35
"She is far superior and worthy than anyone of my acquaintance," Damian hissed feeling protective and agitated.
"Exactly! You consider yourself beneath her whereas with all your former flirting partners you knew you were the one with power to make or break the length of your acquaintance. None of them shook you the way she does. She will never fit into our society back at the capital but I realized maybe you don't require that."
Damian nodded and spent the rest of the hour mulling over the conversation with a single glass of wine in his hand. He was informed by a servant that the Primary Hall was steadily filling up with courtiers and guests. The rest of his friends left him alone so they could join the others. It was known protocol that the Prince would enter much later because even if he was the host he could never lower himself to actually welcome people in. He waited in solitude until he felt it was still early enough to be polite.
As soon as he reached the Hall, the eyes of the world, it seemed, were upon him. The chandeliers glittered making the men and women sparkle dizzily. The gaily dressed crowd parted, making room for him to walk through. As Damian walked up to his throne many greetings were thrown his way. He saw many old and new faces but his eyes were only searching one person.
"Prince Damian," A few young girls smiled coyly bolstering his confidence and he knew it would be one of the best evenings he would ever have. He would finally have who he had wanted this whole time.
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The excitement was palpable in the stair hall below them. Delilah walked down the steps careful to not tread on long trains many of the women were flaunting. Her own modest train was in no danger of being stepped upon but Delilah kept a firm hand on the oak banister for support that had nothing to do with balance.
Cecilia had already danced down confidently next to her friends who were now staring at their friend's cousin. Delilah knew she was dressed differently but their blatant staring was staring to get insulting.
"I am speechless," Isabella proclaimed giddily ignoring her own words.
"I cannot look that different," Delilah twirled with her head bent so she could get a good look at herself.
"I never knew your eyes were so grey," Prudence peered in, closely examining her friend, making her self conscious. Delilah knew her eyes were coated with smudged kohl and she wasn't sure if the idea pleased her. She was already wearing so much black that in the midst of all the colourful gowns she probably stood out like a sore thumb. Her lips were mercifully not purple but neutral. Delilah hesitantly touched the black ribbon that was fixed in the braid that rested on her shoulder. It was an odd thing to place since no matter how shiny the ribbon it seemed pointless to put black adornment on black hair.
The top part of her dress was like leaves that were melded together keeping parts of the body covered and some parts not. The slip had ensured she wasn't going to end up in a very scandalous situation leaving only shoulders and sleeves with the dappled effect of the black material and skin. The bottom was layered silk that comfortably flowed as she walked towards where the main event would be held.
She opened her eyes that she hadn't even noticed had closed in a silent prayer and entered the room. Eyes were on them immediately but to her the room held more of her attention. It was the same room where the previous ball had been held. The large circular room had two stairs at each end that permitted people to step onto the sunken floor. The area where the curved windows lay was slightly raised and so was the platform where the throne was.
Due to the crowd surrounding that area it was fairly obvious the Prince was already at the throne and Delilah bided her time until her cousin was fully immersed in the company around her before excusing herself.
She made her way out of the room knowing there would be a small hidden balcony behind a red velvet curtain. While it was raining the half roof would protect her from the brunt of it. She drifted behind the curtain not knowing how many eyes were on her every move and how her attempts at concealing herself were pointless.
Delilah let out a sigh of relief. She felt free after so many days. The rain and other circumstances had locked her inside of the suite. The castle had started to feel like a prison and she had only managed to contain herself by the reassuring thought that the day of departure would be coming soon. She would miss the friends they had made but so many of her memories were tainted that she no longer wished she had more time to spend here. Her heartbeat had only just calmed down when the door to the balcony opened. She backed away suddenly but he caught her hand before she could completely leave the shelter of the roof.
"You'll ruin yourself," He murmured not letting his eyes off her, "I mean your dress."
