I went to bed at once upon returning from the ball, for I was exceedingly weary. Yet sleep would not come. My thoughts were wholly occupied with what Aaron had said.
How am I to escape? Will Henry aid me? Or... should I trust Leo?
More than an hour passed, and still I lay awake. At last, unable to endure it, I rose and made my way to the training grounds.
The house was silent—every soul asleep.
When I reached the field, I found Leo already there.
Does he truly wait for me every night?
He rose as I approached."Princess, I did not expect you this evening."
"Good evening, Sir Leo," I said, taking my place beneath the tree where he had been seated.
"And how was the ball? Did you enjoy it?"
"Not in the least. It was tiresome—nothing but false smiles and empty courtesies."
He gave a soft chuckle. "As I thought. Many gentlemen must have sought your hand for a dance, I suppose?"
"None dared," I replied lightly. "Though I suspect it was fear of the Duke. Yet... your half-brother did ask."
His expression hardened at once. "You danced with Elijah?"
"I did. And I did not like him."At that, the tension left him, as though a weight had been lifted.
"Of course," he said with a smirk, "I am far more handsome than he."
"In truth... you are," I answered simply. "You are more... manly."
He blinked, clearly taken aback, and—most curiously—he blushed.
"Thank you."
I could not help but find it amusing.
"Did you meet the Northerners?" he asked after a moment.
"Yes. The Chancellor's grandson even asked me to dance."
"So, only men of high standing for you. How impressive, Princess."
I laughed. "It would seem so. Even Henry."
I noticed then that he did not much care for that answer.
We spoke idly for some time, until at last I asked,
"Tell me of your mother... if you do not mind."
He fell silent for a while. I thought he would refuse—but then he spoke.
"My mother... was a fool."I did not expect such harshness.
"She loved the King," he continued, his voice low. "Truly loved him. And she believed—against all reason—that he loved her in return. She waited for him... all her life."
"And... he never came?"
He gave a faint, bitter smile. "She died still believing he would."
My heart ached at his words.
"How old were you when she passed?"
"Fifteen."
"Did the King know of you? And how did you come into the Duke's service?"
"After her death, I joined a mercenary guild. Learned the sword. At nineteen, the Duke found me. The King had told him... and so I was taken in."
"What a kind heart the King must possess," I said dryly.
He gave me a look, half amused, half sad. "Indeed."
"Then why have I never seen you before?"
"I was away on a mission."
"What sort of mission?"
He smirked. "That, Princess, is a secret."
I rolled my eyes."Very well. I shall retire. Good night, Sir Leo."
"Must you be so formal?" he asked.
"I shall consider it."He chuckled softly. "Sweet dreams, Princess."
----------------------------------------------
"Holy shit... this is a nice hotel."I stood in the middle of the room, turning slowly, taking everything in.
"I'm so glad I came."
"Yeah," David said, smiling. "I'm glad I joined this company."
"Promise me," I said, pointing at him, "every time they send you somewhere for a conference, you take me with you. I could never afford a place like this in my entire life."
I jumped onto the bed and sank into it."Oh my God, David—you have to try this. It's so soft. I could sleep here for years."
He came and lay beside me."OH MY GOD... yeah, this is the best bed I've ever laid on."
His phone rang."Hi... yeah, I'll be down in a minute."
I sighed. "You're leaving already?"
"I know," he said, standing up. "But just four hours, then I'm all yours."He messed up my hair.
"Hey!"
He laughed. "See you later, Julies."
"See ya."
We were only here for two days. Next week, my master's classes would start , and David would begin working full-time. No more random trips like this.
I stretched."I'll just take a little nap..."
"Seriously, Julia? You slept the whole time?!"
I woke up completely disoriented.
"Come on, get dressed. We're having dinner downstairs. I'm taking a quick shower."
I looked outside—it was dark."Oh my God... I actually did."
I jumped up."Do I need to wear something fancy?"
"Yeah!" he shouted. "Unless you want everyone to know you're a poor college student."
"Is my black dress okay? I only brought two—the black and the purple."He stepped out with a towel around his waist.
"The black one. It's more elegant."
I trusted his taste.I put on light makeup—mascara, blush, lipstick I knew I'd probably eat before we even got there.
I left my hair down, still curled from earlier.The dress was simple—off-shoulder, black, elegant, ending just above my knees. I wore flat shoes.Yes, I know. Heels would've been better. I hate them.
"Okay... how do I look?"
He looked at me for a moment."Wow. You look elegant."
"You too."At the restaurant, he said, "Order whatever you want. My treat."
"Oh really?" I smiled.
"Then I'm ordering the most expensive dish."
"Hey—don't go that far."We laughed.
After dinner, we went out to explore the city.
It was alive—people everywhere.He spotted a bar."Come on. One drink."
"Ugh... fine. One."It wasn't a cheap place. Quiet. Refined. Slow music.David ordered beer.I ordered soda.The bartender looked shocked.Apparently, people here drank brandy and scotch and... whatever else fancy people drink.
At the bar, we sat beside one another, drinks in hand.
