CHAPTER 6 : STAY FOR TONIGHT

There hasn't been a single instance where he has been able to divert his attention from me; our eyes are fixed on each other.

I wasn't sure what it was about him—his gorgeous accent, eyes, silky soft puffy black hair, or is it just him—but there was something that drew me to him. I will soon find out.

He stops the dance and just holds both of my hands. He pulls me close, and just when I was about to have the most memorable day of my life, one of the noblemen came and said, 'Sir, his royal highness has asked for your presence immediately."

He nods but looks at me as if he is asking my permission. Before I could say anything, he said, "WWill you excuse me for a couple of minutes, princess?' His eyes are slightly tensed as if he does not want me to say yes and just stay with me for the night; that is what I want too, but I answer him, "Of course, sir, I surely understand.

He walks away from the dance floor, and now I am standing on the side, blushing and thinking about what just happened. My cheeks were warm and were going bright red.

The music stops in a couple of minutes, and Orion comes back with a drink in his hands.

Here, it will help you cool down a bit," he said, smiling at me. ''Thank you. I took the drink, which helped a lot. God, what a lifesaver this man is. ''

The ball seems like it has come to an end, and just as we decide to take our leave, the same man comes and presents me with a letter. I read through it.

Dear Delilah,

Forgive me for leaving you so rudely. I have had a word with the king, and I have told him that I have met an utterly amazing and truly interesting lady. I do not wish for you to leave just yet. Will you come and join our court for some time? My men will wait for your reply as you read this. I believe your presence would bring a breath of fresh air to our court, and I am eager for you to meet the other members of the royal family. Your intelligence and charm have left a lasting impression on me, and I hope you will consider my invitation.

______EC

There is no limit to my excitement. Not only did he apologise, which he did not need to, but he invited me for the night. Such a sweetheart he is. I wonder what the king must have thought. Will I be questioned in any way? maybe not.

''Sure, I would be honoured to stay for a few days," I said delicately.

He leaves after hearing my answer.

Orion looks at me, confused. "Are you sure you want to stay for the night? It is an unknown kingdom, your highness."

"That is the main reason I want to stay. I want to learn more about this kingdom. I said"

Orion looks at me as if I am making a mistake. "Your Highness, you will be here alone. I don't think it is the right decision for you as you might get hurt in any way."

The servant returns and says, "Your princess will be safe with us; we take care of our guests very much, and besides, harming the princess would mean war at any cost, which is certainly not our intention. Your Highness, please follow me; I will take you to your room." I hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to trust the servant's words and follow him to my room. As we walked through the grand halls of the kingdom, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and curiosity about what lay ahead.

Yes, just give me a minute." I nodded at Orion. "It is going to be fine, trust me."

"As you say, your Highness, do take care," he said, walking out of the hall.

I followed him to a long flight of stairs, which were inclined upwards, and then into a long hallway. The interior of the castle was very unique. It was very modest; the doors and the paintings looked extremely expensive. Almost everything was either silver, gold, or in shades of blue or grey. He opened the door to a room that was painted golden. I went inside, and seven maids were there, and one of them was holding a nightgown.

"Your Highness, these maids will be at your service," he said and left without another word, which was weird, but I did not mind; maybe he was busy.

The maids helped me get dressed, and when I was just about to go to bed and leave this world and enter dreamland, I heard a knock on my door. two knocks, to be precise. I got up and opened the door. There stood the man whose presence I had been craving; he smiles at me and says, "I am so sorry. I left you in the middle ever so rudely. Something came up and I had to go."

"It is alright; place duties; I can understand it very well," I said.

''May I come in?" he said.

"Oh, please do." I stepped aside, allowing him to come inside.

He steps inside, and I notice that he is still in his formal tux. He takes my hand, kisses it, and holds it close.

You have no idea how happy I am that you agreed on staying. I wanted to spend some time with you as you are far more interesting than I thought, and I would not want a lady to travel at night, especially the one I fancy.

''I looked down and then up. I had lost my words. I had not felt these feelings for any man. Why was I attracted to him so much? He is also just a normal duke with a bit higher status, but I would not just give in to his love just yet. I would want to see his efforts in making me fall in love."

I remarked adorably, "You know how to impress the ladies, sir."

''Love is complicated, you see; dedication, sometimes unfaithfulness, truly puts a man down in the pits of hell, and this was the first ball I went to in three years. I have more interest in my profession, and surprisingly, I met a woman. Her name is so delicate, light as a feather, with a beautiful pronunciation, and with a hint of winter. Delilah Frost, the first woman I found interesting and yet meek and soft

I was floored by his remarks since no one had ever expressed themselves to me in such a lovely way. His statements didn't sound manufactured; rather, they seemed genuine, and I wanted to believe them. However, I wanted to give us some time.

I smiled, and he understood my gesture towards him. He cleared his throat and laughed a bit, which sounded like a small chuckle.

''Well, I think you should get some rest; it is getting late. You must have been tired from your journey. I will see you in the morning, Delilah. " Good night,'' he said, and he winked at me.

I smiled and said, "Good night, your grace."

''And if you cannot fall asleep, my room is just across the hall," he laughed.

''I think I can manage to sleep, but I would not mind coming in case," I said.

''Good night, Del," he said, and he went out of the room.

'I lowkey wish he had not left and finished what we got interrupted in. I feel so many butterflies in my stomach. I think I will fall hard for this." As I lay in bed, I couldn't shake the feeling of excitement and anticipation for what the future might hold for him. The thought of falling for him made me both nervous and thrilled at the same time.