Chapter V.
Esther stared at her reflection, wallowing in sadness as she stood in the blue dress that matched the color of her sullen eyes. Her hair was brought back to reveal her face and screamed elegance, but inside, she felt shattered. Everything she fought for: freedom, adventure, and love was going to be taken away from her.
"Lovely," Lily commented. Her remarks had been kept to a subtle note and were very cautious. She had overheard the conversation with the King. There was a knock at her bedroom door.
"Come in." Esther called out, stepping away from her reflection. The door creaked open to reveal a slim messenger who looked nervous.
"I bring a message from Commander Javan," he said dully, handing over a piece of paper to her. He bowed and quickly left. Darien had probably given strict instructions with a warning that sent the messenger into a fear-filled frenzy. She tore the wax and scanned the black print.
Esther,
I hear that you'll be attending tonight's festivities. Avoid suspicious faces. Several familiar people from home will be present in honor of paying respects to an Iranian guest. I'd ask you to come wearing a potato sack to avoid attention, but you will draw attention no matter what you wear.
D.J.
Esther's chest swelled. Was the last statement a compliment? Her mood visibly lightened and Lily did not question her, even as she left in the carriage. Surprisingly, Vera had claimed to feel sick and did not come along, which was both a relief and worry. The door to the carriage was thrust open and Esther stepped down. She made her way to the entrance and bid the servants a nod. Inside, the ballroom was alive with dancing and brilliant violin music that filled the air. She instantly spotted Piers dancing with an insanely attractive blonde with bright hazel eyes. She was curvy with a thin waist and was throwing her head back with laughter at something she said. She had a weird feeling in her chest as he twirled her, attracting the attention of on goers.
"Esther," Darien's breath was hot on her neck. "You look...distressed." He placed a hand on her shoulder. She quickly turned around and stared up into his fierce gaze.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, wondering if he'd comment on her appearance, but he didn't make a single remark. He followed her line of sight and noticed Piers, whose attention had moved to Esther and Darien.
"It appears we've caught the attention of your pretty boy," he murmured in her ear. "Maybe we'll re-enact back when we were in Iran." His lips brushed against her ear and she shivered, angry at herself for a reaction.
"Doubt it," she drew back and stumbled into Piers who looked annoyed.
"What are you doing with my fiancée?" His voice was harsh and the emphasis on the word "fiancée" made Esther cringe.
"Fiancée?" Darien blinked.
"The same thing you were doing with that blonde bimbo," she mumbled, but it was clear they both heard her by the amused look on Darien's face and the surprised look on Piers'.
"Lady Sabine? She's just an old family friend." He defended.
"I don't remember getting so close with a 'family friend.'" She answered. Piers looked offended and then angry.
"We're not married yet," he replied. "I'll dance with whomever I'd like."
"Then as will I!" She held up her dress with a gloved hand and grabbed Darien's hand in the other. She dragged him to the center of the room and proceeded to dance.
"Care to explain?" Darien still looked amused.
"No," she replied.
"He called you his fiancée," he reminded, pivoting on his heel to waltz her around.
"We're arranged to be married," she gave in. "And from what I've heard, it's for a link to Iran. And evidently, I'm a link to Iran. A princessy link." Darien halted and stared at her with shock written on his face.
"What did you say?" He asked, all seriousness.
"Yeah, turns out I'm the next Iranian princess!" She laughed and dropped her hands.
"No, you're engaged?" He looked like a statue.
"That's what you care about?" She huffed. "You didn't care about that last night!"
"How did they find out?" Darien mused, running a hand through his hair, "I thought that was an airtight idea."
"You knew?" Esther accused and jumped back from him as if he was on fire. Then again, he was so hot tha - no! She couldn't be thinking those thoughts as of right now. Darien stayed quiet.
"May I cut in?" Piers appeared out of nowhere and Esther was grateful for the distraction, it was a "saved by the bell" moment. Darien seemed almost dazed as he stepped back and gestures to her.
"We'll talk later," he shook his head, as if he was shaking back into reality and then quickly departed.
"Weird," Piers raised an eyebrow and then laid a hand on her waist and shoulder.
"Why don't you dance with somebody you like?" Esther deadpanned, rolling her eyes.
"I said I'll dance with whomever I like," Piers replied dauntingly, "I want to dance with my future wife."
"What if we don't get married?" Esther dared to ask and Piers didn't even bat an eye.
"Why wouldn't we?" He replied.
"If the marriage is...dearranged." Esther said carefully, watching Piers expression. Piers was silent for a moment.
"I don't know," he said finally. "I don't know." Esther clamped her lips shut and allowed him to whisk her around the room, but a sense of mourning filled her. It wasn't like she had feelings for Piers. He was a good friend figure that she had never had before - after Darien, of course. Speaking of which, she did really need to speak to him about this whole princess matter. The fact that he had hidden it from her was unthinkable and she wasn't sure how she should react to it. Her eyes went over to the handsome prince dancing with her and the envious eyes that surrounded them. This was the opposite of everything she had dreamed of, but she actually liked it. He was a breath of fresh air. He would get Vera off her back indefinitely, whereas while Damon was what she had spent countless nights dreaming of, was everything Vera didn't want for her. Suddenly a servant came scurrying over and tapped her on the shoulder, stopping their dance in the midst of it.
"King Matthias requests you in his study." Piers nodded and started to walk, but the servant stopped him. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, he strictly requested Lady Esther only."
I have no doubt that this is a filler chapter, so I reeeeeeeeeally despise this chapter, because it's poorly written, but enjoy it anyway. Are you Team #Piers or Team #Darien? Honestly, I can't choose, they're both so unique and brilliant.
