Ok folks so I got some bad news. I've been having issues with my arm lately and its starting to look like I'm going to need surgery in order to fix a tear I have in it. Meaning that things will be taking much longer to update. So please bear with me since I will only be working with one arm from now on. I'm not going to let the story die, just things will take even longer now to do! lol Anyways I hope you all enjoy!
~*Out on the Town*~
Tonya sat fuming at the dining table as she stabbed at the ice cream in front of her. It'd been a few days since the whole speech debacle. Since then she'd had yet to hear from Lambert. So she'd done as she usually had and spent time with the other princes. Just last night she'd found a letter from Lambert waiting in her room, saying that she should be ready in the morning to go out and spend the day together. Figuring that she could afford to start things fresh she'd gotten up early, showered, pulled on a nice pair of dark wash jeans with an off the shoulder black short sleeve shirt that hugged her figure nicely. With just the slightest 'V' cut in it to add just the right amount of flare as she pulled on her boots, cleaned up of course, to tie it all together. Sticking to simple purple and black studs for earrings. But upon walking out to the breakfast hall, she'd been greeted by Ivan after a couple hours of waiting only to be told that Lambert had to cancel. Thus standing her up.
"Argh! He has to be the most infuriating person ever!" Tonya growled as she slammed her fists against the table. "The least he could've done was let me know sooner. Now everyone is gone for the day and I'm stuck here alone."
"Tonya?" The pouting girl turned to see Chezem walk in with a confused look upon his face. "I thought you would be out with Lambert today?"
"Yeah so did I. But his royal pain in the ass just stood me up." She griped as Chezem walked over to her. "How come you're still here? I thought that pest of a minister would be breathing down your neck today?"
"Thankfully no. He had to cancel." Chezem smiled as Tonya folded her arms and puffed out her cheeks. She looked like an angry kid and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"So I guess we both have nothing to do." Tonya sighed. But her face instantly brightened up as she jumped out of her chair. "Hey! Why don't we go do something? I've wanted to go check out the shopping district lately."
"Um…" He looked away as she remembered that he wasn't well with people. Especially because of the whole inheritance thing.
"Oh that's right. Well we don't have to go there if you don't want? I mean I can always ask Alvah or Jun to go with me some other time. We can do something else if you want?" She asked as Chezem hung his head.
"Are you sure?" He asked as she smiled and nodded.
"Of course! I'm not going to force you to do something you don't want to do. And if you don't want to go into town we don't have to." She tilted her head and held out a finger as Chezem just stared at the girl. "But you know the best way to conquer a fear is to face it head on."
She winked at him as he thought about her words. And he knew she was right. For too long he'd been shut in the palace, fearing the people around him. He knew that Tonya had been extremely patient with him. But whenever the two were together he could tell she was holding back a bit. He'd seen it whenever she was with Alvah or Jun. She was much more brash, much more carefree, and much more open than when she was with him. Because she didn't want to force him to do anything or be around her if he didn't feel comfortable. He wanted that to change.
"No. I think I want to try….As long as you're with me though." He added as she was surprised by his words. "You're right. I need to get out more. So please, allow me to go change into something less formal and we'll go."
"Ok!" Tonya hollered as she punched the air, her natural bubbliness coming out. "Oh, but I guess I should change too huh?"
"N-No! Please, don't." He stammered as Tonya tilted her head. "I like what you're wearing."
The two stared at each other as they blushed at the same time. Chezem scratched his head before heading off to his room to change. He could hear a soft giggle echo down the hall as he found himself smiling at it. After unloading his jewelry and changing into less flashy clothing, he met Tonya back in the dining hall. She rose quickly as the two headed towards the entrance to where a car was already waiting. Chezem had taken care of things in advance, not wanting to make her wait around anymore than what she'd already done this morning.
It was a short drive from the palace to the main tourist area. The two hopped out and thanked the driver as Tonya looked around. Even though she'd already visited the area, it still took her breath away as she debated on where she wanted to start. But as she started walking, she noticed that something was wrong. She looked to her side to see that Chezem was missing as she turned around to see the prince just standing there unsure of himself. She walked back and placed a hand on his shoulder as he shied away from Tonya's touch before realizing that it was her.
"I'm sorry." He quickly apologized as her eyes filled with concern.
"Are you sure you're ok?" Tonya asked as Chezem nodded.
"I'm just not used to all the noise." He said as he rubbed his arm.
"I don't blame you. This place is pretty noisy." She muttered as she looked around. "But Chezem if you notice, no one seems to know who you are here."
