Chapter-2

The dinner had just begun, Irene sat next to their father who was sitting next to Cassius, the handsome guest of my father who seemed to look quite intimidating sitting next to Irene. The long and full table was covered with all kinds of dishes and desserts, the only thing that kept me here. Irene was sitting on other side while her daughter was on the opposite. I was sitting at the far end of the table and it surprised me when I caught Liana giggling at something Cassius said.

Isabella had gotten quite comfortable with him as her hands brushed against his now and then. She batted her eyelashes and flipped her long blonde hairs as a soft chuckle escaped her lips to every little word he uttered.

The man hardly spoke. What was she even laughing at?

I stabbed a piece of salad with my fork and shoved it in my mouth, praying this night to be over soon. We were all having light conversations except me, my eyes were roaming all around looking or Dominic but I could barely catch the sight of his frame. I felt left out. Not minding them and spending my time to myself, I was eating my food when I caught a glance at something I was looking for for a long time.

With a smile, I pushed back my chair without paying any attention to my surroundings as I walked toward him.

"Dominic!"

Upon hearing my voice, he turned towards me with a slightly troubled look on his face. And when his eyes landed on me, his lips stretched into a wide smile.

My enthusiasm whirled and not thinking that all the eyes were on me, I grabbed his arm.

"Where were you? I was looking for you."

"Hazel." He greeted me. Another guard who stood beside him bowed his head and excused himself. Almost every person in this castle know about our friendship, and they usually were considerate enough to respect our relationship.

"Something wrong? You look....bothered." I frowned. He indeed looked troubled by something since my father whispered something in his ear earlier.

He shook his head, denying my doubts.

"It's nothing. Just some issues with the security system. Nothing to worry about." Even though he assured me, he couldn't hide his pale complexion from me. But if he didn't want to talk about it, it was fine.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Wanna go outside? I'm kinda feeling left out here."

"Umm..." he looked unsure and for a second I found him looking over my shoulder. I followed his gaze when my father's annoyed face came into view. Shoot!

I had forgotten about them being here. I quickly let go of his arm and waited for my father to give me a cold glare when Isabelle interrupted him.

"Let her go, father. She prefers the company of low lives."

My fists clenched and I grinned my teeth. This shameless-

"Don't be rude, Bella. She's your sister." Irene said. Her tight-lipped smile warned Isabelle as she squeezed her hand.

I wasn't welcomed here, then why was my presence needed?

My eyes found Cassius's and my breath hitched.

"I'll be back. I just need some fresh air."

I announced and without looking back, I walked towards the open garden outside.

"Hazel," Dominic whispered as he followed me.

I got more annoyed when nobody tried to stop me. Of course, what less was even expected from them?

My feet automatically took me towards the garden, right behind the hall. I sighed when cool air hit my naked arms. A chill ran down my spine. It was too cold in here but at least it was manageable.

I stopped when I reached the water fountain near the path that led to the rose field. Clutching the marbled boundary of the fountain, I leaned as I closed my eyes shut.

"You didn't have to run-"

"Who am I, Dominic? Am I a disgrace to this family?"

I felt him stiffening behind me and for a moment I thought he was confused but when I felt his hand on my shoulder, I knew that he understand what I meant.

"You're no disgrace to this family. In fact, without you, this palace will be a haunted castle."

I chuckled at his answer.

"Without me, this castle would be happy. No one loves me, Dominic. Not my father, not my stepmother. The bunch of girls I call my sisters are just constant reminders that my life is a living hell."

Dominic turned me towards him and I held back the urge to cry.

"It's not like that, Hazel. Liana loves you, Margaret loves you, every single person working in this castle loves you," I sighed as he placed his hand over my cheek and made me look at him. "I love you, Hazel. What else do you need?"

I smiled at his words.

"I know but-"

"No buts. I cannot stand seeing my childhood friend bawling her eyes out and looking like an ugly pig," I smacked his arm and laughed.

This was the reason why he was my safe place.

"Who're you calling a pig. You look like a donkey, you leech."

He laughed as he dodged my attack.

My mood was suddenly lifted.

Dominic and I were childhood friends, when I was born, he was two years old and we spent almost most of our childhood with each other when my mother died, Dominic's mother raised me.

"Anyways, your father will be mad if you will not show up for greetings."

I rolled my eyes.

"He's right."

I glanced over my shoulder, and my eyes widened in shock when I saw Cassius standing a few feet away from us.

"I..." I looked at him startled as he took a step towards the fountain next to me.

"My Lord," Dominic bowed as he stepped away from me. I frowned but kept quiet as Cassius didn't even look at him.

"I'm feeling thirsty," I gulped as he mumbled holding my gaze. Dominic blinked at him and bowed again.

"I'll bring something for you, My Lord," he said before walking towards the door. My eyes widened watching his retreating back I felt betrayed when my vision my blocked by black silk.

To reduce the awkwardness between us, I stepped back to create a space between us.

"What're you doing here?" I asked politely, looking at the water in front.

"To be honest... I'm not a big fan of balls." He shrugged his shoulders. "And you?"

"Well, I've never been to one."

He glanced at me.

