Munkustrap didn't ask her to come in the next night, or the next, or the next. In the morning, Demeter always wept. She wanted back the joy she had once known which had been taken from her so suddenly and unexpectedly.

During the day, he ignored her as usual, but now it was an almost harsh ignore. He never secretly smiled at her, or deliberately walked her way. He avoided her. Demeter didn't find out the true meaning for a while, but he really thought that is was she who had deserted him, not the other way around.

Demeter struggled through the week. She desperately wanted to talk to Rumpleteazer again, but knew that it would be impossible to reach her. She would be working hard in the fields; harvest was nearly here. By the time she had to go to the chapel again, Demeter was desperate.

The service was the slowest Demeter had ever known. It seemed like hours, but the Priest had only just started talking. She didn't notice that no one sat in the same row as her, and when the Priest started talking about asking for forgiveness, that he kept looking in her direction.

After the service, Demeter hurried to catch Rumpleteazer before she left. She didn't have to worry: Rumpleteazer was the only one left in the chapel after the service. Demeter didn't notice that this was strange. Normally everyone stayed behind to chat. This time, everyone had left as soon as they could.

Demeter opened her mouth to talk, but Rumpleteazer hushed her. She grabbed Tumblebrutus and started to walk away, beckoning Demeter to come too. They walked side by side in total silence.

For the first time, Demeter noticed that something was wrong. As they walked through the houses, windows shut and people turned away. No children were playing outside. The whole town was silent. She turned to Rumpleteazer.

"They've found out, haven't they?" she whispered. Rumpleteazer nodded, and wouldn't look her in the eye.

"I'm sorry, Demeter." She deliberately stepped away from Demeter, and turned her head away so that she couldn't see her tears. Without saying another word, she walked in the other direction.

Demeter was alone again.

In the morning, Demeter asked to see the King. When she was allowed in, she bowed low before him. King Deuteronomy waved a hand to indicate that she could speak.

"Your Majesty," she said. "Much as I have enjoyed working for you, I think it is time that I moved on." Her voice cracked. "I am your son's Lady-in-Waiting no more."

Deuteronomy nodded as if he understood. "Very well, Demeter. You may take your final pay and exit my service. Fare thee well."

Demeter bowed again and went back to her room to pack her few items. As she exited the castle for what she thought was the last time, a fresh wave of tears came. Sobbing hysterically, Demeter trudged down the dirt road, not knowing where she was going, but not even caring.

It soon became too much for her. She slumped at the foot of a tree and screamed her worries out to the silent sky. Still crying, she fell into a fitfull sleep.

Demeter awoke when the soft fall of rain splashed her face. She lay still for a moment, letting it wash away some of her anger and frustration. She sat up and, for the first time, fully took in her surroundings.

She had no idea where she was. She must be hours from the palace, yet she could not remember walking so far. She could barely believe that it was only a week since she was happy, carefree and in love.

A sinking feeling of desperation almost took over Demeter's body. Tears of hopeless disappointment crouched behind her eyes, waiting to spring. Demeter fought them back and stood up to clear her head.

What would she do now? There were many answers, each as unappealing as the next. She couldn't go back, that was for sure. Not to the palace, not to the village. She hated deserting Munkustrap, especially as there was a chance that he would get into trouble. With the whole village knowing, the King wasn't going to remain ignorent for long.

But he was the one who deserted her first...

Demeter immediately wanted something to hit. She was filled with anger - for Munkustrap, for Rumpleteazer, for the whole unfairness of her situation. There must be something she could do!

But she could think of nothing. There was nowhere she could go, no one she could talk to; not even Rumpleteazer. Demeter might have gone back if there was that chance. But if Rumpleteazer had let her secret out, then there was no way Demeter was going to talk to her, even if she wanted to.

If there was a way that she would forget, any way at all, Demeter would have taken it. To forget her predicament would be pure bliss. She sighed. If there was nothing she could do, then she might as well keep moving. Getting away, and keeping away, from the palace was the only thing she could think of at the moment.

Demeter absently set off down the road in the opposite direction of her former home. Her mind kept bringing back memories of happier days and she wondered forwards without any regard of time. She saw no other signs of life apart from one person going past on a horse. They ignored each other.

Demeter hadn't realised it had gone dark until she saw lights ahead of her. As she got closer, she saw that she had reached a small village. The lights she had seen were coming from a small tavern. An almost regretful smile crossed her face as she discovered the way to forget her problems.

The first thing that Demeter saw when she first came in was the lights. After the full darkness of outside, even the pitiful candle-light seemed bright. She blinked a few times to get herself used to it and went and sat down. Realising that she had left her small bundle of possesions where she last slept, she searched in her pockets. She found a few coins, pulled them out and counted them. There was just enough to get her a drink. Sighing, she went and got one.

She went and sat down, ruminating on what to do afterwards. After her first sip, she destroyed all thoughts and gave up to the power of the ale. Blurrily, she looked after at the tavern, which now seemed very dimly lit.

Everyone seemed very merry and talkative. She could pick out no particular voices, and nothing seemed to make sense. She kept drinking the ale.

Suddenly, Demeter felt very alone. She was the only one sitting at her table, and everyone else looked as though they were enjoying themselves. She shook herself and took another sip.

No one likes you...

Stop it!

Why would anyone ever love you?

No!

Forget it, Demeter. You're finished...

When Demeter awoke on the floor outside the tavern, the full force of her troubles came back to her. Shaking slightly, she pulled herself up and stood watching the dawn. She smiled bitterly; the ale had only helped her forget for a little while. But now she was worse off, with no money, no home and no friends.

Demeter had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but she would have to go back the way she had just come to get her belongings. With no money, she wouldn't last long. With this last thought came a sudden urge to just forget her things and just continue onwards. Maybe death was the better option.

She shook herself. There was no way she was giving up. She'd just have to compose herself and go back the way she came. But as soon as she took her first step back towards Riqueza, an ache in her heart made her pause. She bravely carried on, the feeling in her chest intensifying with every step she took.