When The Gold Is Gone ✔ ~ trixya

Chapter 11: And So The World Made Sense

"So Beatrice, has the ball been as bad as you expected?" The Prince asked with a teasing smile.

They had been together all evening, the Prince even insisting on having all of Trixie's dances for the night, something she had greatly enjoyed. It was as if she was living in a parallel universe, where all the harsh words and judgmental stares had been exchanged for flirtatious remarks and gazes filled with adoration. Her heart had been beating quickly all evening, and not just because of the dancing. 

"Hmmm... you know, I actually quite enjoyed it. You might say someone made me forget all about how tired I was." She responded, a small giggle escaping her.

"Oh really, whoever could that be?" 

"Well, I'm not certain, but I think it may have been the handsome prince who's been by my side all evening." Trixie said, letting the Prince escort her out to the garden.

The music and chatter gradually grew weaker as they walked away from the castle, the serene silence of midnight surrounding them instead. Trixie looked towards the Prince, gazed at how the moonlight hit his profile. She had never felt so drawn to a man before, never truly paying any real attention to any of them. But now she felt entranced by Alexej's clear blue eyes, fascinated by the way they at times looked to be as green as the grass beneath their feet, and spell-bound by his plump, soft lips, unable to stop herself from imagining how they would feel against her own.

"Handsome, huh?" 

"Yes, very handsome." Trixie admitted, blushing a little. "How about you? Did you find the evening bearable?"

"I believe it to be one of the best nights of my life." The Prince said, stepping closer making Trixie's pulse speed up further. "Only one thing could make it better." 

"And what would that be?"

"You allowing me to kiss you. Not because we're betrothed, not because you feel obligated to, but simply because you wish for me to kiss you." Alexej said. 

There was a sadness in his voice, some sort of heaviness which Trixie could not fully understand. He somehow sounded desperate for her to grant him his request, as if he was asking for air so he could breathe. And somehow Beatrice then felt as if she would never breathe again unless she felt his kiss, as if his touch was her life force.

"Will you? Allow it?" The Prince asked.

"Yes." Trixie replied breathlessly.

And then his lips were on hers, the touch feather-light at first, just barely there. Then the pressure increased, an arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her close. His lips moved against her, sucking slightly now and then. She mimicked his motions without hesitation, eager to reciprocate the kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him impossibly closer. It was as if her body was on fire, burning with the most pleasurable flame, her stomach filling with butterflies and small sparks seeming to occur wherever the man touched her. 

A gentle breeze was blowing around them, but inside they felt waves crashing, throwing them together in a sea of need. Trixie felt as if the whole world came to her in that moment, as if she was receiving the most beautiful gift that anyone could give. All doubts washed away and suddenly she felt entirely sure that this was where she belonged. Any questions that still remained could be answered in time, she thought, for this was surely where she was meant to be.

Here in Alexej's arms, here she felt at home.

For so long she had thought that she would never know love, only friendship if she was lucky. But surely no one could kiss like that without loving the person in their arms?
Even if it was just in it's early bloom still?
It would have to be love, would it not?

Or perhaps this was just what kissing felt like?
Perhaps she was simply too young and naive, too inexperienced to know and recognize love?

No, surely he had to love her.
Right?

Alexej eventually pulled away, ending their magical moment. It was only then that the Princess realized how improper their behavior had been. Nobility should not participate in such foolish actions, and yet she could not make herself feel regret. Even though her father would certainly have shamed her and given her a purity lesson, she did not for a second regret allowing Alexej's advances.

"That was... wonderful." She whispered instead.

"It was, quite wonderful." Alexej replied, his eyes sparkling with a tenderness and care that Beatrice had never seen before.

Suddenly voices could be heard close by, and Beatrice was reminded of how damaging it could be to her reputation should someone see her in the garden alone with a man at that hour. Even if they were to be married, rumors could start, and she would surely be the one to suffer for them. 

"It is getting late, I must head to bed. But thank you for a lovely evening, Your Highness." She told the Prince, curtsying quickly before rushing off. 

Left behind stood a slightly confused Prince, staring in awe at the girl who he was craving to have back in his arms. And once he was certain she could no longer hear him, he whispered three words to the wind passing by;

"Thank you, Trixie."