Chapter 35 - Coronation I

(Two Nights Later)

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Rage coronation is going to be in thirty minutes and I still don't know what to wear.

Anna has been trying to force me into a dress I absolutely despise.

Our relationship has grown so well that she is able to speak comfortably with me.

"I'm definitely not wearing this. I mean where is the second part of it? "I crossed my arm glaring at the cloth on the bed.

Anna held her forehead like an old woman trying to put up with an insolent teenager.

"You've to wear this. There is no second part that's what I have been trying to tell you. As a princess you have to stand out."She held her waist. Her eyes burning into mine.

" Why don't I just go in my underwear then. There's no difference"I sat down grumpily. I refuse to be dressed in that.

I mean it leaves so little to the imagination. It's only recently I am getting comfortable in the demon ladies dressing style and now this.

She rolled her eyes "If that's what you want,then fine go in your underwear"She shrugged picking up the dress on the bed.

Did she just agree for me to go in my underwear?

"W-what! Hey..."I trailed off not knowing what to say.

"Isn't that what you want?"She clutched the dress in her arm.

Pouting I pulled the dress from her hand. Her lips pulled up.

"You're going to make heads turn and hearts skip"She clapped giggling with excitement.

"...and mine will roll on the floor after the ladies decapitate me with their eyes"I grumbled under my breathe.

She helped me into the dress and sat me down on the vanity table.

"Oh..Milady you're going to look so amazing after I'm done with you"She gushed.

I stared helplessly at her as she dulled me up.

Once she was done,I stood up on my heels staring at my reflection.

Once again I couldn't recognize the person in the mirror.

"You've got magical hands"I praised her twelling in the dress.

"Thank you Milady"She curtsied,her cheeks tinted red.

The black evening dress clung to my body like a second skin. It looks so beautiful bringing out my curves. The two sides on my tummy region open, showing my skin.

Like almost all my dresses,this one also has a split by the side running high stopping on my thigh. Most part of my thighs out on display.

With no straps on, my shoulders filled with freckles are out on the open. The back of the dress is entirely open running down to my waist.

The dress clung so hard to my chest that my breast is spilling from the top.

"A-are you sure,this is presentable?"I stared with doubt at Anna.

I feel like a slut dressed in this but somehow I like it. It makes me feel powerful and in control. Maybe Delilah was right to call me a whore.

"It's beautiful Milady, please wear it,their is no time for another dress"She replied with a smile on her face.

I rolled my eyes. Of course she would say that. She wants me to go in this.

I took in a deep breath trying to calm myself.

"Okay. Let's do this."I nodded with confidence at her.

She lead me out of the room. Together we walked down the stairs towards the ball room.

"Milady please remember,their will be more people there than you have ever seen. Lots of people from the four kingdoms will be present and some other species of creatures. Be careful." Anna warned me.

" I will"I assured her with a firm nod.

We reached the ball room. The guards announced our presence as the door opened.

I sucked in a huge breath as I saw the numerous eyes turned towards me.

"Oh my! that's more than I expected Milady"Anna gasped behind me.

I sucked in a breath and walked inside with unsteady steps. Eyes turned towards me as I pass them.

The men were staring lewdly at me. Their eyes scanned my body making me feel uncomfortable. Not to talk of the whispers and mumbling I keep hearing from the ladies.

I walked slowly trying to be steady and bold towards the throne.

Rage stood by the side of the throne with Lust beside him.

Before now,Anna has already briefed me on how this occasion will go,what to do and how to act poised like a princess would. It wasn't an easy teaching for her, mostly with me missing a step every second or asking lots of questions.

I curtsied at them. Rage snickered annoying me.

He is so darn lucky that eyes are on me at this point.

I raised my head and glared at him. He rolled his eyes.

"You look lovely"Lust took my hand laying a feathery kiss on it.

"Thank you"I smiled. My cheeks felt warm.

" Care to dance with me?"he asked his palm outstretched.

I looked around and everyone was paired up dancing. My eyes connected with Austin's making me immediately look away.

I nodded placing my palm in his.

He took me to the center of the ball room, all eyes were on us as we swayed to the music.

His hand wrapped around my waist. I could feel the tip of his fingers on my exposed skin.

His long hair was let loose. He was dressed in a princely attire, his chest on display showing his tattoos.

He swayed me effortlessly in the dance floor dancing to every tune.

"It feels like ages since I last saw you"he spoke. Warmth in his eyes.

" I know you are busy" I said a meek smile on my face.

He sighed looking tired.

"What's wrong?"I asked worried.

