A/N:
Hello everyone! Special thanks to:
Whimsicality – Good luck with your studying!
F.A. Starhawk
Littlelambug– Actually, I haven't seen the movie. I was, um, talking about Buttercup from the book. I liked the whole tomboy thing and not liking baths and all that, but you know the parts where she acts all…dumb? Well, maybe not dumb (that's too mean), but maybe slow. Yeah…that's why. And maybe because she got Westley in the end. :) (Westley's mine! Mwahahahahahahahahahahaha…)
CrimsonEnchantress– Lol you read Pretty, Pretty, Princess? Written during a hyper and weird moment. Don't know why I did. Actually, I was debating on whether to post that or not. I almost deleted it after doing so.
Fallen-angelz – Yup, I try to update as soon as possible.
Someone
Lil-sakura
AuthorFairy– I'll definitely keep that in mind. :)
Caronee– Why don't you want it to be Jerrold? Just wondering. And it's okay that you don't remember Gavin's name. I tend to do that too.
Pacem
Novaselena
C. Noelle
Lady Ismaela
LilliannaRose– C2 is the new thing at fanfic. I still don't get it. Sigh…I'm so slow.
BlueAngel124
Adnarel
Mephanie
Jaid Ziaen – I have no money too. Sad, isn't it?
Shima and Tempis
Dragonfirechick
Lils
Awaiting impatient person – Yah, I know! She's like…um…Arwen? Hmm, maybe, maybe not. But Arwen is so perfect.
Cutie20
Cinderella Atkins
Tallemera Rane – Lol, Ennael a lesbian? Hmmm…there's an idea. Just kidding. And I would change Ennael to Ennaele, but there's something special about just Ennael, without the e. I won't say what it is, though. :) And I'll keep that in mind, with the "…," and "…" thing. But I was reading this book over the summer (can't remember which one it is though), and it had "…,". Oh well…
Beatrix B. – Nope, not three guys. Just two. Three is too much.
Sealed nectar
Miss Piratess
Tayk
Lil Bazza
Pointy Objects – I've never ridden a horse before. Actually, I have, but someone on the ground is holding on to the reins. I want to ride a horse alone. My next point is completely pointless, but have you seen "First Knight"? It's this movie with Julia Ormond, Richard Gere, and Sean Connery. And there's this scene where Guinevere is galloping towards Leones se (it was night time), and she just looked so cool. Made me want to own a horse. Yeah, so that's my story…
SnoopyViz
Chaye710
Wonderxwoman
If I missed you, yes, you can yell at me.
Recap…
As she neared the boulder that rested near the edge of the cliff, she saw a grazing horse. She narrowed her eyes and saw that someone was sitting on top of the boulder, gazing thoughtfully at the dark horizon.
That someone looked familiar. Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized who it was.
The wind carried the sound of Ashwin's hoofbeats towards the sitting person, alerting him. He whipped around, and upon seeing Daria, he quickly jumped off and pulled out his sword. Daria smiled, impressed at his agility.
"Who are you?" he demanded. His voice was filled with danger and threat. Impressive, but not surprising.
Daria suddenly remembered that she was wearing a disguise. She laughed softly and pulled off her cap, letting her long hair cascade down her back. She then urged Ashwin forward, allowing the pale moonlight to reveal her face.
His eyes widened in shock. "Daria?!"
Chapter Seventeen
Ghostly Night
"Hi," Daria greeted quietly. She smiled in hesitation. "I see you've found my sanctuary."
The prince of Kyrria, after a brief moment of shocked silence, shook his head. "You are mistaken, my lady," he said. "You see, I have been going here since I was eleven."
Well, she couldn't argue with that, could she? And he looked like he belonged on that spot, anyway. She didn't want to ruin that. It was really strange, though, seeing him right there. It was unexpected, of course, and the fact that they were alone in a quiet place…she cringed at the thought. Why? Well, you try being alone with a handsome someone who confuses you to the end. In the middle of the night, too. Away from people.
Exactly.
Daria took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for disturbing you…" She steered her black stallion around, ready to leave.
"No, it's quite all right," he replied. "You may stay."
Daria turned and looked at him. "Are you sure?" she asked hesitantly.
He nodded. "Quite."
"Um…all right…" She dismounted.
"There is a peg over there," Jerrold said, gesturing towards something on the ground. "Tie the reins so that your horse won't run off."
Daria did exactly as she was told. When she was sure that Ashwin was securely tied, she headed towards the boulder. The prince had already settled himself back on top of it.
"Here," he said courteously. He extended his hand, offering her help.
Daria hesitantly took it. She blanched at the way their hands already knew each other. She still felt the same warmth, the same jolt of electricity…
…the same perfect fit.
