Saving Her Kingdom

♡ Chapter 36

Elisa's and Michelle's ballgowns ^^

Chapter 36

Johnathan led me to the dancefloor, and we took our positions.

"So, Lady Anna. May I call you Anna?", he asked, while the music of a waltz began.

I looked at him surprised. Ah, yes. Louis had warned me about the inappropriate comments. "Um, alright, you can," I replied and raised an eyebrow at him, "But will you let me call you John?"

He seemed delighted at that request. "Of course!" Then he smiled at me flirtatiously, "Did it hurt?"

I shook my head, confused. "What?"

"When you fell from heaven?"

I blinked. He smiled and squeezed my hand lightly. Then, I processed his question. I tried very hard to keep myself from bursting out laughing, and pressed my lips tightly together, a smile slipping on them. It wasn't very ladylike to laugh out loud. I looked at him, his eyes shining brightly, and decided to play along. "No?"

"So, you really did? Then I'm not surprised you're so beautiful that you shine brighter than the sun."

I had to give it to him. He was really trying. But this time I couldn't help myself. I lowered my head, chuckling uncontrollably. "You are really trying, are you?"

He laughed, and smiled carelessly. "You're worth the effort."

I giggled again. He would really make a pair with... no, stop! my subconscious reminded me, he's still your enemy! But he seemed really harmless, compared to the other members of his family. I decided to investigate the matter further, since I had the chance. Perhaps, I could try to find out more about his bond with his cousins and uncle.

"Do you often do that?", I enquired.

"What? Flirting?", he smiled, seeming a bit shy all of a sudden.

I nodded, "Yes."

"I try, when I get the chance," he shrugged.

I looked up at him questioningly. "Haven't you asked Louis or Jacob for advises?"

He shook his head, his eyes quickly flashing with pain, although he masked it immediately. "No, I don't see them often."

"Oh, why is that?", I carefully masked my expectations.

"They don't have much time for me. They are constantly busy with a lot of things they keep me out from," he said with a hint of frustration. So that answered my suspicion about him not being involved in the politics.

"Maybe it's for your own good," I told him.

He paused and nodded thoughtfully, "Maybe that's the reason. But it gets frustrating. They treat me like a kid, when in reality, I'm not that young anymore. I can handle their discussions and have my own opinions."

"Tell me John, how old are you?"

"Seventeen. I'll be eighteen in a few months."

I looked up at him in his eyes, detecting a vulnerability at my judgment he was trying not to show.

"John, your cousins are eight years older than you, and you are the last one born in your family," I explained to him gently, "So, of course you have matured to a young man, but they certainly can't help but keep you out of the things they wouldn't want you to know. What if there are dangerous matters they discuss? Not being involved means be protected. Sometimes, you have to accept that ignorance is a bliss, and trust that your family wants the best for you," I finished, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly.