TAKING A SWIM

Viktor's hand still grasped Heidi's as they splashed into the water. The sudden coolness enveloped them, sending chills down Heidi's spine. The flower on Heidi's free hand, floated in the water surface. It's petals spreading beautifully on the water.

Her eyes widened with the shock of what just happened. Her eyes fell on Viktor, who held her by the waist. His black hair looked a shade darker with the wetness.

"Are you okay?" Viktor asked, his voice low and husky.

"Y-yes," Heidi stammered, her thoughts scattered as she watched him. The water dripped slowly from his hair, down to his lips. As he spoke to her, he looked like a sexy demon.

"Hold on to me." Viktor said, releasing her hand as he swam back to the surface, pulling her up with him.

"You just had to fall into the water..." Viktor muttered, his gaze hardening as it fell on her figure. The water made her gown stick to her body like a second skin, accentuating on her womanly curves. Her doe like eyes had widened a little and her hair glittered with the wetness. If Viktor didn't know better, he would have thought she was trained in the art of seduction. Viktor had seen lots of bodies, but he never looked at them in that way. They were bones and flesh to him, looking at Heidi now, stirred something deep in him.

He took off his tuxedo, revealing a crisp white vest underneath. "Put this on." He said handing the suit to her.

"I'm fine, I'll quickly change into another gown" Heidi said, her gaze falling to the ground.

Viktor's eyes narrowed at her, he doubted if she knew how she looked right now. His gaze fell on her full lips which she nibbled at.

He took a deep breath, his patience wearing thin. "I do not fancy giving you my suit, lady Adelheid. But your clothes are so damn wet and it's revealing..." He paused a little, letting his words sink in before he added. "more than you imagine"

Heidi's gaze fell on her clothes and her eyes widened at the sight. Her cheeks flushed hard as she hastenly took the tuxedo from him. Her gaze remained in the floor in embarrassment, aware of the fact that he could see through her wet clothes.

"I'll change a-and return your tuxedo." She managed to say before running off. Viktor's gaze followed her as she disappeared through the doors.

Heidi walked quickly, her grip on the tuxedo tightening as she darted across the corridors. Her mind raced with the thoughts of what happened earlier, and her cheeks flushed even harder. She couldn't shake off the feeling of Viktor's gaze lingering on her. She stopped in front of an empty room and shut the door behind her. She walked into the room, her footsteps halting in front of the mirror. Heidi shivered a little, feeling the cold bite into her skin.

She was worried as she knew the gown had reached it's limit. She sighed softly. "I wish you would change to another gown." Her eyes widened as the fabric began to shimmer into another gown. Heidi was taken aback, as the gown had clearly reached it's limit earlier.

"Could it be..." Heidi trailed off in her thoughts. This could only mean that the water she fell into was fountain water. "But she had no spices..." Heidi muttered softly, when she remembered the jasmine flowers that Viktor had given her. The petals of the flower had scattered around her, serving as the spice.

Heidi looked around, grabbing a towel to dry her hair. But when she looked at her reflection, her hair was already styled beautifully. Heidi was at loss for words, the gown was definitely a life saver.

She took a deep breath before walking out of the room. There were very few guests inside the castle as most of the guests had gone out to the garden. Heidi felt the gentle breeze against her gown as she stepped outside the castle. She hardly stepped into the garden as most of her chores were indoors.

Her gaze fell on the beautiful flowers that adorned the garden floors, their fragrance filling the air. The sky was getting darker, adding a soft glow to the flowers. She looked around cautiously, the last person she wanted to see was Viktor.

Her cheeks turned pink, as her mind wandered back to the memory of their encounter. She couldn't believe she had fallen into the water, and he had seen her in such a state.

As she walked deeper into the garden, she could hear the laughter coming from the guests. The sound of tea cups clinking against each other filled the air. There were guests in groups of four or five scattered around the spacious garden. Luckily, there was no sign of the first prince, making Heidi relax a little.

Heidi had only walked for a moment when she heard a voice call out to her. "Lady Adelheid!"

Heidi turned at the voice, and on seeing the Queen mother walk up to her, Heidi instantly wished it was Viktor walking up to her instead.

Heidi's heart sank as the Queen Mother approached her, a warm smile plastered on her face. "Lady Adelheid, I'm so glad I found you," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. Heidi forced a curtsy, her mind racing nervously. Why did it have to be the Queen Mother? Anyone but her.

"Milady," Heidi bowed, trying to sound composed. "I was just taking a stroll." The Queen Mother smiled at her, her gaze soft. "I see. Well, I'm glad I caught up to you. Let's take a stroll together."

"Of course, milady" Heidi muttered softly.

As they walked, the scent of blooming roses and lavender filled the air, and the soft chirping of birds accompanied their steps. Heidi's mind was a mess, unsure of what the Queen Mother would say next.

"Tell me, Lady Adelheid, what do you think about my grandson?" The Queen Mother asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Heidi was taken aback, her thoughts racing to her encounters with Viktor. From the second he had asked her for a dance to the moment he had given her his tuxedo. He was a gentleman one moment, and a nightmare the next. He made her feel different things all at once. He was one twisted man, Heidi thought.

"He is quite the gentleman," Heidi said, discarding her thoughts, not wanting to offend the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother laughed, her voice old and melodious. "My grandson is definitely not a gentleman, Lady Adelheid." She said, and Heidi's eyes widened at her words. "Although I must say, you must have made quite the impression on him."

Heidi only laughed nervously, knowing that whatever the Queen Mother saw or thought was fake. The Queen Mother halted her footsteps, her eyes sharp and piercing as she said. "You see, Lady Adelheid, Viktor has had it quite rough, and I only wish he has someone genuine beside him." Heidi's eyes softened at the Queen Mother's words, feeling a pang of guilt for deceiving her.

"I'll leave you for now, lady Adelheid. Do join me for tea later." The queen mother said, offering Heidi a smile before she left.

Heidi bowed as she watched the queen mother leave. That wasn't so bad, Heidi thought in relief, although she wondered why the queen mother didn't inquire about her family.

After the Queen Mother left, Heidi walked further into the garden, her gaze admiring the variety of flowers. Her footsteps halted when they fell on Viktor, who sat on a bench, his back leaned against the backrest, and his legs crossed. His eyes were closed, and Heidi turned to leave quietly, not wanting him to notice her.

"Running away?" He asked, his voice low and husky, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. Heidi's heart skipped a beat, and her footsteps came to a halt.