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Desires and Destiny

Chapter 2

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"Hi, Harry," Lucy greeted the young man.

"Milady," Harry inclined his head in respect.

"How many times have I told you to call me Lucy?"

"I've lost count."

She rolled her eyes.

"But I do call you Lucy at times."

"Why at times?"

He shrugged and then looked at her, almost hesitant.

Lucy noticed that. "What is it?"

"Umm, would it be alright if I asked you to dance with me?"

"Of course it would be alright!" Lucy said. "You and I are friends and everyone knows that."

"Well, in that case," Harry held out his hand. "Can I have this dance?"

She took it. "Sure."

"You look beautiful today, my queen."

"Thank you."

They walked to the center of the dance floor in the ballroom that was decorated magnificently – thanks to Susan, without doubt. He placed his hands on her waist and she, on his shoulders.

"So," he said as they began to dance.

"So?"

"So why are you dancing with me and not with that pretty boy you're so much in love with?" Harry asked, nodding his head towards Chad who stood on one side of the ballroom, talking to Irene and laughing over something.

"Don't insult him," she told him.

"I called him pretty," he paused, "Which actually sounds very weird."

She laughed. "It does. And I can hear the sarcasm behind your words."

"Hmm."

"You don't like him." It wasn't a question.

"He is a good person," Harry said. "But I haven't really talked to him enough to make a judgment."

They danced quietly for a short while.

"You still haven't answered my question."

Lucy looked up at him and sighed. "I don't know."

"Did you two have a fight?"

"No," she replied instantly.

"Then what is the matter?" he asked. "I remember you bouncing all over the city with excitement when you heard that he was coming."

"I know," Lucy almost sighed. "It's just that, it has been a week since he came and we haven't had a chance to talk to each other properly."

Harry frowned. "Why not?"

"Because whenever I am free, he is busy and he doesn't like to be disturbed at all during his work," she explained. "And when he is free, I have my duties. It is annoying, really."

"Well you both are at a party right now," Harry pointed out. "And none of you has any duties."

Lucy looked confused. "So?"

"So, why are you two not dancing?"

"Because he hasn't asked me to dance yet."

Harry laughed. "And you're waiting for him to ask you."

"… Yes."

"Why don't you ask him?"

"How can I ask him?" Lucy asked. "This is not how it happens."

"Lucy, you're the most unorthodox woman I know."

She looked almost offended.

"Don't take this the wrong way," he quickly explained. "What I meant was that you never care what happens or not. You do what makes you happy and that is what I like about you."

She bit her lip. "You're right."

"I usually am." He agreed.

"Show off," she muttered. "But thanks for the dance."

"Go, get him."

Lucy nodded and walked towards Chad.

"Hi," she said.

His green eyes met her brown ones. "Hi."

"Let's dance."

"You're late."

She frowned.

He pointed towards Irene. "I just promised the princess that I'll dance with her next."

Lucy smiled. "Will you dance with me after that?"

"I'm planning to."

"It's okay," Princess Irene said. "You can dance with Aunt Lucy. We can dance later."

"No," Chad told the little girl. "Aunt Lucy can wait. Right?"

"Sure," Lucy told her niece lovingly. "Dance with him."

"Okay," the princess nodded.

Turning to Chad, the Valiant Queen said, "Find me when you're free."

"I will," he promised.

[][][][][][][][]

After the song finished and the little girl walked away after kissing Chad on the cheek, the Lord of Daelhr looked around for Lucy.

He spotted her in the middle of the dance floor, dancing with Harry. She was laughing at something, her head thrown back, her eyes shut, and he was whispering something in her ear, making her laugh even more.

Chad looked away. He hated seeing Lucy so close with someone else.

A week had passed, and whenever Chad had looked around for the Valiant Queen, he had found her with Harry. He saw them talk, laugh, run around, joke around and just have fun. This was something that Lucy and he, Chad, used to do when he used to visit.

He knew he was jealous.