His eyes met mine. It was as if they was a thousand battles going on in there.

"We won't work" he said looking downcasted.

My world stopped. I stared at him confused. I so much wish I didn't understand what he meant but I do. I do so much. More than I would like.

We stopped dancing staring at each other.

"B-but why?"My voice broke. Sadness clouded my heart.

He looked like his whole world crashed. He ran his hand through his hair and looked around us before pulling me away.

He pulled me towards a secluded spot away from everyone's eyes.

"Chris you're an amazing girl,but this won't work. I have alot of duties and obligations and we hardly spend time together. Your feelings for me might even just be a crush or a mere attraction" he held my cheeks.

I pushed his hands away,my eyes hardened.

"I'm a woman not a girl. I thought we have established that fact." I raised a brow at him.

He sighed in defeat.

" Ch---"

"No stop! You're doubting my feelings for you? A crush? A mere attraction?"My voice increased a volume.

I felt so hurt and betrayed.

"Your feelings for me first started with an attraction. I'm not sure it's even enough to be considered love. And then immediately you came here, we expressed our interest but it's not working. This is not love. I have'nt felt it. What I'm trying to say is that you need the freedom to explore other options understand what love is and if this is what you really want."He pointed between us.

My eyes glazed with tears as I tried to contain it.

"Chris it's for the best. For you. I don't want to come off as using you. And alot is going on in my life. I don't want to hurt you in the future"He spoke softly holding my hand.

" S-so you don't love me?"I asked with a broken heart.

His fingers drew small circles on my hand as his eyes watched me.

"I care for you alot Chris. That's why I'm doing this."He said a small smile on his face.

He didn't say love,but care.

My mind already detecting his use of words.

Why here,why now!

"For now I can say we're not lovers. Lovers spend time together Chris. They can't stay away from each other. One day you'll understand" He ran his hand through my hair as I stared helplessly at him.

I took in a deep breath my countenance hardening.

Maybe he is right. I need to understand what love is. I stared at the crowd,my eyes connected with Austin's deep gaze.

If I really loved him. Whatever that's happening with Austin wouldn't have. He deserves better, than to be used like this.

"Okay."I replied wiping my tears away.

He looked taken aback a bit.

"You won't start avoiding me now will you?"he asked. A sad smile on his face.

I shook my head denying the fact. He doesn't need to know how true his assumptions are.

"So...can I still have this dance with you, maybe we can be friends?"he asked.

We definitely can't be friends at least not yet.

"Okay."I nodded smiling at him.

He pulled me back into the center as we swayed together to the music. Along the line a swap was done and I ended up in the hands of another man.

He tried starting up a conversation with me but I kept ignoring him at every point.

The ladies were twelled and I landed in the arms of another.

"Hey beautiful" he whispered in my ear.

"Austin?"I mumbled under my breath turning in his arms to stare at him.

He pulled me close,that permanent smirk on his face.

"So I heard you're a free bird now" he grinned.

"H-how do you know?"I asked surprised.

He raised a brow at me like he couldn't believe what I just said.

"Demons have intensive hearing ability and you both weren't so quiet. I'm sure everyone hear heard your bickering. Plus I can read your mind"he rolled his eyes.

My eyes widened as I stared at him in shock.

"You can read my mind?!"I asked.

"Every powerful and higher demon can. You thoughts are not really that caged. They are all over the place."he shrugged .

I glared at him and glanced around me.

"Does that mean that every higher demon in this room can read my mind?"

" Precisely"he replied.

" And since when did you start reading my mind?"I etched my brows at him.

He smirked " Since I first met you. Might I add you have quite the creative thoughts" he winked at me.

My cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

Does that mean that Lust also....

This is so embarrassing..... he heard my lewd thoughts all this while and didn't tell me.

"You bastard!"I mumbled under my breath.

He chuckled "Me or Lust?"he asked raising his brow.

Damn it!

I glared at him. He chuckled in amusement. He danced with me for a while before he left.

I watched him as he walked off towards a lady. Obviously flirting with her.

'What a prick!' I thought annoyed.

The demon behind me chocked on his drink as he stared at me with rounded eyes.

I seriously need to protect my thoughts. I forced my mind to think less and lock everyone out but I don't know how well that went.

My training so far has bee advancing so of cause I have been learning more skills and ability. Austin teaches me most times but the rest is sir Fluke.

"Can you read my thoughts? "I asked him.

He shifted on his feet and shook his head walking off.

I sighed in relief.

"That's some interesting ability you have there Milady..."