April 2002
Disclaimer: These character's aren't mine, but the story is..
Chapter 16
Darien pulled into his parking spot beneath his apartment building
and shut off the engine, sitting back in his seat. He closed his eyes
briefly, running his fingers through his hair. What a day. Selenity's
father had left almost three weeks ago and the resulting atmosphere had
left some tension between Selenity and himself. As a result, he hadn't
spent much time with her in the last few weeks. He rubbed the back of his
neck before opening his eyes and grabbing his book bag. He climbed out of
the car and locked it before making his way to the elevator.
On the way up to his apartment he silently reviewed the
not-so-subtle warning, and terms, he'd been issued.
Martin was still Selenity's betrothed in the eyes of the media and
her contract. If he wanted any chance of a future with her, she had to
find a way to balance her personal interests and her royal duties. He, in
return, would have to take a crash course in etiquette and strive to become
a gentleman. The extra classes on top of his already loaded school
schedule had left him drained and swamped. When Selenity had heard they'd
talked she'd been ecstatic her father was making an effort. Darien was
still fighting with himself over whether or not he should tell her the rest
of it. He wasn't to have any kind of contact with the press. Which was
difficult since they wouldn't leave him alone. He was to see Selenity only
in socially acceptable situations, which did not include her visiting his
place or visiting her in her rooms. If they went anywhere it had to be
somewhere royalty would be treated with the correct respect, and they had
to take Charles along as a chaperone.
He grimaced as he stepped into his apartment, not even registering
the walk from the elevator. He discarded his shoes and bag before going to
drop onto the couch. If he did anything to bring shame, slander or
controversy to bear on Selenity before the allotted time was up, she
wouldn't be allowed to see him again. What a world. Now he was terrified
of doing, or saying, something out of line that would make him loose her
forever. It didn't help that Selenity wanted to escape her royal duties
when they were together
"What a day," he groaned softly.
A distant meow and the scratching on his bedroom door brought his
head up. He quickly went and opened the door, scooping the black cat into
his arms, "Hello baby," he told her softly. She purred and licked his
face, drawing a smile from him. He sat on the edge of his bed and stroked
her back, "Do you think I'm crazy, Luna?" he asked her as she purred in his
hands. "Am I crazy to do everything I'm told just so I can have Selenity
in my life, to make her my wife?"
Luna meowed, licking his fingers gently before hopping down and
walking towards her food dish. He watched her eat, stretching out on the
black comforter covering his bed, his head propped up on one hand, his
weight on his elbow. "I'm a sucker,"
Luna looked at him, seemed to roll her eyes and turned back to her
dish.
He laughed, "You know it, don't give me that look. I am a sucker.
I'm willing to change my lifestyle for a few months, maybe forever, just to
make the father of the woman I love accept me. How stupid is that?"
He received no answer, and didn't expect one, as he rolled onto his
back and stared at the ceiling, his hands under his head. Would she
understand when she found out what he was doing and why? He thought she
might, but what if she didn't? Would she rant and rave? A half smile
crossed his lips. He'd love to see her angry again, she was gorgeous
angry. Not that she wasn't beautiful all the time, but the flush that came
to her cheeks, the aura that radiated from her when she was incensed, was
mesmerizing. Though, angry with him might be something different. He knew
her well enough to know that if she wanted to know something she was
straight forward enough to ask. The incidents with Martin had stolen some
of that self-confidence and he couldn't help but wonder if she would keep
quiet and wait until he was ready to tell her. A no win situation. He
pushed himself up and strode towards the door. Better to tell her now. It
wasn't a confrontation he was looking forward too, but it was one that he
shouldn't have left for so long. Grabbing his jacket and keys he left his
apartment.
Selenity sighed, "No Charles. I do not want to meet with the
another talk show host again tonight, and especially not if Martin is
intending to be there."
"I understand miss, but they will not stop calling. I did promise
to ask."
"Did you tell them about Daddy's schedule?" she leaned against the
doorframe to the kitchen and lifted one foot from her heels, rubbing the
sole, "My feet are killing me."
