*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I sat in my bed, the same one Annalise had just left this morning. She was so fierce, she had a fire that could light with the smallest spark; yet somehow this morning she showed a different side of her.

I so greatly wanted to help Annalise. Yet if she couldn't tell me who murdered her father, then I could never avenge his death.

At least I grew up with my father; though I only see him about once a month now. He's too busy being the King and morning over my mother's passing.

This is the reason he wants me to become King at a young age. He just wants to retire in peace-and I believe he's depressed- so pass on as well. That's why I've already finished my fragit classes, high school, and he's already trying to find a suitor for me.

Not much time for the youth, huh?

So, I sent my private investigator to dig up information about her past. Bad I know, but I didn't want the murder to come for Annalise as well. If he had a past with their family, she could still be a target.

....could they be Descuvi?

They killed my mother and I was going to get them back. I know I would, it just takes time and patience. Slowly we've been collecting data on the gang whom killed her, but we weren't even close yet.

I looked over at my piano. I would always play the thing when I needed to get things off my chest. I walked to it and dragged my hand across the keys... the slick top. I kept it very clean; it was made from fine marble and dusted every day.

I couldn't comprehend how one object could hold so emotion and change people's lives for the better. Especially this piano, for my mother gifted it to me as a Blackberry gift.

The door behind me opened.

Landon?

He smiled warmly at me. He hasn't come over in so long, I didn't know what to think.

I've known him since I was born. We used to be best friends, but I pushed him away once my mom "disappeared", and while this was going on his mom was getting ill. So we both distanced, dealing with our problems alone. When really, it would have been easier having somebody around to talk to.

"How are you doing, Landon?" I was never usually kind, but with Landon had a soft spot for me.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing. You weren't at school today."

"Yeah, my fragit classes ran till two in the morning. I couldn't make it through a full day of school, so I just stayed and I'm helping set up the ball."

"Oh yeah, how's that coming along?"

"Good, and you are coming right?" I asked, putting a fradit book on my shelf.

"Of corse, I'll always be here for you." Landon smiled cautiously.

"Are you sure you don't... need anything," I raise one eyebrow. The last time he came I had to lend him some money because of his family issues.

"Well-I mean-I need a suit and tie. I apologize, I just didn't know who to turn to, and I wanted to look nice for this Friday-" he babbled on.

"Hey, calm down Landon, I've got you. I have plenty, and if not I'll get a tailor down here and he can measure you. It would be ready in a day," things have been rough in his household recently, yet again.

I don't mind helping Landon with finances. I decided to help pay one day, and ever since I've decided to continue. It's not like the money really causes a dent in my finical state right now.

"Damien, thank you for always being there for me, even thought we haven't talked in so long. I want to be good friends like we once were." He smiles sadly at me. I can tell it's genuine, I've seen too many smiles to this day to know the true meaning behind them.

Landon's was nothing but kind.

"I would like that a lot too, I've missed you buddy." We hugged it out, bright smiles on our faces. I called him up a tailor.

We reminisced on old times as I watched the tailor work. He measured across Landon's chest, arm length, torso, everything needed to know for his tux.

After the tailor was finished, Landon smiled wide,"I haven't felt this special in a while, I forgot this is what it's like for you every day. "

"It's more complicated than you think. Sure there are the riches and the "valuable" things. But you start to see through the money and realize life is about memories and ...what's more in here." I touch my heart and give myself a small smile.

This is what Annalise told me, the first time we met in the hall. She really has a great impact on me... doesn't she?

"Getting all sentimental on me, not like your usual." Landon smiles at me as the tailor leaves.

"You don't have to come to this ball, you know." I retort.

"That is true," He turns to the door,"You better be at school tomorrow, Annalise didn't have a dance partner yesterday!"

I laugh back," It wasn't even dance class yesterday, it was music!" I roll my eyes.

"Whatever you say, Damien." And he shuts the door.

"Have you decided yet?" Hazalen sips her peach tea. I give her a small glare, knowing exactly what she was referring to.

"No, not yet. But it's a probable yes."

"You need to go Annalise. I'm serious, this is quite a big deal. I didn't get invited nor did Veronica. Take the chance." Hazalen exclaims.

"See, that's why I don't want to go. You guys aren't invited. I'm going to feel so awkward, and probably make a huge embarrassment of myself, and-"

"Hey, calm down Annalise, don't let us hold you back. And why don't you just ask him? I'm sure the dear old prince will let us tag along. He's head over heels for you, you could make him do anything." Veronica smirks.

I blush and meekly state,"Not true. Besides, he's got way better things to think about than me." Hazalen and Veronica both share a look. "Really! It's true! You two need to get over yourselves."

"Well, I have a question for you Annalise," Veronica smirks, on the brink of laughter. She was trying so hard to hold it back. I greedily nod, the suspense killing me.

"Where did you go after the club?" She smirks even wider while Hazalen bursts into fits of giggles.

I glare at them," That doesn't mean anything!" I throw pieces of my food at them, trying to get them to cease their continuous laughter. My face was beat red.

"I for one wouldn't mind going to the ball if you could persuade the Prince; I bet I could find some fun men in there." She smirks suspiciously.

"I just want to see the ball myself. The food, extravagant dresses, art pieces. Can you please try and get us in Annalise?" Hazalen smiles innocently.

"I will definitely try. I don't want to go on my own, who knows what will happen." I relax on the green, grassy field. I looked up at the blue, beautiful sky; my stomach satisfied with the tomato bisque soup I just devoured. The wind rushed by as I felt a sense of calmness wash over me.

