The door opened behind him and Phillip turned around reluctantly. He had been busy for the last two days and the only thing he wanted right now was to have a good night rest. Something that was not going to happen right now.
Aurora stood in the doorway, glaring at him. Her blue eyes were narrowed into slits.
''What is wrong with you?!''
''I beg your pardon?'' Phillip said perplexed.
''You come here, crashing the ball, like some charming, mysterious guy. Claiming a dance with me and then disappear for the rest of the weekend. We've been in the same castle the entire time and I haven't seen you in two days, two days! Is it your intention to avoid me or something?! She yelled.
''Aurora, I-''
''No, okay! I know that I said I would fight for this. For us. But if you don't even want to try, then this,'' she said waving between them, ''it is useless.''
She took a deep breath, calming herself.
''It's okay if you don't want this,'' she said softly, ''if you really don't see a future in us being together, then… I will tell my parents that this.. betrothal just doesn't work. I can-''
She was silenced by Phillips lips crashing on hers. Too shocked to react, he pulled back before she could do anything.
Aurora blinked, staring at Philip. ''Did anyone ever tell you that you talk too much?''
''What… '' was all Aurora could muster. His touch still lingered on her lips, a warm glow spreading in her chest, while her heart thudded.
''I haven't been avoiding you the past few days. I came here because I had a meeting with Gaspard in a week,'' Aurora looked at him with incomprehension. Why would Philip already be here if his meeting was not until next week?
''I send him a letter, asking if I could advance our meeting. Gaspard suggested that I could attend the ball and we could discuss the varying matters the following two days. We have been busy for the last two days, from dawn to dusk.''
''But why?'' The words escaped Auroras lips. It didn't make any sense. Why would Philip want to advance a meeting.
Philip smiled slightly. ''Because I wanted to ask you If you would like to visit me in Lochlomond. I've already invited your parents and they are coming. You can imagine how my father reacted, knowing how my father gets along with yours. He jumped with joy for an entire day, already searching for the best wine in the kingdom.'' He chuckled before he looked at her, his smile faltering. ''I just.. hoped that you would like to join them.''
''You advanced a meeting for me..'' Aurora looked at him astonished.
Phillip rubbed the back of his neck, ''I just thought that if we wanted to make this work, we should at least put some effort in it.''
Her gaze softened. Somehow a feeling of hope settled in her hart. Maybe the prospect of a good marriage would not be as unlikely as it had been before.
''I would like that.'' She smiled, meeting his gaze.
Philip nodded before a smirk curled his lips. ''thus, you thought I was charming and mysterious?''
Aurora rolled her eyes ''Don't flatter yourself, it was a momentarily lack of judgement.''
''Keep telling yourself that princess.''