She felt like she couldn't look away either. He was staring so deeply that she felt he wanted to capture her soul through her eyes. And at that moment Delilah wanted to believe that the kiss meant something with every fiber of her being but she couldn't let her grievances go without forsaking her pride.
"You look- you look-"," His eyes spoke more then his words could ever say, "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"I apologize that I was hard to find," Delilah replied civilly, trying to keep the strain from her voice, "I was busy. You know our time here at the palace is coming to an end."
"And you shall be leaving?" Damian asked taking a firm step forward.
"Tomorrow, of course, we cannot burden you any longer," Delilah answered with her eyes still on the view making Damian feel like he was back to their first meeting. The confusion and agitation he had felt when he had been ignored the first time around was bubbling back to the surface and it took a great deal of strength not to force her to look at him.
"I don't mind the company of my friends. We intend to celebrate on our own terms and I was hoping your party might stay on further," Damian forced a large smile straining the ends of his lips.
"I'm afraid I am not at the liberty to extend our stay. Our parents shall be expecting us. And Congratulations!" Delilah turned minutely, enough for Damian to see her frosty grey, kohl covered eyes.
"On what?" Damian wrinkled his nose in confusion.
"On the selection of your bride, of course. This final dance is in her honor," Delilah said with a touch of bitterness. It was vital for her to keep her composure before she departed for her home. Even the smallest victories counted.
"You haven't even asked who, though I suspect you already know," Damian said with a small smile feeling Bea's words rousing his confidence. He had kissed her. She wasn't stupid to not know the implications of his actions.
"It must be lady Charity; she is exceedingly beautiful, wealthy, with a distinguished bloodline," Delilah said softly
"Come now, enough of your games. You know who I want by my side, Delilah," he caressed her chin lightly with his finger with a warmth and intensity dripping in his eyes that Delilah had to look away. His tone left no chance of misinterpretation.
"It is not I who plays games, your Highness" Delilah replied stonily with her eyes averted making Damian frown.
"What games have I played?"
"You-" Delilah paused to gain courage and sweep away embarrassment, "You kissed me!" In those words she added her anger, frustration, confusion and humiliation.
"I knew that you would count that against me," Damian tried to keep the tone light.
"Then why would you strive to humiliate me so."
"Humiliate you? It was my moment of humiliation when I was so undone by your proximity that I could not control myself."
"Do not lie. My limited charm and beauty is not so extraordinary that the worldly crown prince who has met all the beautiful women in his kingdom and beyond would lose himself."
"Can you not see your reflection in my eyes? Do you know how long I have stood waiting to see your face?"
"You are a master of pretty words but I am not a master of enduring heartbreak. I cannot let myself fall again. You do not mean a word you say." Delilah looked torn between accepting his words even though her brain branded him a liar over and over.
"You intend to reject me because you are afraid?"
"You have never made me an offer and I don't think you were so cruel to do so?" Delilah shook her head, letting loose some of the hair in her braid.
"What is wrong with you?" Damian resisted the urge to hold her by her shoulders and shake.
"No, what is wrong with you? I am leaving," Delilah announced but he held her back flush against himself not caring whether she got wet by the small spray of rainwater gentling falling against him.
"Look at me," He bit out with undisguised anger flowing through his veins making him impulsive and uncaring. He held her wrist painfully tight ignoring her struggle to get away from him. Delilah continued to look at the curtain, away from him and Damian wanted to rip it to shreds for daring to capture her attention when he needed it to be upon him.
"Let me go," Delilah spoke vainly as he pushed her against the marble wall. Not only did he manage to rest one wrist against the wall but caught the other one as well.
"I can stand here forever until you speak to me," Damian whispered the threat in her ear. Even in the midst of he could not shove the attraction he was feeling towards her especially because of the proximity. He was right, he could stand here forever but the reasons were not just to torment her but to torment himself. He was so close and yet so far, "I want you. I want you as my wife, as my friend and I do not understand why you do not want me too."