I'm very grateful I moved from Gregorson. More than I thought I would be. Though it was hard at first, this last month and a half I've made more friends and had many more experiences I could have ever accomplished at Gregerson. My old country was holding me back.

I loved the new sense of pride and confidence Deltora had. Deltora's people were kind, friendly, and welcoming. In Gregerson, it was as if you always had to get something in return. It was all a game, you get this and I get that.

But Deltora establishes laws, peace, and prosperity. Room for improvement and thriving economy. Deltora was an amazing place, one I'm sure Damien could easily rule over being just... him.

Damien could do anything he wants to. He is strong, confident (though it's not needed all the time), intelligent, fair, and kind.

Kind.

That's the key word here. It's hard to come across a king who's kind. One who thinks of his people, and not the riches he receives out of it. Damien is selfless. He puts me in front of everything else yet he hardly knows me.

Which is dangerous. So, so dangerous.

I know I have a sort of... interest in him.

And I don't like it one bit.

_________

"Annalise, no intertwining your hands while doing the waltz. It presents a relationship status, which is wrong in your position," Mr. Dennis swats my hands and gives me a playful wink at the end. I gasp at his absurd manner and look back up to the prince.

He held a large smirk on his face. Too large for my liking. How can he smirk that large and focus on so many dancing steps at the same time? That I didn't know.

He starts,"So we are dating now, huh? That's a thing? I actually wouldn't mind-" I swat him hard on his chest, not that it would create a bruise or anything.

"I can't get these steps down to save my life, Damien. You're going way too fast."

"Well maybe you're going too slow."

"No-your going to fast."

"Slow-poke." He pokes me in the stomach. I giggle for one second, then glare at him for the next ten. "Mhm... ticklish are we? I wish I knew that when you were in my bed."

"Shut it Damien."

"What if I don't want to?" He leans in.

"Well, then I'll make you. You shouldn't always get your way you know. I've told you this a countless number of times." I roll my eyes and smile.

"How?"

"... how? How what?"

"How will you shut me up?" He whispers in my ear, his warm breath fanning my face. He smelt like a mixture of many things, one being the woods or the trees; though in a clean way. I couldn't quite describe the scent.

I blush a tomato red, knowing exactly what he was referring to. I take a quick glance at his lips. The image of us kissing made me hot all over with tingles. The reason why? I didn't quite know myself.

"I was joking, cupcake. Don't take everything I say too seriously." He pokes my stomach again. I involuntarily giggle again, my face lighting up from the tense state. I felt comfortable again, my face a bright smile.

Only Damien could do that, make me feel a wide range of emotions in a span of ten seconds.

I think now he's turning me bipolar.

"So about the ball this Friday..." I continue.

"What about it? Can you not come?" A flash of panic spread across his face but was soon replaced with nothingness.

"Yes, I can come. I just wanted to ask a small favor." I drag off.

"Which is..." he trails on.

"CanItake two extrapeople withme?" I ask quickly.

"What did you just say? Now I'm really questioning if you speak another language, just like that first time we met-" I stop him by smacking his chest. He smiles down at me, his eyes joyful.

"I said- can I take two extra people with me."

"It depends on who. But I have a pretty big guess who those two people are." He pulls me a little closer to our dance. I didn't exactly notice it, he did it so secretly.

"Mhm- I don't think you can."

"Bet." He smiles down at me.

"How much?" I knew who he was going to guess, and he knew that I knew. I just wanted to see what how it was going to play out.

"A kiss."

"A... kiss. You're not kidding this time."

"I'll let you off the hook sweet cheeks. A kiss on the cheek or lips now, your choice." He winks down at me. That's when I fully noticed how tightly pressed against each other we were, twirling; dancing around in circles. It was as if the floor was speaking to me now, I didn't have to look down at my feet.

"Well I know you know who-so I'm not going to bet." I hold my ground.

"Then it's a fee."

"A fee? Really? For two people to come to your ball." I roll my eyes.

"I can make it two kisses- one for each person-"

"No-no, one is perfectly fine."

"Good." He smiles down at me,"Well?"

"Well, what?" I give him a confused scowl.

"Get on with it." He looks down at me, the blue-gray eyes twinkling with delight and mischief.

"Well, you didn't say when. I can do it anytime I want." I state with my own smirk.

He glares down at me," That's not fair. I wanted a kiss now." His lip pouts out and his eyes hold such an innocent and adorable notion.

"The ball, I'll give you a kiss at the ball... if you can find me."

"That's right... it's a masquerade ball." He smirks down at me, liking the challenge.

He's always loved challenges as long as I've known him so far. If you give him one, he'll take it.

So basically me; I'm a challenge he can't seem to overcome and beat.

"So here's the deal. You find me at the ball, and I'll give you a kiss."

"What if I don't find you?" He questions.

"Then no kiss, nor no dance with me," I smirk up at him.

"My little Annalise playing the game, huh. I guess you're finally learning, aren't you?" He smiles, his teeth barely showing through.

"Only from the best."

" I know how to find you. This will be easy."

"Oh? How do, enlighten me Darius of Deltora."

" Your eyes. Your eyes are a brilliant blue-green, a color that only suits you and stands out in a crowd of people." He was completely serious and dark as he said that statement; his eyes boring into mine, explaining the color as he was looking into them. "That's how I will find you. Either that or I'll go around poking peoples stomachs and seeing their reaction."

" I don't think it would be so proper for the Prince to go around poking peoples stomachs." I giggle," Some might just get the wrong impression, don't you think?"

He smiles down at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief,"Well that's why I have to find you first. Won't I?"