A few days had passed by and Aileen had been trying to avoid Daniel. For some odd reason, his requesting of her calling him by his name had flustered her.
She never imagined they would get to this point and she often times forgets that he is her husband. She had recognized that she has started to develop feelings for him, though she didn't want to admit it.
Today Aileen had gone to the music room, there were cello's and violins, guitars and trombones, Pianos and flutes.
Aileen knew how to play the piano due to the many private lessons she had gotten as a child back home.
She felt a pang in her heart when she thought of back home. Everything had changed in a way she hadn't liked.
Her father was planning something terrible, and she had no idea if her mother was aware. She felt bad for her poor brothers. And she had lost her best friend and first love. And now she didn't know when she would see any of them again. Though Aileen was starting to feel like life here in the Ice Kingdom wasn't so bad. She missed her life a few months ago when she was still running around with Sebastian playing pranks on the people in the palace. When she was meeting her family at the dinner table and chatting away about her lessons. She would never have that back.
She began to play the piano. A harmonious sound filled the room and spilled out into the vast halls of the palace.
When Aileen played she often got lost in it. She hadn't realized it when she was younger but music was one of her passions, and it was so nice to finally sit down and play after a while.
As she went through the song, she hadn't realized that Daniel was there leaning against the doorframe watching her play.
When she finished and hit the last key, he gave a small round of applause.
Aileen jumped and looked behind her in shock, but it all melted to embarrassment when she realized who it was.
She quickly got up. " Umm Hello your high- I mean Daniel…"
Aileen didn't like the way he was smirking at her.
She cleared her throat. "This is a nice music room, have you, have you played in here before?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth she regretted them. She could facepalm right now.
~ Of course he's played in here before you idiot! He's only lived here his entire life!~
Aileen had heard all about the stories of the young Ice Prince being excellent at all the instruments he ever touched. She had no doubt he could play the piano well, and definitely better than she could.
Daniel chuckled and ignored the irony of her comment. "I have actually… I used to spend a lot of time in here."
Aileen could have sworn she saw a flicker of sadness across his face, but it disappeared as quickly as it had came.
Daniel was the one to clear his throat this time. "Do you want to play?"
Aileen felt her heart surge. She nodded. "Sure."
Daniel sat down on the bench and she settled beside him.
His fingers began to run over the keys. It had never failed to amaze her exactly how pale his skin was, but it still seemed to hold such warmth to it that she couldn't help but want to touch it.
Daniel began to play a few notes and Aileen recognized the song. "The Lily and The Rose." A famous musician had made the song about the unification of the two Kingdoms many many years ago when they were young.
Aileen began to play the lower keys as Daniel played the higher. Aileen had always loved this song. She loved the idea of the unification, of everything being peaceful. She must have forgotten that meaning until now. As she heard how the lower keys and the higher keys blended seamlessly, she realized that it wasn't just about her not wanting a war. She didn't want to lose the sense of unification amongst the two kingdoms. If her father succeeded, they would never get that back.
Daniel ended with the last note.
He sat staring ahead. Aileen wondered if he was thinking the same thing she was thinking.
She got the sudden courage and put her hand over his. Willing him to look at her.
"I promise I'll do everything I can to make sure my father doesn't go through with this."
Daniel smiled. Seeming as though he wanted a change of topic he narrowed his eyes and asked.
"By the way, have you been avoiding me these last couple of days?"
Aileen felt her face go red. "N-no, I've just been busy! I have things to do too you know! You aren't the only one with responsibilities!"
Daniel put on a fake sad face. "Oh… and here I thought you just didn't like me."
Aileen shook her head profusely. "No that's not it! I-I like you!"
Daniels eyes widened slightly hearing her say that so easily.
"Oh?"
Aileen covered her mouth realizing what she just said.
" I mean as a friend, I've come to know you, we don't fight anymore and I do… like you… as my friend…." Her voice had trailed off towards the end of her sentence.
Daniel nodded. "I see."
"Well speaking of responsibilities, I've got to go. I've got a meeting with my advisors around noon."
Aileen nodded.
With that Daniel got up and left the room.
However what Aileen didn't know was the thoughtful smile he had left the room with.