"Yes, miss. How about I see about getting a masseuse in here
tonight and simply allow you to relax?"
She opened her mouth to reply but the buzzer on the gates drew their
attention to the monitor outside. Her heart jumped in her chest. Darien.
"That would be heavenly, Charles, but I think I am going to be
entertaining a visitor."
Charles smiled, "Yes miss." he reached over and clicked the button
to give the young man access to the yard and then stepped past Selenity.
"I will go and meet him. Where would you like me to have him wait?"
She rolled her eyes, "For goodness sakes, he's seen my room already,
this is ridiculous!"
"Your father's orders miss."
"I know, I know," She slipped her foot back into her shoe, "I'll be
waiting in the main room, escort him there."
Charles nodded and disappeared towards the door.
Selenity made a face as she walked quickly through the kitchen,
behind the stairs and into the main sitting room. She slipped inside and
approached the bar, pouring herself a small glass of brandy before sitting
herself in a comfortable chair.
She heard Darien greet her guardian and sipped her drink. Darien
entered the room a couple moments later, looking around.
"Darien."
He met her eyes and smiled. "Selenity. You look lovely."
She inclined her head fractionally, accepting the compliment, "What
brings you to my home at this late hour?"
He swallowed a laugh but grinned, "The late hour of 6pm?"
She fought a smile but one side of her mouth kicked up in a half
smile, "Oh stop it. Sit, sit. Sheesh, can't let me have even a little
fun."
He walked over and sat across from her, not moving to touch her.
She frowned slightly, "Something wrong?"
"I need to talk to you."
Her face sobered. "Sounds serious."
He ran his hands through his hair in a nervous gesture before
standing and pacing, feeling her gaze on him as he moved. "I haven't told
you everything your father and I talked about." He registered Charles in
the corner of the room, dusting or something, but ensuring they were
chaperoned as required as he paced. "I'm taking etiquette lessons, as you
know, but part of the condition of me taking them was the appropriate
situations for me to spend time with you."
She sipped her brandy trying not to feel a sense of alarm. Since
dinner with the mayor three weeks ago, she'd felt almost as if he was
avoiding her. She'd gone shopping with Raye and Rita, been to Lita's
restaurant and been to see one of Mina's Volleyball games. She hadn't seen
Luna since Darien had returned to his apartment, nor had they spent any
time alone. Charles always seemed to be hanging around and it wasn't that
she minded, she just wanted her fiancée to herself every now and again.
"Your father told me that if I was to spend time with you, if I
didn't want to jeopardize whatever agreement you had with him, I would
spend my month treating you like a lady deserves, according to him, and
learning to act like a gentleman." He motioned to Charles, "Charles is
part of this, yes, and has been assigned as our chaperone. That was part
of the deal. As was having no contact with the press." he stopped in front
of her and crouched until he was looking her straight in the eyes. Still,
he didn't touch her as he spoke. "Lastly, your father told me that if I
was to break any of his conditions while he was away you would have to
marry Martin and be taken from me for good. I can't allow that to happen,
Selene. I'm sorry if I have seemed distant this last little while, and I'm
sorry I can't spend as much time with you as I want. I don't want to lose
you but I think I'm pushing you away by trying to protect you. I don't
want that either."
She reached out and gently curved her hand around his cheek, smiling
softly, "Serves you right for causing you and me grief, Endymion."
He winced good-naturedly, covering her hand with his, "Will you
forgive me for being a stubborn fool?"
"Next time, tell me straight out what your terms of agreement are,
hmmm?" her eyes sparkled with mischief, "That way I'll know better than to
ask you if I can come over for a few hours to watch movies."
He chuckled and turned his head, kissing the center of her palm
before looking at her again, "Lesson learned."
She tugged him forward and hugged him before letting him go, "Sit
with me?"
He sat next to her and she shifted her position, leaning against
him, "Charles, come be a chaperone, would you? I can't have daddy thinking
I was misbehaving."
Charles laughed softly but obliged, moving into their line of sight
and continuing to rearrange and dust the furniture.
