Chapter Two

On the drive home from the church, the Blakes hardly spoke to each other. Mr Blake was driving their car and just wanted to get home. Mrs Blake looked out the window, thinking about what had transpired that night. Daphne was sitting in the back seat, overwhelmed by the freedom Sebastian had shown her that night. Mrs Blake had told Daphne to tie her hair behind her head again with the hairclip. Part of her wanted to smile, but Daphne could barely speak when that would be a good idea for her mother. Mrs Blake couldn't take the tension, so she looked behind her. Daphne saw this and dreaded what her mother was about to say.

"What did you think of Sebastian?" Mrs Blake asked.

Usually, Daphne had a response for any situation, but this was a situation she hadn't anticipated.

"I-I-I don't know, Mom," Daphne admitted. "I only just met him,"

That threw Mrs Blake.

"You only just met him," Mrs Blake said almost to herself.

"D-D-Do you still want me to show him around town?" Daphne asked.

Mrs Blake quickly looked at Mr Blake, and he nodded. Then, Mrs Blake looked back at Daphne.

"Yes," Mrs Blake said. "Now, why don't you tie your hair back up?"

Not needing to be told twice, Daphne began to search through her handbag.

"The hairclip's not in here," Daphne said, surprised. "I think Sebastian still has it,"

Mrs Blake's mouth opened a little in shock.

"Well, when you see him at school, make sure he gives it back to you," Mrs Blake said. "Until then, you can use a spare one,"

Mrs Blake turned back around. As Daphne thought about seeing Sebastian at school, she hoped he would be interested in other things besides her hair.

XXXXX

A special assembly in the high school hall was called the following morning. Most students were surprised by this, but Daphne wasn't surprised as she always had an intuitive mind. What wasn't a surprise was that the Principal stood on the stage behind the podium, and she was positive about what the Principal was going to announce.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new student starting with us today, and he's a unique student because he's an exchange student from Gemonia," the Principal said. "Sebastian, would you come out, please?"

Sebastian walked out with a sullen look, as he hated being the center of attention. Some of the students clapped, and all the teachers did. Sebastian looked around for Daphne to see if she was clapping. Once they locked eyes, Daphne started clapping, but Sebastian wasn't impressed.

"Sebastian, would you like to say a few words?" the Principal asked.

The Principal walked away from the podium before Sebastian could respond. Another gesture Sebastian didn't appreciate before he stepped behind the podium.

"Thank you for welcoming me to your school," Sebastian said.

A few students laughed at his accent, and Sebastian did his best to ignore it.

"Would you like to see some videos of my homeland?" Sebastian asked.

Nobody said a word as the lights dimmed, and the screen on stage was illuminated. The first video seen was Sebastian in a karate gi and a black belt around his waist, where he defeated his opponent violently.

"This is me winning a karate tournament last year," Sebastian said.

The second video was Sebastian wearing boxing trunks in a boxing ring and easily defeating his opponent violently.

"This is me winning a boxing tournament last year as well," Sebastian said. "Now, would anyone else like to laugh at my accent?"

Everyone in the hall was shocked and said nothing else as a result. The Principal quickly approached the podium, and Sebastian was happy to walk away.

"Okay, that will conclude the assembly, and you can all go to class," the Principal said.

Daphne was happy to do that; she wanted to escape Sebastian quickly. As she was out to leave the hall, Fred walked up behind her.

"Daphne," Fred said urgently. "Can I talk to you for a minute, please?"

Daphne wasn't sure if she wanted to, but she appreciated that Fred treated her respectfully.

"Yes, you can," Daphne said.

"Good, because I wanted to know why you ran away yesterday after I wished you happy birthday," Fred replied.

The situation threw Daphne as Fred was being so sincere.

"I ran away for two reasons," Daphne said. "Firstly, I thought it was creepy that you overheard the conversation I had with my mother, and the second reason is I thought you were making fun of me,"

Now, it was Fred's turn to be thrown.

"Why did you think I was making fun of you?" Fred asked.

"Because that's all people do because I'm the Church Girl," Daphne replied.

Fred felt so sorry for her at that moment.

"Daphne, you are the last girl I would make fun of," Fred said.

Feeling so overwhelmed by his sincerity, Daphne hugged Fred without thinking. Fred hugged her back, and neither knew that Sebastian was watching them. Daphne broke the hug, and Fred was grateful for the hug as he watched her walk away.

XXXXX

After Daphne's birthday celebration the previous night, Mr Blake decided to meet with Sebastian's Host Father for lunch. The Host Father was a short man in his early fifties with red hair and brown here. They decided to meet in a local restaurant that wasn't popular and had a few questions. After they greeted each other and ordered their meals, they decided to get on with things.

"How did you think it went when Sebastian met my daughter last night?" Mr Blake asked.

The Hot Father began to look awkward.

"I thought it went fine, but is all of this worth it?" the Host's Father said uncomfortably.

Mr Blake didn't like the look on the Host Father's face.

"What are you talking about?" Mr Blake asked.

"You running for Mayor," the Host's Father asked. "Getting Sebastian's father to help and getting your daughter involved so he can pay for your campaign funded,"

That was the last thing Mr Blake wanted to hear.

"Daphne will be fine," Mr Blake said. "All she has to do is date him for a while until the money comes in,"

The Host's Father sighed knowingly.

"I've heard a lot of bad things about Sebastian," the Host Father added.

"Like what?" Mr Blake asked.

"Like he could have a criminal record if he wasn't from royalty," the Host Father said.

Mr Blake was shocked momentarily, but he pulled himself together.

"All royal families come with rumors," Mr Black said.

I don't think these are rumors, and I need you to hear them," the Host's Father replied.

As Mr Blake listened to the rumors, he couldn't believe he couldn't believe half of them, but he was willing to make his campaign work.

XXXXX

After school, her mother would always pick Daphne up without fail, and it was a routine that Daphne hated. But that day was different. She was waiting for Sebastian to meet her at the front entrance. A moment later, Sebastian had an intense look in his eyes, and it was a look that made Daphne feel very uncomfortable. Daphne smiled at him in the hope that he would become less threatening.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you," Daphne said. "As you come from royalty, do I call you 'Your Highness'?"

Sebastian's eyes narrowed with anger.

"Don't ever call me that again!" he said furiously. "I don't ride around in a suit of armor on a fucking horse, I don't live in a fucking castle, and I don't like being called a prince! Back home, I live in a penthouse with my parents! Is that understood?"

Daphne began to shake because she had never been spoken to like that by a boy. Sebastian was satisfied that she was frightened of him.

"I saw you talking to another guy after the assembly this morning," Sebastian said. "Who was he?"

"H-H-He's just a friend," Daphne said nervously.

"I don't care that he's your friend," Sebastian said. "What's his name?"

As she was feeling threatened, Daphne could barely move.

"What's his name?" he asked again.

"H-H-His name is Fred," Daphne replied nervously. "I swear he's just a friend, and he's the quarterback for the Coolsville High football team,"

Sebastian walked closer to Daphne.

"I hope that's all he'll ever be," Sebastian said.

Then he put his right hand behind her head and unclipped her hair.

"I want you to stop wearing hairclips," Sebastian said. "Your beauty should never be hidden,"

Before Daphne could respond, Sebastian put his arms around her and kissed her passionately. Daphne didn't return the kiss, but she managed to put her hands on her shoulders and push him away. Then Daphne ran away as fast as she could. As Sebastian watched her running away, he swore it wouldn't be long until Daphne would be his.