*****
Prince Charles came and sat in front of me. I knew he was going to honour my invitation. His thin lips widened each time I said something. His eyes brightened up with some hope. Maybe a hope that I would say yes to him.
As we sat there, Ember had Azriel at the tip of her fingers. She told him something and he seemed shocked about it. I wondered what she was doing. Did she fall in love with him? Was that a confession?
No, it couldn't be. I knew Ember was courageous and bold. But no respectable young lady especially from a royal family will confess her feelings to a man like that.
"So we couldn't do the long…" prince Charles started but I interrupted him. His conversations were boring. I wished he did not say a word whenever I was around.
"Is okay, prince Charles" I sighed, taking the strand of my red hair that kept on falling to my face. I put it behind my ear and looked at the people who took my attention.
"Did I offend you, my Lady?" he asked with concern but I did not care to look at his face. When the prince noticed that my attention was somewhere else. He looked behind and saw Lord Azriel. "He is a fine lad. Every lady at the ball wanted him…it is a pity that he is a Baron."
I was about to lose it but I kept my cool. My gaze shifted to him and I gave him another stares "What makes you think that I want him?"
"Forgive me, your highness" He apologized. His tone was low and calm. "You are always paying attention to him than anyone."
"And that shouldn't be your business. Do not interfere in my business" I warned as I grabbed my fan ready to get up from the chair. "I will marry the man that my father will choose."
"I am sorry, princess Azrael" The prince got up and I stood up as well. I looked behind him this time, there was no Azriel in the room. I searched every gathering but he wasn't there. Ember was sitting with some of the girls.
I did not want to question her but it was high time she told me who that young man was. The one she said she was in love with. Could it be Azriel? If he was the one she would have easily told me.
"It was nice being in your company" I lied to him. Prince Charles's heart leapt for joy. I could see warm smile in his face. He bowed and I curtsied heading for my carriage.
I had no idea that Lord Azriel was a big fan of queen Ariadne. He got angry when I mentioned her. If I knew he liked that family then I won't have said anything to him yet. But how could I? I lost my mother because of them. There was no way I would forgive any of them.
The doors opened and I hurried out of the hall carefully not stepping on my long dress. The stairs were not much so I managed to get to the last.
When I was about to get into the carriage, I saw Lord Azriel. He was standing closed to the last window of the hall. His cute eyes were on me. I wondered if he stood there since.
"He is looking at you, my Lady" Lyla told me as if I did not see him. Of course, I did. He was leaning against the wall and I turned to his direction.
Just Iike I thought, he left the walls and I came to me. It was not easy having him close. His body send strange heat into mine.
His eyes were like a hole that could easily swallow me. I ignored the voice that asked me to throw my self on him. That was Devil!
"Princess…" Lord Azriel bowed and took my hand. A cold shiver ran through my spine as his sexy lips touched my knuckles. It felt like it was our lips that met.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the fantasy world that I had imagined. He was the man who became my King and I was the queen that rule by side. He took my breath with his kisses and burnt my body with his unforgettable touches.
"You are leaving?" he asked with his hands clasped behind him. It was at the moment that I knew he let go my hand. Lucky for me, my maids were at the other side of the carriage when he came. My childish behavior won't be notice by them.
"Y-yes, Lord. The party is boring" I made it known to him. He was surprised that I found such things boring. Well…father told me to never tell my feelings to any one but I couldn't hold it when it came to Azriel. His charm was irresistible.
"Tea parties…are for you, princess" He said. "Every one in Akkad and beyond knows that you host the best tea party. How do you find this boring?"
"Can I make a confession?" I asked him and he nodded, urging me to say whatever I want. "I don't like parties."
He gave me a boyish smile. It was the best thing I ever saw today. Lord Azriel stood beside me. He wanted me to a hand around his arms. I held to it and walked into the garden.
I knew people were going to stare at us. There were others on the windows trying to see and even possible hear our conversation.
We walked to where the flowers were and he cut one of the roses and stuck it on my hair. I knew it was beautiful because he placed it there.
"I have a confession too" Lord Azriel said. I looked at him. Was this a way to make me feel better?
"Go ahead" I managed to say. He smiled as leaning towards me. My heart began to thumped in my chest. I felt like there was a feast in my lower abdomen. His hand brushed against mine and my breath became heavy…maybe loud enough for him to hear. But he wasn't concern. A question kept on running through my mind.
'What was he trying to do?'