Part II
We reached the bottom and he started on my name when I glared at him and he started over with a 'princess' in the beginning. And so we danced. It was a rough rigid dance and I kept stepping on his toes! I hope he got those new fangled steel toed boots...and then he almost dropped me on a dip! I wanted to laugh so badly at out bad dancing skills! I we strained ourselves so badly I think I burst a blood vessel! But when I met his eyes, I-I felt something Diary. It was so strange. It was kind of sweet. I saw genteelness, and a fiery longing...for...something, maybe someone. And now I feel terrible. I met those longing eyes with hatred, because I was so desperately confused.
I soon left him when the dance was done, not daring to look back at him, scared of meeting those intense eyes with longing. It was one of the scariest things ever. But I shant have hurt him. Not with a face made of stone like that. "He doesn't care about you," I told myself. And I added him to the garden. He's standing next to the Jade Statue that is I, the only thing alive are his eyes. Full of sadness and maybe even loneliness...maybe I should...no.
I continued over to the conductor.
"Symbkel...will you please...play my song?" I looked up into the white-haired man's gray eyes and smiled. "Kel...Please? This party needs to be livened up a bit!" I looked at all the dreary faces and laughed. "Ok, a lot! So.... PLEASE?!?"
"Ok, Daria. For you! I wouldn't do this for just anyone you know. Now get out there and shake that royal rump of yours!" I laughed again and left him smiling as he told the 'band' what to play. Oh, Diary you should have seen their faces! It was so funny! I wish you were alive and could talk to me.
Anyways, I drug Tamma (The one girl that's so perfect you'd hate her if she weren't your best friend. God she is perfect. But let me ramble on about her later!) Out with my and we had a ball! Seriously, it was the most fun I'd had since I'd come here! There we were shaking our thangs with the entire royal court! It was fantastic! It was the funniest thing to see Count Himbleck up dancing with Lady Katherine who is only 14!
Then, I saw him. He was dancing with Duchess Elizabeth, the one member of the royal court who did look a bit arfo. (A/N: arfo doggie) He wore a blue shirt and a black mask that covered everything but his eyes. I had to meet him. It was this unseen force that drug me across the floor kicking and screaming. (All in my head of course. NOTE TO SELF: have mental stability checked out) I reached him and managed to stutter,
""Hello. I'm Daria. W-who are you sir?" I saw his eyebrow rise in surprise at my stutter. I blushed crimson. But I don't think he noticed. Diary, I've never stuttered in my life. What was making me do it now?
"Princess, my name is..." he paused, as if he had forgotten his own name! Maybe he was just this stupid guy. No, sorcerer! That could have made me walk over to him.... "Caspian. Caspian Rivedlchi." He said at last.
Ok, wow. What a name. Mysterious and cunning and sly but sweet all at the same time. It was scary what his name was doing to me. It felt so chosen though. But hey...isn't the Prince's middle name Caspian? Maybe not, I don't know THAT much about him anyways.
"Daria. If Carol can call me Daria, I think you can." I smiled. I tried to look seductive, but I think it only made me look like I need to, ahem, passa some gasa!
"Oh, Princess, I think not. Prince Jerrold himself refers to you and Princess Daria. If He can call you Princess, I think I can." I felt my cheeks burn at the mention of Prince Jerrold. It was something about the way he looked at me tonight... but I looked back up and found he was smirking his head off. Arrogance is not becoming. Especially when you wear a mask. I rolled my eyes and continued the conversation.
"Well the Prince needs help. He stands by everyday knowing how horribly his people live and he does nothing about it! I can't stand people who know what happens and can do something, but is to afraid to do anything! That's why I despise him so." I crossed my arms and sighed heavily. There. I had finally told someone, other than Tamma why I hated him. Sure, it might be a stranger, but hey, I'm improving.
"Princess, did you not know that the Prince is not allowed out side the palace grounds. At all. Not even for his daily ride. He gallops through the gardens occasionally doing an odd job for the old gardener whose back is so terrible he can work only 2 days a week. And the Prince keeps that quiet by hiring kids who need the money. As you see. On closer examination, The Prince is not so bad at all."
I snorted. Yeah, yeah. Not very lady-like at all. Oh well. Maybe I should wear a mask at these things so I will not make a fool out of myself as I did then.
I raised an eyebrow in reply. When that wasn't enough to satisfy him I accused, "And how do you know these things that I do not? How are you to be trusted? How can that despicable man be anything but his first impression?" HA! I thought. Let's see him wiggle his way out of that one! I smiled at my triumph.
"And how do I know you do not beat the serving maids if they mess up? Can I truly trust a Princess whose wishes are fulfilled by a single toll of a bell? How do I know you are not an ill literate louse who has the beautifully written word read to her by her bedside?" He smiled wickedly, and I seriously thought about slapping him. But instead replied smoothly,
""I suppose you do not. So how am I to judge your character?" And I began to think. How can I be so attracted to him and annoyed by him at the same time? It is inconceivable. And I unconsciously running my fingers through my now messy hairdo that Carol spent 2 hours making it look "windblown". It's windy outside...why coulden't I actually go outdoors? Carol is insane.
He leaned in and his voice became husky and so intoxicating I couldn't say no. Well, in a way I did. I'm so stupid. When my heart is racing my brain still works. Why can't my brain go all foggy like Tamma's does?
"What is the matter Princess?" he asked. He startled me out of my wake.
"I was just wondering...how could with a dance one judge another's true character."