"Have you spoken to Martin, Charles?"
"Yes miss."
"And?"
"And he told me that if you did not contact him personally next time
with a public apology he would take it as a personal insult."
She nodded, "Good, I hope he does just that. What did he say to
daddy's 'talk' with him?"
Charles turned and leaned against the back of a couch before coming
to stand in front of them, "He said, and I quote, "Nobody is going to steal
what is rightfully mine, your highness, not even you. Selenity will be
mine, before or after the test is irrelevant, as she has already been mine.
In one month I expect you to be announcing our marriage date and to be
issuing a public apology." unquote. At least that is what that boar of a
man said to his face."
Selenity shook her head, "I hope he will have the dignity to accept
defeat without causing a scene. Though, knowing Martin, he will try and
turn this whole story into some way of discrediting my father. Did he say
anything else to you, Charles?"
"He simply said that you had better call him yourself next time. It
is apparently beneath him to speak to me."
Darien, Charles and Selenity shared a laugh at Martin's expense
before Charles moved away and continued to work as he chaperoned.
"Are you sure you're not mad at me, Princess?"
She glanced up and him before laying her head on his shoulder and
relaxing against him, "What do you think, Darien? I understand why you did
what you felt you had to, but next time just tell me. It will make it
easier on both of us."
He hugged her gently, one arm around her shoulders, "You really are
magnificent, Princess, don't let anyone tell your otherwise."
Charles stood to one side as they spoke, just out of range of their
soft conversation, a satisfied smile on his face. Darien already had the
makings of a gentleman, refining those was a simple task. His speech
patterns would be difficult to switch for good, but in social situations he
had enough presence of mind to speak carefully. He stepped forward, "Will
you be staying for dinner this evening, Darien?"
Darien shook his head, "Regretfully no, I have an etiquette dinner
tonight. Something to teach me better manners."
Selenity giggled. "You sound like you do not wish to go."
"I don't. Talk about boring. There are different manners for each
bloody meal!"
Selenity laughed, taking another sip of her brandy before putting it
down again, "I know. What do you think some of my first lessons were in?"
Darien made a face, "Sure, rub it in. You're not the one who has to
smile at Martin tonight and pretend to like him."
She sat up straight, "Martin will be there?"
He nodded, "Easy, Selene, I won't let him hurt you. And I promise
to be a perfect gentleman."
She sighed, "I know. I just do not like the fact we cannot announce
anything yet!"
"Let alone have any time alone."
She nodded, "I think daddy's been paranoid."
"Overboard paranoid. I miss you, Princess."
She snuggled into him, "I have missed you, but now that we are on
the level again I feel like you are back. When my father returns next week
and I go for my tests, perhaps we will be allowed to call a press
conference and announce our intentions. I do not like that Martin made
those statements to the paper three weeks ago before my father left."
"Which statements?"
Charles appeared with a paper and offered it to him, a section in
the front page article circled. Darien choked as he saw the title of the
article. "The Duke of Elridge and Princess Selenity; A Match made in
heaven. Who's idea of a sick joke is this?"
"Martin's. He held a press conference two days before he met you.
I suppose it was his way of cementing his claim on me through the media.
Unfortunately it was also the day of our car accident and the press had a
ball with the speculations. Read on."
Darien read the article out loud. "The Duke of Elridge spoke at
length today during a press conference in England about his ties to the
Royal family and his coming wedding to the Princess Selenity. The Princess
is best known for her humanitarian work, her charity and her warm smile.
This hard faced young man was easily smiling and joking with the press as
he discussed his betrothed. 'Selenity and I are often speaking on the
phone late at night,' said the Duke, 'she is a lovely young woman with a
kind heart and enjoys the simple things in life. If I had to use one word
to describe her it would be beautiful. She is beautiful both inside and
out. The Princess is also a very young woman who does not have a firm
grasp on the world at large yet. I am the older of this union and will
continue her education. The young woman can hardly get enough of my
company as it is so it will simply give us one more reason to spend our
time together. ' When asked why she was not with him and instead in Tokyo,
the Duke replied, 'She feels the need to see the world before settling
down. Naturally I am encouraging her interest in the different parts of
the world. These negotiations, however, are best left to a man. It is
better that she is off enjoying herself instead of worrying about something
that is none of her concern. I am looking forward to the day I can come to
one of these conferences with her on my arm; it will put to rest any of
these doubts people seem to have about our feelings towards each other.
