Chapter 26 - Jasper In The Sitting Room

"What is the worst that could happen?" Kyanite asked.

"Her father could kill me. You know how crazy protective he is of her." Jasper looked at Kyanite like that should have been obvious.

Kyanite rolled his eyes, "Well, there is that. Come on, you know he respects you. He likes you the best of all of us."

"Which would make him feel the most betrayed when I confess that I am in love with her."

"You act like it would be a surprise to anyone except her. Your face goes all sappy when she isn't looking."

"It does not!" Jasper objected strongly.

"Uh, yea, it does. Ask anyone. Even Cleo has noticed. She is telling her friends and anyone who will listen that you are falling for her and about to ask her out." He shuddered. "As if you would go out with that witch! I have heard stories of Beryl, I think she may have been reincarnated again."

Jasper looked stricken, "Please, tell me Celestine hasn't heard what Cleo is spreading around."

Kyanite shrugged, "Sorry, you know Celestine, she somehow finds out everything."

"Shit. What am I going to do?"

"I have a really crazy idea." Kyanite paused for dramatic affect. "Go up to her and ask her out."

Jasper scoffed, "I can't do that!"

"It isn't like I am saying you should go up to her and tell her about all of the fantasies you have been having about her."

Jasper punched him in the arm, "How did you find out about those?!"

"You just told me." Kyanite looked incredibly smug.

"I should punch you in the face this time. Normally I would have caught that. I just am so distracted by her."

Kyanite grew serious and said to Jasper, "Seriously though, you should ask her out. Her parents like you, your fathers are best friends, she is amazing. I don't see the problem."

"The problem is that I am terrified! What if she isn't interested in me, what if her father objects to me. Right now I don't have her, but I also haven't been rejected. I can't discover I don't stand a chance with her." Jasper fiddled with the lapel of his jacket and looked pensive.

"What if she loves you back? What if her parents would be pleased that you were together? I think it's obvious that she likes you."

Jasper shook his head vehemently, "She has never let on that she has had any feelings for me."

"Exactly! Who has more training or is better than her at hiding their emotion? She was raised to be the Princess of Earth and the Silver Alliance. She has been trained to be guarded practically since birth. Yet she never holds her emotions back around anyone of us when it is just our group together. Anyone except you. Why do you think that is? I believe she is hiding her feelings for you."

Jasper was at his wits end, "Why the hell did I have to fall in love with a Princess?"

"Because she is your perfect match in every way." Kyanite pointed it out in a rare moment of sappiness.

"I can't ever do anything that would make me remotely good enough for her."

Darien walked into the room and stated, "One day I will have to tell you a story about that. Are you talking about Celestine?"

Kyanite chuckled, "Your Highness, If you would kill him if he is, then no."

Darien shook his head, "I have no plans to kill him unless he hurts her."

"Well then, he is head over heels in love with your daughter." Kyanite announced and ducked a swing leveled at him by Jasper.

Jasper shook his head, "I really could kill you right now."

"Actually, he is going to leave and you and I will have a nice chat right here." Darien stated.

Jasper looked at Kyanite in panic and visibly shook. Kyanite chuckled at him and left the room.

"I need you to be honest with me regarding your feelings for my daughter. Trust me enough to tell me. You know I have always respected you." Darien tried to set Jasper at ease.

Jasper deflated, "You have done nothing to make me doubt any of what you said. You have always treated me well, and I always suspected I was one of your favorites. That was all good for me until I fell in love with Celestine. I don't want you to feel like I have taken advantage of your kindness to me. She is amazing and no one is good enough for her. The problem is that I desperately want to be."

Darine nodded in agreement and said, "You have my blessing to ask her out."

Jasper's jaw dropped, "Wha?… What?"

Darien repeated himself, "You have my blessing to ask her out." He then continued, "You have not been my favorite for no reason. You are a man I can accept as a match for my daughter. Honestly, I would be pleased if you two were together."

"What?" Jasper felt his whole world shift on its axis. "You approve of me being in love with her? I thought you would kill anyone who looked at her."

"Anyone but you apparently." Darien smiled, "That works out well for you, don't you think?"

Jasper nodded and cocked his head, "I still don't get why."

"I believe you are the right man for my daughter. That's why." Darien stated and stood up. "Ask her out on a date and if you touch her I will kill you." He then walked towards the door and stopped right before he left. "I shouldn't say this but she is a princess and that can be intimidating. She will say yes."

Darien walked calmly out of the room and Jasper's mouth fell open. He whispered to himself, "How can he possibly act so calm when my whole world has just changed."