"Why? Hora is known for hosting the best balls in the whole region."

I almost laughed. With a small smile, I looked his way and shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't know. I was not allowed to."

His brows furrowed in a frown and he turned his body towards me.

"Then why today?"

"For the food." He chuckled and I held back my smile.

He grinned and somehow he became that much more handsome. "Not for me then?"

"Well, I didn't see you talking to me," I smirked.

For the first time this night, I saw him chuckle.

He turned his head and held my gaze with the same intensity as before. "I...I just needed some fresh air." I averted my eyes. His gaze was too intense and captivating.

He raised his head and I couldn't believe how much he towered over me. "Tell me about yourself."

I raised a brow. "Nothing is interesting to know."

He smiled that rare smile again. "It's for me to decide."

"Um... there's nothing much," I tried hard to think. "Just my father's daughter, my mother died when I was a child....and rest is for the whole world to see."

"That's why you don't seem to fit in." He said.

I scoffed at his blunt remark. "Well, thanks for that...I needed a reminder of how much different I was from them."

"On the contrary, you're the most beautiful woman here."

I looked at him startled. "....are you insane?"

He laughed for the second time that night. "Nice way to take compliments."

"Pardon me," I said averting my gaze as my cheeks get hot. "Compliments are rare for a girl like me."

He furrowed his brows as he looked down at me. "Why so? You do not fancy your family?"

I sighed. "It's not like that.... they're not exactly my... favourite," I said frankly. I took a deep breath and stared at the garden below. "Honestly, aside from my father and two of my sisters, none of them like me very much. But like everything, my father's love is... conditional. He says he loves me but...I want his actions to justify his words."

There was a look of sorrow in my eyes. I looked up at him and put on a fake smile. "I'm a boring person, I know."

He gave me a small smile. "Quite contrary."

I couldn't figure him out. Why was he so interested in me when Isabella was just sitting on his lap a while ago?

He smiled. "You seem like a beautiful creature." Though his words were confusing, I replied with a smile on my lips. "You have a captivating persona," he said grabbing my hand, I shuddered at the contact as he closed the distance between us.

I looked up at him anxiously, about his next move.

"What're-My L-Lor-"

But he silenced me with a tender kiss as he hungrily pressed his lips against mine. My entire body lit up with heat when his lips caressed mine. His tongue nudged passed my lips before claiming my own. I had always wondered how insane it would've felt to kiss a man....but this was far more than I had bargained.

My heart raced as he wrapped his strong arms around my waist and pulled my body flush against his, squeezing me with such possessiveness that it scared me. I felt his hands starting to bunch up my dress when I quickly pushed him back.

I tried to catch my breath as he looked down at me impatiently.

"Please.....I can not kiss you," I breathed out heavily.

"Why?" He scoffed.

I looked at him confused when I felt him narrowing his eyes at me.

"Are you promised to someone else? Are you married?" He seethed out, and something about him told him it wouldn't end well for me. He suddenly induced fear in me.

I gulped and tried to step back when he jerked me to his chest.

"Answer me."

I shook my head quickly, my arm started to feel numb by the force of his hold and I looked away to not show him tears gathering in my eyes.

"Please, let go of me," I mumbled quietly, my voice barely reached my ears and I saw my vision blurring.

I couldn't look at his face, he suddenly scared me like no other, his touch, his gaze, and his words were nothing more than elements of horror for me. Why was he behaving this way? I didn't mean any harm to him, then why he must be too reluctant.

Cassius frowned when he saw my tear-filled eyes and for a second confusion flashed in them, it seemed like he couldn't understand the reason for my devastation. But before he could open his mouth to say anything, a voice interrupt us.

"Greetings, My Lord. Lord Veles and Lord Ezra are here." I couldn't see much due to his talk and muscular frame but I could see the black and silver armour of the guard behind him. And I instantly knew, he wasn't Hora's soldier.

Guards of Hora had their statement golden and silver armour.

Cassius gritted his teeth and nodded before pulling away from me. I sighed in relief as I rubbed the sore spot on my arm he turned around before giving me one last intense glare and walking to the hall.

Panic struck me and I stood there, near the fountain, processing what just happened. I was never held by any man other than my father and Dominic. But this stranger, who barely knew me for even a few hours, kissed me against my will. How could he do this?

"Now, I know where my beautiful sister was," Liana grinned as she walked out into the garden. I looked up at her startled when she walked toward me with snails I had barely seen on her.

I quickly blinked my tears and reciprocated her gesture.

"Liana. What brings you here?"

"Come on, Hazel. How could I enjoy when my little sister was sulking around?" I nearly laughed as she threw her hands in the air and looked at the sky.

"Did father send you to look for me?" I asked hoping he did but Liana's smile faded and she looked away.

"Give him some time, Hazel. He's busy with the castle's work. Don't mind his actions, he loves you." I sighed.

"I can see that," I mumbled and Liana engulfed me in her arms. I flinched as she tightened her hold and I felt pain in my sore arm.

"He does love you, Hazel. He's just....He doesn't know how to show it. Give him some time and everything will be alright." I wish it would because, in the end, all I wanted was his attention.