Crown Of Hearts

Chapter 22

Darius's date.

Darius pushed me backward and informed me that he would get the maids to excuse me from tonight and to meet him in his room an hour before the party. He needed to give me a dress.

I was shaking long after he left. I didn't know how to tell Zak that I had been discovered and that he probably wanted my head after everything was over. But at least Theo would be safe. At least he wouldn't have to suffer.

Numb was the only way to describe me as the afternoon bled into night. I occupied myself with shuffling cards over and over. A little smile made its way to my face as I reminisced about the first time I had asked to shuffle Theo's cards.

When it came time to meet Darius, I walked briskly to minimize the number of people who saw me.

I hesitated when I arrived at the large oak door but never less rapped three times. Darius opened the door swiftly. It looked like I had stopped him at the wrong time.

His dress shirt was left unbuttoned and he held his bow tie in his mouth. He gestured for me to come in.

There was a soft thud behind me and I turned to see a figure of a person. My eyes widened.

Theo was staring at me, his books scattered on the floor, he was on one knee as if he wanted to pick them up but noticed me.

Darius slammed the door shut before I could even process what was unfolding.

He slowly buttoned his shirt and I averted my eyes. He had a smooth, muscular torso as expected from the head of the guards. A large scar ran across his shoulder.

" Your dress is in the bathroom." He said, turning to the mirror, he began to fix his tie.

I nodded, his room looked almost normal. A large bed, a small table and chairs, a hologram TV and a large bookcase of books. If not for the rack of weapons besides the bed, he looked like a normal young adult.

I pulled the dress out of the bag and slipped it on. It was shorter than I expected. The light grey gown fell to my thigh and flared out slightly as if I was wearing a hoop underneath. It was completely strapless and nearly backless. A matching pair of heels was tucked in the corner and I slipped them on.

They had gold detailing on the heel that matched the detailing of the hem of the dress perfectly.

I walked out carefully. Although heels were something not foreign to me, they were also not something comfortable.

Darius was looking at me oddly when I stepped out. His hands were stuck in his pockets.

" There's some makeup in the bag if you want to wear some." He nodded towards the bed where a large bag sat.

I nodded and grabbed the bag. I wasn't completely clueless when it came to cosmetics. The ladies of the house before wore them often and after watching them for so long. I knew my way around most of the products in the bag.

I strayed away from the eyeliner pencils and reached for some powder. When I finished, I made my way out again.

Darius was laying on the bed, an arm was thrown across his eyes and the other across his stomach. He was snoring slightly.

He looked almost relaxed. I couldn't imagine how harsh the job was on him.

No matter how nice he was being to me right now. I kept my guard up. He was the same man who would have killed me if Theo hasn't stepped in, who would probably kill me after this whole ordeal.

I nudged him and he stirred before opening his eyes. He yawned before sitting up and his eyes found mine.

" You're done?"

I nodded.

" Good, turn around." He ordered.

I didn't.

" I'm trying to tie this ribbon in your hair." He reached into his pocket and retrieved a grey ribbon.

I turned around and Darius pulled two sections of hair away from my face before tying them neatly. He gently combed the rest of my hair down my back, his fingers brushed against my skin and I flinched at his touch.

" Shall we go?" He offered me his arm and I hesitantly took it. He led us through a secret hallway that ended with us arriving at the entrance of the party.

There were so many people, laughing, talking. Their fancy jewelry glimmered underneath the chandelier where Frederick had dipped me days earlier.

The elites were more concerned about their ego and who owned the most gold than their servants' health and happiness and I bit my lip as we passed them. It was sickening I would be associated with them for the night.

Darius pushed through the crowds of people and secured us a spot near a corner where he dropped my hand and scanned around.

I found myself looking for a certain boy and when I spotted him, my stomach dropped. He was talking and laughing with a group of two girls. One of them giggled at something he said and smacked his arm playfully. Her fingers lingered at his bicep.

The girl leaned in close to say something to him and he smiled politely and nodded. Theo led the girl to the center of the room and began to dance.

Something inside me knew Theo would never be able to look at me like that or be as charming as he did with strangers. And I couldn't help but feel slightly envious. I knew it wasn't his fault, but-

" Careful, you're drooling," Darius whispered into my ear and I jerked away.

" I need to check on a few things, don't try to escape or I'll tell everyone exactly who you are okay?" He didn't wait for an answer before he slipped away in the crowd.

A million thoughts swirled in my mind, mostly about Theo. I felt a bit of relief that Darius wasn't ordered but that didn't mean the King didn't ask someone else.

I had been so lost in thoughts, I didn't notice that someone had slid up next to me.

An elite.

He grinned, " Hi."

" Hello." I resisted the urge to curtsied and instead smiled or at least attempt to.

" Eric Gillion, a pleasure to meet someone as beautiful as you tonight." He reached for my hand and kissed the knuckles.

I giggled nervously, " It's nice to meet you, Eric."

" I've never seen around, are you out of town perhaps?"

" No, I'm from here," I answered carefully. If he knew I was no one but a lowly maid, he may report me for impersonating an elite.

" Really? Is this your first time out?"

I wished he would stop with the questions.

" Can't you see you're making her uncomfortable?" A voice said from behind me.