A/N: Hi guys. How is it the end of March already? Anyway, this is chapter twenty-nine. Please leave a review and tell me what you're thinking of the story so far! As I've said before—if I don't know what I'm doing wrong, I can't get better. Also, as I mentioned last chapter, chapter thirty is going to be a little bit later than usual.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Rosamund
After the initial dramma of Dorian discovering his sexuality, he and Lisa became steadily closer, as Dorian thought that they ought to help each other through some of the difficulties of not being straight such a setting.
Dorian also became close with Chaol again, and both of them were quite pleased with that development. It was nice to finally be back together, after so long separated.
And it was through reconnecting with Chaol that Dorian got his first girlfriend—Rosamund.
Rosamund was overall a very pleasing young lady—kind, and gentle, but certainly not a pushover, and very bright. Dorian and she bonded over books, and a few common friends—Chaol and Lisa.
Chaol and Lisa had both known Rosa for years, but somehow, Dorian and Rosamund had never been properly introduced.
Regardless, after an interesting get-together at the library and a few flirtatious comments, Dorian ended up with his first kiss and first official girlfriend.
Initially, Dorian and Chaol had intended to spend the afternoon alone, but Lisa and Rosa had also been there, and decided to sit with the boys.
Dorian and Chaol were immersed in their own little world, discussing a book and what they thought would have made it better, when Lisa and Rosamund sat down next to them.
"Good afternoon, boys! Fancy seeing you here," Lisa smiled. "We were just wandering the aisles and saw you two and just simply had to come say hello!"
Rosamund kept both eyes fixed on Dorian as Chaol responded, "Well then, hello."
"I don't think that Rosa and Dorian have ever been introduced!" Lisa said.
"You might be right," Chaol frowned. "Well, Dorian, this is Rosamund. Rosa, this is Prince Dorian Havilliard, but I'm sure you already knew that."
Rosa smiled softly. "Indeed, I did. But it never hurts to make the introduction formal." Her gaze flitted along Dorian's body, who in turn shifted uncomfortably.
Then, forcing a smile, Dorian said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. Lisa and Chaol have mentioned you before. All good things, I assure you."
"That's lovely to here. So, I take it you enjoy books?" Rosa nodded to the stack beside him.
"Yes, I suppose I do," Dorian smiled at her. "You as well?"
"Yes, but generally more informational texts than fictional ones."
"Really? What do you like to learn about then?"
"Oh, most everything. I do enjoy history, although there aren't many text books here that remain unaltered. I also enjoy various fields of science."
Dorian cocked his head. "Interesting. I like that you enjoy learning. It's very healthy, and speaks wonders about you yourself."
"You flatter me! But it's just a pastime." She gave him a small smile, and Dorian decided he might as well just go along with it.
"If you say so," he said, shooting her a grin.
Rosa put a hand on her chest, blushing slightly.
Dorian saw Chaol roll his eyes, before taking up conversation with Lisa instead.
Don't leave me to rot, Dorian thought to himself. But he knew there was no getting out of talking to her alone now.
After a long discussion, Dorian and Rosa became aware that both Chaol and Lisa had vanished. Dorian was a little bit upset, but he also realized that before long, people were going to start wondering why he wasn't dating anyone. Rosa would make a perfect girlfriend for him, as much as he hated the idea of using her like that. But really—what other options did he have, if things were really as bad as Lisa had made them sound?
Dorian sat with Lisa in the library the following afternoon.
"So, how did things go with Rosa last night?" Lisa broke the silence that had been pressing him for information about the two of them.
"Fine," was all Dorian could think of to say.
"And what does 'fine' mean? Are you dating now? Friends? Was there some making out?" She lowered her voice in a suggestive manner.
"Relax, Lisa! It was nothing too intense! But I suppose we are sort of dating, although it's not that big of a deal!"
"Oh! You're getting defensive! Tell me what happened," she pried.
"Fine, fine. There was some 'making out,' but you don't have to make it sound so bad."
"I'm not. I'm just wondering."
"Well, you got your answer."
"And now I want another one—how was it?"
"I don't know! Sloppy. Messy. Weird. I don't get what everyone's talking about." He shrugged slightly. "I didn't totally like it, but I guess I can get behind it. Maybe it's better the second time you try it."
"Nah. You've just got to kiss someone you actually like. Or close your eyes and pretend it's someone you like."
"Really? And how would you know?" Dorian raised an eyebrow at her.
"I've been around the block. I've done things in my day," Lisa said in a grandmother-y sound way.
"Oh, just tell me the truth."
"Fine, fine. I've kissed a few boys here and there. And now maybe I have a girlfriend."
"Really? That's great! I'm so happy for you!" Dorian smiled at his friend. "But didn't you say we should just pretend to be straight?"
"I know what I said, but when you really love someone, you should risk it! I mean, what's the point in living a life without love?"
Dorian sighed slightly. Really—what was the point? He was honestly kind of jealous of her. Afterall, whoever she liked clearly liked her back, if the two of them were willing to be together in a world such as that one.
Him, on the other hand? Not a chance. The guy he liked would never—could never—feel the same way.
Things began to go downhill for Chaol, particularly later that week. That was when a cousin of Dorian's arrived.
He'd visited in the past, and he'd always been a pain in the ass for both of them. Wreaking havok, tearing things up, but ever a perfect angle around the king and queen and other royals. He was the favorite, the pet, the one the King of Adarlan probably would rather have had as an heir, but behind the backs of all the important men and women of the court, he was an absolute demon.
Roland Havilliard.
This time, unfortunately, unbeknownst to either Chaol or Dorian at the moment, this time this visit was going to be much worse.
Chapter Release Date: March 28, 2018
