“My god! You’re finally mine!” he spins me around before setting me down, slipping the ring on my finger.

“Never take this off, never never never” he almost demands and I can’t help but giggle as he kisses up my arm from the ring onward. He smiles up at me, My face surly red from his excitement.

“Say you’re mine Adi, please I want to hear you say it.” he pulls me close, nuzzling himself into the crook of my neck.

“I’m all yours Herschel.” My heart bursts saying the words myself and he moves to look at me.

“Wonderful, just wonderful. Now I can do this.” He says quickly and I open my mouth to question him before my lips are captured by his, I’m surprised by his sudden action, feeling his hands move from my waist to my back pushing me impossibly closer. Heat spreads through my body as I return the kiss placing my hands on his chest, his heart much more steady than my own. Herschel pulls away, as he lets go of my body I almost topple over. He unsheaths his dagger from its holster walking to the tree I love so dearly carving our initials into it, I chuckle as I watch him conceal his weapon once again.

“Quite childish aren’t you?” I can’t help but tease him and he shakes his head with a smile on his face before he turns to me again.

“My apologies but I've always wanted to see our names carved together, just as I've always wanted to hold you like I have only recently.” he pulls me close to him again moving me until I feel the newly scared bark along my back.

“Although my Lady… I wish to do so much more now.” he stares at me intently licking his lips, his face is flushed and his breathing has picked up a bit as I realize what he’s asking of me.

“Herschel I-” I’m cut off by him as he shushes me before his lips attach to my throat kissing down to my bosom. I feel my heart race as heat sparks through my body once more, He stops breathing in deeply.

“I know Adi, I am willing to wait for you but I had to let my needs be heard, you make me feel in such a way I have not felt before but I will keep my composure for you..” He stands dusting off his shirt and brushing his lips on my knuckle again, an innocent smile dances on his lips.

“Till next time, Dearest.” He bows and walks back down the hill leaving me to collect myself.

7

Standing in the ballroom I am sweating as my father clings to Herschel, drink in hand and my mother talks to the women of the court. All the way here from the capital where the king lives they’ve been here for days, swooning over my father and brother alike. I feel out of place, my brother sulking in a corner does not give the room a second glance. The party is not to start until the royal family arrives but after forty five minutes of waiting antsy is not the word to describe the crowd.

Finally the king walks in with his Two daughters and their mother, behind them is Prince James Curtis Richmond the seventh, the Oldest son of the neighboring country and an obvious heartthrob as the women of the court swoon at his porcelain skin, blonde hair and icy blue eyes. King Giles finds my father clapping him on the back of his back while commenting on his alcohol consumption so far. I haven’t talked to Herschel alone yet and I have no hope to as the party officially starts, and I am ushered into a room adjacent to the festivities, my mother joins me a moment later.

“Alright Dearest, it’s time don’t mess anything up, head held high, and keep your skirts from under your feet.” She speaks quickly fussing with my hair.

“No part of your life will be as important as this moment, all eyes will be on you; do not mess this up.” she lets out a deep sigh before linking her arm with mine, My name is announced as the doors are pulled open. My mother leads me out into the room and all eyes, as promised, were on me. I take a deep breath finally to calm my nerves, my entire body shaking, I truly forget myself feeling sick to my stomach as the look I receive from all around me don’t falter. 

“One wrong move dearest and it’s all over, stand. Tall.” my mother mutters through clenched teeth her ironclad smile stuck on her face, I almost feel as if i’d be more comfortable without her. I can feel my chest get tighter as I try to choke down heavy breathes, I feel like I'm out of my body still looking through my own eyes as if I was stuck in my own mind watching the fuzzy vision of myself doing things I can’t control. My eyes look up and lock with familiar ones, Midnight blue. The only eyes in the room with even a twitch of concern, My body breathes in involuntarily and words flash through my mind;

“Sullivan is twenty nine, he hates teaching.” I focus on him and the words in my mind, as I regain my composure. He nods ever so slightly in my direction before there is clapping around me, I curtsy to the crowd making sure to breathe evenly before standing again as the group disperses to the rest of the room’s festivities, and my mother leaves my side. I see a glimpse of Herschel as he is ushered to meet the oldest princess Odette, her dark skin matches her fathers almost exactly. Inky black hair spills in tight curls down her back and shoulders, Dark chocolate eyes sparkle as Herschel bows, takes her hand and brushes his lips against her knuckles.

