Heart Duel

Disclaimer: Most of everything Belongs to Ms. Sherwood Smith. But some of it is MINE, MINE, MINE! (tyrannical laughter).hahaz

Chapter 7: Affairs of The Heart

My skirts swirled about my ankles with a rustle, as I walked down the lavishly furnished hallways.

I reflected on the sudden turn of events as I headed to back to my rooms, yearning for its familiarity.

Derrick was getting married?

I just couldn't see him as a married man. Maybe it was because of his frequent appearances alone at balls and parties.

Don't get me wrong. Derrick is just like any typical court dandy who flirts with all the ladies. The only difference is, he doesn't just flirt with one particular lady, but with most of them - just for the fun of it.

I think he fears the responsibility he would be undertaking by being emotionally attached to one person.

The way Princess Meridanaria called her soon-to-come marriage and alliance, made it seem more like an obligation she undertook reluctantly than a union of two people in love.

What am I thinking?

Of course they are not in love!

But they did know about the betrothal, didn't they?

They had to! That was what Derrick and Liara were not to speak of.

The betrothal!

But why the secrecy?

I had to ask Derrick.

Stepping into the rooms I now called my own, I spied a cup of steaming Listerblossom tea and some pastries upon the table.

Louise must have gone to the trouble of ordering it from the kitchens in order for me to come back to a delicious brunch. Bless her soul!

A cup of Listerblossom tea to clear my head was all I needed to feel refreshed.

I continued my book on Erev-li-Erval while I sipped at the tea. It was a new book, and wrote about the many aspects of life in Sartor. The King and Queen were wise rulers, and had married for love, just like Uncle Danric and Aunt Mel.

Two couples, two love marriages.

Why then would they put their children through the misery of a betrothal?

The bells rang in the distance. It was time to meet Derrick.
He had arrived earlier than I, seated on the window seat he gazed forlornly at the gardens below. As I dropped the tapestry, which led to the alcove, he turned.

He looked drained. Gone were his witty remarks and sarcastic comments.

"Derrick, what's wrong?" I asked, seating myself next to him.

"I can't do it." He said, through clenched teeth.

"Can't do what? You mean you can't marry Princess Meridanaria?"

The reason for this meeting suddenly dawned on me.

He nodded, confirming my suspicions.

"But why not?"

"I don't love her," was his simple reply.

That one little word means so much!

Here was my usually boisterous cousin burdened by what the future may bring. But there is little I can do to help. T'was not I who arranged the betrothal. I cannot un-arrange it.

"Why are you telling me this? There is nothing I can do." I placed my hand over his, hoping to give comfort.

"Because you are the only one outside my family who knows of this - arrangement." He faltered on the last word.

"What should I do?" he asked with a pained expression, standing up to pace the room.

"Learn to love her," was all I could offer.

"Love can be nurtured," I continued hastily, "besides, Princess Meridanaria doesn't seem like one difficult to love. She is beautiful and.in need of love." I ended, remembering the hug we shared just over an hour ago.

"I know that," he answered a little irritably, "but what if she doesn't, can't love me?"

"You think she's in love with another?"

"A beautiful girl like that would have no lack of suitors." He answered wryly.

"The same applies to a handsome man like you." I rebutted, throwing my most flirtatious smile in his direction.

He laughed.

A full, hearty laugh.

"Don't tempt me, Lana. I have no wish to be unfaithful to my wife before I even marry her!" he gave me a mock reproachful look.

I blushed at my boldness a moment before.

"She's a stranger here, Derrick. She has to embrace life here with a different perspective. She has to establish herself as the fiancée of the future King of Remalna by gaining the respect of all at court. She has to prove that she is worthy of being Queen of Remalna. That is no easy feat, a feat far more difficult than what I am still trying to accomplish, just to prove that I am worthy of being part of the Royal Family."

I paused to take a breath, before ending on what I hoped was an encouraging note.

"Give her a chance."

From across the room, he smiled to himself, lost in his own thoughts of what may come to be, depending on the choice he made.