She adores me, and I love her. We are both anxious for our union to become
formal.' Of course the Duke would not tell us if a date had been set for
their marriage as of yet."
Darien stopped and looked at her, throwing the paper down in
disgust. "What a bunch of-"
Selenity placed a hand on his mouth before he could finish his
sentence. "I know. I was enraged when I read them too. In fact, my
father asked if I had had anything to do with the printing of them. Martin
over stepped his bounds, and since it's in print, my father cannot ignore
it. It is one of several things my father is looking into while he is
away. Tonight, you must do nothing to antagonize Martin. When my test
results come back negative and I am able to formally break my betrothal, a
press conference will be held. It cannot be avoided. At this conference I
will announce our engagement, but not before."
He sighed and hugged her before pushing himself to his feet, "I love
you, Selene, but sometimes I wish you weren't royalty. Of all the
complications in this life, that one is the hardest to cope with."
She waggled her finger at him, "You told me to fight for what is
rightfully mine. It is what I am doing. Don't go changing your tune now."
He chuckle, leaning down to kiss her forehead before nodding, "Yes,
milady. I'll see you Friday, Selene. Take care of yourself."
She smiled, scooping up her brandy and sipping it again, "You too,
Darien."
Darien turned and walked away from her before he would do something
he would regret. He would not kiss her, he swore silently, not until she
was free to be his and Martin had been dealt with. When she was free to be
his, completely his, he would ensure her first real kiss wiped away any
lingering shadows of her bad experiences.
Author's Note: Comments, Questions, Suggestions, flames... all go to
Jademax@hotmail.com
Unless of course you'd like to write a review!
Thanks for reading!
Jade_Max
Disclaimer: These character's aren't mine, but the story is..
Chapter 16
Darien pulled into his parking spot beneath his apartment building
and shut off the engine, sitting back in his seat. He closed his eyes
briefly, running his fingers through his hair. What a day. Selenity's
father had left almost three weeks ago and the resulting atmosphere had
left some tension between Selenity and himself. As a result, he hadn't
spent much time with her in the last few weeks. He rubbed the back of his
neck before opening his eyes and grabbing his book bag. He climbed out of
the car and locked it before making his way to the elevator.
On the way up to his apartment he silently reviewed the
not-so-subtle warning, and terms, he'd been issued.
Martin was still Selenity's betrothed in the eyes of the media and
her contract. If he wanted any chance of a future with her, she had to
find a way to balance her personal interests and her royal duties. He, in
return, would have to take a crash course in etiquette and strive to become
a gentleman. The extra classes on top of his already loaded school
schedule had left him drained and swamped. When Selenity had heard they'd
talked she'd been ecstatic her father was making an effort. Darien was
still fighting with himself over whether or not he should tell her the rest
of it. He wasn't to have any kind of contact with the press. Which was
difficult since they wouldn't leave him alone. He was to see Selenity only
in socially acceptable situations, which did not include her visiting his
place or visiting her in her rooms. If they went anywhere it had to be
somewhere royalty would be treated with the correct respect, and they had
to take Charles along as a chaperone.
He grimaced as he stepped into his apartment, not even registering
the walk from the elevator. He discarded his shoes and bag before going to
drop onto the couch. If he did anything to bring shame, slander or
controversy to bear on Selenity before the allotted time was up, she
wouldn't be allowed to see him again. What a world. Now he was terrified
of doing, or saying, something out of line that would make him loose her
forever. It didn't help that Selenity wanted to escape her royal duties
when they were together
"What a day," he groaned softly.
