Rivals

Chapter 3: Cruel

Kaden

Kaden stood bored beside his parents and brother ignoring the stares of the many women in the room.

"Don't look so bored brother, go dance, mingle," Julian offered.

"Don't worry, I will have fun soon," answered Kaden keeping his eyes on the doors.

"Ah yes, the only girl who's dress would not come off by the end of the night," his brother teased. Although, Kaden knew it was most likely true. Eva had to be the only girl to have ever rejected him. He didn't take much to offense, he knew that she knew his motives were not the purest. His ways were not secret around the castle. His father sure gave him enough hell for it.

"Speaking of the devil," his brother said, as the princesses arrival was made along with their parents. Kaden laughed watching his brother's awed expression staring at them. Or more likely, Odette. Everyone was looking at them. Men with hunger and women with envy or awe. It was now Kaden's turn to look at them and when he did, it was hard to look away. Evangeline looked like a man's wildest fantasy. She was dressed in a red dress that was tight on the upper portion of her body and then flowing down at her waist. He wondered if she knew that red was the colour of desire. Kaden didn't know if it was the corset or the low cut of the dress that made her chest look so voluptuous. The way she looked had to be a sin of its own.

Kaden made his way towards Evangeline with purpose. She shot daggers at him with her eyes begging him to stop. He shot her a mischievous grin as he ended up in front of her with his hand out. She shot him an even darker look before taking it. Kaden led her to the middle of the dance floor accepting the envious glares from men and women.

He bowed down and Eva curtsied. He then grabbed her hand in one of his hands and with the other he wrapped it around her waist pulling her closer than need be earning another dark glare from Eva. She tried to create a bit a distance between them but his grip wouldn't loosen. She glared at him and he only grinned in response.

"I know what you're doing," she said through her teeth. If looks could kill, Kaden thought he would be dead by now.

"I don't know what you are talking about." He faked aloofness. He knew very well what she was talking about. In fact, they've had the same argument before.

"You can't claim me yours in front of the court every time there is ball if I am never going to be yours. You are so cruel sometimes Kaden," she said with fire in her eyes.

He knew it was cruel and heartless of him. He knew when he did this, this made her no longer available for interested suitors. He didn't like the idea of seeing Eva happy with another man. The first time he did it, he expected his father to be mad but he was in fact happy. This made him look "friendlier" in front of the king. Like he was the bigger person putting differences aside. He knew Eva could not reject him because it would be considered rude and childish to reject the kind prince.

"I am hoping that one day you would change your mind," he teased her. "But you know what is more cruel princess? Your dress."

Evangeline

Kaden's grip tightened on Evangeline's waist. She couldn't help but suck in a sharp intake of breath.

"Why red?" He asked looking down at her dress then back up.