Prince Daire strode away from Princess Sophia's quarters, his brow furrowed. The Sophia he had known, however briefly, had been a naive, quiet little thing.
He had known as soon as he had returned that Sophia was not the villain she had been portrayed as, that a puppet master - most likely his brother Milo - was at work behind the scenes.
He had ruthlessly rejected Sophia's declaration of love and loyalty in order to protect her, intending to explain later once he had smoked out the true evildoer. When he had heard that she had attempted to end her life he had been horrified.
He had rushed to her side as soon as he was informed she was awake however she had fainted in his arms before he had a chance to say anything.
He smirked slightly remembering her huskily spoken words about wanting to eat him.
He had decided to wait and watch over her, unsure of who or what had caused her to pass out again, but when she had woken and cried so desperately he had felt an emotion he couldn't describe.
Though it had been so hard to do knowing what she had suffered, he had had to keep up the ruse of thinking her a villain as the Palace had spies everywhere; however he had been shocked when she had reprimanded him for his awful words.
The woman who had confronted him in Sophia's bedchamber moments ago was strong willed and passionate and he had no doubt that she was telling the truth about her missing memories.
Though before he had been able to see that Sophia was a beautiful and sweet woman she bore no interest to him but this Sophia, who was all passion and fire, he had felt the stirrings of desire for. In all honesty, he admitted, he had thought her breathtaking.
The only part that did not ring true was that she remembered her identity and his own but nothing else.. though she had conveniently remembered her suicide attempt..
He had a suspicion there was more to this then she was saying but he would find out the truth eventually.
Prince Daire entered his own quarters, stripping down to step into his waiting bath. He chuckled lightly, remembering Sophia's parting words - so defiant but charming all the same. He racked his brains trying to think of the last time someone had spoken to him like it? Had they ever?
Sinking back into the hot water he realised he was looking forward to meeting Sophia again tomorrow.. he knew with certainty he wouldn't be bored with her around.
* * *
"I've spoken to the Royal Physician, you have the all clear Sophia. He thinks your memories will return once you have recovered from the trauma."
Daire had once again waltzed into my quarters without being announced! I wasn't born a Princess, but I was one now and he needed to show me the appropriate courtesy. Okay I had only been one for a day but still.. he didn't know that!
"Prince Daire, I don't appreciate you calling me by my name, I believe you and I are not close enough for you to do so. I also don't appreciate the Doctor reporting my health to you instead of to me, meetings with Physicians should be confidential and lastly, I am still waiting for a report on all accusations against me."
I cringed slightly on the inside at how prim and proper I sounded, but he was awful to Sophia yesterday, saying he was sorry she survived, and I was no longer anybody's doormat!
Raising his eyebrows at me with a slight gleam in his eye that ALMOST made me believe he was enjoying himself, he took a seat opposite me and pulled a rope attached to the wall.
"Well, PRINCESS Sophia, I am the Crown Prince of Cadilani and there are only two people in all of Cadilani that do not have to bow when I walk into a room and you, my dear, are not one of them."
"Well you'll be waiting a long time for me to bow to you because these are my quarters and I didn't invite you!"
My maid, who I had found out earlier was called Mary, entered in a rush at the end of my childish rant, the rope Daire had pulled earlier a signal that help was required.
Bowing deeply to the Crown Prince - making my left eye twitch while he raised a smug eyebrow at me - she took his order for tea and departed as quickly as she had come.
"Why did you order tea? I just told you you're an uninvited and UNWANTED guest."
"My dear PRINCESS Sophia, you were just lecturing me that we are not close enough to call each other by our first names, even though we are to be married! If you want distance and respect then surely you intend to show me the same?"
I huffed out a breath, he had me there.. should I allow him to call me Sophia if it meant I wouldn't have to bow to him? I don't know why, but the idea of bowing down to him made me want to punch something.
"Darling Daire, if you believe I am special enough not to have to bow in your revered presence then I suppose I can allow you to call me Sophia."
Sarcasm dripped from my every word and I leaned back, pleased with myself, when he stood suddenly.
"Why Princess Sophia, as you said, we certainly aren't close enough for that! Sadly I no longer have time for tea.. your Crown Prince is leaving, bow or spend the night in the dungeons."
Muttering curse words like a sailor, but under my breath so Devil Daire didn't hear, I smiled sweetly at him.
"I choose the dungeon."
Smiling dangerously he leant over me, his eyes sparkling with challenge.
"My dear, you didn't disappoint. Guards!"