A/N:

Christian won, in case you're curious. But it was a really, really close call. I think it was one vote difference or something… And I have a great story in mind for Areida!!! As in, I already know what conflicts there would be and stuff! I can't wait to get started on that one, but I will have to finish this one first. Anyway, yes, I know that Daria could be cruel sometimes, but please be patient with her. I know what I'm doing (I think, hehe). Thank you so much for your reviews! I would put in separate responses, but I want to post this…erm…now.

Chapter Fourteen

Too Many Encounters

Three days had passed since Daria last saw Lord Gavin. She still couldn't believe that it was actually him. She had heard so much about him. A few times from Antoniette (though the girl mostly talked about the prince), a few times from people at the marketplace. He was pretty much a celebrity.

Daria spent those three days with Madame Edith. The woman had softened a little bit, but she was still very strict at times. Especially with the dancing…

"Daria," said Madame Edith with an exasperated sigh, "your banquet is coming up soon! What would everyone think if they find you so…ungraceful?"

"I'm sorry!" Daria said in frustration. "I'm just not the dancing type!"

"I think I know what the problem is," Lady Gina spoke up. She had just entered the banquet hall to see Daria's (disappointing) progress. She had previously been in a meeting with someone.

Teacher and student gave her a questioning look. Lady Gina interpreted this as a sign to continue.

"You should have a male partner," she said simply. "You would dance better if you had a real dancing partner."

Madame Edith, a frown marred on her face, said, "That's a lovely idea, my lady. But I don't think there's a young man here who can—"

"I'll call him," Lady Gina cut in. "He's in the drawing room. He came to discuss something with me, but we're all done now." She turned to her daughter and smiled pleasantly. "You've met him before."

She was gone before Daria could ask exactly who he was.

Her jaw dropped when he entered, a grin planted on his face…

"Move closer to him, Daria!" Madame Edith instructed. "A carriage can pass between you with the way you're standing right now."

Daria, resisting the urge to scowl (she would have released it, but Madame Edith would have reprimanded her even more), stepped a bit closer. She shot her male companion a discreet glare, and he only replied with his lazy grin.

"Closer, Daria!" Madame Edith said impatiently. "You barely even moved."

"This is fine!" Daria argued. She did not want to be any closer to him.

"No, it is not!"

"It is to!"

"Is not!"

Daria's partner interrupted the squabble by taking one step forward, closing the gap between them. And by doing so, he received an appreciative smile from Madame Edith, and another angry glare from Daria, who tensed the moment he drew closer. He just smiled slightly at her and shrugged nonchalantly.

"That's better," Madame Edith said pleasantly.

Daria didn't say anything.

"Place your hand on her waist, dear," Madame Edith said, addressing Daria's partner.

He did exactly as he was told.

"And Daria, place your hand on his shoulder."

"Do I have to?!"

Madame Edith shot her a stern look. "What do you think?" She scowled slightly. "Just do it!"

Daria sighed and placed her hand on his broad shoulder. She reddened (with anger, mind you) when she felt his laughing eyes on her. He seemed to be enjoying this. He was enjoying her torture.

"Now hold hands."

They held hands.

Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts. Do not hit this man. Think happy thoughts. Do not scream at this man, even though he deserves it, that jerk.

THINK. HAPPY. THOUGHTS.

"Daria!"

Daria snapped out of her happy thoughts. "Um…yes?" she said, somewhat absent-mindedly.

"Did you hear what I said?" Madame Edith said, at the verge of losing her patience.

"Um…no," Daria mumbled. Ignore his smirk. Ignore his smirk. Ignore his smirk.

"You should learn to pay attention, my lady," he said breezily.

"Thank you. I shall remember that," Daria replied with mock politeness. "You lying thief," she added under her breath.

He heard the last part. He tightened his grip on her, though it wasn't tight enough to hurt her, and brought himself closer. "What makes you think I stole your bracelet?" he whispered.

Their noses were nearly touching. Daria could feel his warm breath on her cheek. "Because," she said quietly through gritted teeth, "I recognized you the moment I laid eyes on you." She pulled away from him, but held her gaze with his. "I need a break," she said to Madame Edith, who was curiously watching the two.

Madame Edith snapped out of her small trance. She frowned. "What?!" she snapped at Daria. "We just started!"

Daria broke her gaze and turned to her governess. "I know," she said apologetically, "but I...I-I have a headache."

Madame Edith raised an eyebrow. She then searched Daria's face, as if trying to discern if the girl was lying or not. Finally she heaved a soft sigh and said, "All right. Be back in fifteen minutes."