And he knew that he was just being stupid – Lucy loved him and there was nothing going on between her and Harry, but still… Chad couldn't help but be jealous of the fact that Lucy spends a lot of her time with Harry when he, Chad, is in Daelhr.

Even more, now that Chad is in Cair, Lucy still spent most of her time with Harry. Sure, Chad knew he was busy and they rarely had time but…

Deep down, for a second, Chad thought that Harry was very lucky because he lived in the same city as Lucy.

But then the Lord dismissed the thought quickly. He loved Daelhr. Even though he had a dark past in the city, he still loved it.

And he and Lucy will work it out – every relationship has arguments and problems.

Chad walked back to the food table to get himself a glass of wine and glanced back at the Valiant Queen.

He sighed and looked away. He will just ask her to dance when she is done dancing with Harry. As much he hated seeing her with him, she seemed to be having fun and he wanted her to be like that - happy and content.

"Are you enjoying the evening, milord?"

Chad turned to see Demetrius standing nearby. "… Yes. And you?"

The man shrugged. "The arrangements couldn't be better."

Chad looked at the man in his early fifties before him. His hair had grayed from the sides, but his dark, intelligent eyes and his mannerisms gave him a charming personality. (A/N: Link to the picture in the profile) "You look good, Demetrius."

Demetrius chuckled. "Thank you, milord."

"Perhaps you'll find out that many women here are interested in you."

A small, sad smile touched Demetrius' face. "No, milord," he shook her head. "I don't look for any other woman. Thea was and always will be the one."

Thea, wife of Demetrius and mother of Philip and Alianna, had passed away a long time ago, he didn't know how. Chad had never met the woman but had heard only well about her.

"You miss her," Chad said quietly.

"Every day and every night," Demetrius told him. "But I'm happy. I have my children and they remind me of her. They are all I need."

Chad nodded in agreement, a small smile on his face. "Where is Philip?"

"Where do you think?"

"Flirting with maidens?"

"You know him well."

Chad chuckled. "He is my friend. Of course I know him," he paused to sip his drink. "And Alianna?"

"She must be around here somewhere."

"Oh."

"I worry about her."

Chad raised an eyebrow. "How come?"

Demetrius shrugged. "It's a father type of thing. You won't get it."

"Try me."

The man was quiet for a while. "I think she is not happy with her life."

"What makes you say that?"

"I don't know; I just worry about her."

Chad frowned, but chose to remain quiet. This was not an issue for him to poke his nose it. It was a matter of Demetrius and his family.

"Is that Bayard?" Demetrius asked, pointing at a man at the far end of the hall.

"I guess so. Why?"

"The man owes me."

Chad raised an eyebrow. "He does?"

"I won a bet." Demetrius said. "Now, if you will excuse me, I think I will go annoy him until he pays me."

Chad laughed and wished him good luck. Then the Lord randomly looked around the hall when he spotted Lady Alianna. Dressed in a simple gown of light brown, the younh woman was sitting at one of the empty tables, her blonde hair falling freely on her back. (A/N: Link to the picture in the profile). She was staring absently at the floor, playing with a lock of her hair.

He walked over to her. "Why are you sitting alone when there is a party that you could be enjoying?" he asked.

She looked up. "I don't know."

"May I?" he motioned towards an empty chair before her.

"Sure."

He took a seat.

"Why are you sitting with me when you could be enjoying the party too?" she asked in a low voice.

"I'm waiting for my turn to dance with the Valiant Queen."

Alianna looked over his shoulder at Lucy and Harry, then back into his green eyes. "Oh."

"May I say something, Alianna?"

She nodded.

"You should stop looking lonely. Your father is worried about you."

"Did he say something?"

"Not really. His eyes speak."

"I'm not lonely, milord. I have a very good family."

"Then what is the problem?"

"Nothing."

He looked at her for a moment before downing his glass of wine and taking her hand.

Startled, she looked at him with wide eyes. "My lord, Chad?"

