His Girl

Chapter 11

Rachelle thought that the only way in which to win back Jackson was to look gorgeous. How very wrong she was. Not only did the Prince hate me, but I hated him, the feeling of hatred was completely mutual. I let the material fall through my hands. It was soft yet heavy. The dress was nothing like my first one, which I thought was modest and the style I personally would choose. This dress was neither of these things. The soft velvet clung to my figure, despite it hugging me in all the right places I felt extremely un comfortable. My breasts were pushed up, my waist squeezed and made tiny in comparison to the huge flowing skirt. The dress was beautiful there was no way about it, but was it me? No.
"Rachelle... I don't know I it..." I started
"Ma belle, ma belle you look gorgeous. Last time you looked pretty but we have to make you irresistible, there are going to be a lot of important people tomorrow, today was just the opening but all the challenges start tomorrow. The king is holding a feast tonight to welcome all those taking part, and you my dear must attend." Rachelle instructed with out any room for wager. I knew it would be pointless to try and get out of it, plus I was quite intrigued to see all these nobles and laugh at their false friendships, that we're all clearly put on.
I stared at my self in the mirror, my hair was piled on my head with two curls hanging down, framing my face. Rachelle hadn't done much to my face except apply some rouge to my lips and cheeks.
"Don't you think I look too over dressed?" I asked frowning at myself.
"A lady is never too over dressed, especially when one is accompanying the prince." She winked at me as if she knew a secret. I frowned at her again, I could tell I didn't like how this was going. Rachelle sighed as if she couldn't keep the secret in for long enough.
"Jackson wants you to accompany him to the feast tonight, he wants you to be at his side when he enters the hall alongside his father." Rachelle said like an excited puppy. I raised my eyebrows in both horror and shock.
"I doubt he asked me to."
"Well I sort of sprung to idea upon him, but he agreed nevertheless." Rachelle said clasping her hands together. I shook my head. The last thing I wanted was for everyone to see that I was Jacksons current play thing. I hated that boy, he thinks he can do what ever he wants with whoever he chooses just because he is the future king.
"I don't want to do that Rachelle I really don't. I thought I was going as a guest I didn't realise it was with Jackson." Rachelle frowned at me as if I was stupid.
"Darling, darling," she placed her hand on my shoulder. " you are the prince's most prized possession, every man wants to show off what they have got. You are beautiful Tania, who wouldn't want to show you off."
What was it with beauty being the only thing that counted for anything. I don't want to be thought of as the pretty thing on the prince's arm. I want to be known for me. If I didn't look the way I did now, would people still accept me. Would Jackson still claim that I was the only girl he had eyes for. Evidently not.
*
I spent the rest of the day helping George and Jimmy doing odd jobs around the castle grounds, much to Rachelle's distaste, however I promised that I would change back into the dress and attend the feast if she let me. I loved spending time with the stable hands, they were a bunch of genuine guys, who treated me as if I was one of them.
Sadly, however the evening soon drew in, meaning that I would have to go to the feast. I changed into my dress and made my way through the cold night back to the castle. As soon as a reached a close proximity to the castle I could make out the faint him of loud music, since the walls were so thick. The guards nodded at me as if to say "Your unlikely to kill anyone so we will let you in". Men clearly underestimate women, I muttered as I walked past.
I managed to find my way to Jackson's quarters. I couldn't help but feel nervous as I stood outside his door. Plucking up the courage I knocked boldly against his door. I heard a voice grumble "Come in". I pushed the door open and walked in. Jackson was leant against a table with a cup, which I guessed wasn't water, in his hand. He placed the cup on the table as he saw me come in and walked over to me. His golden blonde hair shone as it reflected the candle light. Why was it fair for a man who was so aggravating to be this good looking. It would have been so much easier had he been an ugly prince.
"I'm sorry Tania." He began as he ran his hands through his hair, tousling his hair making it look even better. "I don't know what to say, but I have never had someone go against me before. I shouldn't have snapped..." However much I was enjoying his apology I suddenly felt guilty, I had definitely done my fair share of 'snapping'.
"Look your highness, it's not your fault I am in the wrong, I stupidly went to your father and was downright rude..."
"Tania don't blame yourself, I should have told you the truth in the first place."I smiled at him. He felt bad about his actions and wanted to make amends. Deciding to clear the air I hugged him.
"What did I say about not being able to keep your hands off me." And just like that the kind, considerate prince went in a puff of smoke. I released him at once.
"I'm just teasing," he smiled. "But I don't know how I'm going to keep my hands off you if you keep wearing dresses like that." He said looking at my dress in appreciation. I slapped him on the shoulder, not sure if I meant to hurt him or was just doing it playfully.
"Apologies aside I meant what I said, I don't want to be that girl you play around with."
"Please don't tell me your still playing this 'hard to get' thing, it's getting rather tedious."
"Your highness, please just respect that I am not like the other girls in your kingdom who would all gladly sleep with you. For one I'm not a girl from your kingdom and two I don't want to."
The prince placed a hand on his heart feigning hurt, but winked at me.
"Sure, sure Tania, your my mistress remember, I can do what ever I want with you." He said pressing his forehead against mine. Smirking I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him off me.
"What ever you say your majesty, you may be the future king and all but that trick is getting rather old don't you think?" I said mockingly. Jackson shook his head laughing and then glanced towards the clock hung against the wall.
"We had better be off, I'm pretty sure you don't want to piss my father off again do you." Jackson said as he linked my arm with his and lead me out of his room.
*
I heard the blare of the trumpets. Why did this have to be so formal? Why couldn't Jackson just sit down like everyone else why did he have to walk in after everyone else had sat down?
"Don't worry, you look beautiful." Jackson whispered in my ear. Blushing I replied.
