Chapter 9

"It seems that I am interrupting"

"Oh not at all, It's an honor to have you here"

Ivan sat at the plush sofa with one leg over the other, emanating an aura only a prince and a man of his stature could. His eyes calmly slid over the faces of others.

"How are you, Duke Bain?"

"I'm doing well, Your highness"

"How's the construction of the new bridge going?"

Random talks about a recent project flew over Cecilia's head as she observed the room. Peter occasionally shared his input while Julia appeared lost in her own head, hardly taking her eyes off of Ivan.

"I won't be taking any more of your time, I have been quite busy and did not get opportunity to see Lady Rosen"

Julia's whole frame trembled in anticipation. 

"Cecilia" Ivan smiled at her and she swore her heart stopped. She couldn't decide if it was the thrill of the moment or his charming smile. Must have been the latter as color spread to her cheeks and neck.

A warning would have been nice, her poor heart running a mile a minute.

Everybody sat frozen, as if they didn't register the name Ivan called.

"Ivan" 

The name was heavy and foreign on her tongue but it rolled off easily. The familiarity with which they regarded each other was not lost to the rest. If possible their jaws would have hit the floor and their eyebrows to the ceiling.

Ivan stood up, leisurely walked towards her, grabbed her hand and led her out the room leaving the other inhabitants of the room open mouthed.

Giggles spilled from Cecilia's lips as they walked out hand in hand. 

"Their faces-oh my god"

They rounded the corner and Cecilia gave a long exhale.

"Thank you" 

Ivan looked at her, as if asking what she meant.

"I finally feel at ease, it felt like I've been suffocating slowly, so, Thank you" She smiled and squeezed his hand. 

Confusingly, Ivan looked away as if he couldn't meet her eyes and the tip of his ears turned red. She looked down and realised they were still holding hands and almost let go.

They found themselves by the water fountain, the water flowing steadily and clashing with the colourful pebbles. Hesitantly, she let go of Ivan's hand and sat at the edge of the fountain.

She'd be embarrassed by her behavior but he had been the closest thing to comfort since she has woken up back here. She could still feel the warmth of his palm around hers and blushed. How does this all feel natural to her? How is she so comfortable with this? 

Her stomach had been a ball of nerves as they drew up a contract, the responsibilities of her promises sitting heavy on her shoulders. She is quite sure of the location where the prince's sister is being housed, but it's not easy to get there. 

Not many people are aware of the island, especially the shady asylum. Under strict restrictions, regulated entry, the place housed 'mentally ill patients'. The princess can pull strings to acquire entry, but what can Cecilia do? 

On the verge of falling into the pit of regret, she focused on the prince. His blonde hair swaying with the wind, eyes taking in the surroundings and then finding hers.

"Are you ok?"

Cecilia shook her head,

"I'm scared" 

Elaborating, she continued,

"I'm scared of the consequences of today, I'm so used to going with the flow, doing everything that is expected of me and natural"

That is all she's known.

Yes, she did come to love Peter but not in the beginning. To be honest, she had not considered much, and accepted that her father wished her to marry Peter. She wondered how he'd react, how Julia would react…..

Just then, a flash of purple moved in her peripheral vision.

Julia?

Subtly glancing, and sure enough, Julia stood hidden poorly behind a pillar, her purple dress clearly visible. Suppressing the urge to laugh, she decided to have a bit of fun.

Standing up, contemplating her next actions, she held Ivan's wrist. His eyes widened but he did not move away. She leaned forwards, stood on her tip toes and whispered in his ears,

"Let's put on a show"

Getting the gist, Ivan relaxed and even put a hand around her waist. Electricity sparked where he touched and Cecilia fought to stay still. To anyone looking it'd appear that she was kissing his cheek. Coming back to her heels, she glanced at the not so hidden Julia.  

Scathing eyes, permeating cold fury washed over them. Cecilia couldn't help but hide her glee into the crook of Ivan's neck and bit her lip to stop the giggle that was sure to spill. The prince fully wrapped his arms around her in amusement and placed his chin on her head.

•

Evening found her in her father's study, strolling around his wide collection of books. The slight creak of the double doors alerted to her father's presence, he looked troubled as he walked in and sat down with a sigh.

"You didn't tell me"

It wasn't a question, but a statement. 

"You never asked"

"You knew your marriage with Peter was-"

"You never asked me if I wanted to marry him"

That made the Duke pause and finally look at her. 

"Julia informs me of the proposal and that's it? Nobody asks for what I want, if I wish for this. Maybe if you had asked, you would know that I'm in relationship with the prince"

Without realising, her voice had risen and the Viscount's eyes were wide in shock. She'd never argued with him, much less raise her voice. When it seemed like he had nothing to say, Cecilia requested to be excused and left, leaving her stunned father behind.

How is it that she's realising just now, the gravity of her situation? How did she never stop to think what she wanted, what made her happy? How had she been content by others deciding her future, her life?

Wanting nothing more to run to the safety of her bed, she increased her pace. 

A shriek interrupted her fantasy of a warm cup of tea before going to sleep,

"CECILIA!"