Chapter 17

Dionne’s cold stare sent chills down Rini’s spine, and her wicked, arrogant smile intimidates her. Dionne’s fiery dominance would easily diminish Rini’s presence.

So, this is her, huh? she thought, To be honest, I expected someone more… striking? I can’t even find the word. Whatever it is, it’s certainly the opposite of what stands across from me.

“I heard you were here,” Dionne says casually, “Come on. Join us.”

Andreas and Kenzo looked at each other.

For sure, one of them is bound to get hurt in this unofficial war they started, they both thought.

“Please, Princess,” Kenzo said politely, escorting her to a seat at their booth. He could feel the coldness in Rini slowly seeping from her.

Rini sat next to Kenzo, keeping his gaze fixated on Andreas. She felt humiliated and betrayed. Was everything he said to her untrue? Were her efforts all for nothing? It doesn’t matter. She wasn’t giving up without a fight. She also noticed the presence of Andreas’ cat and its matching collar with the kitsune sitting atop Dionne’s lap.

He denies me an introduction to his pet and yet allows her the minute she comes in? She thought

“You’re Rini of Yuksporite,” Haze says, leaving her title out, “I am Princess Haze of Kovdorskite.”

This is the person Andreas chose to anger Dionne? She thought, I am starting to question his taste.

“A pleasure to meet you, Princess Haze,” Rini bowed her head lightly, “Kovdorskite as in the animal savages?”

Haze arched her brow in annoyance.

Animal savages? She thought.

“Why yes,” she shot back, “I am one of those animal savages. In fact, I could tame just about every animal. Perhaps even you.”

Dionne snickered at her last statement. Haze surely knows how to fire back when insulted, and she does it with such ease.

Applauding, she says, “Rini, you can’t cast spells, can you? Your clan is none-wielders—common folk as they call it. Aren’t I right?”

“She is,” nodded Kenzo, “But her family and people are very strong and influential.”

“So,” Rini began, “What brings you here, Princess Dionne? Did you come all the way here just to see Prince Andreas?”

“Of course,” Dionne replied, “I came all the way here to see the love of my life. He is MY BOYFRIEND after all. Thought the surprise might lift his spirits.” She held him close, resting her head on his shoulder. He dared not resist Dionne’s advances; at least not here.

“Tell me,” Kenzo says, “What is it like in your realm, Princess Haze? I am very curious. Is it as beautiful as you?”

Haze smiled. She loves flattery, but she never lets it get to her.

“It is beautiful, my lord. But it’s nothing compared to my beauty,” she says, “The air is clean and fresh. Lavish gardens and trees surround our kingdom. Animals of different kinds reside willingly inside the kingdom and around it. The place is filled with architecture and endless rivers, too.”

“It’s a paradise,” said Kenzo.

“Are there dragons there?” asked Andreas curiously.

“No,” replied Haze, “Sometimes you may spot one flying in the area, but it’s rare. The Cerussite Empire was the dragons’ home. After its demise, dragons scattered about the earth in hiding. A dragon is the only beast a Beast Tamer finds difficult to tame.” She looked at Dionne who was the closest heir to the Cerussitian Throne. She knew that Dionne has the power to tame one. It’s in her eyes.

“Everybody knows that only a person with such power within him can tame a beast like a dragon,” she continued, “A person with my eyes, or even Dionne. So long as magic is in their veins, they may tame a dragon.”

“Ah,” Rini nods, “The fall of the Cerussitian Empire that King Andreas Nifontovite initiated. He was the one responsible for destroying the once vast and great empire Princess Dionne’s bloodline once had.” She looked at Dionne and continued, “How do you fall for a person whose blood killed your own? I’m also curious about what your parents think of it.”

Andreas held Dionne close, signaling her not to respond.

“Something that happened more than a century ago is none of our concerns,” he replied, his hand caressing Dionne. “Our parents aren’t thrilled nor are they completely against it. Love is just love.”

“Not once have you mentioned love,” Rini says in sadness. Still, she kept a straight face. “Did you know that King Andreas was also in love with the Empress of Cerussite? Love became the downfall of the Cerussitian Empire.”

Dionne’s eyes were like daggers. She couldn’t explain the feeling she felt. She was angry and annoyed. Rage. It was rage. It felt like an uncontrollable fire threatening to escape her mouth.

“We learn from the past,” she said rather calmly. She looked at Andreas warmly and back at Rini with fierce eyes. “We won’t make the same mistakes they did. Besides, we’re different people. We don’t thirst for power. We’re together because of love; not some ambition.”

Well said, Haze thought, smiling. If it were her, she knew she can’t do it gracefully as Dionne did.

Andreas smiled unconsciously. He almost believed every word.