Daria nodded. "Excuse me," she said to the young man before her (who was gazing steadily at her).

She quickly left the banquet hall, not knowing that he was following.

Daria went out the balcony that overlooked the manor's large garden. She realized that she was not wearing a cloak when she felt the cold autumn wind. Suddenly, she felt something warm drape over her shoulders. She looked down and realized that it was a green cloak, one that would blend well with a forest. When she turned around, she found herself staring at smoky grey eyes.

She shot him a suspicious look. "How did you approach so…quietly?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I have to know how," he said.

She didn't know what he meant by that, and decided not to ask. Besides, she didn't want to have a conversation with him. In fact, she would be happy if he left her alone.

She voiced that out loud.

He gave her a look. "I want to talk to you."

She shrugged. "Fine, talk. It doesn't mean I have to listen."

"Daria!" He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "I need you to listen!"

She did not answer. Instead, she took the cloak off her shoulders, thrust it back to his arms, and headed back inside.

But he didn't let her. He reached out and grabbed her arm. "I'm not letting you go until we get this straight," he said firmly.

Daria's eyes flickered towards his hand on her arm. She raised an eyebrow. "Let me go," she said coolly.

"Not until you agree to listen to what I have to say."

She glared at him. "Fine!" She crossed her arms. "Talk now. You have ten seconds."

"It's cold out here, let's—"

"Eight seconds."

"Fine!" he cried. "We'll talk here." He was about to drape his cloak back on her shoulders, but she shook her head.

"I'm fine," she said silently.

He gave her a look. Then he sighed. "Fine." He cleared his throat. Then he looked deep in her eyes and very quietly said, "I'm very sorry for stealing your bracelet."

Her eyes widened. She paled. "You…you…"

In a quick flash, her shocked face was replaced by a furious one. Scowling fiercely, she raised her fist…and aimed straight for his jaw.

He blocked her. Just like that. He didn't even flinch. And his face remained impassive. Who was this man?! "Will you please let me finish?" he said silently as he held on to her wrist.

Daria narrowed her eyes. "I would scream at you right now," she said with a quiet and dangerous voice, "but I don't want to disappoint my mother. Get out of my sight, Christian. And I suggest you stay away from me."

His grip remained on her wrist. "I have a good reason for stealing it," he whispered fiercely.

She scoffed. "Let me guess. You just felt like bullying someone." She glared at him. "Prince Jerrold said you're a rich nobleman, Christian. That bracelet would have meant worthless to you, yet you stole it. And you say you have a good reason?" She rolled her eyes. "Please. Don't make me laugh."

He just stared at her. His face remained deadpan, yet she could have sworn his eyes had a look of…desperation? She wasn't too sure. She was blinded by anger at the moment.

She clenched her fists. "Where is it?"

He gave her a look. "Huh?"

"The bracelet, Christian. Where is it?"

He looked at her guiltily. "I…uh…I don't have it anymore."

"Well, do you know where it is?"

He remained silent.

"Christian?"

"No," he mumbled.

Her reaction surprised him. He was expecting her to blow up again or try another punch (he would have still blocked it). She didn't do either. She just gazed steadily at him with shocking composure. She looked aloof, yet her eyes were blazing.

"I see…" she said slowly.

"Daria, I—"

"Save it," she abruptly cut in. "I don't need an excuse. Just…get out."

She gave him a grim look and went back inside the manor. This time, she was not followed.

Daria was now done with her lessons with Madame Edith. Done for that day, at least. Tomorrow was another day of reprimanding and lecturing. She almost dreaded the coming of it.

"Do you remember where Gavin's home is, Daria?" Lady Gina asked her daughter.

Daria looked up from her book. She knitted her brow in thought. "I think so," she said afterwards. She slightly remembered her mother pointing it out a few days ago.

Her mother smiled. "Good." She held out a letter. "Will you please give this to his father? It's a nice day outside. You shouldn't be cooped in here."

Daria smiled. "Of course," she said, taking the letter. "I'll be back soon."

She went out the manor and saddled the white mare. Ashwin was still healing from the large sting he received. A few minutes later, she was riding towards Lord Gavin's manor. She was somewhat eager to see him. He had been good company when they first met. She frowned as she suddenly remembered feeling uncomfortable riding in front of him. Well, she thought, ALMOST good company. Better than…

I am NOT going to think about him.

As she was nearing Gavin's manor, she saw three figures, standing together…

Daria literally froze. She wasn't too sure, but she could have sworn she felt her heart stop beating. Black hair, pale blond hair…

…and tawny curls.

ALL THREE OF THEM TOGETHER?!?!