He pulled her up easily (the boulder wasn't that high; it only reached Daria's chin), and she took her place beside him. They remained silent for awhile, just gazing at the ethereal scene before them. Time seemed to have stilled as the ghostly moonlight bathed the silent and sleeping Frell.
It was the prince who broke the silence. "It's not wise for a lady to go off at night," he said with a quiet and distant voice. "Haven't I told you that already?"
Daria turned to look at him; his eyes remained fixed on Frell. "Well," she replied, "why do you think I dressed up as a boy?"
He turned and looked at her. "Why are you here anyway?" he said with a frown. "It's already late."
Daria bit her lip as she tried to hold his gaze.
But she couldn't. Why couldn't she?!
If you look away, it's a sign of weakness, her mind chided. You will let him think that he gets to you.
But he does!
It doesn't matter!!! Extremely odd the way she was having a silent battle with herself. Was that normal? You don't care about him! He's nothing to you! Stick to being unfriendly with him!
She looked away. Weakness or not, she just couldn't. Maybe it was because of guilt…or maybe, something else…
His intense brown eyes still had the same intimidating effect on her. Damn it!
"I-I…just needed to go out for a while," she said croakily. She gulped and mentally cursed herself for sounding so…weak?
His eyes boring into her, he asked, "What's bothering you?" He spoke in a low tone, almost a whisper, but Daria still heard him. Her head immediately whipped to his direction.
"What makes you think something's bothering me?" she demanded angrily.
She did not mean to snap like that. Really, she didn't. He had caught her by surprise. How did he know?! How could he read her just like that?!
He smiled softly. "Because," he said quietly, "this is where I go whenever I need to think and straighten out my thoughts."
That means something's bothering him, Daria thought immediately. I wonder what about…
"Oh," she finished lamely. She frowned. "It's…n-nothing." Of course, something was bothering her, but she couldn't tell him that it was all because of him now, could she?
No, she couldn't. Definitely not.
They elapsed into silence. Daria bit back a sigh as she gazed at Frell.
She tried to ignore him. She tried to ignore his very presence. He wasn't really there…he was a figment of her imagination. Yes, he was. She wasn't really hearing his soft, rhythmic breathing…she was making it all up in her head. She was all alone, with no one within fifty metres near her.
Oh, who am I fooling?! she thought angrily. Definitely not myself.
She couldn't convince herself. Yes, he was there, sitting less than a foot away. She could even feel his very aura.
She turned her head just a bit—not noticeable at all—and snuck a look at her companion. He seemed to be in deep thought. He was frowning slightly as he stared at his…well, kingdom. She noticed that he had a sharp jaw. His jaw muscles were tense and twitching a bit. It was almost amusing. Her eyes then unconsciously travelled to his lips. His lips were full and just so…
"Am I really that interesting?" he suddenly spoke up. He turned to her and raised a questioning eyebrow.
Daria's eyes widened. Her cheeks began to burn furiously. So it was noticeable?! She couldn't believe that he had caught her staring at him. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
She looked at him and saw that he was smirking slightly. It was odd…she had not seen that smirk for quite a while. It was as if a part of him had returned. Just a tiny part.
She scowled. "You don't have to be so cocky about it."
His smirk grew. "How would you feel if you caught someone gazing at your face, who then blushes afterwards?"
Daria blushed even more. She looked down at her lap. "Sorry…" she mumbled, her cheeks still flaming.
"Oh, don't be," he said lightly. "After all, I am handsome…"
She rolled her eyes. "Oh please!"
He burst out laughing. "I was jesting, my lady."
It felt good to hear him laugh like that again. None of those dry, mirthless laughs…they were too upsetting.
She wished that he would continue being this way. She had to make him stay that way somehow…
It was up to her to set things right. It was now or never. A part of her was screaming at her not to do it, that it would not do anything, while another part was telling her that she should to do it. That it was the right thing.
Miraculously enough, that part won. Though it did take all of her willpower to speak up.
She took a deep breath, then said, very softly, "I'm sorry." It was so soft that had they not been at such a silent and peaceful place, the prince would not have heard it.
But he did. He heard every word. He turned and gave her a look. "Sorry?" he echoed silently. "What about?"
Daria took another deep breath. Why was her heart beating ridiculously fast? She felt as if she was going to explode any second now. And why had her hands turned cold and clammy?
She forced herself to go on. "For being so cold to you," she replied, her voice cracking. "For being rude and angry all the time. For insulting you, for screaming at you, for yelling at you to leave me alone…for everything."