Holding her hand in his, he said, “I believe I owe Princess Dionne some time together. I must excuse ourselves.” He looked at Kenzo and said, “Kenzo, please do take care of both Princess Haze and Princess Rini.”

“Please,” Haze says, “Enjoy your time.”

With that said, he escorted Dionne along with their pets out of the hall, leaving everyone talking about gossip. He led her to his palace where there were fewer people and was private enough for both of them to talk.

“Where are we?” she asked curiously, looking around.

“We’re in my palace,” he replied, sounding rather cold. He then continued to escort her to his chambers where no one would ever dare interrupt them. Once she stepped foot in, he pushed her up against the wall.

“We’re in my chambers, Princess,” he says coldly, “Don’t even bother to scream.”

She arched a brow saying, “Scream? I can protect myself. Besides, we both know that you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.” She smirked in satisfaction. The warmth they had earlier had faded and reality has set in.

And we’re finally showing our true colors, she thought. Took us long enough.

“We can’t do this, Princess Dionne,” he said, releasing her. “This is too complicated. You come here to my house and pull a stunt like this. You said you’ll write to me and you didn’t. I told you that I need to find a bride. I explained why, didn’t I? I don’t do anything to embarrass you and yet you do so much to put shame on me!”

Dionne fell silent.

He punched the wall in frustration. Still, Dionne made no reaction.

Groaning, he said, “I think we should end this.”

She felt something inside her shake. Something cracked and she couldn’t piece it back together. She couldn’t explain what it was, but it was shattering her.

Her hands balled into fists with the intention to strike. Then she released her hands in defeat. For the first time, she couldn’t argue with him. It was a losing game.

“My parents said it’s because a war might break,” he said, “I’m doing this for my kingdom. You’re an heir; you should understand. Besides, Rini had a point.”

“That both our kingdoms are bound to go to war?” she asked, folding her arms over her chest, “You said that what happened more than a century ago has nothing to do with us.”

“Yet we both know that’s a lie,” he shot back, “You and I know well that the kingdom our parents want to wage war upon is each other. My mother loathes your kingdom and your parents wish to crush mine. We’re wasting our time trying to fool them.”

“I’m done,” she declared.

“What?” he asked, “Done with what?”

“I don’t fight losing games,” she replied, “Certainly not for you AGAIN. I grew up to become an intelligent and sophisticated woman. I won’t forget who I became and turn “crazy” as you so call it like I used to be when we were children! I am done fighting you!” She punched the wall, causing a dent to form. Her knuckles were bleeding yet she didn’t care. She couldn’t feel a thing. Pain—physical pain—feels like nothing to her.

Andreas was aghast at her actions.

Did I take it too far? He thought, staring at her bleeding hand.

He was stressed and venting. He didn’t mean to say what he did. He genuinely wanted to be friends with her and he took it too far.

Instinctively, he pulled his handkerchief out and wrapped it around her hand. He could feel her wrath slowly caving in on him.

“I’m sorry,” he said, almost in a whisper.

She looked away, trying to hide the sadness in her eyes.

“You had every right to be angry,” she said, “I am a wild card after all, and you have a point. We can’t make this work. We’re just polar opposites and both burn too violently.”

He smiled. “Are we making up?” he asked, “If I recall, we only made up once “officially.” Even then, we found it difficult to apologize to each other.”

She remembered. It was after they had a violent fight and had to apologize to each other. It was almost identical to what happened earlier.

“What?” she says, “Do you want a reenactment? Do I have to hold your hand and hug you too?”

He chuckled, shaking his head.

“We’re a mess, aren’t we?” he sighed, sitting on his bed. He gestured for her to sit beside him.

She sat down, agreeing, “I suppose we are. I don’t think we’ll ever get along even as friends.”

“Yet we managed to fool everyone out there into thinking we’re madly in love,” he says, shaking his head, “And if your intention was to hurt Rini, then you’ve succeeded. You not only hurt her, but you’ve humiliated her by calling yourself, my girlfriend.”

“If I recall, you confessed to wanting me to be your girlfriend once upon a time,” she says, fighting back her smile, “That gave me the idea. I suppose I must give you credit for it.”

“I only gave Rini a shot because I wanted to help my people,” he explained, “I didn't do it to hurt you, Princess Dionne. Her country will help ally mine with the connections of her realm. If I marry her, I might have a shot at winning or surviving the war against you.”

“I appreciate your honesty,” she replied, “I understand. But If I marry into the Sapphires, even if you marry Rini, you wouldn’t stand a chance against us. But hey, I saw in your eyes that you weren’t happy. I know that performing our duty is most important, but you must at least choose a bride that can make you happy. At least choose a friend who you can rely on.”

