! And they would never expect two aristocrats to just show up. Nobody would be looking for them. So when Frederick exited the carriage and held his hand out for her to follow, she took it with a sturdy grip. ‘‘Never doubted you,’’ she said with a cheeky wink, and out she was.

Frederick soon led her in the mass of people, slowly making their way through the cobbled street. The hem of her dress was soon wet and muddy, but she did not care, she had more dresses. What was more difficult was to navigate herself over the uneven ground in the heels she wore to make her seem taller. So she kept close to the baron, one arm hooked around his and her other hand on his lower arm. They were a long way now from that little intimate moment they had shared in the church. Now they were shouldering past drunk people that looked a little bit worse for wear. But they had big smiles on their faces and sung along with the songs played by a band she still had not spotted yet. ‘‘This is madness!’’ she shouted after a while, turning her head up to Frederick. Her eyes were big, filled with glittering amazement. ‘‘I love it,’’ she said with a big grin. She even got used to the smell after a while. It was a good day to have her hair loose. After a while they arrived at a small town square, where people were dancing and she thought she might have caught a glimpse of the happy couple. She was not really sure, because she was missing the pure white, glittering wedding gown. But this was exactly what she imagined it would be. Cheap, rowdy, but with amazing spirits.

‘‘I've changed my mind,’’ she then told him after she had watched the crowd for a few moments longer. She had no idea where she was anymore. She could barely believe this was still her home city. It was like a whole different universe. ‘‘I want my wedding to be like this.’’ She looked up at him again, feeling that happy cheer again. And then she finally detached from him and padded a few steps in front of him, where there was a tiny space for her among the crowd to twirl around on the merry music, thinking that Frederick would have no appetite for dancing. But she made the mistake to immediately place her foot on a particularly slippery stone, stumbling to the side only to keep herself standing to grasp on a drunken stranger. She spurted a laugh. ‘‘Sorry,’’ she told him, before quickly returning to Frederick before she really would start a scene.