Writers POV

The painter is a healer of the self and others, for their art is a story told in the foundational languages of the brain - in emotion, in visual dream-language. And so their painting is societal medicine and the reason we are so drawn to art becomes ever more obvious. The painting is the artists' soul upon the canvas, a story of colors and rising hope. Every painting is a story of healing, of seeking "love-tings" and "comfort-tings."

They have been roaming around the museum this whole evening and for the first time, she talked so much with him. She's been explaining what the paintings meant to her, how she saw them, how those paintings spoke of life. He saw the spark in her eyes, the ghost smile on her lips, and the calmness of her posture. He loved when he could hold her close and she didn't push him away. He doesn't know if she was just distracted by the paintings or she actually didn't mind him holding her close, either way, he was happy. Inside he felt like a juvenile whose crush just confessed her love for him. He's glad that he choose the Louvre Museum for their first date.

They stood in front of 'The Raft of the Medusa'. It is not recommended for those of a sensitive disposition because it is so realistic but that doesn't faze her, she has seen worst. The painting depicts the survivors and casualties of the Medusa shipwreck. They call for help to save their lives when they see an outline of a ship at the distance. They were trying to survive through the next minute, waiting and crying for help when they see an outline of a ship more like an outline of hope. She felt the painting speak to her! She felt so in relate with the survivors who were begging for help. She felt as though she was seeing her life in a form of painting. She was too after all someone who was begging for help. Begging for a way out of this life, for someone to save her from the wreck of fate! To pull her out from the deep hole of wrecked havoc. Two strong warm hands hugged her from behind and rested their chin on her shoulder. His action pulls her back from her thoughts. This was it! Her outline of a ship, of hope, of light! He was the person who can truly save her, help her out of the hands of the wrecked fate. He has been nothing but kind, loving, and warm to her. Even if he took her against her will, he has been nothing but loving towards her. Maybe, just maybe she could try and open up to him. Maybe he won't throw her away, maybe he won't use her for his befits, and maybe for the first time in her life, he would be someone to care for her. She turned her head slightly and saw hope! She saw nothing but endless hope in his blue orbs and the sweet smile on his lips.

When they got out of the Louvre, the evening was casting her dusky gown, and the air was fresh and restful, the time of joyful reflection had arrived. For in the achievements of the day are a form of self-pride that warms the soul, that is a sense of happiness. Her hand was held protectively in his warm ones. She stood there for a few moments enjoying the warm breeze and he couldn't help but admire how gorgeous she appeared in the dusky warm glow of nature. She looked at him with a soft smile playing on her face and he smiled back. He leaned in and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead and she closed her eyes in contentment. He took a step back smiled again. A sleek black car stopped in front of them and he pulled her toward the car.

"Come," he said opening the door and helped her in the car. They didn't talk the whole ride, she only looked at him with questioning eyes once which he answered with a reassuring smile.

As the city was slowly falling in the darkness of night, they crossed the Seine in silence. Without the traffic, they walked right down the center of the street, and not far away lay The Eiffel Tower, like a skeleton of metal projecting up into a sky that was rapidly becoming blue. An evening like this in the middle of the monsoon should be cloudy, misty at the least, but in contrast to their mood, it looked determined to be a story-book perfect day in Paris with the warm dusk. Standing at the base looking up she can truly say she never appreciated its size when she's been here before. The legs are as far apart as any average town plaza and the metal is dull. Moving towards the elevator Aiden held her hand in his, he pressed a floor number button and the elevator door closed taking them up gradually. Through the glass, she could see the grass lawn and benches filled with couples, families, and people sitting alone with wine in hand enjoying the blissful evening and watching the sunset with a promise to bring light and hope tomorrow. The elevator door opened up to a beautiful restaurant filled with people. The interior was simple with white dominating and simple flower arrangements and plain but luxurious furnitures. It was bright and airy with a perfect view of the city and the setting sun.

"Bonsoir Monsieur. Bienvenue chez Jules Verne. Comment puis-je vous aider cette belle soirée?" The woman in the reception asked them with a smile.

"Bonsoir, j'avais une réservation," Aiden replied bringing Ariel closer with his hand resting on her waist.

"Sous quel nom, monsieur?"

"Aiden Dalton." He gave her his name and the receptionist nodded and began typing on the screen in front of her. Soon after, she looked up and began leading them into the restaurant.

"Bien sûr, s'il vous plaît venez par ici." She showed them to their table in the restaurant's corner, where they would have enough privacy and a view of the beautiful city of Paris.

"Bon dîner, monsieur, madame," she said. Aiden and Ariel thanked her, and she walked away with a smile and a nod.

Aiden drew a chair for her, and she sat with a small thank you and Aiden went around to sit on the chair in front of her.

They stood there watching the sunset and the city slowly fade into darkness.

