I hate him.
I hate him, I hate him, I hate him.
I hate him.
Maybe he was right...
No, I hate him.
Hate is too weak of a word to describe the feelings I have towards Nicholas. I despise him.
And now I was going to a ball with him.
I had to show him my power. Show him that the last thing I am is "scared."
I had just the perfect dress.
The dress itself was a simple royal blue strapless gown. The dramatic aspect was in the cape that fell across my shoulders and dropped to the floor. Whoever he thought himself to be, he was nothing in comparison to me. When we walk into the ballroom together, all eyes would go to me and the power in my stance. He would pale out. This dress was perfect.
♛♛♛
"You look beautiful," Nicholas said when he arrived to accompany me to the ball.
"I'm aware," I replied. I never understood why girls often denied that they looked good when they did. It was degrading to oneself to do so and simply stupid. Why should a girl lower herself in the eyes of others instead of being openly confident in her beauty?
"I'd like to apologize for my harsh words yesterday."
"Then apologize."
"I'm sorry."
"Good."
"That's all you have to say?"
"What else would you like me to say?" I asked cluelessly.
"That you're sorry too."
"But I'm not. Unlike you, the words that escape my mouth are calculated. I don't feel the need to take them back."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Believe what you'd like. It does not change the truth."
"That's fair. You're ready?"
"Of course," I said, taking his hand and walking into the ballroom. I walked with confidence and grace. I pity any other girl in the room.
Upon arrival, Nicholas and I traveled to the center of the room and began to dance.
"You truly feel nothing?" he said, bringing his lips to my ear. His body was so close to mine that I could feel the heat radiating off of him. I rolled my eyes. He's done this before at least twice now.
"No, nothing." Liar.
"Nothing?" He leaned closer.
"Nothing." Liar, liar, liar.
A loud gasp escaped from the crowd. The orchestra stopped playing and everyone turned to see a young girl, around my age, lying on the ground with a knife in her body. Blood spilled all across the floor.
Nicholas grabbed my hand and began leading me out the door. I did not have time to process what was happening until we were standing in a room I did not recognize.
"They struck again," he said. "This must have been the reason for their meeting in the library last night."
"Where are we?" I asked, looking around. There were knives and swords lining the walls.
"The weaponry room. Do you know how to use any of these?"
"Only the daggers. My mother taught me."
"Take a few. You might need these."
"Why?"
"Because that woman was you."
"What?"
"We wanted to know what the rebels wanted from you, so we spread word that you are here, and dressed a maid in noble clothes and made people believe she was you. Subtlety, of course. Just for the sake of protection."
"That dead woman was supposed to be me? Why?"
"Because you may be the future queen."
"But I won't be!"
"The public does not know that."
I did not know what to say. I was supposed to be dead.
"Your quarters will be moved across from mine and there will be guards to accompany you everywhere."
"Alright."
"Now, let's see how well you know how to use these," he said, taking out a pair of throwing daggers.
YOU ARE READING
Catch
Fantasy"You know this is a game." He took a step towards me. "I know. I'm playing it too," he whispered into my ear. "So let's play," I said just as seductively. I leaned in until our lips were nearly touching. His eyes grew dark as they drifted to my lip...
