Getting Wet II.

I stared at the boots he wore and wondered how to answer the question he was asking. I have never replied to something like that in my entire life. Apart from father, I did not answer anyone.

What Azriel asked of me, should have made me send him to the dungeons but I didn't. Rather, I shyly smiled at the grasses covered in white snow.

"Have you ever wondered why you never felt this way?"

He paused and looked up, a smile touching the corners of his green eyes. I swallowed hard and my throat made noises. I shook my head like a pupil answering her teacher.

"Because there was no one special in your life…" his eyes found mine when I looked up briefly. "You feel something for me, right? Just the way, I feel for you."

"I-I can not say, for now, Lord Azriel" words flew out of my mouth for the first time. Love was not easy to find. Some will claim to love for a few months and years. I didn't want to end up broken.

I wanted true love. An epic love that would last forever. A man that would love me till I take my last breath.

"I understand, princess," He said.

"Please, call me Azrael when we are alone" I found myself saying. The formality should be recognized only when there were people around us.

"If you say so, prin…" he paused when he realized his mistake. I noticed that his lips curled as he looked at me. My heart skipped as he took my hand.

A different feeling came through for me. I wished he did that on time. "Call me, Azriel too" I heard him saying.

"As you wish," I said while his hand was still holding me. His palm was not soft yet they sent chills to my spine. I was tempted to ask him if it was because of the battles that his palms were strong. How did he wields his sword to defeat his enemy?

Azriel took the lead walking majestically like the Lord he was and I followed him closely with my hand fitting to his. The way he carried himself, one might think he was more than a Baron. As if he was Duke or King. He should have been one.

"Can I say something, Azrael?" he asked. I wondered what he was going to say next. My eyes were on the grasses. How beautiful they would be if the snow was melted by the sweet yellow sun?

"You can say whatever you want…as friends, you don't need permission from me, A-zriel" My gaze shifted to him and I noticed the naughty smile that was on his lips when he asked me about my wetness was still there.

"I love the way you called my name, Azrael" Lord Azriel uttered. He let go of my hand and became a bit serious. The smile disappeared and a little frown appeared on his cute face. The sudden change surprised me. He would be a good show performer.

But…what if all these beautiful moments were just acting? What if he just wanted the throne just like the others? I looked at him searching for that one thing that would make him guilty but all I could see was a handsome Lord would fall in love with me.

"You were saying something" I reminded him. Was it about Ember? Did he love her? It won't be surprising. I was suspicious of them during this tea party.

"Yes, my lady" Lord Azriel replied. His hands were behind and I saw the way his left brow arched at me. I was shy but he wasn't. "It's about what I said earlier. But it seems you are not interested in me…I'm a Baron…the chances of our re…"

I did not let him finish, I cut him off "We just met, Azriel. You don't know what will happen tomorrow. Don't say because you are a Baron and I am a princess. I will marry whosoever…"

"Your father choose right?" He interrupted me. I did not like the way the conversation was going even though I knew he was right. Father would choose a husband for me to marry but if I find love first, I will make sure I spend the rest of my life with that man even if it means going against the world.

"Let's not talk about it, Azriel," I asked politely with the hope that he would understand.

"We have to talk about it…do I have to impress your father first?" He insisted. I wished someone would come and interrupt us. I did not like the way he was saying it. The skin between his forehead pinched as he spoke. "If you don't want us to talk about it then it is okay. The matter is dead for me, princess."

My gaze fell to the ground. The words made me think about many things. I did not wish to see us become enemies. We should be friends…and if possible, something more.

"Shall we?" Lord Azriel asked bringing his arm close to me. I was surprised. However, I held it and walked back to where we came from. There was a long silence when we got back to the front of the hall.

The guests were leaving as well. Most of them were waiting for us to come back from the garden. I wanted to let go of Azriel's arm but he placed his palm on my hand, assuring me that it was fine.

"Finally, we found you," Hazel said as she walked up to us. Her red gown fitted her pale skin. I saw Ember. She was waiting by the carriage.

"Were we gone for long?" I asked her.

"Sure, princess. You spent forever there but I understand the reason now" Her gaze shifted to Lord Azriel. "He is lucky."

I looked at him and he smiled "You be leaving, princess?"

"Yes, but we see at the tournament tomorrow" I reminded him of tomorrow's event.

"Of course, my lady" Lord Azriel said. He turned to Hazel and asked nicely "Can you give us a moment, please?"

"No problem, Lord" Hazel curtsied before leaving us. When we were left alone.

"So?" I asked with a smile.

He turned and faced me "When you get home, make sure you check yourself and see that which you feel for me. It is not same way you feel for any of the men here." is it, Azrael?

"You feel something for me as well…you don't want to say it,…you are fighting it. Don't do this to us, Azrael."

I tightened my hold around his arm and he looked at my fingers. He continued "If you go home…go to your bathroom immediately and check yourself…you know what I mean. If it turned out that I'm correct, then it means we like each other."

"But what if it doesn't?" I managed to ask.

"Then, I'm a fool," He told me. "I will respect any decision you make...you can marry any man you want." He was so confident about it. "But I know I'm right."

My body was shaking like a leaf when he took steps back and let me go into my carriage. I rushed into the carriage and sat down "Haste up, I have something important to do at home" I found myself saying.