"Thank you, Lana. That helped in boosting my deflating ego." He said, turning his smile on me.

"I thought your ego was impenetrable," I joked.

"Well, it is not. I'm not impervious to everything, you know. Sometimes, I wish I were a commoner. Then I would be able to do anything I wanted to do," he said with faraway look in his eyes.

"Not everything." I pointed out," you wouldn't be able to make sarcastic comments without getting slapped."

"A few slaps are worth it." He replied.

The conversation lapsed, and the silence grew protracted, until I remembered my unanswered question.

"Why was the betrothal kept a secret?"

He must have expected that question, for he did not seem surprised to hear it.

"It was for her protection, especially during the time she was travelling here."

Protection? From what?

He seemed to read my mind, and answered the question.

"She is a daughter of the Royal Family of Erev-li-Erval, and all their daughters are gifted with magic."

Magic?

"She is a sorceress?"

"More of a mage."

"Then, why would a mage need protection?"

"She would, if the gift she possesses is unique only to her, and wields a great power. It is said that she can control the four elements: fire, water, earth and metal."

"She certainly sounds powerful."

"That's not the end of it," he remarked with a sigh, as if having a mage- princess for a wife made him weary.

"There's more?" I asked, intrigued.

"Yes. She can move things with her mind, heal, speak to animals, hypnotise people and read your mind - amongst other things," he added, waving his hand about airily.

My jaw must have been touching the floor, for he laughed at my shocked expression.

"Wow," I breathed.

After getting over my initial shock, I continued my interrogation.

"But why was her protection crucial only during her journey here?"

He sat down heavily next to me again, resigned to answering my numerous questions.

"She is the most safe at Sartor, where there are defense shields and the such around the city. But once she leaves Sartor, only she can protect herself. Although she is powerful, she is too young to fully master that power, and thus wield it efficiently."

He took a deep breath and continued, "there are mages in this world far more powerful than she, the evil and ambitious ones would seek to capture her for their own means. They would most probably seek to capture her during her journey here, after her Flower Day, as that is when her powers would reach their peak."

Another question had formed in my mind.

"Then, wouldn't she be unsafe here?"

"She would, if she didn't have the blessings of the Hill Folk. She communes with them too, as she does with animals, and they protect her as they would one of their own."

"She sounds dangerous, in the sense that she would bring trouble to Remalna." I voiced my thoughts out loud.

"She would be, till we're married, that is." Derrick mumbled so softly that I had to strain my ears to hear him.

"Till you're married? Why would your marriage make a difference to the amount of attention she'll receive from evil mages?" I probed further.

"It would - in a sense. For our marriage would mean that she is bound to me, and in turn, Remalna."

I still did not fully understand what Derrick was finding so difficult to tell me.

"What do you mean 'in a sense'?"

I could have sworn Derrick flushed brick red at that question. That perked my interest.

"Some of her powers would diminish after we."he trailed off.

"After we?" I prompted.

He took a deep breath to regain his composure before answering.

"After we consummate our marriage." He finished, trying to avoid looking me in the eye.

"You mean, she loses some of her powers once she loses her virginity?" I asked, quite appalled at the thought.

"Yes." Derrick answered somewhat embarrassed at sharing the notion of making love to his future wife, with me.

That explains it!

With the loss of some of her powers, The Princess would not be such a prize to those evil mages, for she would be weaker than them. It also explains the need for a secret betrothal, so as to marry her off as soon as her powers achieve its maximum potential, without gaining too much unwanted attention.

I swelled with my new-found knowledge.

We had spent nearly two hours talking in the alcove, and the engagement ball would be commencing in an hour.

I had exited the alcove, making my way to my rooms to get changed, when Derrick who was step behind me, suddenly stood in my path, a look of gratitude upon his face.

Without a word, he took a step towards me, his arms encircling my shoulders, his cheek next to mine.

"Thank you." He whispered fiercely into my ear, before stepping back to look me in the eye, and bowing.

