I woke up first, the soft light of dawn filtering through the heavy curtains of our chamber. My gaze immediately fell on Riley, who was still asleep beside me. She looked absolutely gorgeous, her features softened by sleep.
It had been a week since she had moved into the castle, and despite her cold demeanor, I couldn't bring myself to give up on her. Some battles, even if they take a lot of time, are worth fighting.
Today was special—it was Lydia's ball, and we were to leave by 3 PM. I had let Riley sleep in a bit longer; it was already 11 AM. Just as I was about to get up, there was a knock on the door. A group of maids entered, their excitement palpable.
"Miss Riley, it's time to get ready," one of them said softly, gently waking her up.
Riley stirred, blinking sleepily. The maids then turned to me, their expressions firm. "You don't need to be here, Lady Seraphine," one of them said, practically shooing me out of the room. I chuckled, knowing better than to argue with them when they were this eager to take care of Riley.
"Alright, alright, I'm going," I said with a smile, stepping out of the room. I made my way to my former chambers to get ready. Today, I needed to look my best.
I stood before the large wardrobe, contemplating my options. After a moment, I decided on a classic black suit. It was tailored to perfection, fitting me like a glove.
The jacket was sleek, with subtle red stitching along the seams, adding a touch of elegance. Underneath, I wore a crisp white shirt, the collar sharp and pristine. I added a black tie, completing the look. My shoes were polished to a high shine, and I finished it off with a pair of cufflinks that bore the family crest.
As I dressed, I couldn't help but think about the past week. Riley had been distant, and despite my efforts, I couldn't seem to break through her cold exterior. But I wasn't going to give up. I had seen glimpses of the person she truly was, and I knew there was more to her than the icy facade she put up.
Once I was ready, I headed to the castle entry, where I would wait for Riley. As I stood there, I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Today was important, not just because of the ball, but because it was another chance to show Riley that she could trust me.
Finally, Riley appeared at the top of the grand staircase, and my breath caught in my throat. She looked absolutely stunning. Her hair was styled in loose waves, cascading down her shoulders with a soft, natural elegance.
Her makeup was flawless, highlighting her striking features without overpowering them. She wore a dress that was both elegant and daring—a deep emerald green that complemented her eyes perfectly.
The dress hugged her figure, the fabric flowing gracefully as she moved. Her shoes were delicate heels, adorned with subtle sparkling details that caught the light with every step.
"Riley, you look... breathtaking," I said, unable to hide the admiration in my voice.
She gave a small, polite smile, still guarded but appreciative. "Thank you, Seraphine."
I extended my arm to her. "Shall we? The car is waiting for us."
Riley hesitated for a moment before taking my arm, and together, we walked out to the waiting car, ready to face whatever the evening had in store for us.
As we stepped outside, the car was already waiting for us, a sleek black vehicle that gleamed in the afternoon sun. I opened the door for Riley, gesturing for her to enter first. She did so with a polite nod, her demeanor still reserved.
I followed her inside, and the door closed behind us, sealing us in a bubble of silence and tension.
The interior of the car was luxurious, with plush leather seats and dark wood accents. We sat across from each other, and I could feel the weight of the unspoken words between us. Riley's eyes flicked to me a few times, and I couldn't help but catch her glancing at me when she thought I wasn't looking.
"You know," I said, breaking the silence, "you can say it if you find me attractive."
Riley's eyes widened slightly, and then she frowned. "What makes you think I find you attractive?"
I shrugged, giving her a small smile. "I noticed you looking at me. It's okay, Riley. You don't have to pretend."
Her frown deepened, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I wasn't looking at you because I find you attractive, Seraphine. I was... I was just thinking."
"Thinking about what?" I asked, leaning forward slightly, genuinely curious.
"About how insufferable you are," she snapped, her voice tinged with irritation. "You're always so smug, always assuming you know what I'm thinking or feeling."
I leaned back, trying to maintain my composure. "I'm not trying to be smug, Riley. I just want to understand you better."
"Understand me?" She laughed, a bitter sound. "You can't understand me, Seraphine. You've never been through what I've been through."
"That's true," I admitted softly. "But I'd like to try, if you'll let me."
Riley looked away, staring out the window. "I don't want your pity or your attempts at understanding. I just want to be left alone."
I sighed, feeling a pang of sadness. "If that's what you really want, I'll respect that. But I hope you'll see that I'm here for you, Riley. I'm not going to give up on you."
She didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. The rest of the ride was steeped in an uncomfortable silence, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. No matter how hard I tried, Riley remained a fortress, her walls impenetrable.
Finally, we arrived at the human castle, and the sight was breathtaking. The castle was a magnificent structure, towering high with its stone walls and intricate turrets. It was a blend of gothic and renaissance architecture, with sprawling gardens and fountains that sparkled in the afternoon light.
Ivy climbed up the sides of the castle, adding a touch of nature's elegance to the otherwise imposing structure. The grand entrance was adorned with large wooden doors, intricately carved with scenes of ancient battles and royal crests.
"We're here," I said, breaking the silence as the car came to a stop.
Riley glanced at me, her expression unreadable. "Yes, we are."
I got out of the car first and extended my hand to help her out. She took it, albeit reluctantly, and we stood together, facing the grand castle. Despite the tension between us, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, tonight could be a step towards breaking down the walls between us.