"Stop lying. I am not a toy to played with, your Highness, I am a being with feelings and emotions. You only wish to humiliate me."
"I don't understand a word of your argument. You think my offer is a lie? Some kind of scheme? I'll show you how truthful I am," He pulled her already sore wrist with one hand while his other yanked the red curtain hiding them from public's view aside.
"We shall dance as is custom between the prince and his chosen bride," His fine blue eyes at that moment were like spun glass.
"Unhand me," Delilah struggled to break free from his hold but his grip was too powerful for her to even make a difference. The crowd parted in hushed confusion. The fact that the Prince would dance was expected but they had assumed there would be more ceremony. The supposedly newly engaged couple looked agitated and slightly wet. The herald had neither announced anything nor had the King and Queen made a fancy announcement.
"Never. You are mine to keep," Damian replied loftily, all sense lost from his mind as he led her to the middle of the dance floor. A few couples who were twirling around immediately paused along with the musicians.
"I don't think even you have the gall to start a scene with a roomful of people, root lover," Damian whispered in her ear, standing so close that his lips brushed against her slightly, making her shiver, "You obviously wish to avoid any more humiliation so you will dance."
"Maybe you do not know me too well," Delilah pulled her upper body away while he forced her hands upon his shoulder. The musicians were so startled by the sudden, disheveled appearance of the prince and his intended that they gaped for a good few moments, letting the pair face each other in pitch drop silence, before they could begin a sweet tune.
"I want to know you better," He spoke so softly that Delilah just wanted to give in, "Don't you see."
"You think I'll let you?" Delilah looked away as the man lowered his face nearly letting his forehead touch hers.
"Why wouldn't you?" He murmured haughtily counting down the millions reasons in his head why no woman would reject him and she pushed him away breaking his thought.
"You once called me ugly, dim, you were the one who wished not to marry me. Was that humiliation not enough that you wish to repeat it? I cannot let you drag my name in the mud every time you wish. And that's why I reject your offer even if it was false," Delilah hissed, looking on the verge of tears.
"What are you talking about?" Damian uttered, quite confused.
"Three years ago I was at this very palace, in this very room thinking about the same Prince that I stand in front of; that very Prince who rejected me and told his mother to take care of the situation. I was the situation that was ultimately resolved. I came back with my cousin three years later not to meet you, or reestablish any kind of contact but to make sure my cousin was able to enjoy her coming out Ball. I don't know why you followed me, talked to me or considered me your friend because it makes no sense. You rejected me once. Why would you want to approach me now?" Delilah's agitation shone through her eyes.
"It was you?" Damian took a step back trying to process the information.
"You did not know?" She whispered.
"How could I have when I hadn't seen you," Damian argued, waving his hands around reverently. "Obviously I was out of mind, convinced my mother was plotting behind my back. If I had seen you then I would have changed my mind."
"Are you certain of that? I was as plain then as I am now," Delilah breathed heavily also trying to absorb the new information.
Damian stared at her as if he had never seen her before. His forehead scrunched in confusion and if there was an expression that signified complete and utter chaos in one's mind then that was what was conveyed.
Delilah couldn't meet his eyes anymore and she ran out of the room uncaring of who came her way.
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"And you are saying the two women are leaving the castle early morning," The dark haired man asked skeptically.
"Yes, Sire, I rode all the way here just to tell you of this."
"You fool, what if their plans change," The younger man scowled scornfully.
"Sire, your spies are everywhere. They will notify us immediately though I doubt their plans will change. The row between the girl and the Prince is infamous now," The middle aged man rubbed his hands gleefully.
"Excellent, though don't think I shall forget your last mistake. I cannot believe you tried to abduct the wrong girl."
"It is not my fault your sire. The Prince is equally close with both the women and it did not occur to me he was wooing the older one. I thought his tastes were less sedate."
"Soon we'll be making acquaintance with these women. Then we shall know how much Damian's tastes have changed," The dark haired man smirked malevolently.