"Simple. They dance with all their hear and soul without holding back. Like Prince Jerrold did when you first danced with him." He shrugged and smiled at me when I felt my eyes fill with surprise and wonder. How the heck did he know what how doing through Jerrold's mind? Oh crap. I've started calling him Jerrold in here! Oh god help me, I'll somehow slip and call him "just Jerrold" one of these Frickin days! What's a girl to do? So I well, um, asked.
"How do you know he was holding back? Is there some stance you take when you hold back?" I walked to window to gaze at the garden. I rubbed my eyes. Did really see what I thought I saw. I saw Jerrold. And me. As statues, just as I imagined earlier. And the scary thing was, his eyes were alive and that same look penetrated me before my vision wavered and I began to talk again. "He has no passion. Only boyish charm."
Then I felt the familiar comfort of velvet draped hugging my curves. I felt so safe for those few moments. Then he spoke again. And there I was, my heart beating, palms sweating, and eyes, somehow laughing.
"Are you hiding from me princess?" He laughed. Oh I loved his laugh. It was so full of sprit, charm, and... Something undetectable to my ears. I just knew it was the best sound I had every heard in my life. At that moment I looked at where I was and laughed full out. I hadn't done that since I was 9!
"Sorry. I wasn't thinking at all. I always did this when I was a little girl and I was deeply in thought. It was always so snug and comforting to have the green velvet drapes hugging me back as I clutched them as I pondered. Now are you ever going to tell me how you could tell he was holding back or not?!" I laughed cheerfully again and awaited his answer eagerly. More eagerly then I would have liked...
"Of course I shall tell you. He was stiff. His hands went where they were supposed to. His feet learned the waltz and he followed it completely. He never once smiles, thought you could see the fire and longing of a gentle touch in his eyes." He chuckled for some odd reason. But for whatever reason it was, it made me smile. Something about his nature seemed too pure I did not want to risk everything. I was about to excuse myself when he spoke again.
"Now. May I have that dance?" His smile was so genuine I had to laugh. I couldn't refuse.
"Yes." And he led me out onto the dance floor. As soon as I felt the electricity of his touch, I went wild. I forgot everything. I let my emotions overcome me. I remembered my father's death. And I let it go. I remembered that stable boy I was once hopelessly in love with. And I let it go. And I felt the hate that is Jerrold (there I go again) course through me. And, most surprisingly, I let it go. I once again felt Caspian's hand on my side and felt joy. I didn't let it go, but I felt it swarm around inside of me till it came bursting out of me. And then, I felt such a peace I had never known.
He leaned me back in a dip as the music ended. I slowly opened my eyes to see everyone staring at us. I saw Caspian sneak a peak at me and with that look, I think I feel in love. Out of breath and on fire with passion I looked into his eyes and said,
"I see. You are the most amazing man I have ever met." And I looked up with love and devotion I had never felt before. Not even for the stable boy who toyed with my emotions.
"And you, Princess, and the most beautiful, creative, passionate woman I have ever danced with. Would you honor me with a waltz?" He smiled at me and I melted. I swear I think I left a stain on the floor. I looked down meekly at my feet and smiled. I saw a spot of newly melted jade on the floor. Maybe all the Jade Statue needed was a dance.
"Yes."
The music began and he came in close. I couldn't help snuggling into him. I felt to safe. So sound. And then he whispered into my ear,
"Can I keep you?" (A/N: I swear I've watched Casper too many times)
I looked up in astonishment. Then I smiled.
"I think we can manage something." And I laughed again for the billionth time in one night.
"I have to go now. But I will see you again soon. Maybe someday without my mask." And he left with a chuckle and a wisp of a cloak. I swear I think he's a sorcerer. After he left I ran straight up to my room and flopped down onto the bed to ponder everything that had happened that night. And that's where I am now! Good-bye Dearest.
Daria Ellanora of Kenery"Oh Gosh. What the crap am I going to do? I-I can't stop thinking about him Tamma!" I exclaimed. Tamma smiled and took down her hair.
"You can't do anything, love. Just, tell me about him." She said as she continued to change into her pajamas.
"Well...he had eyes that looked that the sea after a storm. And when he thought about something the strom was truly in his eyes. The only storm I've every wanted to be stuck in for my entire life!" Tamma laughed.
"Daria, you love being caought in the rain!"
"Yes but not storms!" I laughed at my best friend.
"He was attractive, yet annoying at first. But somehow, I-I felt drawn to him. Like there was some invisible force dragging me to him. And I stuttred Tamma! I never stutter! What is wrong with me, Tamma?" I exclaimed.
"Daria, as crazy as this sounds, your in love. Tottaly and completely. You're his now. "I began to look at her. My eyes screamed, "ANTON!" and her's calmly stated "Different!"
"Daria, you know he's different. Anton was an idiot. He fooled with your heart and buried it alive while he ran away with your sister!"
I felt tears well up in my eyes.
"Fine! Just remind me how humiliating it was to get the wedding invitation!"
"Caspian is different. And you know it with every fiber of your being. Now hush and go to bed with your thoughts. I've got to look nice for Ethan in the morning!"
"OoOo!! Ethan it is? What is he, Tamma, you're 20th boyfriend? I swear you're a player! The perfect player." She silenced my with one look. But ah! I had the last laughed. I pulled the platapuss face! It makes her laugh every time.
As she turned out the lights I whipred into the cold air,
"Night love."
And I was asleep, dreaming of what Caspian looks like without his mask.