Bloody Chains that Bind

Dane (8)

------------------------- It's Coronation Day! - Anna -----------------------------

The Ceremony was lovely. Traditional, but lovely. The crown and scepter were transferred from King Uther to Prince James.

King James now.

James and Uther both remained expressionless throughout the Ceremony, but Victoria didn't.

She wasn't smiling, I know I trained her not to, as it's unprofessional for guards to do so. But she was happy, I could tell. Her eyes crinkled with satisfaction, just a little, but enough for me to see it.

She and I were standing next to each other, as I was Uther's guard and she was James'. She was wearing her traditional burgundy guards' uniform, as was I. We usually didn't wear them, as they didn't provide much range of mobility in case of an attack, but today was a special occasional.

Three mind-numbingly boring hours later, the Ceremony was finished, and everyone was dismissed to their separate rooms to change for the ball. I caught up with Victoria.

"Hey, it's four o'clock. The ball doesn't start until seven. Wanna kill some time?"

"I can't, I need to start getting ready."

"The ball is three hours away Victoria."

"And I need all the time I can get. You have no idea how long it takes to look this good Dane. You wouldn't want your date to look anything less than perfect, right?"

"Fine. I suppose you're right. I'll see you there I guess."

"You will."

"Save me a dance?"

"You can have them all, as far as I'm concerned." She then glanced to either side of her before getting on her tiptoes and kissing me. She was always surprising me. Usually, I was the one kissing her. I was thoroughly flustered.

"Ok, um bye Victoria. See you at the dance, I mean ball, thing, um ok. Bye!" I hastily walked away, hearing her quietly giggling in the distance behind me.

I don't know how this whole thing between Victoria and I started, but I'm glad it did. I met her six years ago when she came to the academy. She was terrified. Someone had found her naked and unconscious miles behind the castle. No one could find anything about her and she didn't remember anything, so the Academy Dean decided to take her under his wing. I was the Dean's aid, and always watched her admiringly from the sidelines. Her resilience and tenacity always stirred something in me. I've always commended her bravery and tried to get closer to her through the years.

Then, she unexpectedly became the best. She worked her ass off for it, too. Eventually she worked her way up to where she is now. And now by some miracle, she takes residency in my bed from time to time.

She's amazing. Truly. I would risk my life for her. I've never told her that, but I'm sure she already knows.

When we started this whole thing, we agreed to keep it no-strings-attached. Obviously, I wasn't able to abide by that.

In three hours, I'll get to see her in a dress for the first time ever. She obviously refused to wear one for her graduation ceremony, much to everyone's disappointment. And we can actually be seen together at the dance. It is a pubic affair, but all eyes will be focused on James. No one will care about us, which means that we can actually enjoy each other's company without sneaking around.

"Are you aright, Lieutenant?"

I turn and see a servant looking at me. "I'm fine...just--"

"Enjoying the scenery?" The servant nudged his head over in the direction Victoria left in.

"Don't you have something to do?" I asked.

The servant snapped out of whatever daze he was in, "Why yes! I have 928 pieces of bacon to transfer to the ballroom." The servant trotted off.

Why in Edward Cullen's name would we need 928 pieces of bacon? Victoria had something to do with it, I'm sure.

I start walking towards my bedroom. Maybe tonight could be the night where I tell Victoria that I wanted to be more than just 'no strings attached.' Maybe I can finally break down her walls and get her to open up.

I'm getting ahead of myself.

I should go shower. I smell like sweat and grass.