"Dance with me," he said and pulled her to her feet.

She looked hesitant for a moment. Then – "O-okay."

The two walked to the floor and began swaying to the music with his hands on her waist and hers on his shoulders. Chad noted that Alianna did not talk much, but when she did, it was polite and soft.

"Father would be so happy to see that I am dancing," she said.

"Really?" he asked.

"He wants me to socialize."

"He is right."

"Maybe." She shrugged.

"You have blue eyes," Chad noted sheepishly.

She looked at him as if he was insane. "… Yes."

"Sorry," Chad chuckled, "But I just noticed. Demetrius has black eyes."

"Father tells me I get my eyes from my mother," Alianna said, a hint of sadness to her voice. "So does Philip."

"Oh."

She was quiet for a while. "I never knew her."

"Pardon?"

"I never knew my mother. I killed her."

Chad froze. "What?"

Alianna looked sad. "She died when I was born. She couldn't survive the childbirth."

"I'm sorry."

Alianna looked away.

"It wasn't your fault," Chad told her. "You should not blame yourself for her death."

"Yes, milord."

He knew she didn't listen to him, but only agreed out of respect, but he decided to let it go. "So, have you been tearing anymore dresses, then?" he asked with a teasing grin on his face.

She looked up in his eyes and flushed. "That was an accident," she mumbled, embarrassed.

He laughed. "It was an interesting sight."

"Please, don't remind me of it," she all but moaned.

It was his third day in the Cair and so far he had not spent any time with Lucy. And he was frustrated.

Not anymore, he decided. He will go and drag the Valiant Queen away from the world and they will have a nice walk in the gardens together – just the two of them.

He knew that Lucy had gone to tour the city that afternoon.

Chad stopped and looked out a window. The sun would set in an hour. She should be back soon.

And sure enough, he saw two horses enter the courtyard. On one of them was Lucy, who was petting her white mare. A man, who Chad recognized as Harry, got off from the other stallion and walked over to Lucy, helping her off.

Harry's hands remained on Lucy's waist even after he had helped her off and he said something to her. Lucy laughed and pushed him away, saying something in return.

She ran off, and he followed her, catching her by the wrist and pulling her close. They talked for a few moments and he let go of her hand, bowing in respect as he stepped away from her.

Chad walked away, frowning.

What was going on?

The man was supposed to be Lucy's personal guard. And of course, knowing Lucy, Harry would be her friend too, but… they seemed really close. And why would –

"Philip, go away!"

Chad snapped out of his thoughts when he heard these words and recognized the voice. It was surprising actually to hear Alianna speak so loudly. He had never heard her talk much, let alone shout.

"Just don't annoy me," this time Alianna's voice was pleading – soft, like always.

"Fine, I'm going." Philip said, sounding bored. "I have to see father, anyway."

Chad rounded the corner to see Philip walking away.

The Lord of Daelhr took a few steps forward and stopped when he saw Alianna walking out of her room. She seemed to be in a hurry. Stepping out quickly she shut the door and turned.

Chad noticed that a part of her dress was stuck in the door. He raised his hand and opened his mouth to speak but –

"Ouch!"

The sound of ripping cloth filled the air followed by a loud thump of Alianna falling to the ground.

He quickly ran over to her. "Milady, are you alright?"

Alianna massaged her head with her hand and looked around, confused. "What happened?"

"That happened," Chad pointed to the door.

Alianna followed his gaze. A part of her dress was stuck to the door. That part was missing from her dress, baring her long legs.

Blushing furiously, she covered her legs with the remaining of the cloth and looked up at Chad.

But he was looking at her head. "Are you hurt?"

"No."

His hands came to her shoulders as he helped her up. "Are you sure?"

She nodded slowly. "I'm sorry."

"For what, falling?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"You don't have to be sorry for that," he told her. "Why were you in such a hurry?"

"Queen Susan invited me for tea and I was getting late, thanks to Philip."

He shook her head. "You should be more careful."