A distant meow and the scratching on his bedroom door brought his
head up. He quickly went and opened the door, scooping the black cat into
his arms, "Hello baby," he told her softly. She purred and licked his
face, drawing a smile from him. He sat on the edge of his bed and stroked
her back, "Do you think I'm crazy, Luna?" he asked her as she purred in his
hands. "Am I crazy to do everything I'm told just so I can have Selenity
in my life, to make her my wife?"
Luna meowed, licking his fingers gently before hopping down and
walking towards her food dish. He watched her eat, stretching out on the
black comforter covering his bed, his head propped up on one hand, his
weight on his elbow. "I'm a sucker,"
Luna looked at him, seemed to roll her eyes and turned back to her
dish.
He laughed, "You know it, don't give me that look. I am a sucker.
I'm willing to change my lifestyle for a few months, maybe forever, just to
make the father of the woman I love accept me. How stupid is that?"
He received no answer, and didn't expect one, as he rolled onto his
back and stared at the ceiling, his hands under his head. Would she
understand when she found out what he was doing and why? He thought she
might, but what if she didn't? Would she rant and rave? A half smile
crossed his lips. He'd love to see her angry again, she was gorgeous
angry. Not that she wasn't beautiful all the time, but the flush that came
to her cheeks, the aura that radiated from her when she was incensed, was
mesmerizing. Though, angry with him might be something different. He knew
her well enough to know that if she wanted to know something she was
straight forward enough to ask. The incidents with Martin had stolen some
of that self-confidence and he couldn't help but wonder if she would keep
quiet and wait until he was ready to tell her. A no win situation. He
pushed himself up and strode towards the door. Better to tell her now. It
wasn't a confrontation he was looking forward too, but it was one that he
shouldn't have left for so long. Grabbing his jacket and keys he left his
apartment.
Selenity sighed, "No Charles. I do not want to meet with the
another talk show host again tonight, and especially not if Martin is
intending to be there."
"I understand miss, but they will not stop calling. I did promise
to ask."
"Did you tell them about Daddy's schedule?" she leaned against the
doorframe to the kitchen and lifted one foot from her heels, rubbing the
sole, "My feet are killing me."
"Yes, miss. How about I see about getting a masseuse in here
tonight and simply allow you to relax?"
She opened her mouth to reply but the buzzer on the gates drew their
attention to the monitor outside. Her heart jumped in her chest. Darien.
"That would be heavenly, Charles, but I think I am going to be
entertaining a visitor."
Charles smiled, "Yes miss." he reached over and clicked the button
to give the young man access to the yard and then stepped past Selenity.
"I will go and meet him. Where would you like me to have him wait?"
She rolled her eyes, "For goodness sakes, he's seen my room already,
this is ridiculous!"
"Your father's orders miss."
"I know, I know," She slipped her foot back into her shoe, "I'll be
waiting in the main room, escort him there."
Charles nodded and disappeared towards the door.
Selenity made a face as she walked quickly through the kitchen,
behind the stairs and into the main sitting room. She slipped inside and
approached the bar, pouring herself a small glass of brandy before sitting
herself in a comfortable chair.
She heard Darien greet her guardian and sipped her drink. Darien
entered the room a couple moments later, looking around.
"Darien."
He met her eyes and smiled. "Selenity. You look lovely."
She inclined her head fractionally, accepting the compliment, "What
brings you to my home at this late hour?"
He swallowed a laugh but grinned, "The late hour of 6pm?"
She fought a smile but one side of her mouth kicked up in a half
smile, "Oh stop it. Sit, sit. Sheesh, can't let me have even a little
fun."
He walked over and sat across from her, not moving to touch her.
She frowned slightly, "Something wrong?"
"I need to talk to you."
Her face sobered. "Sounds serious."
He ran his hands through his hair in a nervous gesture before
standing and pacing, feeling her gaze on him as he moved. "I haven't told
you everything your father and I talked about." He registered Charles in
the corner of the room, dusting or something, but ensuring they were
chaperoned as required as he paced. "I'm taking etiquette lessons, as you
know, but part of the condition of me taking them was the appropriate
situations for me to spend time with you."
