Cold Hands Warm Heart (A Vampire Fan Fiction) - Harry Styles

Chapter 2• Couple Heart

Carolina's POV

My confession hung in the air, a delicate and fragile thing: "I cannot believe that I am so utterly in love with a Lord such as you." Lord Harry, a man whose charm was as unyielding as his stubbornness, merely flashed a playful smile, a look of triumph dancing in his emerald eyes. The sentiment was true. After a long day of my parents voicing their disappointment in me for my love of him, they had at last, and quite begrudgingly, accepted our peculiar bond.

We lay together in my bedchamber, our forms entwined in a sweet embrace, the afternoon sun a warm blanket upon my skin. "What do you mean, a Lord like me?" he teased, his voice a low rumble in his chest. "I am handsome, clever, and a true Lord. A princess such as you is quite lucky to have me."

I laughed softly, blushing as I gazed at him. He was my first and only love, and it was still a wonder to me that he, a man so confident and worldly, had chosen me. I leaned in, placing a tender kiss on his lips. "I love you too," I whispered. We kissed again, a slow, tender dance that spoke volumes of our affection, until a gasp from the doorway broke our spell.

"Harry, I understand you love my daughter, but must you two devour each other in my home?" my mother said, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. My face burned with embarrassment as Harry chuckled. I playfully punched his arm. "Laugh all you wish," I warned, "but you have been warned. No kisses for you until our wedding day." I left him in the room, utterly flabbergasted, and with a triumphant smirk of my own.

As I marched down the hall, my mother followed behind me, her brow furrowed. "Are you truly certain about him?" she asked, a hint of unease in her voice.

I stopped and turned to her. "Yes, Mother. I thought you had come to accept him as family."

She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I do, my child, but what he told us about himself... he is not... normal. He is so unlike others. I worry for you." Her words were a chilling echo of the unease I had tried to bury.

My face grew hot with a sudden fury. "I know he is not normal," I declared, my voice trembling with emotion, "but what he did was honest. He was true to his love and to his love's family, is that not what you and Father have always taught me to value?" I stormed off, seeking solace in the hushed tranquility of my library.

"But is he not too honest, my dear?" she continued, her voice following me. "I do not wish for you to be hurt, especially when you become pregnant. What would the baby be like? Like him, or a mere human? I do not want my grandchildren to have an... abnormality."

I faced her, pointing my finger at her chest. "Mother, this is my life, not yours. I have been like a caterpillar trapped in a cocoon, and I long to be free. I want to feel love, and to be loved in return. I am sorry that I am not the daughter you wanted, but I am not sorry that I love Harry."

Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind. I knew at once it was Harry. He held me close as I cried, whispering words of comfort in my ear. He was the one for me, even though he was not normal.

"Darling, I would never be ashamed of you," my mother said, her voice filled with love. "You are the greatest gift God ever gave us. I am sorry for doubting Harry." She then turned to him and said, "Boy, you had best not ever hurt my baby, or you will find yourself in the nearest hospital."

We then went to the dining room for lunch. Harry and I sat side by side, a silent promise to one another, while my mother sat at the head of the table.

"Where is Father?" I asked.

"He is with Prince Walter, my dear," my mother said. "They are fixing some documents for the wedding. It is important to get things right, given you are a princess and Harry is a Lord."

"Is that alright with you, Harry?" my mother asked.

"Yes, of course," he replied, "I am a Lord and will soon be the husband of a princess. I am honored to be a part of this family." I sighed in amusement at his charming demeanor.

"You just love knotgrass, lavender, and yellow tulips more than me," Harry pouted as he watered my favorite flowers.

"Why, of course," I said with a smirk, "What do you expect? That I love you? I have never thought of such a thing."

His eyes widened in surprise, and he ran back to the house. I worried that he had taken me seriously. I ran after him, my heart pounding in my chest. I searched for him everywhere, but I could not find him. I finally ran outside, even though it had begun to rain.

I ran and ran, not caring if I got sick. I was only concerned with finding my love. I finally arrived at his house and saw Mr. Tomlinson at the door. "May I enter?" I asked, "I must speak with Harry."

"I do not think it is the right time," he said, trying to close the door.

"Mr. Tomlinson, I came all the way here in the rain, and I will not leave until I speak with my fiancé," I said, a sense of authority in my voice.

He sighed, and then bowed. "Yes, your Royal Majesty. My apologies."

I then went inside and headed toward Harry's room. "Do not go in there," Mr. Tomlinson said, his voice full of worry.

"Why not?" I asked, but Mr. Payne suddenly appeared, with a horrified look on his face.

"The room is not clean," he said, "It is inappropriate for you to see."

I ignored their pleas and opened the door. What I saw was more horrifying than I could have ever imagined.