I am NOT going there. She didn't care if she had a letter to give. She was not going to go one metre closer. She gripped the reins tightly and steered her horse to turn back. She desperately hoped that she didn't catch their attention…

Luck wasn't with her. A split second later and she heard one of them call out, "Daria?" It was most likely Gavin.

Daria flinched. She then steered her horse forward. She could not turn back now. She bit her bottom lip when she saw Gavin heading towards her, with Christian and Jerrold following close behind.

It was the prince's gaze that struck her the most. It was still as intense as before, still as piercing. And he was looking right at her. Damn it! What was this guilty feeling doing inside her?

Finally, they reached her. Daria dismounted and smiled reluctantly at Gavin.

"What are you doing here?"

Stop looking at me. Please stop looking at me. Daria's eyes flickered towards Christian and Jerrold. Both were staring at her. She sighed inwardly and turned back to Gavin, who was smiling pleasantly. She shrugged.

"I just have a letter for your father," she said, handing the letter to Gavin.

Gavin took it. "Thank you," he said amiably. "Have you met these two?" He gestured towards his two companions.

You have no idea. She nodded slightly. "We've met," she replied softly, looking only at Gavin. She was still angry at Christian (she wanted nothing to do with him), while Jerrold…well, Jerrold was a more complicated case.

Gavin frowned. "Are you all right, Daria?" he asked concernedly.

"Y-yes," she replied quickly. "Why wouldn't I be?"

He shrugged. "You just seem a little…distant, that's all."

"Oh." She forced a smile. "I'm sorry."

"It's all right."

You need an escort.

Whoa. That was a pretty random thought. But her…erm…brain was right. She needed an escort, didn't she? She couldn't believe she almost forgot about that.

"Can I talk to you in private, Gavin?" Daria asked hesitantly. "Just for five seconds."

Gavin glanced at his companions, silently asking if it was all right with them. They both shrugged casually. He turned back to Daria and nodded.

They, including Daria's horse, walked away from Christian and Jerrold (who were just plain silent), until they were out of earshot.

"So," Gavin said with a small smile, "what is it?"

Daria hesitated. "Well…um…remember the banquet?"

He nodded. "Of course."

"You are going, right?"

"Right…"

She smiled slightly. "Well, my mother wants me to have an escort, and…" She trailed off, unsure of what to say.

"Let me guess," he said with a grin, "you want me to be your escort?"

"If it's all right with you," Daria said quickly.

He smiled. "I would love to be your escort."

Daria's face broke into a large grin. "Great!" She then paused awkwardly. "So…um, see you later then?"

He laughed lightly. "All right."

Daria smiled and mounted her horse. She was about to ride off, but Gavin stopped her.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to Christian and Jerrold?" he asked.

She hid her cringe in time. Say goodbye to them? Talk to them? Look at them? Be within touching distance? Definitely not. "Um…will you please tell them I said goodbye?"

He shot her an odd look. "All right…"

"Thank you."

She was gone in a flash. She wasn't trying to be rude, but being so near those two…

It was a very confusing thing. Even she couldn't straighten out her thoughts.

"So," Christian asked casually, "what did she say to you? Or is it a private matter?"

Gavin shook his head. "No, not a private matter. She just wanted to ask me if I could be her escort for her banquet, that's all."

Silence. Complete, utter silence.

Gavin, the only one who had no bad experience with Daria among the three, was the one who broke it. "Er…what's wrong with you two?" he asked, confused.

"Nothing's wrong!" Christian piped up. "Why would there be something wrong?"

He shrugged. "You two are acting strange, that's all. Does this have anything to do with…"

"I have to go," Jerrold cut in abruptly. "I'll see you two later."

"All right…" Gavin said slowly. "Hey, Jerrold, are you going to Daria's banquet?"

Silence once more. Gavin frowned. What was wrong with everybody?! This was just…out of place and unusual. They were laughing and talking a short while ago.

"Jerrold?"

"I don't know."

"You were invited, weren't you?"

"I was."

"Oh." Gavin decided not to push it. Jerrold looked more serious than usual. He was definitely not into talking. He turned to Christian. "Were you invited?"

Christian was just as serious. "I was."

"Are you going?"

A grim reply. "I don't know."

Again, what was wrong here?! Gavin shook his head. "Well, I should also be going."

Christian nodded slightly. "Me too. Farewell."

"Farewell."

They parted and went to three separate directions.

A/N:

Hmm…not exactly the best chapter, so sorry about that. Here's a heads up: Gavin and Daria are going to be just friends. Nothing more. Sorry, Gavin fans! And next chapter is on the banquet! Yay!