“Wine?” a man offers me, an obvious suiter, younger than me by no more than half a year but looking like a child still.

“N-no thank you.” I step back bumping into the opposite kind of man easily eight and forty if one were to guess his age.

“Your mother says you like to study, I don’t have much use for a smart girl but my estate has a large library.” he offers large yellowing teeth peeking through his lips. I peek back at the princess and Herschel, adorned in a brilliant irish purple dress she takes his offered hand, they stroll out of my sight and before I can follow them I am pulled by my mother in the opposite direction.

“Your majesty, have you met the girl of the honor?” She pushes me infront of her until I almost collide with the young handsome prince.

“I have not, although I see where the lady gets her stunning good looks.” Prince James, The prince of Cantus was looking at me rather fondly. Words get caught in my mouth only loosened when my mother gives me a push causing me to stumble into a curtsy.

“Y-your Majesty.” I curse myself for stuttering, closing my eyes as I hear him chuckle softly.

“That was quite an entrance you made, dare I say there was not one young man in the hall who did not desire you at that moment.” My cheeks flush as I stand pressing a gloved hand to my cheek well aware of my corset.

“You flatter me, your Highness.” I say and He gives me a friendly and genuine smile, his eyes meeting mine.

“You may call me James if you see it fit my lady, that is; If I may call you Adilyn?” My mother makes a sort of ‘hoot’ noise from behind me and I swallow all of my saliva at once.

“I could not possibly, Your Majesty.” I lower my gaze to show respect and hear his chuckle ring out once again.

“My Lady I insist, just as I insist on your next dance.” He offers his hand to me and my mother leans forward answering in my stead.

“She would be Honored to the highest degree your Majesty.” she smiles before looking expectantly at me, I hesitantly take his hand as he leads me to the dancefloor. We start to dance along with other suitors going after their partners, the women delicate and obedient, the men charming and flirtatious. I feel the Prince grab onto my hips as he speaks close enough for only me to hear.

“You seemed truly terrified with all those eyes on you, are you feeling well now?” He asks and I lie with a smile.

“Quite, thank you, your… I mean James.” I respond and he chuckles softly causing my face to heat from the embarrassment,

“You don’t need to fear me my Lady, I simply wanted to offer an escape from your hovering Matriarch. I am betrothed already you see, you simply looked as if you needed a friend.” He explains and I let out a relieved sigh.

“Well I thank you for your hospitality, your majesty. Are congratulations in order?” I ask and he laughs out loud at my change in attitude,

“Not necessary Adilyn for my heart belongs to a stable boy, as Odette’s is not yet captured especially by me.” He says rather joyfully and I can’t help snicker at his words.

“So she is aware of your situation?” I ask after centering myself, He lets out a content sigh spinning me on the dance floor.

“She is, I only trust you with such information because I sense we are the same. You are not here for yourself, yes?” The dashing man smiles at me and I blush thinking of Herschel somewhere in the very room we were dancing in.

“I…i suppose you could say that” I chuckle looking away from his knowing eyes the fact he could pin me so easily made me nervous beyond belief.

“I must say… I would have never pegged you to go after an older man” He smirks and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Herschel is the same age as my brother.” I look up and the prince whose face mirrors my confusion,

“This Hurschel looks at least thirty he must not take good care of himself.” James looks over my shoulder as we dance and my head whips around excited to see my love, instead my eyes land on Mr.Walsh, my confusion only increases at this point.

“That’s Mr.Walsh, He’s only my tutor why would you believe he was Herschel or had any interest in me.” Prince James lets go of me as the song ends.

“My apologies, I only thought he was your beloved from the way he looked at you when you made your entrance, dare I say you were… radiant” he chuckles as he walks me back to my mother, Her face is jubilant at the thought I could have possibly charmed a Prince. James bows to me and my mother before flashing his dazzling smile again.

“It was wonderful meeting you Lady Wardwell… Your grace.” He nods to my mother who giggles while fanning her face. I curtsy in return as he walks away and my mother takes my arm.