"Wish I could say the same about you." I nudged him in the shoulder to let him know that I was joking. Before Jackson could utter a retort the huge oak doors swing open to reveal a room filled with overly elaborately dressed people. The people were seated around tables piled high with luxurious food. Gold and red banners hung along the wall with flowers entwined along them. Jackson looked at me as if to signal that I needed to walk. Audric made his way behind us, as this was the tradition for many centuries. To say I was incredibly nervous would have been an understatement. It wasn't the people watching me that was the problem it was the fact that these were the most powerful and richest men and women across the kingdoms, and right now they were all most likely judging me. I managed to break my eyes from staring straight ahead at the table situated at the head of the room, and looked to my right at the Knights who sat nearest to our table. I noticed Cedric sat at the middle of the table and smiled at him as he raised a glass to me half mockingly. We finally finished walking through the mass of staring eyes and reached the table. As soon as I sat down the trumpets stopped playing their ceremonious tune and continued with their jolly anthems. I let out a sigh of relief. Jackson laughed at me.
"I'm surprised my arm didn't fall off half way considering how hard you held on to it." He joked, I rolled by eyes at him but smiled. What had happened? A few hours ago we both hated each other's guts, I guess it shows how much an apology can do. I suddenly heard the scrape of a chair as Audric stood up. The room filled with silence immediately. Audric grinned and held his arms out welcomingly.
"Welcome my dear friends to this momentous occasion. We shall dine like kings tonight and battle like warriors tomorrow."he said boldly "This tournament brings out the best in men, their courage, speed and their talent with the mighty sword. We shall honour the hero and glorify the defeated for no man who enters this challenge is fainthearted, no man is not of equal bravery. Although there can only be one winner, I feel privileged to host a feast for people with such fearless yet compassionate hearts. Let us celebrate together as faithful friends tonight and prepare to meet our opponents with respect for who knows what tomorrow will bring. For Glory." The king cried raising his glass, of which every person in the room duly copied. Audric was an excellent speaker, there weren't two ways about it, but the question as to did he mean what he said was another thing entirely.
Once Audric had seated everyone began piling their plates high with delicious delicacies. I helped myself to some chicken and a few vegetables as the vast quantity of rich meat really wasn't the type of food that appetised me. Jackson frowned when he saw my plate.
"Is that all your going to eat?" He asked questioningly.
"Where I come from we don't have lavish meals, we didn't have enough money to spend on expensive cuisine." I said with my eyebrows raised.
"Aah, well welcome darling to the world on extravagance, what can I say this Kingdom is powerful so we get lots of money. You could say you picked the biggest fish in the pond." He winked at me.
"Now your trying the 'I've got money and power' card, it isn't working." He rubbed his chin jokingly as if he was thinking of another tactic.
"Maybe by showing off my incredible dance moves will win you over." He stood up before I even had the chance to reply. "May I have this dance?" He asked holding out his hand. He looked so handsome and I felt my self blush.
"I can't dance Jackson, I really can't." I said, not realising how everyone had turned to look at us.
"You really can't turn me down now Tania, the Knights would never let me forget it, plus have you any idea what it would do to my precious ego." He smirked. I shook my head and smiled at him and took his hand. He lead my down to the large area which had been cleared for dancing. Luckily we weren't the first to do so as some brave couples had already begun twirling around each other. As soon as Jackson had led me down the band suddenly changed to a romantic song. I winced, which earned me a chuckle from Jackson. He took my other hand and stood in front of me. He came close to me and whispered.
"Just relax, I'll lead just follow what I do."
I was conscious of all the people watching, I could sense the majority of the females in the room desperately wanted me to fail, to create some gossip on Jackson's new girl. He placed one hand on my waist and kept hold of my hand. I copied but kept my hand on his shoulder. From this position I had expected him to do some kind of a waltz but he didn't. We moved with grace and ease across the hall. Not once did I take my eyes away from his, as he swirled me around. The dance must have been a traditional Lothelorian one as I had never seen one like this before. I noticed that all the other dancers had vacated the floor to allow me and Jackson to take centre stage, much to my annoyance. I couldn't take my eyes off him, I felt my self relax in his arms and let him twirl me around the hall. I suddenly felt Jackson pull me tight up close to him. He placed a kiss on my lips that lasted a few seconds longer than a peck. I wanted his lips to stay there but he stopped when he heard the room erupt with applause. I felt my self turn a deep red and luckily Jackson linked his arm with mine and we walked back to our seats.
"Nice work son." Audric said cheerily slapping Jackson on the back. "I see we have sorted out our previous predicament Tania." He said not really expecting an answer. "You too certainly won some hearts out their, just don't let her fill your head up Jackson I want you ready tomorrow, ready to win."
"Yes father." Jackson agreed. Turning away from his father Jackson turned to me. "Please give me another chance Tania, I will try not and be the jerk I was before. I can't promise to ditch my irresistible charm." He said wiggling his eyebrows, and by that I knew he meant that he would continue to joke about how I 'couldn't keep my hands off him' "But I'll try not to be such a douche, but being a prince does come with a certain level of arrogance."
"By certain I think you mean a high level." I stated, smiling at him.
"There is nothing wrong with a bit of confidence." I raised my brows at him, questioning his last statement.
"I know you love it secretly Tania."'he said as he closed the gap between us and placed his lips on mine. This time the kiss wasn't so sudden.

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Sorry about the late up date but I have been busy with exams ugh.
So what do you think, what do you think of Jackson currently.
Please leave your comments I would love to know your thoughts and how I could improve.
Till next time my lovelies

Beatoria