Luna Queen

Chapter 6: The Birthday Gift

                    Cassandra Stewart had been on dates before. As extravagant as this one was, she was certain to have loved the date regardless of what they had done. As awkward as she felt, she seemed to enjoy Christopher's company. He had promised her another meet-up, and she could not wait!

Alice was surprised to hear about the date and to learn how he insisted she called him by his name, and never by his title. Only the royals were allowed to address other royals by name. It was extremely rare to see otherwise.

Diana did not press her daughter for details, regardless of her curiosity, in order to respect her privacy. She was willing to accept only what Cassandra gave voluntarily, but Cassandra did give all the details. Diana worried for her daughter, afraid that this was just going to end badly.

Cassandra had trouble focusing on studies for the next few days. Her birthday was uneventful, except for a bouquet and some chocolates that arrived for her from the palace, and the days that followed it, even more so.

                     Two days after her birthday, on a Wednesday, as she sat in the living room working on her assignment, the doorbell rang in the evening, an hour before Cassandra's mother was expected to return. She opened the door to find the person she least expected – Christopher.

"Oh! Hello," she said politely. "Would you like to come in?"

Christopher entered her home for what was the first time ever (but not the last time) and seated himself on a chair.

"I'm so sorry for the mess. I'm working on an essay and I wasn't expecting anyone," she said, clearing away the papers on the couch.

"It is quite alright. I finished my work early and believed a present is due to you. Your birthday passed, and I have not gifted you a thing." Christopher had been worrying about the gift. He wanted to give her something she wanted, but had no clue what it was.

On the day of their first date, he had asked her what she desired. She did not give him a satisfactory answer, instead telling him that she expected none from him, and he was not to fret over it.

"You owe me nothing," Cassandra said. "I meant it when I said I don't want anything. Besides, you already sent over the flowers and the chocolates, both of which I liked very much."

Christopher hardly considered some flowers and chocolates as gifts. They barely cost anything. So, he had brought with him something priceless.

"I have something for you regardless. This is my gift to you for the first of your birthdays that I am part of." Christopher took out a something from the pockets in his coat. He opened his palm to show Cassandra what his gift to her was. It was a golden chain, with a golden pendant.

He handed it over to her. She examined it in wonder and saw a beautiful maiden carved on it. The pendant was huge and had only seemed small in his hand.

"I can't accept this," she said. "It's clearly very expensive. We've known each other for such little time. I know that you have the money to spend on something like this, but I still can't accept this. I suggest you return it to the seller."

"I am afraid I cannot return it to the seller, Cassandra. It belonged to my mother; now, belongs to you."

She was shocked. "Did you steal it?"

"Of course not," his eyes widened. "Do you take me to be a thief? I bring this to you with her permission. It has been passed down generations in our family, long before the world was unified by the royals."

"All the more reason for me to not accept it. You can't just give away a family heirloom to someone. It rightfully belongs to whoever becomes your Queen." Cassandra hoped he would tell her then, what she meant to him, if she meant anythign at all.

Christopher hoped she would understand why he was handing it to her. "I want you to have it."

She could hold back no more. She wanted answers. She needed clarity about where her life was headed. "What does that mean?"

"Perhaps, we can have dinner again tomorrow," he suggested, ignoring her question entirely.

Cassandra was a woman of vision and she was not going to be swayed from her duties by such a proposition. "I can't tomorrow. I have a lot of work to catch up on. I like having my weekends free and I can only do that if I slog during the weekdays."

"Saturday, then?"

Cassandra had a fleeting suspicion that she would be led on and thrown aside. She would not do anything to jeopardize herself.

She rejected. But Christopher was relentless.

When she could remain silent no more, she asked, "why do you want me there, Alpha? Why do you give me such a gift? Why do you want to have dinner with me again? I'm simply a human. You will be meeting your Destined one day, while my destiny probably lies elsewhere. I don't carry on casual relationships, Alpha, and I'd rather not be led on."

Christopher was stunned. Is that what she thought of him? Did she think him to be whiling away his time with her? He did not know how to present his case, nor how to convince her, when really, it was as easy as being honest.

"Meet me this Saturday and I will answer all your questions. If you are not satisfied, you may leave my company, never to return. I ask of you to allow me the benefit of doubt, Cassandra. I promise to not disappoint you." He hoped she would accept his invitation. If she declined, he would have to tell her now. He was not above begging for her hand.

Cassandra nodded reluctantly. Her curiosity exceeded her caution.

Thus, the Prince took his leave, informing her to await the car at 6 in the evening, just like she had previously. He vowed to himself that he would gain her approval. If she was a simple human, then so be it; he would be a simple man for her.

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Author's Note:

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