She looked down at her torn dress and groaned. "I'll be really late now."

He looked down too. "You can go like this," he offered, letting go of her. "Just say that it's your new fashionable dress."

She laughed lightly.

"What?" he asked. "You look good."

She smiled. "This just looks immodest."

"It does," he agreed.

She blushed again. "Thank you for your help, milord."

"You're welcome, Alianna." He paused. "I'll see you around."

She nodded.

"Try not to tear any more dresses, it might prove fatal to you," he joked and without waiting for her reaction, walked away.

"Why not?" he asked, with a laugh.

"Just don't."

"But -"

The song finished at that moment and Alianna stepped back. Bowing her head she mumbled a quick 'thank you' and walked away, leaving the Lord of Daelhr amused.

[][][][][][][][]

Chad moved to stand several feet away from Lucy and Harry, waiting for him to leave so he could claim his dance with Lucy. Suppressing his jealousy as he saw Harry kiss the back of her hand before walking away, Chad approached the Valiant Queen.

He bowed and kissed her knuckles himself before he spoke.

"So my queen," he smiled, "Are you able to endure one dance with me?"

"Depends," she teased. "Are you?"

"I'll try," he grinned as a slow song came on and he took Lucy's waist.

Lucy took a step forward and put her head on his left shoulder as her right hand moved into his left hand, her left hand on his shoulder.

"I've missed this," she murmured as they started swaying to the music.

"Me too," he said.

"Really?"

"Of course," he said. "Why do you even ask?"

She shrugged.

They were silent for a few moments.

"So…" Chad began, "Harry seems nice."

"He is," Lucy beamed up at him. "He's a really good friend."

"I can see that," Chad muttered under his breath, but Lucy noticed and pulled her head away from his shoulder to look into his eyes.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Repeat what you said," she ordered.

"You heard it the first time," he said, his voice smooth, "It won't change when I repeat it the second time."

"What was that even supposed to mean?" she asked defensively.

"Nothing," he told her.

"Chad?" her tone left no room for backing out of the conversation.

"He's just kept you so occupied this evening that I haven't had the chance to dance with you," the Lord defended himself.

"You're dancing with me now," she pointed out.

"Yes," he agreed, "After he has danced with you half the night."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Maybe he was just keeping me company as you spent all of your time with Alianna." With that, she stepped back and turned.

He came in her way. "You're not walking away like this."

"Watch me."

"I'm not going to," he pulled her back to him and wrapped his arms around her waist so that it seemed that they were still dancing, "What does Alianna have to do with any of this?" he asked, confused.

"Nothing," Lucy replied, using his previous response.

"It's not 'nothing', Lucy."

She shrugged. "It's just that you two seem really close."

"Please," Chad scoffed. "Anna and I hardly even know each other. We've only spoken twice since we've arrived here in Cair and both times were accidents."

"Oh," Lucy said as she raised her eyebrows, "'Anna' is it?"

"What?"

"Did 'Alianna' become 'Anna' the same way 'Lucy' became 'Luce'?" she questioned.

"Alianna is a mouthful, so I just called her that," Chad said. "And that was just now before you and... why am I even trying to explain this to you?"

"Guilt," she guessed.

"Why would I be guilty?" Chad asked, anger lacing his words. "You are the one who spent the entire evening with Harry instead of me."

"And you're the one who was too busy enjoying the evening with her to come to me," she retorted.

"Lucy, is there any way we could move this conversation outside please?" Chad almost pleaded as he noticed that several people had started looking at them during their argument.

"I don't think so."

"Well, I do."

"No Chad. If all we're going to do is accuse each other of being unfaithful," Lucy said, stepping back once again, "I think I might just go back and see Harry."

With that, she shot one glare in his direction and walked away.

Chad sighed angrily and pressed his fists to his eyes as he left the ballroom, upset.

There you go. Liked it? Hated it? Comments?

The next chapter will be up asap.

Until then, thank you for reading,

Ennarre and CrazyKitCat

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