No Explanations - ONC24

Chapter 4 - Delicate

"Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head? 'Cause I know that it's delicate (delicate)" - Delicate, Taylor Swift

This ain't for the best. We went too far last night, I went too far last night. I was drunk enough not to notice it until it was too late, until she had backed up from me. Until she had left me there, on that field by the lake.

After I went home, I slept until midmorning. Then I drank some water and went to sleep again, missing lunch. I didn't care. I had kissed Arora last night, after which the golden-haired princess had run away from me. Like some sort of awful dream. I would do everything to get my mind away from Arora.

By the time I stepped out of my bed, I noticed last night's black dress on the ground. I chose that one to impress Arora, because I thought she would like the sexy silhouette it gave me. I kicked against the fabric, letting the dress fly through the room. I should not think of her. I should not think of last night.

I walked up to my dressing room and tied my hair back. I wore no clothes, but I didn't really feel like dressing. The only one that would enter my room was my personal maid and she was used to seeing my naked body. Better, she helped me bathe all the time. Speaking of her...

"You Highness," said a voice from my personal lounge, my maid. "A messenger just came for you," she said.

I walked out of my dressing room, into the lounge. There, I seated myself on a comfortable chair. "What did the message say?" I asked.

The girl did not even look twice at my naked body, did not let her eyes wander to my intimate parts. I had always respected her for that, I could never. "It was an invitation from Her Highness Princess Arora Aurum," she said. "She invites you over to the East Side bar for a drink."

I was sure my surprise was visible on my face. The last thing I thought was that Arora would invite me again after last night. And then for a drink, as if we hadn't drunk enough last night. Some part of me screamed that it was a trick, that she wanted to get me drunk again, play with my heart and embarrass me.

But I wouldn't put that past Arora. And if it was all some kind of trick, then she could have it. My reputation's never been worse, so I could have it. I would meet her, I would drink with her. It's not like I would have stayed sober today. Getting drunk was my coping mechanism.

"That's fine, I will meet her there. When will the arrangement take place?" I asked.

"At four in the afternoon," my maid said.

I looked at the clock in my lounge. It was four thirteen exactly. I had slept for that long. "Pass on the message that I will be there at five," I said. That left me enough time to clothe myself and get a carriage to the bar.

"As you wish, Your Highness," the maid said.

"And order my black carriage ready in twenty minutes," I ordered. "I don't need any assistance dressing myself."

My maid nodded and left the room. I got up from my chair and walked into my dressing room. I wasn't sure what to wear, so I looked around at all the beautiful dresses I owned. In the end, I chose a black dress. Simple, informal and one of the least sexy pieces of clothing I owned. I didn't want to suggest anything with my dress.

By the time I was dressed and my hair looked neat, my maid was waiting to escort me to my carriage. The cities lived in peace with each other, so it was not needed to be escorted by guards in the palace or the city. But it was expected that a princess was escorted wherever she went by a maid or guard.

"Her Highness Princess Arora is waiting for you at the East Side bar, Princess," the maid said.

"I expected nothing else," I said. "Please take me to my carriage."