The sin of gluttony

The show must go on

As I was trying to leave the balcony with my heels in hand, Cael grabbed my hand. I was going to snap at him, but I realized that would do me no good. I sighed and turned around to hear what he had to say, but it seems like I left him breathless.

''At least let me help you put your heels on. I promise I'll leave you alone if you don't want me around you.'' He looked hopeless and devastated. How pathetic.

''Thank you for your suggestion'', I gave him my heels and lifted my foot; as sick as this sounds, he looked so great under my control. It feels like he succeeded in telling me that I would be taken seriously under his care. ''Don't take this whole evening the wrong way, it's a lot to bear in this short amount of time.''

''I understand, so you want me to leave you alone?''

''The opposite, I want you to confidently walk me down the stairs as I will wave to everyone in this ball.'' The last thing I would want to prove to them is how frail I am. I will show my mother that I can make the best out of the situation. I will not shatter.

I could see that he was speechless, but this is the least he could do for me.

''So, I understand that you want me to wrap my hands around you and declare you my fiancé?''

"More or less"

''You truly are something extraordinary. When I first heard of this engagement, I would've never even thought that you would have such a vigorous personality.''

"I will be taking that as a compliment.''

''My pleasure.''

He held his tongue, i had no idea what was going in his mind, but quite frankly I don't think it concerns me. 

''Would you mind listening to my advice to you?''

''What is it?''

''All the formalities dropped and out of the way, I must say, there's no necessity putting your guard up around me. I dare say that I think we are on equal footing here. Despite the whole situation, I think we could get along just fine. Please give me a chance. I don't want to live in tension and unnecessary hatred. Why would you wish for that? It makes no sense for me; I will respect you and in return shouldn't you respect me? Forgive me for my forwardness, but I couldn't just sit idly by if I'm also in this equation. I don't want to point fingers, but can you just also acknowledge me?''

I was rendered speechless. 

''Excuse me, I don't know why I reacted the way I was. I treated you unfairly, I must admit, I was just hoping to make the best situation, in this seemingly hopeless mess. However now I will try to take your feelings in consideration moving forward.'' He was right, just because I was caught off guard doesn't mean I could just act however I wanted. Not to even mention how nice he seemed.

''It's fine, I just lost control of my emotions,'' he started to rub his face, probably just to wipe the embarrassment away. ''Will you be able to...''

''I will, I apologize for my behaviour. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me.''

''That's not what I meant,'' he remarked while looking at me through his fingers that he kept on his face, ''I meant can you also ease the tension by trusting me. I will do anything in my power to make us be on equal footing''.

''I appreciate that,'' I started making my way toward him, this evening has been just putting distance between the two of us.

''This has been bothering me for a while'' I mumbled quietly.

He noticed me approaching but didn't even budge away. I intertwined our fingers together, ''It is a bit improper to have fingers all up onto your face while talking to a lady, wouldn't you agree?'' 

His gaze slipped down to me, and he seemed, briefly, to find something amusing in this situation.

''Now, if you don't mind,'' I said while softly looking onto his eyes, ''let's show everyone what a great pair we are'' I winked at him while now intertwining our hands, ''but, don't misunderstand me, I genuinely think we got off the wrong footing, can we start over after this, please, me, a very distinguished noble lady, is begging you'' I said while flashing a smile. I was glad, I could still find my persona hidden after all anguish and... unpleasant surprises.

Now, he was also smiling, he was giggling quietly beside me.

''I want to be let in on this happy attitude.''

''Are you sure? This isn't something that a noble lady like yourself would appreciate.''

''I'm certain! Don't keep secrets from your fiancé.''

''If your mother asks, can I call you..., pardon my language, actually nothing.''

''You can't do that.''

''The fire in my...''

''I do not want to hear it, I admit defeat, I do not want to listen you finish that sentence'' keeping a dignified look or at least trying to, I felt the blood gush into my cheeks.

''The amount of times I have read that sentence is going to haunt me in my nightmares.''

''Let's not be dramatic, princess.''

''I prefer the word sole heir, queen or future highness, mon chéri.''

''You have learned the French language?''

Who would've thought that he would catch onto that, ''oh dear, is that a problem?''

''Stop toying with me, will you?'' He said in a playful tone. Actually, he even looked relaxed, and I was thriving, finally enjoying this evening as I had planned.

''Serious question, do you know French?'' I was going to exploit it if he didn't know it, I could say thousands of sentences and he would have no idea what I had meant. 

''Conspiring with the game pieces, I see'' He cocked his head.

''Do you, or don't you?''

''Unfortunately, I don't, but do not get any inspirations.''

Bingo.

''I would never.'' I said in a sly tone, unable to look into his eyes.

''Shall we get this show on the road?''

''I'm glad we are both in the same mindset.''

And so here we were making our way toward the ball. Upon leaving the balcony, the last thing to do was to just happily walk down the stairs. The unbearing thing will be listening to Sora as she will be mocking me. But overall, this evening has been delightful. And once again I could feel his nails digging into my arms. He seemed awkward and nervous, but he will need to adjust to these settings. My mother probably has planned to show us off to the whole kingdom. 

Nonetheless, we are ready for this. 

I hope.

Casting the last glance, I hope I made him feel at ease for a limited time. We exchanged very unnatural smiles, and that made me confident in our capability.