Blue Blood and Belgium Chocolate

|26| My Heart

Prince Jasper

Man of Knowledge

I WANT TO drink more. I've the wine bottle in hand, but as the table empties out. I'm left almost alone with Lady Arianna. This isn't alarming in the slightest save for the fact that I want to look at her. I try to focus on anyone but her, which includes Elle who's trying to show me what I'm missing out on by dancing with someone else.

Even Princess Adele has young teenagers lining up to ask for her hand to dance. 

"Lady Arianna, would you care for a dance?" I suggest. At least that way, I do have a valid reason to stare at her. 

Her eyes are startled, doesn't anyone want to dance with her?

I can't imagine why no one would dance with her.

But a slow smile creeps on her lips and she nods. "I'd like that."

I try not to flush, not to think too much about her smiling. I stand up and open my arm out for her to take. She takes it, but it's light and her touch is warm. We move towards where everyone's dancing. We don't need to wait for our turn. Ours is next without question.

I nod at several advisors who greet me but none really pause for conversation. "How are you enjoying your night?" I ask her, trying not to look at her.

"It could be better," She mummers.

"It could," I agree.

She smiles at this. "Are you agreeing with me because you actually think that, or are you lying?"

"I do actually agree. Have you seen how small the portions are?" I grumble, "I'll have to order something later tonight for myself."

"Party for one?" 

"Unfortunately."

She laughs at this, "well, no one should party alone. Maybe Laurie and I can come over and join you?"

I smile. "He'll definitely come, I know he's upset about the portion size too."

"He's a big eater," Arianna agrees, smiling lightly. 

"So, how about you?" I ask her, "what is this party missing?"

Her smile drops a little, "It's not what it's missing," Arianna says, "It's what it has too much off. Scrutiny." 

I raise an eyebrow.

She leans near my ear, she's so close but it still takes effort to hear what she's saying. "Everyone just staring at all of us. As though waiting for us to do something awful, which is ridiculous but -"

"I know," my lips are tight. I turn to look into those bright beautiful eyes of hers. "It's always like this. I thought Greece was the same?"

She nods, "it's just no one really cared about me. My cousin was always the ruler they preferred and even I agree, he's better suited to the task. He wouldn't balk away from any sacrifices he'd need to make to hold the throne."

"And you?" I ask.

"I don't like to sacrifice anything. I'm completely selfish." She says without regret. She looks at me, there's almost something sad about her eyes. "You're not like that, are you?"

Am I? I smile at her, choosing not to reply. Our turn is coming as everyone ends their dance with a flourish. 

She turns to look at it, her hands are still light on my own.