Life From Your Lips (Ruby Rose fanfic)

SIXTEEN (Iselen POV)

"Ruby, this is ridiculous..."

"What? No, it's not, this is funny and romantic... I'm funny and romantic and you should be grateful because I'm the love of your life." The princess complains angrily fixing her bow tie while staring at her reflection in a mirror with golden frame and I nod.

"I'm grateful, I'm lucky because I've found you... twice. But you don't need to do this in order to seduce me." I wave my hand to point at the white dress I'm wearing: dozens of tulle layers covered with golden sequins, see-through long sleeves and a deep V-neck, long skirt and a train that sweeps the oriental carpet behind me. "I don't know where you got this and it's gorgeous, seriously, but a bit too much because we look like we're going to visit the Royal Family even if we're not going anywhere..."

"We don't need to go anywhere to get dressed like this," she answers pointing at her elegant tuxedo. "This is a private ball for two. Athena has made a special dinner for us, even your favorite chocolate and cherry cake, and Tim hung all these fairy lights in the great hall, he brought flowers and found some bottles of champagne in the cellar. We have this old record player that belonged to my grandad and we're going to polish this old hardwood floor dancing all night long. Come here, Meri..."

"You're crazy... and I love you for that," I whisper smiling and putting my hand on her shoulder while she encloses my waist with her arm. "I can't dance and will step on your foot a million times, I warn you."

"Let's take off our shoes, then... Perks of being at home instead of visiting the Royal Family." Ruby laughs amused while kicking her shoes off and I do the same with my sandals. We hug each other again and swirl around the room, following the rhythm of the music clumsily, tripping over the carpet and laughing, kissing our lips... Fairy lights shine like stars reflected in her eyes and I can't help sighing, leaning my forehead on her cheek while we swing slowly. Everything is perfect and I can't help feeling concerned, wondering where the blow that will ruin it all will come from... I've never been so happy.

"I talked to my parents on the phone, I've told them that I've met someone very special..." Ruby stares at me cautiously, raising an eyebrow. "They're very happy with my new scholarship, very proud and intrigued... they'd love to meet you. I told them we're very busy working right now but we'll visit them soon in Spain."

"I think it's a great idea," the princess answers smiling, hugging me tight and spinning me around the great hall. "We can spend some days there before traveling to Egypt again. I can't wait to meet your family and friends and see the house where you grew up... We'll have fun. I'm so happy, my love, everything is so perfect..."

"I know, don't you think it's weird?" I ask grimacing.

"That again? Meri, why can't you enjoy this moment without worrying about everything? You always overthink..." A noise behind us startles us and we both turn around at the same time, Tim smiles awkwardly waiting at the door leading to the kitchen but looking at us puzzled when he realizes we're barefoot.

"I'm sorry, your phone has rung several times and Athena is on the verge of a nervous breakdown so I took the call. It was your friend, the director of the British Museum, he needs to talk to you as soon as possible..." Tim hands her the device and Ruby nods, worried. "Sorry for the interruption, I'll leave you to whatever you were doing."

"Baby, would you mind if...? Mr. Fischer wouldn't call me if it weren't important, maybe there's a problem with the presentation of my new book..."

"No, it's okay, call him to find out what's going on. I'll have a drink in the meantime and eat some of these delicious canapes Athena made for us," I answer sitting down on a chair and grabbing a glass. My girl nods and moves some steps away while I watch her closely... It's highly possible that these are the bad news I was waiting for even if I don't know what's wrong yet. Ruby paces up and down through the carpet while talking to her friend, opening her eyes surprised and frowning sometimes; luckily, she doesn't look worried but bewildered and intrigued. She gets closer to me finally and drops the phone on the table, taking a sip from her own glass, pensively. "What's wrong?"