“My dearest, how thrilling!” she says loudly while laughing before running to the other mothers to brag. I let out a sigh of short-lived relief, before I feel another presence walking to me.

“My Lady.” A familiar voice greets me and I smile at Mr.Walsh grateful it was only him. He seems to be strung out himself, minor sweat beads collect on his brow. 

“There sure are a large amount of people here…” he tries to engage in small talk and I can’t help but let out a sympathetic chuckle at his nerves due to the large group.

“Lord Sullivan walsh?” I ask and the usually collected man swallows hard, dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief.

“Uh… yes my lady?” he asks and I smile at him, he seems so approachable in this state.

“Are you alright?” I ask, teasing him only a little before the man nods wildey stuffing the handkerchief back into his pocket.

“Yes! Yes i’m quite alright I just… what does one usually do with their hands at large parties?” He asks, looking at the crowd rather than myself, His hands hang loosely in front of him rather humorously as he complains about the heat in the room as well as the volume.

“One could dance?” I suggest and his face pails from the word alone, his stuttering getting worse.

“I don’t wish to be stared at while on the dancefloor.” He says softly and I laugh again looking at all the people talking amongst themselves.

“How about we get some air on the balcony then?” I ask, Mr.Walsh doesn’t seem to hear me so I take matters into my own hands gripping his arm and wading him through the many people. I make it to the balcony with the nervous man only to stop in my tracks while looking out. It’s there where Herschel stands with Princess Odette, I am not close enough to hear what is being said but I see the interaction clear as day, lit by the brilliant lights of the party. Herschel smiles at the girl, his charismatic charm shining through like always as he takes her hand. The smile drops instantly and he takes her hand softly saying something while looking at the ground almost as if he were ashamed, He brings her hand to his face brushing her knuckles against his lips softly. I clutch my own hand to my chest and gasp before the Princess’s face takes on an empathetic expression, she walks closer to Herschel cupping his face. My heart beats wildly in my chest and I feel as if I can’t breathe seeing the man I love lean in until his lips touch the Princess's in a soft kiss. I watch him grab her waist and pull her into him, I feel sick as I step back and bump into Mr.Walsh who I had forgotten was even there. They keep kissing as her hands lace into his hair, it’s such a delicate and romantic embrace. There's a passion in that kiss that i’ve never seen and it makes me feel like my insides are being ripped apart as I can do anything in the world but manage to rip my eyes away from the terrifying display that no one else seems to notice. I feel a hand on my shoulder causing my consciousness to rip back to reality when I look up at Mr.Walsh, His nervous gaze is gone and is instead replaced by confused sympathy.

“Are you..” He can’t finish his sentence before I feel my eyes start to water, I reach my sleeves up to try and wipe my eyes before remembering the gobs of makeup my mother had slapped on me.

“Damn..” I say softly looking at the sleeve of my dress and the substance from my face smeared onto it, I start to walk out of the ballroom before Mr.Walsh takes my hand.

“My lady, you can’t leave your own party.” He tries to warn me and I swallow the strangling lump forming in my throat.

“Oh look around Sullivan! This isn’t MY party, no one is even paying attention to me.” He’s taken aback by both my harsh words and the familiarity before he turns to look at the crowd, all talking amongst themselves. Dozens of girls dressed in vibrant colors claiming to be “the lady of the hour” in a desperate attempt to appeal to men of higher standing. Mr.Walsh looks back to me before offering his arm to escort me out of the ball room, I accept hastley walking out of the room where I can manage to finally catch my breath. I don’t even have time to think let alone talk as I turn back to my teacher before I am pulled into him. Mr.Walsh wraps his arms around me tightly in a gesture more intimate then I had ever seen him be with a human being before, He doesn’t say anything he just holds me for I don’t know how long. My face pressed against his broad chest, the smell of dust tickles my nose. He must not go to parties often, the suit he’s wearing looked quite unused from a far but being so close only confirmed my suspicions. When he finally does let go, I feel as if I'm at a standstill. My whole body is dazed until I look up and see Mr.Walsh with a deep red blush on his face as he looks down at me.

“A-are you ok?” I ask softly and he nods while clearing his throat as well as taking out a handkerchief to wipe some sweat from his face.