The White Prince

Bitter Awakening (Chapter I)

Dorian opened his eyes and felt groggy. He got out of bed and went to the window. The sunlight gave him a headache.

He turned back to the bed and saw a young woman beside him tugging at him. The young woman was beautiful, with light brown hair and brown eyes. She couldn't have been more than sixteen years old. Dorian didn't recognize the young woman and thought she was some maid, so he ignored what she was saying.

He got out of bed and saw that he was in an unfamiliar room. The room was large and luxuriously decorated. Dorian realized that he was in the Black Castle, the stronghold of House Noir.

Margaery, who was standing behind Dorian, reminded him that he had come to the Black Castle in search of Lord Raphael Noir, Margaery's older brother. Dorian had been greeted by Margaery, and the two had started talking. The conversation had drifted into more personal topics, and Dorian had begun to flirt with Margaery.

Margaery had responded to Dorian's flirting, and the two had ended up in bed. Where Margaery had given her virginity to Dorian, and both had enjoyed the experience.

However, Dorian didn't remember anything that had happened the night before. He had drunk too much, and his mind was fuzzy. Dorian frowned. He didn't remember anything about the night before, but he was attracted to Margaery.

"Good morning," said Dorian.

"Are you feeling better?" asked Margaery.

"Yes," said Dorian. "I'm feeling better."

"Did I refresh your memory a bit?" asked Margaery.

Dorian shook his head.

"No," said Dorian. "I still don't remember anything you're telling me."

"You were very drunk when you arrived," said Margaery. "And then... well, you know."

Dorian felt a heat in his face. He knew what had happened the night before, but he didn't want to admit it.

"I'm sorry," said Dorian. "It shouldn't have happened."

"Don't worry about it," said Margaery. "I wanted it too."

Dorian and Margaery stared at each other for a few seconds. Dorian felt that Margaery was an innocent and pure girl, so he knew that what happened between them couldn't be just another adventure and that he had to take responsibility and not tarnish Margaery's honor.

"What are we going to do now?" asked Margaery.

"I don't know," said Dorian. "But we'll do something."

"Since you took my virginity, I guess... you know..." said Margaery.

"Yes," said Dorian. "I'll marry you and take care of any possible children I've given you."

"Thank you..." said Margaery.

"It's not my duty," said Dorian. "It's my responsibility."

Margaery was surprised by Dorian's response.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I mean that I was the one who took you," said Dorian. "And now I'm responsible for you."

Dorian felt a pang of guilt. He knew he had done something wrong.

"I'm sorry," he said again. "I shouldn't have done this."

"Don't worry," said Margaery. "I wanted it to happen too, and it was very special for me."

Dorian and Margaery kissed. For Margaery, it was a passionate kiss full of love, but for Dorian, it was a kiss of responsibility.