She was staring at her fists now. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. Those eyes…she just couldn't. Or else she would just crumble and maybe even lose her sanity…
She suddenly felt his fingers on her chin. Before she could register exactly what was happening, he lifted her chin…
Blue-green eyes met brown ones. Daria, though she hated it, flushed at the intensity in his gaze. He was just gazing at her, through her. It was so…unnerving! Argh! It made her shiver, goose bumps travelling all the way up her arms. It was because of those damn eyes…
Or maybe it was because of his touch…she wasn't too sure. Her mind was at a complete daze at the moment. Why was she letting him doing this?! Why?! WHY?!
"I forgive you," he whispered. "And I'm sorry too." He dropped his hand slowly, and the warmth radiating from his fingers vanished.
"F-for what?" she asked shakily. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"For giving you reason to be angry with me."
She shook her head. "No," she said quietly, "you never did anything wrong. Sure, you were arrogant at times"—they both half-smiled and half-smirked at this—"but you never did anything…" She trailed off. She was sure that Jerrold understood what she meant.
"I understand." (See?) His face broke into a small grin. "Now that we have that straightened out, what happens now?" he asked.
What, indeed, she thought. I took a big step forward…and here we are now.
She smiled reluctantly. "What about…um…f-friends?"
He gave her a look. Then, after a brief pause (though it felt like eternity to Daria—remember the danger of rejection), he said, "Sure…friends. But on one condition."
"What?"
He smiled charmingly. "Call me Jerrold."
"Deal," she replied with a grinning voice.
They paused, taking in exactly what just happened between them. They didn't expect this understanding to occur. Nevertheless, it did, and they were both glad. No more tension, no more coldness. Finally.
This time, the silence that engulfed them was so comfortable and peaceful that it surprised the both of them. In a good way, of course. They welcomed it with open arms.
It was Daria who broke the silence. "I know about Christian," she said casually.
Jerrold's head instantly snapped at her direction. "What are you talking about?" he asked sharply.
She shrugged. "I know that he's a spy."
He frowned. "Did he tell you?"
"No…I just figured it out, that's all. I put the clues together."
"Oh. Don't tell anyone," he said firmly.
She rolled her eyes. "I know, I know. Don't worry. I already promised Christian."
Jerrold nodded and switched to another topic. "You've met Ennael."
"Yes"—a pause—"She is a nice person." (Translation: She is a perfect person.)
He smiled and nodded. "She is," he agreed. "We've been very good friends since we were pretty much toddlers. Our parents are close friends."
Daria didn't know how to reply to that. Did he expect her to compliment Princess Ennael? Should she? Thankfully, Jerrold saved her by talking some more.
"She will make a good queen," he said. He sounded faraway and deep in thought as he said it. Daria looked at him and saw that he was gazing at nothing in particular. He was just…gazing.
"She will," she agreed quietly, though she didn't want to. But it was the truth. Ennael would make a wonderful queen.
"She cares for her kingdom very much," Jerrold said, still sounding distant. "And she has spirit in her."
Daria had no choice but to agree. "She does," she whispered. She bit back a weary sigh as she looked down on the ground. Of course Jerrold was in love with Ennael! He saw her as some immortal goddess. He sounded as if he was aching to see her or touch her…
"You must love her a lot."
This little comment did the ultimate trick. Jerrold immediately snapped out of his daze. He turned to Daria quickly and gave her a look.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, a little loudly.
She frowned at him. "Ennael…you're in love with her aren't you?"
An awkward silence occurred as Jerrold just sat there, staring at her. Daria stared back, confusion all over her face. Why was he looking at her like that? Did she offend him in some way? But he didn't look angry. Just…incredulous?
Suddenly, he burst out laughing. That definitely caught Daria off guard. She stared at him in surprise as he let out low rumbles of laughter. Exactly what did she say to make this a situation of hilarity?
She voiced the thought out loud.
"I'm…sorry…" he replied in between chuckles, "but…you…Ennael…and me…" He wouldn't stop laughing.
Daria frowned and crossed her arms as she waited for His Royal Highness to sober up. It took a while, but when he finally did, she gave him an annoyed look and said, "May I ask what amuses you?"
"I'm sorry," he said with a grin, "it's just that…well…I don't love Ennael, simple as that." He paused. "Actually, yes, I do love her, but I'm not in love with her." He gave Daria a look. "You thought that I…" He burst into laughter once more.
"It's not funny!" Daria said hotly. Her cheeks were burning, and she hated the fact that she couldn't do anything about it. "I misunderstood…" She scowled when he wouldn't stop laughing. "Stop it! I made a mistake, that's all."
He was still laughing. "I can't believe you thought I was in love with Ennael!"
She glared at him. "You're making me sound and feel stupid, Jerrold."
