Royally Interested

Chapter 10

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The Chandeliers were hung , Garland ran all the way up the stairs, some glass sculptures of reindeer lined the halls , everything just looked, smelled and felt like Christmas.

"Everything looks great Rysand. Thank you. "

"You're welcome. I'm just waiting for the trees to come in later today. " he said marking things off his list.

"Trees ? As in plural ?"

"Yeah as in plural. In a place as big as this you can't just have one tree." He laughed while I didn't find it as funny. I guess money really is the root of all things. Here I was having to carry someone else's baby because I couldn't even afford ONE small tree, and he goes out and buy SEVEN of the biggest ones in Wendlyn!? This was unthinkable!

"I guess you're right?" I questioned more so myself - for even considering that one would be enough for him - than actually asking him.

"Of course I'm right !" He joked placing the binder down " I know best." He mocked giving me a smirk as I rolled my eyes . He could be quite the jokester in certain times where it suited him.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas," he began singing in a joking manner while he grabbed my hand dancing around the ballroom and singing along to the song. " Everywhere you go..." he continued making me laugh into his shoulder. "What? My singing's great ." He defended making me laugh even harder though he didn't seem fazed in the least , he just continued dancing around the room.

As we started to slow down more , I layed my head on his shoulder as I listened to the little drummer boy play softly. "You know... this is shaping up to be one of my better Christmas' yet."

"Me too." I said softly lifting my head as I watched him look at me expectantly , and for a brief moment ... I thought we were having a moment. Time stood still, the music faded , his hand dropped from mine to my waist and then...he started leaning in.

"Sire I need your signature on - oh , forgive me , I'm terribly sorry. " one of the lady maids apologized as Rysand and I jumped back bewildered.

"You should probably tend to that. I... have some things to finish up myself." I said flustered as he watched me walk away with no words. This has been the second time something like this almost happend. I don't even want to think about what would've happened if she hadn't interrupted us. I had to be more careful cause if not, things could turn out to be slightly worse than we wanted it to be...

It wasn't that I despised Rysand and thought him to be unattractive, infact that was the problem. I did find him attractive... and charming , kind , honest... even a little romantic. But this could never work between us. In 3 month's time I'd be handing him his child and walk out of his life forever. After my time here has ran up , he'll never give me another thought and go on with his life. So why complicate things with... feelings ?

****
"Yes Opal , everything's fine. I'm already nearing the end of my second trimester and then I'll be back home." I spoke into the phone with a silly smile - even though I knew she couldn't see it - as I sat down on my bed. "You know I'm not allowed to tell you where I am or who I'm with. It's the organization's policy ." I explained hearing her sigh into the phone  - probably dramatically falling unto her bed - while I walked into the bathroom running the water.

"Okay , you're on speaker. " I said getting into the warm water feeling simply blissful.

"Remind me again why you're doing all of this ? "

"I told you ; I need the money."

"I know that, but there are easier ways of doing that without having to sacrifice and ruin your body." She said while I moved closer to the edge of the rim.

"This is not ruining my body Opal , infact pregnancy is such a magical thing. The feelings , the movements , having the ability to create life ... I think -"

"You're not growing attached to that child are you ? Cause if I remember correctly ; that's the number one rule of the-"

"Of course not. Don't be silly. I just mean that ... it's not that bad is all. " I clarified hearing a knock sound from the door. "Look , I have to go. I'll... talk to you soon okay ?"

"Alright. Good luck. " she said making a grateful smile appear on my face.

"Thanks. " I said before ending the call . "I'm in the shower!" I called hearing my bedroom door open and feet move to the other side of the bathroom door.

"I'm sorry to interrupt miss , but sire instructed you to meet him in the garden ?" One of the lady maids explained while I sighed pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Sure . I'll... be down in a second. Thank you." I replied hearing the door open and close again. I knew that I couldn't ignore him forever but I also knew that whatever he had to say wasn't going to be good for my case either.

Seeing him sit in the gazebo with his head between his hands, I couldn't help but feel partly responsible.

"Wow the... sunset's beautiful tonight. " I said nervous watching him lift his head slowly.

"Yes , it's simple gorgeous but not as -"

"I'm going to stop you there Rysand. " I said watching his face fall as he motioned for me to sit. "I know you mean well and trust me , I'm having a lot of fun too but... we can't keep doing this to ourselves. Eventually something's going to have to give and it's not going to be me. I value my time here too much than to ruin everything for you."

"But that's just the thing ," he interjected getting up and standing infront of me. "You're not ruining anything. Infact , I think you're making everything better. Avalon," he continued, grabbing my hand as my eyes met his burning gaze "you being here feels like... fate. "

"You can't say things like that Rysand. Not if you don't mean it anyway. " I said embarrassed trying to pull away, though he didn't see it that way.

"I do mean it. Atleast ... I think I do. Give me a chance to prove to you that I'm worth it , that we're worth it." He pleaded as I blew out a breath, gently removing my hand from his.

"That's just the thing ; I know you're worth it and I... think you're pretty great too. But like I told you before , we can't be doing this. There's about a million reasons I can think of why this shouldn't happen. "

"And I can think of a million more why it should ..."

"Ugh !!! You're making this a lot harder than needs to be." I exclaimed frustrated seeing him look at me confused "look , for the sake of everyone, your baby , and my financial circumstances, I think it's better if we keep this professional. Please." I pleaded watching his eyes bounce between mine.

"And what if I don't want this to be professional?"

"Then... we're friends. Okay ? I'm sorry Rysand but ... that's about the best I can do. I hope that's enough for you ." I suggested watching him heave out a big sigh.

"Sure. Friends it is. " he answered making a small smile of relief take form on my face.

"Thank you. Goodnight Rysand." I said moving towards the steps.

"Goodnight Avalon. I... hope you have a good night. " he said courteous while I made my way back inside.

I guess Rysand really was as stubborn as he looked. He didn't take kindly to the word no or the fact that someone actually rejected him. But it was better this way. I know it hurt me just as much as it hurt him to say no to all of this , but it was for the good of his people and his reputation.

I couldn't let him to throw all of this away for someone as poor , uneducated and simply put ; different , for me. I couldn't allow him to do that and I wasn't going to either. 

There it is my lovelies! Thank you so much for reading. Remember to leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Until next time keep howling my wolves ❤🐺