Dead if you do, Dead if you don't

Chapter 4 Dancing?

After a long day of standing by the prince while he listened to all the townspeople's complaints, the gates were finally closed and it was time for supper. All the guards sat at a round table in the dining room while the royal family sat at the large oval shaped table.

"Hey! So how boring was it?" Nora asks, smiling.

"Oh my god! It was the most boring thing I think I have ever had to sit through!" I groan while Nora laughs at me.

"Stop laughing!" I bury my hands into my hands.

"I'm sorry but it's kinda funny. So what's it like being the prince's guard? Is it everything you dream it would be?" Nora laughs.

"Honestly, it isn't that bad. I thought it would be way worse–"

"Well he's looking over at you right now."

"What?" I say before looking over at the royal families table and there Cassian was, staring at me. I gave a small smile and wave at him. He waves back before turning to look at his mom.

After supper I head to the royal guard sleeping quarters. I pull out my book and start to read. I finally get to a really good part in my book when the alarm above my bed goes off. Ugh, what does he need?!

"What's up?" I ask as I open the door to Cassian's room.

"I'm bored." He says as a new song starts to play on his record player.

"And? What am I supposed to do about it?" I ask in a really sarcastic tone.

"What's got you in a mood?" He asks.

"I just got into a good part of my book and you interrupted because you're bored?" I say with annoyance as I shot him a cold look.

"Yes, what's your book about?" He replies without a care, making me roll my eyes in response.

"Oh nothing, really. Just a dystopian kind of book where a girl has to save her family. You wouldn't like it." I say in response as I stare blankly at the ground.

"Ha, nerd." Cassian laughs.

"Wow. I am not a nerd, I just like to read!" I reply, glaring at him.

"Uh...Yeah... Nerd." I scoff and roll my eyes at his comment.

"Sure, whatever you want to believe." I say.

"You need to loosen up a little, like would it kill ya to relax?" He asks.

"Yeah, most likely kill you too." I shrug.

"I'll risk it." He says as a new song starts to play

"Nothing 'bout the way that you were treated ever seemed especially alarming till now"

Cassian grabs my hand and twirls me in a circle.

"So you tie up your hair like it's no big deal"

He places one hand around my waist and dips me.

"You can let it go"

I laugh as he brings me back up and starts swaying

"You can throw a party full of everyone you know and not invite your family"

He takes me hand and extends it then he twirls me close to him

"'Cause they never showed you love"

He places his hand on my waist again, still holding on to my other hand. I place my hand around his waist and we sway

"You don't have to be sorry for leaving and growing up"

We continue to sway, staring into each others eyes.

"You can start a family who will always show you love, you don't have to be sorry, no"

The song ends and we stare into each other's eyes for a little longer until we hear voices outside his room. We jump away from each other. I look away so he doesn't see me blush.

Someone knocks on the door.

"Come in." Cassian says.

"Hey, Opal's sick so the King said that you could do rounds with me right now." Nora says.

"Ok. I'll see ya later Cassian." I say, closing the door behind me.

Why do I have to be an assassin, I don't want to lose what I have. I'm finally making a life for myself, a good life, and my father wants to ruin it. Like he's ruined everything! I start to think to myself. Maybe I could– No, I couldn't. I couldn't do that to him. But maybe–

"Are you listening to me?" Nora asks.

"Hmm? Oh sorry. I got lost in my thoughts." I apologize

"What's wrong?" She asks, concerned.

"It's nothing." I say.

"So, what's up with you and the prince?" She smirks at me.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"You know very well what I mean!" She exclaims. "What were you blushing about when I walked in?" She smiles widely.

"Oh that. Umm. Well me and Cassian were talking when a song came on. He took my hands and we started dancing." I explained to her everything that happened. That's the first time I've truly had fun in a long time. I think to myself as I think back on what happened.

"OooOOh, Someone has a crush!" She says.

"No I don't, he's the prince!" I reply.

"Then why are you blushing?!" She smiles.

"I mean he's kinda funny, at first it was really annoying and I still think that he thinks life is one big joke but he is kinda funny sometimes." I say, blushing even harder. Nora starts laughing really hard.

"What? What are you laughing at?" I look at her confused.

"Oh girl! You are so in love with him!" She continues to laugh.

"No, no way." I say.

We finish rounds and I go back to my bed.

I toss and turn for a while thinking back to what happened today. NO! GOD NO! Not him! Of all people, why him?! I finally realized the truth. I had a crush on Cassian. The Prince. I start to tear up thinking about how being with him is the happiest I've been since before my mom died. I finally end up falling asleep after about two hours of tossing and turning.

I woke up to an announcement from the king about a meeting. I get dressed in my guards outfit and I walk to the meeting room.

"There are some recent events that led me to believe that there may be a rebellion soon." The King states. Shoot. What did father do this time?

"We have no knowledge if this is a credible source but I need everyone to be on the lookout for any suspicious behavior. Meeting adjourned." The king dismissed everyone.

"Wait, Athena can you stay please?" He asked.

"Sure." I say. Shoot!

"Looks like you and Cassian were having fun last night." King Malik smiled at me.

"What?" I ask, confused.

"I saw y'all dancing." He says.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I know it was unprofessional but he literally took my hands and–"

"Don't apologize." King Malik cuts me off. "It was good to see you loosen up a bit. Of course you need to be professional but it's still important to be yourself in the midst of your stress. Especially with Cassian. You can't be strict all the time, it will just put more stress on you." He smiles at me. "You may go now." He says

"Yes sir, thank you." I give a little bow before I leave the room.