“Does Prince Azaria give you that?” he asked.

“What?” she asked in confusion.

“Everything you just said,” he replied, “Does he give you friendship and make you smile?”

“He does,” she replied, “Though it’s not the relationship I always wanted, it’s better than I expected. You and I don’t have the luxury of marrying for love; we both know that. But there are things we can have. Being friends with your partner is better than nothing.”

She is driving me mad, he thought, staring back at her red eyes. I can never understand her, and yet I can’t pull away from her. I don’t want to break off our deal yet.

“I’ll let you go,” she said, “I don’t want to go crazy, and the only thing that could make me crazy—whether I admit it or not—is you. Somehow, after all this time, you still have the ability to make me so angry.”

He chuckled, looking at her.

You have the same effect on me, Dionne, he thought.

“I apologize for what happened,” he said, “But I’m not ready to let you go just yet.”

“Eh?” she looked puzzled.

What was the fuss all about earlier then? She thought, He’s always been indecisive.

“What about the long speech and tantrum you had just now?” she asked.

“Princess,” he said, “We need to find a way to prevent a war from breaking out. As much as we both find it uncomfortable, us being together is keeping our families from going to war.”

“We do make a good team when we put on the show,” she says, “Our words are almost believable.”

“So are our actions,” he said, picking up his cat. “I do appreciate the gift you brought for Yoshi. I could tell that he appreciates it too.”

“I’m sure the ton enjoyed the show we put on,” she said, also picking up her fox, “And I’m pretty sure the word about us has spread right about now. Aren’t you scared of getting your name tarnished by bringing me to your chambers without a chaperone?“

He blushed a bright red, earning a giggle from her.

I didn’t think of that, he thought.

“Nobody for sure saw us,” he said, keeping his calm, “You needn’t worry.”

“If you ask me, this looks like a scandal,” she says, “And if word got out, you and I will be forced to marry.”

“I got it the first time, Princess,” he said, trying to shake the topic off.

“What would the people think we did,” she teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Princess,” he pleaded.

She looked around the room, laughing. His room looked nothing like she imagined. Glancing up, she noticed something familiar.

“Wait,” she says, pointing upward, “Are those the same posters I got you when we were kids?” Both of them now are blushing in embarrassment. She didn’t know if she were to be glad he kept them or feel embarrassed that he did.

This is something I never thought he’d keep after the last letters we exchanged as kids, she said to herself.

Noticing his discomfort, she said, “We don’t have to talk about it.”

I should’ve thought this through before I brought her here, he tells himself, I never removed them because I was lazy; that’s all.

“Can we make a new deal?” he asked, pulling out a pen and paper.

“Depends on the terms,” she replied.

He then started jotting things down.

Here lies a contract between Prince Andreas Nabara-Nifontovite and Princess Dionne Valeria Cerussite-Gahnospinel.

1. Prince Andreas and Princess Dionne will work together to keep their families from waging war against each other.

2. They are to fool the ton about their relationship and therefore will be obligated to attend ceremonies that require a partner.

3. Princess Dionne must respond to whatever letter Prince Andreas send her, and vice versa.

4. Prince Andreas is to take care of and protect Princess Dionne.

Princess Dionne must come when summoned by Prince Andreas and vice versa.

5. Prince Andreas and Princess Dionne must remain loyal to each other no matter the situation.

6. Prince Andreas and Princess Dionne must not make harsh decisions and confide in each other when making one.

7. Prince Andreas and Princess Dionne must be honest with each other. No secrets must be kept from each other.

8. Prince Andreas and Princess Dionne will help each other find partners.

9. Prince Andreas and Princess Dionne will keep the peace between both realms even after they have married their future spouses.

“Prince Andreas must take care and protect Princess Dionne?” she asked, raising her brow. Still, she couldn’t help but smile warmly. They truly are an odd couple. One minute they’re at each other’s throats and the next they’re laughing and smiling from ear to ear.

“Why not?” he says, “I know you’re capable of protecting yourself, but it wouldn’t hurt if I protect you. Besides, if I were to be your “boyfriend” what good am I if I can’t protect you? I’d be a laughingstock.”

“What about Rini?” she asked, “You know that I’ll butt head with her no matter what.”

“I know,” he said, “But I choose you.”

Choose me, huh? She thought, Just what are you playing at, Andreas? Do you plan to string me along your life as you did a long time ago? It doesn’t matter. This is just a contract.

She took the pen and signed her name.

“Your turn, Prince Andreas,” she said, handing him the pen.

He took the pen, signing his name.

“It’s official then,” he says, “I’m yours.”

“And you’re mine,” he replied.

For now, they both thought.