The warm hand of the princess was holding tightly on Helene's hand. She pulled the witch further away from the ballroom until they arrived in a dark hallway. Thoughts about having to find a suitor or her father will punish her kept repeating in her mind. As well as needing to protect Sofie's daughter…
As she was holding Helene's hand she felt comfort. Barely knowing her, she still felt it was fate that they had met. And Dalia wanted to make sure that no suitor would take her first kiss. But Helene.
"Princess… What are you doing?" Helene's voice was filled with confusion but Dalia didn't say anything. She kept walking until they arrived at the corner, where no one would notice them. Dalia glanced behind at Helene, whose eyes almost glowed in the dark. The golden accessories reflected the light as if they were stars.
Dalia slowly let go of Helene's hand and turned to look into her eyes. The witch seemed nervous and looked away, playing with the details on her dress.
"Helene…" Dalia moved closer to her until her back hit against the wall. A glint of desire flashed by Helene's eyes.
"In case something happens…" Dalia muttered, taking a deep breath before looking into Helene's purple eyes again. She felt how Helene's arms wrapped around her and slowly pulled her closer.
"Yes, princess?" There was a hint of playfulness this time, only making Dalia feel even more nervous. So she closed her eyes and moved her lips towards the witch's lips who were accepting. She could feel her hands roaming around her back and playing with her long locks. Then Dalia slowly pulled away from the kiss and placed her head on her shoulder, staying in her embrace. Just wanting to feel this love, even if it was for a little while.
Helene didn't say anything either but Dalia could hear how her heart was pounding.
"Dalia…" The princess' eyes widened to hear how gently Helene said her name instead of princess or your highness. She looked up and felt her hand stroke her cheek.
"You really are daring. I could never have made such a bold action…" She paused and a smile spread across her lips.
"I'm glad you did…" She slowly let go of the embrace which made Dalia's heart sink but instead she grabbed her hand.
"May I have a dance with you?" Planting a gentle kiss on top of her hand, Dalia accepted and they returned to the ballroom. Hand in hand, they joined the next dance. At first, Dalia was hesitant over dancing with someone who wasn't noble. Someone who her father definitely didn't want her to marry. But Helene seemed to only look at her, without a care in the world. And it made her relax, forgetting the world around her, even if it were for just a minute.
Cashimir tried to look for Eris in the crowd but just like that, she was gone… Thinking about how she just slipped away made his heartache. Turning around he almost walked into someone. He could feel a pair of ice-cold eyes looking right through him. It was the king, wearing the white lion mask.
"Cashimir, I was just looking for you" His voice was filled with amusement as he had a smirk on his lips.
"Ah, your majesty. You found me. What did you want?" Cashimir straightened his back and acted with respect.
"I just saw you dancing with a very lovely lady earlier. Do you know her from earlier?"
"Ah, no. She just seemed lonely and I thought I could offer her a dance."
"Really?" The king raised his brow then patted Cashimir on his shoulder.
"How noble of you. As expected." He grinned before his eyes caught something else. Cashimir looked in the same direction, seeing Helene and Dalia dancing together. He felt how the king's grip tightened around his shoulder but he soon let go.
"Excuse me" The king then disappeared into the crowd. Cashimir sighed and slowly made his way to Helene and Dalia, warning them about the look the king gave them.
The ballroom felt incredibly full but there was still enough space to dance around without a problem. There were ice sculptures everywhere and large windows showing the snowy landscape outside. Dancing was necessary unless one wanted to freeze.
The dance soon ended and Dalia quickly spotted Cashimir. She ran towards him, dragging Helene with her but she avoided looking at him.
"Cashimir! Enjoying the ball so far?" Her face was filled with joy and Cashimir couldn't help but smile, seeing her so warm when she was so closed off and cold during their stay.
"Yeah. I also managed to meet Eris." He lowered his voice when he mentioned her and Dalia gave a slow nod, knowing that it's her she is supposed to protect.
"I also managed to speak with the king. He didn't seem pleased with you two together." Dalia's smile slowly faded but didn't let go of Helene's hand.
"I know…" She bit her lip.
"I suggested we should leave. Tonight. I don't know what my father will do. He is up to something. I can feel it." Cashimir nodded and looked at Helene who glanced at him and nodded as well.
They decided Dalia would stay with Cashimir while Helene would sneak back into their rooms and pack everything. Since Helene could use magic, she would be the fastest to gather everything. Then she would wait outside. Cashimir still searched for Eris, hoping he could at least say goodbye to her. Who knows when their paths would meet again?
"Are you looking for her?" Dalia asked and Cashimir nodded.
"We should probably take her with us."
"You're right…" Dalia bit her lip, wanting to fulfil her mother's last wish. But she didn't feel ready to become a protector and stand up against her father. It would have been easier to just run away and never return… But that would be cowardly… She probably would disappoint her mother as well if she did.