"Glad we could watch the sunset from here," Aiden said as he turned to face Ariel. "Yeah, it was gorgeous."

"Bonsoir, je suis Gustav et je vais vous servir ce soir." A waiter greeted them and handed them menus.

"Je serai là pour prendre vos commandes quand vous serez prêt." He then walked away. They sat there silently admiring the view and deciding what to order, but it was becoming awkward, so Ariel spoke up.

"Have you ever visited here before?"

"Ah yeah, a few times....for business." He replied, startled, and turned away from her looking back at the menu as if to hide himself from her eyes. She frowned at his sudden strangeness but chose not to say anything. So she just hummed and looked at the menu in front to just decide something to order.

He cleared his throat after a few moments and asked, "Have you been here before?" She gave him a brief look and replied,

"Yes. For..." she turned to face him and said,

"...work."

"You used to work?"

"Well, I had a life before you decided to kidnap me you know." She placed her hand on the table and rested her chin on her palm. The barely visible cheerfulness on his face was gone now overcast by a gloomy shadow. He sighed and said in a serious manner

"I'm sorry, I truly am. I know I shouldn't have taken you away from your life like that but you have to understand that I couldn't help it. I waited for you, searched for you for so long, and when you finally showed up and then run away I couldn't think of anything other than taking you back what's mine." He hoped to see a pissed-off face in front of him but what he actually saw was the opposite. She had a small smile on her face and was listening to him intensely.

"I guess I understand. I'm surprised though you didn't take a chosen and waited for so long."

"Um yeah, I-I wanted to wait. Shall we order?" She could see right through him that he was nervous to answer that, more like he didn't expect her to say that so he avoided the topic. She has been with him for a while and she can tell he was someone to never stutter, never hide nor twist the truth, and never good at lying nor he preferred to lie. Whatever the thing was she decided to talk about that later so, she nodded and Aiden called for the waiter.

Aiden attempted to strike up a conversation after the waiter had left with their orders, asking,

"Do you have any hobbies?" He inquired, and she raised an eyebrow at him

"Okay, that was a dumb question. Art of course." She let out a soft chuckle as he ran his hand through his hair

"Yes, and I have a weakness for knife throwing as well. So, how about you?"

"Hm, let's see. I enjoy archery, which my grandfather taught me when I was a child. But I have to say that painting and knife throwing are two completely different things."

"Well, knife throwing is an art form in and of itself, so I think they complement each other quite well."

"You are correct in that regard."

When the warm food was served, they continued to talk and laugh among themselves while dining peacefully. As the night grew darker, revealing the brightest stars among the full moon, two friends finally got to know each other and became closer. Giving in to fate's and destiny's wishes. Only if the night could stop and she could smile and laugh softly at the few silly things he'd say forever. Oh, how he wishes he could stay in this exact moment with her forever and ever. She had no idea she could have such a beautiful night with someone. She never imagined she'd be lucky or blessed enough to have this opportunity. Only if fate could be so forgiving and merciful to her. But alas, it was the seventh and final night of the time she was given. But how can she do such a thing to the one person who may be the only person who cares about her? The only person who might have feelings for her. The Goddess's only blessing she ever received. The only person meant for her to love and cherish, to protect and to be with. No way, she could ever do such a thing! She may suffer immense pain as a result of this night, but she will not succumb to the monster's wishes. She is going to hold on to the one thing meant for her.

Under a perfect midnight velvet sky, with stars so bright they drew the gaze heavenward. They were enjoying each other's company while sitting on the perfectly mowed grass of the Eiffel Tower. She sat under the starry sky with him lying beside her, his chin resting on his hand. While she stars gazed, he gazed at her; why would he look elsewhere when she is sitting in all her grace in front of him? She felt his gaze on her and turned her head to look into his perched blue eyes. He smiled, and she returned his smile.

"Thank you for the evening." She said

"I'm glad," He sat up and leaned in closer to her. His gaze moved from her eyes to her lips, as did hers. If only the devil would stay away from them! She felt the soul-crushing pain, but it was much worse than she had experienced countless times before. Her beasts howled in pain inside her as a scream of agony escaped her lips and she collapsed in his arms. She was falling in the arms of darkness slowly, everything was blurry, she could see his lips moving he yelling something to her. But she heard nothing, she felt him picking up her bridal style and start running. The last thing she remembers before falling to darkness was his panicked face and the light of the portal.

________________________________________

I finished a few chapters so here is an early update. Well, that was an eventful date. Don't you think? Trouble keeps following them everywhere they go. Maybe that's a price you have to pay for being an Assassin and a Crown Prince. And I know nothing of French, I used Google Translate so do point out my mistakes. I hope you guys are enjoying my writing, please do point out my mistakes so that I can correct and improve them. Happy reading 💗

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