Chezem's eyes widened as he realized that she was right. He looked around him and saw that a few people would stare, but they would keep walking. No one spoke to him, no one called him 'prince', no one even knew who he was. He looked back at Tonya with a smile on his face as felt a weight lift off him.
"I'm just another face in the crowd." He breathed as Tonya nodded.
"Exactly! Now let's go do some shopping!" She hollered as she grabbed his hand and dragged him along behind her. The man fighting a blush the entire time.
The two were in and out of stores all day. Tonya's energy was infectious as Chezem found himself having a good time. He would watch as she would try on random pieces of clothing and then throw something on him when he wasn't looking. The two were constantly laughing at how ridiculous they looked, as Tonya snapped pictures of everything they did to help commemorate the day. They moved from clothes, to a glass ware store, to a store that sold souvenirs, and then down to a jewelry store. Chezem seemed to linger in here the longest as Tonya trailed behind him, watching how his eyes would light up as he explained each gemstone's meaning. Glad to see the prince finally coming out of his shell.
"Are those carnelian gems?" Chezem asked as he pointed to various pieces of jewelry that had the stone embedded within them. His eyes seeming to light up even more.
"Oh and that one is in the shape of a cross." Tonya breathed as the prince's eyes wandered over to the one she was pointing to. It was a curvy and soft shaped cross. Very beautiful and both knew that it must've taken forever to carve.
"You certainly have a good eye sir. Would you like to look at it?" The shop keep asked as Chezem nodded, not taking his eyes off the necklace. The owner handed the piece to Chezem who held it delicately as Tonya leaned over and looked at it with him.
"Wow, that's a pretty shade of red." Tonya whispered as Chezem nodded.
"Carnelian is a stone that represents power, strength, and friendship, amongst other things. It's especially rare since it's such a deep red." Chezem rattled off as Tonya wondered how he knew so much.
"It would seem you're very knowledgeable about the stone as well." The man laughed as Chezem looked up and fell silent as he glanced off to the side.
"He's shy." Tonya whispered as the store keep waited for Chezem to speak.
"I only know so much because I just read about it." The prince admitted as Tonya put a hand on his shoulder.
"You'll have to lend me that book then." She grinned as Chezem loosened up a bit.
"That is a one of a kind piece. Not too often to we get carved carnelian in. And that design is very popular with western women." The old man said as an idea came to Chezem.
"Tonya, come here." The prince said as he pulled the girl towards him.
"Chezem what are you doing?" Tonya asked as he gently pulled her hair forward and leaned in to the girl. Causing her to blush as he struggled with hooking the necklace around her neck. Finally getting it after a minute or so of fighting with the thing. Stepping back to look at the necklace as Tonya fixed her hair.
"Just as I thought. That shade of red compliments your skin tone well." He smiled up at her as Tonya turned to look to look at the necklace in the mirror. "I'm going to get it."
"Wait, what?!" Tonya hollered as she felt like she was going to fall over. Especially since she'd seen the price tag on the piece.
"Say, you two wouldn't happen to be on a date would you?" The clerk asked as they both turned as red as the stones around Tonya's neck. "You two have been awfully close since you entered the store. And I know that none of the princes, except Prince Melchiorre, wander around with women too often. Actually this is probably the first time I've seen you outside the palace Prince Chezem."
"You know who I am?" Chezem's hand froze in the air as he held out the money for the necklace.
"I could tell from the moment I saw you. She must be an extraordinary girl to get you to come outside." The clerk praised as he looked past the prince to Tonya who looked at the ground. "So are you two on a date?"
"Um…well?" Tonya looked to Chezem, wanting him to answer for them. But he remained silent so she smiled at the clerk and nodded. "In a sense yes."
"I see. Well then I wonder why the prince chose this gem for you? You know the most common meaning is friendship." The clerk said as Chezem shook his head.
"No. I wanted to get it because this gem is said to have the power to grant wishes. Tonya is a very special person to me. So I want all her wishes to come true." Chezem glanced over his shoulder at the girl and smiled at her as she felt her heart pick up a beat.
The clerk chuckled as he took the money as Chezem turned and smiled at Tonya who just sighed and shook her head as a smile came to her lips. The two looked around the shop a little longer before they said goodbye to the clerk. Tonya couldn't help but be hyperaware of the cool stone sitting on her chest as the two walked along the strip. The sun finally started to set as they stood in front of a museum that was currently hosting an art exhibit.
"Today was fun. I'm glad you convinced me to do this." Chezem smiled as the two sat down.
"It definitely was memorable. Look at all the pictures I got." Tonya said as she handed him her camera. Replaying the day for him as he looked through the various shots of him, Tonya, and the ones of them together. "Ooh! Let's take one more before heading back!"
