World War 3 (One Direction)

Without Royal Blood

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Chapter 26

Harry never returned to the hall after an hour. The boys were spending some time with their dates on the dance floor, waltzing to a graceful electronic song. I got bored and wandered out of the hall, turning around and corners and stopped at a particular corridor when I heard noises coming out from the room. It seemed like a pretty heated argument. I pressed my ear against the door, curiosity can be a dangerous thing.

'...why her? Of all the others you can have, why choose her? Wasn't she the one who caused so much problems? Please think about it. I mean look at what she tried to do. She wanted to kill me! She sided with the enemy!'

'Dad!' This voice I recognized it as Harry's one. 'She was trying to save her sister. She didn't mean anything. She did try to set things right in the end. And remember that our people were the one that provoked her and her country!'

'Yeah, I know! But she tried to kill you didn't she? You trust this girl? She betrayed you once. How would you know if she wouldn't try it again? I don't want to see you get hurt. Does she even feel the same way about you like you do for her?' Harry's father said, his voice rose higher.

I frowned. This was about me. I was the problem. I listened even more attentively, waiting for Harry's reply. 'I don't know. But maybe she just needs time. I trust her completely. Dad, why are you so against her?! She's not a bad person! You're making a big deal out of this. Let's just get back to the party.'

'Not yet young man, I'm not done yet.' Harry's father's voice was very stern. 'You are a prince. You are of royal blood. Can't you at least pick a girl with a title? Somebody to your standards. She is a bloody Cilenion! She doesn't know how to be proper, she will bring you down with her peasant behaviour.'

I choked back a sob, trying to contain my anger. Tears were brimming in my eyes and I slid down with my back against the door, sinking onto the floor. 'So that's what this is all about!' Harry boomed with outrage. 'About having a title or not?! Then I'm just like her! You adopted me! I thought you were better than this!'

'All of you have royal blood in you. You! Louis, Zayn, Liam and Niall as well! I'm not prejudiced against unprivileged people but-'

'You are prejudiced!' I heard the slamming of a table as Harry interrupted his father. 'Did you even try to make an effort to get to know her before passing judgement?' There was a moment of silence and I held my breath. 'That's what I thought. I'm done here.'

'You will not see her!' He said firmly.

I jumped up when I heard the door opening. I quickly scrambled away, hiding behind a wall. I sniffed and wiped away the tears in my ears, trying to calm myself down. I straightened out the crumpled dress and was about to wall back to the hall when Harry called my name. 'Hey!' I tried to sound perky as I turned around, putting on a big smile.

'Are you alright? Is something wrong?' Harry tilted my chin towards him, looking deep into my eyes with his green orbs.

My eyes were probably red from crying. I sniffed loudly and rubbed my eyes, forcing out a laugh. 'It's just the dust in my eye...' I tried to turn my face away but Harry gently push me back against the wall in a slightly demanding way, his green eyes burned with intensity. 'Harry, what-'

'You're a really bad liar.' He chuckled, his elbow resting against the wall as he leaned forward towards me, looking down on me.

'You are too?' My mouth twitched into a smile.

'Is something bothering you?' His head bumped softly against mine. 'You know you can tell me.' He was so close I could feel his minty breath on me.

I shook my head. 'What about you? I can see the gears spinning in your head. What are you thinking about Haz?' I pinched the bridge of his nose, my tongue sticking out as I did.

Harry smiled, his dimples showing prominently. 'Just stuff...it's nothing to worry about.' I couldn't help but smile sadly. 'Aze?'

'Yeah Har-' I got cut off by his lips crashing against mine. I was a little surprise with the sudden kiss. I could feel his warmth radiating as his body pressed up against mine. Someone cleared his throat and I gasped, out of breath, as we pulled away quickly. I bit my lip as Harry's father eyed us warily before leaving without a word. 'Oops...caught.' I grew really red in the cheeks and Harry too was trying to hide his blush with his curls. 'By the way, was that a birthday kiss which I technically didn't give?' I checked the coast to make sure it was clear before giving him a quick peck on the cheeks.

Harry bit his bottom lip, smiling cheekily, his eyes twinkling. 'Sort of!' He snatched up the big geometric hairpin from my head, my hair falling loosely along my shoulder and poked me hard in my side before making a run for it.

'OI!!!'

I ran after him but my weak legs were not ready to sprint. After a few steps, my foot twisted slightly and I fell flat on my face. 'Azelynne! Are you alright?' Harry turned back and knelt by my side, helping me up.

'Gotcha!' I easily flipped him onto his back, using my knee to pin his chest down. 'Harry, sometimes you're just too easy.' I kissed his nose and laughed, burying my face into his neck, trying to stop giggling. I forced myself to keep a straight face and be serious, looking him dead in the eye. 'Tell me something.'

'Okay...' His lips was nuzzled against my neck.

'If no one approves of us,' I had to choose my words carefully. 'What would you do?' I looked into his green eyes and I could tell his was thinking hard.

'It doesn't matter. They don't know about us.' Harry smiled, stroking my hair. There was just something about him that makes him so...well, Harry. I mean he was so perfectly imperfect. What did this boy do to me? But whenever I look at his face, I felt this pang in my chest. His fingers connected with my skin, sending sparks up my arm. He traced up to my shoulder and felt to my bare back and gently touched the lump that was my scar. I knew what was going through his mind.

'I'm fine.' I took his hands and sat up, my legs still pinning him down. I ran my fingers through his hair, giggling a bit. Gosh it felt so nice, I think...I think his hair is better than mine...

'Enjoying yourself?' Harry smirked, studying my face. 'Since you asked me a question, can I ask mine?' I shot him a quizzical look and nodded. 'What are your feelings towards me? The truth. A direct answer. Please.'

'I do not hate you.' I said slowly and paused for a moment. 'There definitely is something there, a strong feeling. I just don't know what it is...' I knew there was no point denying my feelings for him, no use beating around the bush. 'Alright, Harry. Honestly, you want the truth?' I didn't have to wait for an answer, I knew what he would say. I drew in a deep breath. 'Harold Edward Styles, I think that I may b-'

'Getting close, aren't you guys?' A voice teased, making my heart jump into my throat. I got to my feet hurriedly and pulled Harry up, straightening the skirt of my dress. I coughed and found myself looking at my feet but not before seeing who it was that interrupted us.

'Louis!' We both groaned simultaneously. I buried my face against Harry's shoulder, glowing pink.

'We fell...' I said lamely, earning a snigger from Louis who looked like his birthday had arrived early. By the way his blue eyes lit up and the big crazy grin plastered on his face, I had a feeling he was never going to let this go. I looked at Harry with a sympathetic smile, we were going to be teased for life.

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