She sipped her brandy trying not to feel a sense of alarm. Since
dinner with the mayor three weeks ago, she'd felt almost as if he was
avoiding her. She'd gone shopping with Raye and Rita, been to Lita's
restaurant and been to see one of Mina's Volleyball games. She hadn't seen
Luna since Darien had returned to his apartment, nor had they spent any
time alone. Charles always seemed to be hanging around and it wasn't that
she minded, she just wanted her fiancée to herself every now and again.
"Your father told me that if I was to spend time with you, if I
didn't want to jeopardize whatever agreement you had with him, I would
spend my month treating you like a lady deserves, according to him, and
learning to act like a gentleman." He motioned to Charles, "Charles is
part of this, yes, and has been assigned as our chaperone. That was part
of the deal. As was having no contact with the press." he stopped in front
of her and crouched until he was looking her straight in the eyes. Still,
he didn't touch her as he spoke. "Lastly, your father told me that if I
was to break any of his conditions while he was away you would have to
marry Martin and be taken from me for good. I can't allow that to happen,
Selene. I'm sorry if I have seemed distant this last little while, and I'm
sorry I can't spend as much time with you as I want. I don't want to lose
you but I think I'm pushing you away by trying to protect you. I don't
want that either."
She reached out and gently curved her hand around his cheek, smiling
softly, "Serves you right for causing you and me grief, Endymion."
He winced good-naturedly, covering her hand with his, "Will you
forgive me for being a stubborn fool?"
"Next time, tell me straight out what your terms of agreement are,
hmmm?" her eyes sparkled with mischief, "That way I'll know better than to
ask you if I can come over for a few hours to watch movies."
He chuckled and turned his head, kissing the center of her palm
before looking at her again, "Lesson learned."
She tugged him forward and hugged him before letting him go, "Sit
with me?"
He sat next to her and she shifted her position, leaning against
him, "Charles, come be a chaperone, would you? I can't have daddy thinking
I was misbehaving."
Charles laughed softly but obliged, moving into their line of sight
and continuing to rearrange and dust the furniture.
"Have you spoken to Martin, Charles?"
"Yes miss."
"And?"
"And he told me that if you did not contact him personally next time
with a public apology he would take it as a personal insult."
She nodded, "Good, I hope he does just that. What did he say to
daddy's 'talk' with him?"
Charles turned and leaned against the back of a couch before coming
to stand in front of them, "He said, and I quote, "Nobody is going to steal
what is rightfully mine, your highness, not even you. Selenity will be
mine, before or after the test is irrelevant, as she has already been mine.
In one month I expect you to be announcing our marriage date and to be
issuing a public apology." unquote. At least that is what that boar of a
man said to his face."
Selenity shook her head, "I hope he will have the dignity to accept
defeat without causing a scene. Though, knowing Martin, he will try and
turn this whole story into some way of discrediting my father. Did he say
anything else to you, Charles?"
"He simply said that you had better call him yourself next time. It
is apparently beneath him to speak to me."
Darien, Charles and Selenity shared a laugh at Martin's expense
before Charles moved away and continued to work as he chaperoned.
"Are you sure you're not mad at me, Princess?"
She glanced up and him before laying her head on his shoulder and
relaxing against him, "What do you think, Darien? I understand why you did
what you felt you had to, but next time just tell me. It will make it
easier on both of us."
He hugged her gently, one arm around her shoulders, "You really are
magnificent, Princess, don't let anyone tell your otherwise."
Charles stood to one side as they spoke, just out of range of their
soft conversation, a satisfied smile on his face. Darien already had the
makings of a gentleman, refining those was a simple task. His speech
patterns would be difficult to switch for good, but in social situations he
had enough presence of mind to speak carefully. He stepped forward, "Will
you be staying for dinner this evening, Darien?"
Darien shook his head, "Regretfully no, I have an etiquette dinner
tonight. Something to teach me better manners."
Selenity giggled. "You sound like you do not wish to go."
"I don't. Talk about boring. There are different manners for each
bloody meal!"
Selenity laughed, taking another sip of her brandy before putting it
down again, "I know. What do you think some of my first lessons were in?"