That definitely caught his attention. He sobered up immediately. "I'm sorry," he said apologetically.
She shrugged ruefully. "Guess I did sound stupid."
"No," he interjected, "you didn't. I was the one being stupid."
"Let's forget about it," she sighed.
He nodded. "All right."
"So…did you enjoy the banquet?"
"Not really."
"Why not?"
Jerrold's lips curved into a charming smile. "Because this one annoying girl was plaguing my thoughts the whole time."
"I am not annoying!"
"Oh?" His face broke into a large grin. "And what makes you think that that annoying girl is you? Very modest of you, Daria."
Daria felt herself flush once more. He was absolutely right. How could she assume just like that? Why would he even think about her? A prince had better things to think about. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Now he probably thought she was conceited or something.
"My parents want me to marry soon," Jerrold said, breaking the silence. He acted as if Daria hadn't embarrassed herself five seconds ago.
"Oh?" Daria said, her cheeks still flushing. "Well…you are in the marrying age." She dreaded the next question she was going to ask. Nevertheless, she knew thatshe was going to ask it. "Do…do you have anyone?"
It was as if everything had become still as these words came out of her mouth. The wind grew still, as if it, too, was waiting for an answer. Everything was oddly silent, too silent. Daria felt her breath hitch in her throat as Jerrold stared at her, seriousness in his eyes. No more hints of laughter. Just this…intensity.
"I think so," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
The lump in her throat was burning. "You do?" she said, as just as quietly. "Anyone I know?" It couldn't be Ennael…
Their faces were getting closer and closer. She wasn't sure if she was the one who was leaning forward, or him. Maybe it was both of them. All she was aware of was the power of his gaze and the way her heart was hammering rapidly in her ribcage. The air had gone chillier, crisper, and she felt as if she was going to burst any second now, with the way her heart was pounding.
"Daria…" he whispered huskily. His lips were so close that Daria could feel his warm breath tickling her own lips.
The distance closed between them. It wasn't a very deep kiss, but a brush of the lips. However, it still felt intense and so…sweet. Daria felt her whole body heat up like liquid fire coursing through her veins—even more so when he wrapped his strong arms securely around her waist, bringing her much closer to him. It was as if he was protecting her, shielding her from anything harmful. She felt safe there, in his strong embrace.
It was no longer chilly. The wind was still there, but she felt none of its coldness. In fact, she felt as if she was sitting right in front of a raging bonfire, all nice and warm...so why was she still getting shivers? Why did she feel tingling in the places he touched? The kiss deepened, and Daria unconsiously responded...
A horse neighed loudly. Nobody would ever know if it was Ashwin or Jerrold's steed. But the result was incredible. Daria sprang apart, away from the prince and his heavy warmth. She stared at him with wide eyes, as if trying to register if it actually did happen.
We didn't kiss, did we? No!!! I imagined all that. I made it all up in my head. It didn't happen. That KISS didn't happen!
It was Jerrold who broke the silence. His voice was barely a whisper. "Daria…" he said hoarsely.
It DID happen. I can't believe we kissed!
"I have to go," she said abruptly. She climbed down the boulder hastily and untied Ashwin's reins. All this she did in no time, which was pretty surprising, considering the fact that she was shaking all over, especially her fingers.
She mounted quickly and was about to gallop away when Jerrold's voice stopped her.
"Daria," he said strongly.
It made her turn around, so she did, though she couldn't summon the strength at that moment to look him in the eye. She settled with the boulder he was now standing next to. "Yes?" she asked quietly.
"It was you I was thinking about during the banquet, and it was you I was thinking about while sitting on this rock. And no, I do not think you're annoying. I was jesting. And…" He paused.
Daria used this time to force herself to look at him. When she did, she saw that his piercing brown eyes were filled with…what was it? She didn't know. Hellfire, she didn't know! She didn't know what he was thinking or feeling! She was tense and edgy and clearly bothered by the whole thing, while he…he looked so composed. Unreadable.
"And what?" she asked softly.
He gave her a look that she didn't understand. "And…I'm sorry," he whispered.
A brief moment of silence passed between them as they just stared at each other. It was Daria who broke the gaze. She cast her eyes down and pulled her black hood up. She could feel his gaze on her, as if his eyes were burning a hole through her skin, but she ignored it. She ignored him.
"I'm sorry too," she whispered. It was so quiet that she wasn't sure if he heard it or not.
She dug her heels in Ashwin's sides. The stallion let out a loud neigh and galloped lightly into the dark horizon, its silent black rider looking straight on.
A/N:
Did you notice that that was the first kiss ever in this story? I can't believe it took me seventeen chapters to get to one kiss!