The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

Another Admirer

Lucius whistled to himself as drove his silver Aston Martin to the polo field. Valentina was in the car next to him; she was going to watch him play and he was over the moon about it. Nothing could go wrong for the king; he knew he was the best on the field and finally, he could show it off. In his fantasies, he had hoped that they would sneak off for some privacy during one of the breaks but Lucius was sure that will happen in the near future. Valentina was still on edge about the engagement and he didn’t want to wreck the friendliness that flourished in the sitting room.

He smiled to himself as he remembered how she fingered the ancient harp that once belonged to his great-grandmother. He must’ve sighed happily and loudly because Valentina looked at him and unable to contain her laughter, she doubled over. His smile turned into a grin when she played the Vladonov family song; a song she admitted to practice the minute she found out that she was betrothed to him. He had looked sadly away for a second; Rebekah Vladonov once played that song on a regular basis.

Once at the field, Lucius parked his car and guided Valentina to her seat. He knew she will be happy today when she found out who will be his teammates, which was within seconds, as Derrick, Darim and Zach rounded the corners. Seeing Darim now, Lucius still did not understand why the Sultan was not depressed or even annoyed with Lucius for stealing Valentina away. When he questioned it, the Sultan sighed heavily and said, “Let’s just say that I’ve been preparing to lose her for a few years now to you, Lucius. When a man does that, it doesn’t hurt as much when he finally loses her.”

“Derrick, what are you doing here?” Valentina asked suspiciously then she looked around and saw Vladius, Elizabetha, Anastasia and Radius making their way towards her.

“Why, didn’t Lucius tell you? We’re his teammates”, answered Derrick. “I’m 1.”

“4”, added Zach.

“2”, said Darim with a grin while he cracked his knuckles. “I haven’t done this in ages.”

“3”, said Lucius.

“How ironic!” Derrick said with a smirk. “Valentina and Vladius always played as number 3. It is almost prophetical.”

“You also play?” Lucius asked with amusement. No females that he had ever known played polo or even enjoy it. This was a first and it was his fiancée. Lucius smiled with pride.

“And she was the best in school and university. Captain both times too”, Vladius added proudly as he settled himself down next to Valentina. Lucius smiled widely. So was I, Lucius thought to himself but if he knew well, Valentina would’ve known that already.

“Well, it’s nothing to being national champion, isn’t it Lucius?” Valentina looked up at him in admiration and Lucius found himself weak on the knees. There was silence for a second as he looked at Valentina and she looked at him. However, the spell that settled on them broke when Derrick coughed and said that they should be off to the change room to get ready.  

Walking out of the change room to their tent, Lucius was adjusting his leather gloves with Darim doing the same alongside him.

“Who are we playing against?” Darim asked absent-mindedly.

“Spain”, answered Lucius and Derrick at the same time. Darim stopped in his tracks, which made Lucius turn around at his friend.

“Truly?” Darim asked with laughter in his eyes that made Lucius suspicious.

“Yes”

“Well, my friend”, Darim said gleefully as he clapped Lucius on the back. “This will be quite interesting and if my suspicions are right, so will tomorrow.” When Lucius questioned his friend about it, the Sultan shook his head and told him to be patient. Lucius hated when people tell him to do that.