"So," I said, turning slightly toward him, "how was the conference?"
"Boring," he answered flatly.
I laughed. "Of course it was."I took a sip of my soda, then added, "Oh, by the way... was it Suzan? Or Jane?—was she alright with me coming on this trip?"
"It's Jane," he said casually. "And we broke up."
I blinked at him. "Seriously? You never stay with a girl for more than two months. What's wrong this time?"
He shrugged, as though it meant nothing. "I don't know. She got too clingy... and I got bored."
I stared at him for a moment, then shook my head."Unbelievable. If reincarnation is real, you're coming back as a toilet brush."
He burst out laughing.
"Hey, take it easy on me. I'm not that bad."
"Not that bad?" I raised an eyebrow.
He leaned slightly closer, scanning the room with that familiar look."Oh—look over there, Julia. That girl... she's hot, right?"
I followed his gaze.A blonde woman sat alone, her tan skin glowing under the dim light, her red dress hugging every curve.
I sighed. "Yes. She is."
"Let's go over," he said immediately. "She's alone—we should keep her company."
I shot him a look. "Absolutely not."
"Come on, Julies," he pleaded dramatically. "I just went through a breakup. My heart is shattered. I need healing."
I rolled my eyes. "You're unbelievable."He grinned. "Just this once. I'll owe you."
I sighed deeply. "Fine. But you go. I'm staying here."
He laughed and stood up. "Deal."
Fifteen minutes later, David came back.
"Julies... she invited me to her place."
I stared at him."You're seriously ditching me?"
"Please... I'll make it up to you tomorrow."
"Fine. Go. Your points dropped by like a hundred."He kissed my cheek. "You're the best."And he left.
I sat alone, sipping my soda.
Then I noticed him.
He stood out without trying.
Late thirties, maybe early forties. Salt-and-pepper hair. Tan skin. Elegant. Calm. Controlled.
I was staring.
And then—
He looked back.
I immediately looked away.
Shit.
But I saw it.
That small chuckle.
Then he stood.
And started walking toward me.
Oh no.
I stared down at my drink.
He sat beside me and ordered a scotch.
The music shifted.
"Dance Me to the End of Love."
"I like this song," he said, his voice deep, smooth, effortlessly commanding. "Would you dance with me, Miss...?"
"Julia," I said softly. "You?"
''James.''
He gave me a slow, confident smile.
"So, Julia... would you grant me the honor of this dance?"
I hesitated only a second before placing my hand in his.
He led me gently—but with quiet authority.
One hand at my waist, the other holding mine. Firm. Assured. Close.
Closer than I expected.
I gasped softly.
He chuckled—a low, masculine sound that sent a strange warmth through me.
He didn't speak again.
He didn't need to.
His gaze held mine, steady and unreadable. Like he saw more than I was showing... and wasn't in a hurry to look away.
I forgot the room. The music. Everything.
Even myself.
I wasn't a good dancer.
But he guided me effortlessly.
Every step felt natural.
When the song ended, I almost felt... disappointed.
He led me to a table.
"So," he said calmly, "what brings you here? Pleasure... or business?"
"Vacation. My friend is here for work. I just came along."
"And yet... he leaves you alone."
I laughed lightly. "Yeah... something like that."
"Then perhaps," he said, leaning slightly closer, his voice softer now, "the evening has corrected itself."
I felt my cheeks burn.
"Are you from here?" I asked.
"Yes. Though not for long. I've accepted a position elsewhere."
"What do you do?"
"I'm a psychiatrist."
Of course he is.
"What about you?"
"I'm starting my master's in education next week."
"A final escape, then," he said. "You should make the most of it."
"I guess I am now."
He smiled.
"Then allow me to ensure you do."
The night felt unreal.
We walked through a beautiful park, wandered the old town, shared ice cream like we'd known each other for years.
He made me feel... seen.
Special.
Not like a girl tagging along.
But like I belonged there.
When we reached the hotel—
"I truly enjoyed tonight, Julia."
"Me too."
He stepped closer.
Slow.
Intentional.
His hand found mine.
His breath brushed my face—cool, minty.
My heart raced.
He leaned in.
Our lips touched—softly at first.
A small sound escaped me before I could stop it.
He murmured something in a foreign language.
Then the kiss deepened.
Confident.
Controlled.
Like he knew exactly what he was doing.
Like he knew exactly what I felt.
When we pulled apart, his forehead rested against mine.
"Forgive me," he said softly. "I should not have..."
"It's okay," I whispered. "It was...a perfect first kiss."
He looked genuinely surprised.
'Oh no... why did I say that out loud...'
"I'm honored," he said quietly, "to be your first."
God.
He's dangerous.
"It's late," he said. "You should rest. May I have your number?"
I gave it to him.
And then I went upstairs feeling like I was floating.
Until I froze.
I never took his number.
Never asked where he was going.
I fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"God... I'm an idiot."
Then I sighed.
"Whatever."
A small smile crept in despite myself.
"It was a good night."
And maybe...
That was enough.