Chapter 20: Not Without My Consent Reader Discretion is Advised

"Embroidery." Lady Syria said after much contemplation. "Really?!" Calder asked with surprise. "What kind of reaction was that?!" Lady Syria shouted as she looked furiously at Calder.

"Well.... I heard that embroidery is a very mundane kind of task. Don't get me wrong though! I think someone who can do embroidery is very admirable. They time, precision and talent one must have to do such pieces of art work is amazing! So I'm just surprised I met someone who sincerely likes to embroider." Calder said with a toothy smile that it confused Lady Syria.

"Um, yes it is a little mundane but it's a great way to de-stress and have a little bit of fun by yourself." Lady Syria said in a small and child like voice. Calder snuck a quick glance at Lady Syria and felt his heart skip a beat. A touch of pink kissed her cheeks and her eyes sparkled with excitement, coupled with how she spoke made her look so innocent and pure.

Calder coughed as he brought his gaze forward. He couldn't keep looking, things were already dangerous enough as it was. "W-what else do you like to do?" Calder asked. "I also like to dance, eat sweets, play games and sing." Lady Syria said in a small voice that Calder could barely hold in his screams. She was being too cute that it was practically criminal.

"I-I-I don't know about dancing. If memory serves me right the last time I danced was 6 years ago. I had a dance instructor for my formal, royal debute but because of the war... well I ran after my brother and never looked back." Calder said with a small, sad smile.

"Did you ever regret going?" Lady Syria asked. "No." Calder replied without hesitation. "If I didn't go then it would be me sitting on the throne not my brother. If that happened I would have hated myself for the rest of my life for not being there. for not saving my brother. I would have regretted that instead." Calder replied honestly.

Lady Syria went silent as they walked. They were getting closer to her room now. She wasn't expecting Calder to answer so honestly and that made her feel guilty. She opened her mouth and hesitated, she didn't know how to bring up her dilemma. "A-as for the rest!" Calder suddenly announced in a loud voice it scared Lady Syria out of her wits but she held her composure.

"I do have a rather big sweet tooth, I only know childhood games and as for singing. Well... Me, me, me, m-e-e-e." Calder sang the last bit in a rather low, off key pitch. Lady Syria stopped walking instantly and gawked at Calder. "Ya I know. I got made fun of a lot for not being very good but it never stopped me. I enthusiastically sang, I just couldn't help myself." Calder said with a goofy grin as he finished singing the last part. Lady Syria burst into laughter.

Calder didn't know what to do. He watched as Lady Syria's face turned red, her eyes were closed but tears were escaping. She held her waist as she doubled over, her smile was big and the captivating laughter that escaped her lips made Calder gasp.

His heart started to beat faster as he watched her shine with pure happiness. "You are really bad." Lady Syria said as she finally caught her breath. She looked up and her eyes shone with a mysterious and enchanting light.

Calder's mind went blank, his hands rose and he caught Lady Syria by the waist and pulled her in close. His gazed softened as his mouth partially parted. He looked at Lady Syria with a dream like gaze.

Calder brought his right hand up and caught Lady Syria's chin, gently leading her face upwards as his heart beat echoed in his head. Calder started to lean in slowly, his eyes gradually started to close as his lips inched in closer and closer as Lady Syria tensed up under his touch. "Your highness?" Lady Syria called out as her lips trembled. Her eyes grew wide as she watched his face.

"Mmmh?" Calder purred. "Please don't...." Lady Syria whimpered. Calder snapped out of his trance. He was only a breath away from her lips but his temptation was trumped by the Lady Syria's gaze.

Calder gulped when he saw her eyes brimming with tears and that her face had lost all its colour. "I'm so sorry." He said as he hugged Lady Syria instead. "W-why are you doing this to me?" Lady Syria asked as her voice shook with fear and humiliation. "No, this is not what I intended." Calder said as he cursed himself.

"Not what you intended? Are you doing because of the rumours?" Lady Syria asked as a small sob escaped her lips. Calder then tightened his embrace and gently stroked the back of her head.

"I would never be stupid enough to listen to what others say. I put more faith in actions and judge for myself." He said in a soft and calming voice. Lay Syria's eyes widened as her body started to heat up, she didn't know what was coming over her. Fear, anger, humiliation, sadness or doubt?

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