A sigh escaped his lips as he fondly reminisced the fierce spark that ignited within her viridian eyes. The memory sent shivers down his spine due to how penetrating her gaze was.
"So you didn't even get to the second course before you were rejected. Are you sure you should be barking at this tree? I mean there are certainly other women in the empire who are quite similar to her." Sylvia asked, raising a brow at him.
"There are no other women quite like her. What occurred made me more drawn to her. She's not someone who would allow herself to be played with. She would fight back with ten times the tenacity and unleash holy hell into her enemies. It's excellent because I don't want Cinderellas and Snow Whites. She's the little red riding hood and the wolf combined. Beautiful yet cunning."
"Oh, brother. You are enchanted. I should inform you that pain and sorrow always accompany love and regret is oftentimes its final destination. But she is right though." Sylvia warned, directing her brother with a worried glance.
"What do you mean?" he asked in confusion.
"Ruby is currently in a very emotional crisis and the last thing that she needs right now is a suitor. She's in a very complicated love conflict since she found her childhood love cheating and then suddenly, you, the prince of this nation declares that you love her. Don't you think that you've put her in a more compromising position? I mean, even if she's as great as you claim her to be, Ruby is still a human. And she's still a child. She's being subjected to a lot of stress and the best thing you can do for her right now is to be her friend. Drink with her and listen to her cry about her problems. Maybe make friendship bracelets or drink in a pub." Sylvia voiced placing a hand on his shoulder.
Aurelius seems to contemplate this for a while before nodding in agreement.
"I was wrong. I wanted to be something that she doesn't need, a lover, but if I really want to be anything in her life... I should start by considering what she feels. I'll be her friend." He produced a gentle smile before picking up the red queen.
"I'm going all in."
🌹
Ruby sat brooding in her hotel room balcony while a chessboard lay in front of her. She held the king chess piece in her hand made of real sapphire stones. She replayed the events that had occurred during their date. She believed that the words he had uttered to her were only for deception so that he could achieve his end and yet... Why does she keep thinking about him? She couldn't remove his words from her mind as well as the realistic sincerity he had while proclaiming his love for her. She only laughed it out as a mere jest however she was beginning to doubt if he was really bluffing or not.
"Trouble in paradise?" Carmilla asked wrapping her arms around her shoulders and putting her head on top of her shoulder.
"Good morning. How was your sleep and how was your night with Marcel? I trust that your date was much better than mine." Ruby smiled pushing away her thoughts.
"It was marvelous. Though I still feel quite guilty with the whole ordeal. I should have told you the first time I felt something for him instead of letting you find it out from your admirer. Speaking of which, do I smell a love rival?"
"Yes, he had professed his affections for me though I suspect that it was all a sham so that I could marry him and make their family the rightful rulers. I do not want to be subjected as a tool to retain their power ladder."
"I don't mind a small rival. I'd like to see him try and win you away from me. If he can." Carmilla whispered seductively before placing her hand inside Ruby's bodice and fondling her breasts. The blonde released a soft moan of pleasure as her partner pinch her nipples and rub it tenderly.
Carmilla sat on Ruby's lap who pushed her fingers inside her skirt and started caressing her slit. The ravenette grabbed her face and crashed their lips together in a passionate make out. Ruby can feel the drive and sincerity in each movement of her lips but why does it feel... different. She's aware that for Carmilla their relationship had lost its excitement and romance, and the rapid beating of her heart had faded. It seems that they are truly getting jaded. She still loves Carmilla and Carmilla clearly loves her but their love feels more platonic than romantic as time goes by.
She pushed away her thoughts and abandoned her doubts. They need to marry, their feelings don't matter. What matters is their obligation.
Carmilla soon pulled away and gazed at her evergreen eyes passionately.
"I promise you that I won't be keeping any secrets from you anymore. I know that you'll start getting skeptical about the things I say to you but I want you to trust me again. So I will do everything I can to earn your trust." The smile on Ruby's lips faded as she released a sigh. She averted her eyes from the female and began speaking in a melancholic tone.
"I would be lying if I tell you that I still trust you like I trusted you before, but Carmilla... we need to talk." This seemed to be enough to earn the full attention of the princess and Ruby decided to proceed when she didn't reply.
"Our marriage is an obligation. I may not condone to forced marriage but it is our duty to fulfill the oath of our family. As long as Marcel remains as a fling, I will allow your relationship, even if we marry you can still keep him as your mistress. I just hope that you don't do something so brash."
"I know." Carmilla weakly replied with a downcast expression. "I will not betray our vows."
"I'm sorry for subjecting you to this but I also greatly love you. I may be acting selfish and even foolish but it is the curse that accompanies our noble birth. We are bound to our families' desires."
"I know and I completely understand." Carmilla sighed looking at her shoes.
"I don't want to lie to you and keep things from you especially those that will greatly affect your future. I was told to keep it from you just yet but... you deserve to know the truth." Carmilla raised her bowed head at this and looked at her in curiosity. Ruby's tone and downcast expression are foreboding making her afraid of what news she will bring.
"They're moving up our wedding date and sending you with me back to Cadmure until you give birth. Your father found out about your relationship with Marcel and thought that he's a setback to your compliance so he's ensuring that you comply. He has already spoken to my mother and she agreed. We're getting married on the 18th of the next two months."
Carmilla's world collapsed right then and there. Time seemed to stop still as Ruby's words sank into her mind. No words can form on her lips as she stood there dumbfounded, her heart breaking into a million pieces as she felt powerless against the control of her father and her fate.
"That's so unfair. What will I-- How can I be with Marcel if I'm in Cadmure? What can I do?" She whispered solemnly as tears of grief started falling from her bright fuchsia eyes. Her attention turned back to Ruby who looked at her with pity.
"Ruby... I beg you. Please... I need your help. I'm not asking you to stop our marriage. I will comply but please... Give me more time with Marcel now that he has confessed to me how much he loves me. Please, I'm begging you." she pleaded in desperation. Ruby's heart nearly broke at the sight of her despondency however she can only avert her eyes to prevent herself from giving into tears.
"I'm sorry, Carmilla... but there's nothing more I can do."