He couldn't deny her when she pulled the puppy dog eyes on him. Tonya walked up to a stranger and asked them if they would take the picture as she ran back to the steps where Chezem waited. The tourist motioned for the two to scoot closer together as the two did as they were told. Chezem wrapped an arm around her as she leaned her arm on his lap as the two brought their heads close together. Smiling as the tourist took the picture. Tonya thanked them as she showed the picture to Chezem. Showing their whole bodies as the necklace seemed to glow brightly in the dying rays.
"Thanks for spending the day with me Chezem." Tonya smiled as he reached out and pushed as piece of her hair behind her ear.
"Thank you for helping me overcome my fear." He said as he pulled the girl into a hug. Squeezing her tightly as Tonya gladly returned it.
"Prince Chezem?" a high pitched voice squeaked as the two separated to see a fancily dressed girl looking at them. Her eyes immediately narrowed as she shot a glare at Tonya. "What are you doing with some commoner?"
"Ah, so this is where you went Falitna. What's this? Chezem? And Miss Tonya?" Lambert said in surprise as he looked over the two.
Tonya's happiness was replaced with annoyance and then rage as she looked upon Lambert. Falitna's glare had nothing on hers as Tonya locked her eyes on to Lambert's, letting him feel how upset she'd been. It took all Lambert had to hold his position, despite how much he wanted to back off from her intense look. Tonya finally broke gazes and took a deep breath before looking to Chezem. He could see that she just wanted to go as he nodded and put an arm on her shoulder to guide her out of there.
_._._
"I'm sorry…" Tonya muttered into her bed as music played softly in the background.
"For the last time its fine." Chezem chuckled as he rubbed her head.
The girl had remained silent the entire ride home. All her rage from this morning had come flooding back as she stormed off to her room, leaving Chezem at the door. The other princes had asked what was wrong, but Chezem had shaken his head and left it at that. Remembering that he'd seen her eating ice cream that morning to help her calm down he'd asked that some be brought up to her room as he went to check on her. He'd found the girl biting a pillow, already changed into her sleep shorts and spaghetti strap shirt she used as pj's.
"Thanks again for the ice cream." Tonya peeked up to see Chezem smiling down at her as she gradually pushed herself up off the bed.
"The others are worried about you, you know." He said as she nodded.
"I'll clue them in later. Right now I just want to be mad." Tonya growled as she drew her knees to her chest.
"About Lambert…" Chezem ventured as Tonya ran her fingers through her hair.
"If you're wondering that the reason I'm mad is because he was with another girl the answer is no. I'm mad because he said he was going to do something and didn't follow through. Regardless of status if you make plans with someone you should keep them. Not blow them off for someone else. If he'd been busy I could've understood. But to go out with another person? Now that's just rude." Tonya said as Chezem could see her point.
A soft knock could be heard on the door as Chezem started to move to get it for her. But Tonya popped off the bed and beat him to it. Needing to stretch her legs since she'd been lying down for so long. As soon as she opened the door though, she wished she'd let Chezem answer it. Standing before her was Lambert looking awkward as he refused to meet her gaze. She narrowed her eyes as he looked past her to see Chezem looking at something in the room.
"You're still with Chezem?" He asked in a calm voice as she folded her arms.
"Yes. Unlike some people when he says he wishes to spend time with them he means it." Tonya growled as Lambert coughed into his hand.
"I would like to apologize for that. Something important came up, forcing me to cancel." Lambert said as Tonya leaned against the door frame.
"Oh yes, cause blowing me off for another girl is so important." She arched a brow as Lambert narrowed his eyes. Taking a deep breath he composed himself as he placed his hands on his hips.
"Naturally I wouldn't expect a commoner like you to understand. But regardless I said I would repay you with my time, so I would like to reschedule with you." He said through gritted teeth.
"Ok." Tonya shrugged as Lambert became confused, expecting her to put up a fight again. "But I'm busy with a guest. So if you'll excuse me."
Not bothering to hear his reply, she slammed the door hard in his face. A satisfied smirk on her face as she walked back dusting her hands. Chezem wondered what had gone on as Tonya was all smiles again. She moved to sit beside Chezem who decided against asking her who it was, just glad to see her smiling once again.
I was replaying the game when this chapter came to me. I always thought it would be cute for the heroine to actually stick it to Lambert after getting stood up by him. And what better way to help her get over being stood up in the first place than letting Chezem cheer her up? I was really pleased with how the mashing of these two scenes from the main game went if I do say so myself :3. Can't wait to hear what you all think!
