Fellow PL Nerds :D OOH LOOK AN UPDATE YAHH.

So I now realize that each chapter is going to take me about a week to write, which is sad for how long they end up being. My classes are just jamming work on me, and I have a Quadratics test and a World War 1 test tomorrow. *sigh* It sucks. ANYWAY I will try my best to get the next chapter started this weekend! And thank you again Seventh Sunset for all the wonderful reviews you post. Makes me feel amazing! *blows kiss to the crowd*….did I just make it awkward?... Yeah, maybe you should read now…. -MrsCliveDove

Chapter 5:

I couldn't speak. My mind was wondering how she found me, but my heart was saying something I could not yet decipher. I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment for not having a reply. All I could do was watch as the woman's expression became worried.

"I'm terribly sorry if I scared you, it was not my intention." She spoke softly. A hand rose, open and level to her shoulders, creating the feeling that she meant no harm.

I coughed to clear my throat, now forcing myself to speak.

"Well, I wouldn't say scared. I was merely..." I paused, stood straighter and clasped my hands together behind my back, "...startled."

Then I noticed the piece of hair still dangling in my face. I franticly tried to put it back behind my ear, attempting to keep a mature image. Not like it would have helped; any reputational stature I had melted as soon as I heard her voice.

The woman giggled again.

I smiled in return, rosy cheeked for the second time. Though a question still lingered on my lips. I had to say it before I wasn't able to anymore.

"If I may ask, how did you know I was up here?"

A smile crawled across her small lips, like she was recalling a comical event.

"Well back in the ballroom, I was on my way over to introduce myself. Though as I walked through the crowd, I saw that you had disappeared from where you were. That's when my eyes caught you running down the side hallway farther into the castle. It took me a bit to find you, but I couldn't leave without saying hello." She said, ending with a light sigh.

"I didn't hear you come in." I questioned. The woman lifted the hem of her dress skirt to reveal her small feet.

"Flat bottomed shoes. I've always dreaded the annoying clicks of those heeled shoes!" She explained before looking back up at me. "Ugh, how rude. I seem to have forgotten my manners!" The woman made a gesture, hitting herself in the forehead. "My name is Sophia." Sophia pinched the fabric of her dress on either side and curtsied.

Sophia... That name rang through my mind.

"I am Anton Herzen." I said back, bowing slightly. I took Sophia's hand, and gently kissed it. "Very pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Ooh. A gentleman. I am very impressed Anton." She laughed before turning towards the end of the balcony, and resting her elbows on the railing. I did the same. For a few moments, we both just stared out over the scenery.

A mixed-wood forest spread for miles north behind the back garden. The damp, dewy branches of the trees reflected the light of the full moon, creating the illusion of stars on earth. The sky was dark purple, except for shades of orange that emanated from the east, above the main square of Folsense. That part of town was always so alive. Lights from the hotel and other little shops created an aura of welcomeness. I'd meant to visit the townsfolk for about a week now, but I had never found the time for it. Father seemed to be purposely loading my spare time with various amounts of paperwork; mostly on topics of the family mines or new laws to be considered in Folsense. This thought brought my mind back to father.

"So. Miss Sophia. Did my father invite you here tonight by chance?" I asked her casually. I slowly swiveled my head towards her and waited for a response.

"In fact he did. Very kindly, I might add. Just this morning, I woke to the sound of horses out my window. Your father-" she hesitated, "er, the Duke, had sent a lovely invitation to my residence. I was so delighted to receive it, especially coming from a town so far away from mine. I was telling my maid about the evening ahead of me, and that's when she mentioned you, Anton."

I was still looking at her, but I was surprised when her green eyes locked to mine; her right eyebrow slightly cocked.

"Word has it; you're the most eligible bachelor in the area." She said with a sliver of mischievousness, matched with a playful smile.

I grinned closed-lipped. I hated hearing that, but I tried not to look like it. My eyes fell back down to the tree-line at the edge of the garden while I bit my tongue, afraid of saying anything I'd regret later.

I wasn't sure if Sophia had laughed or sighed then, but the tone it was in told me that she knew I didn't want to hear another word of it. When I finally faced her again, I realized that she was shivering. The temperature must have dropped radically since I came outside, because I could now see our breath being transformed into mist. I did the first thing that came to my mind.

"Here." I swiftly slipped off my jacket and laid it on her shoulders.

She now saw what I was doing, and tried to object, teeth chattering.

"But won't you be cold?"

"No, I'll be fine. Besides... It's the duty of a gentleman." I said casually, spreading my hands wide, and then twining them back together to keep them warm. I took a few steps to the right of her along the railing.

Sophia slid her arms through the sleeves, and then sighed in relief as her body warmed up. The jacket seemed to fit her well. Of course, it was a bit big, but the curve of the bottom of the jacket matched that of her dress skirt; as if they were made to be worn together.

"Thank you, Anton." She spoke in a small voice.

Our eyes met on another's again. Sophia's body was turned towards the end of the balcony, but her torso was half-tuned towards me. At this angle, the collar of my jacket hid a majority of her face, though her eyes were still visible. They shone with a white tint from the moonlight.

I nodded at her in acknowledgement.

"You know," the tips of my fingers tapped on the wood of the railing absentmindedly, "you don't have to call him that."

Sophia's eyes narrowed and her eyebrows knit with confusion.

"I don't know what you mean." She questioned.

"My father. Calling him the Duke. You don't have to. There's no need to sound un-naturally formal around me."

Sophia shook her head. "I'm sorry." She apologized, "It's just old habit.

"How so?"

Sophia's fingers rubbed her collarbone, as if she were nervous.

"Well, it's family rules. Inside of the household, you may address father as such. But outside, he is to be called by his title, Lord William."

I'd heard that name before. Lord William ruled quite a large town about a 2 hour train ride from Folsense. He was often in the paper, boasting about new policies or ways to improve his town. I'd never met the man personally, though I'm sure Father had. Men as high ranked as them got together on business quite frequently; sometimes just for tea.

We stood in silence for a few moments more.

"Would you care to accompany me inside, Sophia? It's gotten quite cold, and I suspect that if someone were to come out to the garden, they would find us here." I asked her, hoping she would agree.

Sophia giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. I noticed that her nails were polished in the same purple as her hair.

"Why yes, Anton. I will."

So? What'd ya think? I enjoyed writing this chapter. I wanted their first meeting to be kinda awkward, but cute and friendly at the same time. Where it talks about Anton's jacket fitting around Sophia's dress skirt, I imagined it like 2 puzzle pieces fitting together… keh heh heh, clever huh? But I really want to hear what you guys think of Anton's character so far! Please please please drop a review; tell me what you like or what you don't like about him! It will help me develop his character more! Constructive criticism is always appreciated. Thanks so much guys, you're awesome! –MrsCliveDove (Erin ;)