Katniss
Watching Peeta interact with his family has been oddly enjoyable. Seeing him with his nieces and nephews has been heart warming. He loves them so entirely that he is more than willing to bend to their every wish till he has absolutely no strength to continue. Yet still he pushes himself farther, just to please them. The light his eyes find when they laugh or smile at him is enchanting.
It seems somewhere along my time here he has crept up on me and now my feelings for him are undeniable. I silently curse myself for allowing my defenses to have not detected him. How could I? How silly of me. I was no better than a tittering schoolgirl with a crush. Oh how I have swooned at his touches and kind words. How I despise myself for my reactions. I had always managed to not allow myself to break; all my other masters had not had the privilege of seeing me weakened; yet here I stand weakened by my own emotions. I had always been so concentrated on maintaining my pride and strength I had forgotten to guard myself against the kindness a master could show. Not that I had expected kindness to be shown to me. How could I be so foolish? How had he snuck up on me? Now I am in turmoil at the mere thought of him, my heart races when he is near and I can scarcely recall how I had hated him before.
Peeta
My mother has been irritating as always but it has been wonderful to see the rest of my family again. I have missed them greatly. I'm especially glad them came to visit when they did. The cold winter months have gone and spring is in full bloom, it is truly beautiful. The weather is warm enough and we have spent much of our time outside.
My nieces and nephews have occupied nearly every moment of my time. My brothers and I have not spoken of Katniss Everdeen since a few nights ago. Whenever she enters a room they exchange worried glances as if I do not notice them. Tonight my mother has planned a ball and is no doubt hoping that it will be the social highlight of the season. She has been working my staff near to death trying to accomplish this task. I must admit the ballroom is looking lovely and the food smells divine. My family has currently situated themselves in their respective rooms to ready themselves for tonight. My mother even demanded that those who will be serving the food tonight be dressed just above the average in order to send the message that our family, even our servants are better than everyone else. She really thinks of little else than how much better she thinks we are. It is silly really.
A loud knock on my door sounds before it is opened. The music from the ballroom cascades into my room along with Effie. "Are you ready Peeta dear?" She looks me over and straightens my bowtie and coat. She brushes back my hair again and nods her approval before sending me downstairs. Everyone I know is present as well as many I do not. My mother seems to have invited half the country to her little shindig.
I make my way over to Finnick and Annie grabbing a drink from a server's tray along the way. "Finnick!" I clap him on the back before turning to his wife, "Annie you look lovely this evening. How did this old sod ever manage to sway you into marrying him?" She blushes profusely before turning a loving gaze to Finnick. Jealousy flares slightly within me, but I cannot begrudge them their happiness, Finnick and Annie are equally deserving of each other. We make idle chitchat for sometime, enjoying each other's company. The dancing begins shortly and Finnick and Annie quickly take the floor.
I find myself passed from partner to partner, all women my mother is throwing at me. So therefore I can only assume they are rich and single. I notice not one of them. No, my attention is held on a particular server in a simply black gown with a pure white apron. My mother naturally went slightly cliché on the servants' outfits for tonight. She is such a silly woman. However Katniss seems to be more beautiful in that simple attire than all of the overly made up women attending tonight in their frivolous outfits. Her hair is braided and pinned simply and beautifully. She is stunning.
After many dances I sit with my nieces and nephews for a moment. Katniss walks over with a tray of hors d'oeuvres and kneels before the children with a smile on her face. Her smile is so genuine that her entire face lights up, she is far more beautiful than I ever thought a woman could be. She offers whatever food is on her tray to them and to me before standing and continuing her way around the room.
Amelia and Ria start to whisper to each other while looking at me. I give them a coy smile before I ask, "What are you two whispering about so intently?"
"Uncle Peeta I just told Ria that I think she is the prettiest lady I have ever seen. I want to look like her when I grow up." Amelia's little face shines with adoration.
"You think she is pretty too don't you uncle? You agree she is the most beautiful woman in the world?" Ria asks shyly. As much as I agree wholeheartedly with their statements I cannot simply entrust that information to just anyone.
"Oh she is very pretty but I know two more women who are the most beautiful ever." I stand and bow to them, "May I dance with them?" I extend my hand and they giggle again.
"Uncle Peeta you are quite silly." Amelia says with laughter evident in her young sweet voice. Nevertheless they both take my hands and we wander out to the dance floor. I know without looking that this simple display of affection for my nieces has every woman's eye on me. My nieces are some of the sweetest little girls and even though I am dancing with them because I love to hear their tinkling laughs and to see the joy on their innocent faces all the women in the room are focused entirely on how this action makes me look. No doubt their hearts are melting at my charming actions. I only hope that one particular woman's heart is melting along with them.
…::…
"Peeta dear would you join me in the parlor?" My mother had found me in my study and I respectfully joined her as we made our way towards the parlor. She closes the door behind us and we are alone. She sits and gestures to the seat in front of her. I already feel uneasy; I doubt this conversation will be a pleasant one.
"Peeta I have been in communication with Mr. Cartwright recently. They are an adequate family and Miss. Delly is a delightful girl. I had hoped with all the exceptional ladies at the ball that you would be tempted by one to settle down with a more adequate woman, however, you seem to be inept at finding yourself a woman and so I have taken it into my own hands. Mr. Cartwright and I have agreed that a marriage between you and Miss. Delly would be very beneficial. Obviously more so for them than for us. But still her dowry is acceptable and their family is relatively well respected. She will be arriving in a fortnight so that we may begin preparations for your nuptials."
My mouth feels as if it has been stuffed with cotton and I am stunned and appalled. I thought I had made it quite clear that I would not have my marriage arranged. Yet here she had gone and done just that. I was outraged, how dare she?
She continued to prattle on about her plan until I finally recovered from the shock.
"No." I said quite simply.
"Pardon me?" Anger was beginning to rise in her eyes.
"No mother. I refuse your offer. I will not marry Miss. Delly. I refuse, plain and simple. I will not allow you to set me in a marriage that will result in such blatant unhappiness for both Delly and myself." I attempt to execute my words calmly. "Nor will I ever marry anyone whom you parade before me. I have already chosen who I wish to marry and I will do my utmost to have her. I love her."
"Peeta you and your silly romantic notions have no place in civilized society. But if you insist I will amuse you. Who is she?" My mother's frustration is quickly turning to anger.
"She is a servant, here in my home." I will hide it from her no longer. She will know and she will just have to accept it.
Her face changes with so many emotions, starting with shock and ending with unadulterated fury. She stands and towers over me. Her hand raises swiftly and with a loud shriek she brings her palm down to meet my face. My face stings and I can feel my skin grow increasingly hot. Her footsteps echo as she leaves the room cursing me under her breath. I have no doubt that this conversation is only on hiatus and will continue once she has overcome her initial outburst.
