Crystal was less than a half a mile away from the castle when she decided to stop by a large Red Bud Tree. Sighing, she knelt down and sat down on the grass; it was actually pretty lush. Crystal removed her floppy sun hat and set it on the ground beside her and leaned forward some, hoping to see Irina coming. She didn't want to get too far into the forest and then have something happen with no one there to help. Plus, she figured if she waited a bit Irina might show up sometime looking for her. That might help soften the blow actually since the eastern forest was easily accessible if you went from the garden. There was an unofficial path leading to her, but surely Irina already knew that.

[i]Just what does Father want with Irina anyway?[/i] There was nothing she could think of...Unless, he had heard about them [i]sleeping[/i] together. [i]No. No.[/i] If that was the case, he would have come to Crystal first before seeking Irina out...Probably would have thrown her out for defiling his young daughter. Even though that's not what really happened. Actually, Crystal still wasn't sure as she didn't even remember slipping into her royal attendant's bed. Either way, she would rather leave some things in the past, and obviously Irina felt the same way. Neither of them had brought it up.

Finally after several minutes, Crystal got up from her spot and put her straw hat back on, dusting anything that didn't belong off of her dress. There was a bit of disappointment on her delicate features, but she couldn't wait any longer. Irina would just have to find The Princess on her own, and this time it wasn't her fault for breaking their promise! Pindel and Versetti were untrustworthy and Irina knew it... So, why did she leave those two there to fill in for her? Crystal was better off alone than being protected by someone she could easily outsmart, and lock in a closet. 

"Those two are probably having a fit right now." She chuckled to herself and continued down the small path.