TRIAL AND ERROR | short stories + snippets

Best Friend Fantasy Adventure: Pirates and Princesses, pt 3

That is what Dorcas told her to say. Supposedly, the dynasty is all the way across the ocean and only consists of three islands. It's their best bet for not bumping into anyone who knows much about it.

"And who are you?"

The man smirks. "Who am I?" he repeats, a laugh tumbling out with the words. "I'm Cassius Yspadas. The Crown Prince of this kingdom."

She can feel Cece bite down on a swear behind her. Her face burns. "Oh, yes, of course. My apologies, sire. As I said, I haven't been here for many years. You have changed in appearance since I last saw your picture."

"To become more handsome, I hope."

Cassius steps closer. It takes killing all of Diwa's survival instincts not to step back. Cece also moves forward, non-verbally telling Cassius to back the fuck off.

"Who is your companion?" Cassius asks.

"They are my guard."

"'They'?" Cassius repeats. "I only see one person. Or is your second guard invisible?" Thankfully, he goes on before Cece can break his nose. "People do not often bring guards into the ballroom."

Fuck fuck fuck. This is really not going well.

"Er... My husband wants to ensure that I'm kept safe in his absence."

"And would he consider a dance a risk to your safety?"

Diwa glances at Cece over her shoulder and tries to telepathically tell them to look if they can find a way into the display room while she keeps the prince occupied. Then she manufactures a smile.

"I'm sure that he wouldn't." She takes Cassius's offered hand and allows him to guide her to the dance floor.

It's only when his hand hooks to her waist that Diwa remembers that she doesn't know how to dance. Annabella tried to teach her a basic waltz but that relationship didn't last long enough for her to ever get good.

Luckily, Cassius is perfectly pleased spinning her around like a bag of potatoes. Apologising when she steps on his toes, she patches together some explanation about how they don't dance this way where she's from.

Cassius says that her stumbling is 'cute' in the most disgusting way she has ever heard a man say that word. Like she's a toddler.

She scans the crowd on the periphery of the dancefloor but can't find Cece. Could they have managed to get in?

Worth trying a Plan B, in any case, now that she's got the prince right in front of her.

"I hear that your father collects treasures," she says when the song changes to something slower.

Cassius pulls her even closer and she's assaulted by his aftershave. "Oh yes. We have the largest collection in all the kingdoms. In all the worlds, perhaps."

Clearly, he's never been to the British Museum.

The benefit of Cassius holding her so close that she's practically leaning against his chest is that she's free to glare and scowl as much as she likes. She really couldn't handle pretending to be interested in this conversation and faking a smile at the same time.

"How exactly have you... collected this collection?" she asks, distaste unfortunately dripping from every syllable.

"My father and my grandfather before him acquired many artefacts on their travels, though if you allow me a moment of vanity–"

Cause he definitely hasn't had any such moments up till now.

"–I would have to say that I myself have acquired most of the latest ones. The king is no longer fit to go on such excursions."