Darien made a face, "Sure, rub it in. You're not the one who has to
smile at Martin tonight and pretend to like him."
She sat up straight, "Martin will be there?"
He nodded, "Easy, Selene, I won't let him hurt you. And I promise
to be a perfect gentleman."
She sighed, "I know. I just do not like the fact we cannot announce
anything yet!"
"Let alone have any time alone."
She nodded, "I think daddy's been paranoid."
"Overboard paranoid. I miss you, Princess."
She snuggled into him, "I have missed you, but now that we are on
the level again I feel like you are back. When my father returns next week
and I go for my tests, perhaps we will be allowed to call a press
conference and announce our intentions. I do not like that Martin made
those statements to the paper three weeks ago before my father left."
"Which statements?"
Charles appeared with a paper and offered it to him, a section in
the front page article circled. Darien choked as he saw the title of the
article. "The Duke of Elridge and Princess Selenity; A Match made in
heaven. Who's idea of a sick joke is this?"
"Martin's. He held a press conference two days before he met you.
I suppose it was his way of cementing his claim on me through the media.
Unfortunately it was also the day of our car accident and the press had a
ball with the speculations. Read on."
Darien read the article out loud. "The Duke of Elridge spoke at
length today during a press conference in England about his ties to the
Royal family and his coming wedding to the Princess Selenity. The Princess
is best known for her humanitarian work, her charity and her warm smile.
This hard faced young man was easily smiling and joking with the press as
he discussed his betrothed. 'Selenity and I are often speaking on the
phone late at night,' said the Duke, 'she is a lovely young woman with a
kind heart and enjoys the simple things in life. If I had to use one word
to describe her it would be beautiful. She is beautiful both inside and
out. The Princess is also a very young woman who does not have a firm
grasp on the world at large yet. I am the older of this union and will
continue her education. The young woman can hardly get enough of my
company as it is so it will simply give us one more reason to spend our
time together. ' When asked why she was not with him and instead in Tokyo,
the Duke replied, 'She feels the need to see the world before settling
down. Naturally I am encouraging her interest in the different parts of
the world. These negotiations, however, are best left to a man. It is
better that she is off enjoying herself instead of worrying about something
that is none of her concern. I am looking forward to the day I can come to
one of these conferences with her on my arm; it will put to rest any of
these doubts people seem to have about our feelings towards each other.
She adores me, and I love her. We are both anxious for our union to become
formal.' Of course the Duke would not tell us if a date had been set for
their marriage as of yet."
Darien stopped and looked at her, throwing the paper down in
disgust. "What a bunch of-"
Selenity placed a hand on his mouth before he could finish his
sentence. "I know. I was enraged when I read them too. In fact, my
father asked if I had had anything to do with the printing of them. Martin
over stepped his bounds, and since it's in print, my father cannot ignore
it. It is one of several things my father is looking into while he is
away. Tonight, you must do nothing to antagonize Martin. When my test
results come back negative and I am able to formally break my betrothal, a
press conference will be held. It cannot be avoided. At this conference I
will announce our engagement, but not before."
He sighed and hugged her before pushing himself to his feet, "I love
you, Selene, but sometimes I wish you weren't royalty. Of all the
complications in this life, that one is the hardest to cope with."
She waggled her finger at him, "You told me to fight for what is
rightfully mine. It is what I am doing. Don't go changing your tune now."
He chuckle, leaning down to kiss her forehead before nodding, "Yes,
milady. I'll see you Friday, Selene. Take care of yourself."
She smiled, scooping up her brandy and sipping it again, "You too,
Darien."
Darien turned and walked away from her before he would do something
he would regret. He would not kiss her, he swore silently, not until she
was free to be his and Martin had been dealt with. When she was free to be
his, completely his, he would ensure her first real kiss wiped away any
lingering shadows of her bad experiences.
Author's Note: Comments, Questions, Suggestions, flames... all go to
Jademax@hotmail.com
Unless of course you'd like to write a review!
Thanks for reading!
Jade_Max