With Love, Always

Chapter 3

"Charlotte... Charlotte!" 

I snap out of my train of thought as my eyes leave Julius and meet Jackson instead.

"Yes! My apologies Jackson I lost my train of thought what where you saying?" I say.

"Just how you look beautiful tonight, is everything alright?" He asks.

"Yes, thank you for your concern but everything is okay. Let's dance yes?"

He holds out his arm and I interlock mine through his as we walk to the dance floor. I don't feel nervous anymore. Maybe it was just me being nervous about entering with Jackson. The song is about to start and as I start dancing with Jackson my eyes roam the room. 

There's Prince Julius again, speaking to a girl of course. What more can I expect from someone who goes from lady to lady. Especially when he's wanted by almost every lady here. 'Oh he's so handsome and charming' 'He's the first born son of the King of Theodora' 'Such a gentleman' 'So mature and well spoken' It's all I heard around me. I'm so tired of the same things being said about him for years! Where's this Julius they speak off? I only know a rude, spoiled, and intolerable Julius. I still remember the first day we met at our first ball together, we were 12 and he stepped on my dress so I'd trip. It infuriated me.

Before I know it the song ended and I told Jackson I was going outside for some air. He has his own fangirls I would hate to keep him from them. 

It's so pretty outside but I can still hear the laughter from inside. If it was silent it would remind me of the waterfall I found in the forest. I never did go back with some greens for the bunny. I'll have to visit tomorrow. 

There's a maze here at the palace. It's kind of like my own tradition to come outside and go through the maze at these events. 

I'm 3 minutes deep into the maze when I hear the footsteps, I think of it as a game and start going further into the maze as to not be seen by the other person here. Once I reach a two way path I stop running and realize. I'm lost.

I usually have a set path I take in this maze but running off has led me to this unfortunate predicament. 

I have to get back before they notice I'm gone. Oh no, my brother... he'll start a search party if he realizes I'm not there. 

I still hear the footsteps too, they're getting close to my direction but I don't know where they're coming from. 

"You'll regret hurting me! I wouldn't do it!" I yell in hopes it scares off this person. 

"Yeah I'm not sure hurting you is what I'll be doing Charlotte." He says.

"Prince Julius? Did you follow me here?" I ask. 

"Maybe, but I wouldn't call being in the maze at the same time as you following" He says. 

"Well we should get back, we can't be seen alone who knows what kind of rumors will spread" I say as an excuse because this awkward tension between us is suffocating me.

"I see you brought a toy with you this time" He says with a low look on his face as he's stepping closer to me.

"Yes, I suppose I wanted to win a bet" I said stepping back but hitting a wall of the maze. I really don't know where I'm at I can't just run. 

"So what do you want in return for your win?" He keeps stepping towards me.

"Knowing I won is enough for me, thank you" I say as he steps so close to me we can hear our breathing. My heart is pounding I've never gotten this close to anyone. 

"I'm tired of making bets" He says locking eyes with mine. What does he mean? I stay quiet.

"Charlotte do you know what happens to us in a year from now? We start being married off, I'm sure you have a line of suitors as do I." He says. 

"I suppose since that's how the world we live in works. Why are you stating the obvious?" I ask. I'm confused the most Julius and I have talked is when we're arguing with each other and making fun of each other. But right now he's speaking to me like a normal person.

"Forget about it, let's get back to the ball where I can trip you in public." He smirks and starts walking the way he came from. 

So. Confused. But nonetheless I follow him back. 

Once we get back Julius asks me for a dance, I accept but he's acting so weird. 

The music starts and my eyes don't roam the room as they usually do while dancing, they lock with his eyes instead. Hazel. He has hazel eyes. I study his face as I've never really given it a second thought. He is handsome. I see why people say he's charming too, it's not anything he says or does he just gives off the attitude of a king. Intimidating but calming. He looks at me in a longing way, what does he long for so much he looks sad? I give him the same look though, I long for a man who can make me feel the way I feel right now. 

The thing about Julius is that he doesn't treat me like a delicate flower like everyone else. He looks at me like a wealthy opponent. And I thank him for that though I'll never say it to his face. And that's how I spent my night, eyes locked with his as if it was a staring contest, no speaking our eyes told the story of what our hearts felt that night.