"Wait," I called out as he was exiting the library.

He turned back to regard me questioningly.

"That's what families are for." I said it with a sincere smile, remembering my own family back in Tlanth, who would be arriving for my Flower Day.

He inclined his head in acknowledgement of my remark, smiled and departed.

The rush of exhilaration I felt at being let in on this secret seemed to overwhelm me, but I steadied my rapidly beating heart with a deep breath before leaving the library with my head held high.

*A/N: Hopefully no one has thought that this chapter has moved too slowly, and that there is too much conversation, but it was necessary to the plot. The main reason for this chapter is to further introduce Princess Meridanaria Landis. However, it should be noted that although Ms. Smith provided me with her name and background etc., I was the one who decided to give her powers! Honestly, the plot has changed quite a bit while I was writing this chapter, but I shan't go on about that.

Sex is mentioned here, but don't fret about this story going beyond the PG- 13 rating, it won't. I don't think I'm good at writing that stuff anyway.

Lastly, I hope this chapter is as good as, or even better than the last. I'm tiring myself out by trying to be better each time. Although I just completed the 8th chapter, I'm not very happy with it as yet, but it involves the engagement ball and a bit of cheeky fun.

Now, to thank the Reviewers:

Yina: Thanx for reviewing.am hoping that u'd get the character drawing done soon!

Shiara the witch: I guess we're all romance freaks. but I am trying to blend in action and mystery with it.

Savannah: Sorry abt the tenses, can't see what is wrong.but I'm blind! I'll try to improve, just can't help it all that much, the words just flow as they will! Contrived? I guess, I was actually thinking of another way to intro Kaelen-Dei, but I thot that I'd might as well use her fear of horses. Am not much of a horse person, so I dunno much bout them.will take u up on ur offer! Besides, I thot Kaelen would look betta on a chestnut than a white horse.hahaz!

Debbie: Which Debbie r u? Debra or Debbie? Anyway, thanx for the encouragement1

Sak: Lana is a little full of herself I guess, but not really in a bad way. She has to kinda show that she is perfect in front of all those courtiers.

Elaniel: I'm glad to hear you like this chapter the best. Maybe, its because the romance has begun too? Sorry about all the names.don't forget, I'm a new writer so I do tend to rush.I guess. Noticed you got the names a little mixed up, Esp. "Tamora" and "Tamara". "Tamora" is the daughter.and yes, she and Derrick are cousins somewhat. I mentioned that through Lana - in a way. But Tamora is like her mother, you know? Power-hungry, u could say, so she duzzn't really care that they're related. Hope that helps!

AniHope: Yup, ROMANCE! My fren was complaining that I lied to her about having romance, she claimed it was not enough! But wanna clarify that Lana isn't the type to throw herself at a stranger. So stay tuned.coz there's more excitement to come.

Jou: Take ur time.

Melian: Thanx for reviewing, I absolutely ADORE "How can I not love u".(Man, was I gushing?)

SparkleRain: Glad u liked it, new characters are refreshing I guess, the nxt chap is here!

Sherwood: It's a relief to hear that u're enjoying it! Almost as if I'm getting your stamp of approval.actually it is.hope this chap is just as good, and lives up to your expectations! U dun mind the changes I made to Meridanaria, do u?

Lingy: Am trying!

Charmgirl: Glad u like it! I will!

Valsongz: like durz..

Hannirose: Glad u love it! And yes, Kaelen-Dei IS good-lookin! She had a bad experiece with a horse, read the edited version of chap 4 to find out what happened.and I've updated haven't I?

CCLybi: Yup, I kinda based her on Alanna, coz I didn't want everyone in the story to look alike! As u can see, she has the gift, like Alanna too. But, yeah, she's more lady-like. Kaelen-Dei is like Vidanric I guess, I haven't really thot out his character all that well.so I'll just see how it goes!

ChocolateEclar: Yup, she did! Glad she ain't a Mary-sue no more!

PLEASE R/R!