Darkened Heart

Chapter Seven

"I...I don't know what to say..." Charlotte breathed, placing the ring back into the box. She tried with all her might to hide her conflicted heart. From her perspective it would seem he believed her, but oh how wrong she was. "I can always change the color. If you prefer a pink diamond," He snapped his fingers, causing the gem to change into a much lighter magenta. ", a sapphire," Again, he caused the ring to change color without even touching it. Charlotte stared at it, now a little nervous. "...or perhaps you'd like a ruby." Her mind was racing now. She knew she wanted to refuse, but something told her that wasn't smart. Jacque had warned her for a reason, and she liked to think that the little black dog was trustworthy. She turned her head to look at the other father, who decided to sit himself right next to her at the table. Eagerly, his eyes gazed into hers with a thirst for an answer. Smiling, he said, "How about it, my darling... will you be mine?" Charlotte's face went pink. Thinking for a moment, she decided with a heavy heart that this had to end. Something wasn't right... As much as she cared for him, she didn't feel exactly safe now that he brought this up. She knew it was silly. Most people would've said yes in a heartbeat, but the feeling of his button eyes on hers wouldn't leave her. She breathed deeply before answering. She looked at him and said, "I already love you..." Those words were enough to make him smile even wider, if that was even possible. "... but I have to think about it. Marriage is a big commitment after all." She sighed, lightly closing the box and shifting it away from her. His smile slowly faded. She saw it for a brief second, only now realizing she had never once seen him frown.

"Is that so? Do go on..." He chuckled, but it sounded more or less like he was hiding what he truly wanted to say. As an instinct, she took his black gloved hand into hers. Even underneath that cloth, she could feel the warmth radiating off of his fingers. He never looked away from her, but he gladly welcomed the motion. "All I need is time... I have a broken family back home that I need to fix. My mother always told me to listen to my heart, but right now, my heart is telling me to mend what is already shattered." She explained, hoping to not upset him. Instead, what she got was a new reaction. He had a half frown half smile on his face. "Some things are better broken, unless you want to pierce yourself trying to piece back the broken shards." He said it in a subtle manner, but his words argued far more. Charlotte didn't know how to respond to that. "I understand... and I-I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me... I just need time." She said. The other father sighed, "Alright, darling... alright. It's your decision. I only want what's best for you." He said, regaining his smile. Something about the way he said the last sentence sent alarms off in her head. For the first time since she arrived in the pink palace, she wanted to be in her shabby old room again. "I-If it's alright with you," she stammered, "I'd like to take a nap." She stood up as well, feeling his eyes on the side of her head. Raising an eyebrow, he seemed a little confused at her request. "A nap?" He repeated. Charlotte tried to be as casual as she could. If sleep was the only way out of this world, that's exactly what she'd do. "Yes... I'm just... I'm a little worn out from the argument I had with my dad this morning. I just need to sleep on things for a bit." She hoped he bought that. He smiled, "Of course, darling... I'd be happy to tuck you in." He offered his hand.

As much as she wanted to take it, she had to refuse. "O-Oh! No thank you... you've done so much for me already." She turned to the stairs only to bump right into his chest. Charlotte had no idea how he was able to do such a thing! He was behind her a second ago, yet he was somehow able to appear in front. She couldn't help but let out a small yelp as he did so. "You're welcome." He simply said, leaning closer to her face.

Before she could even think to do or say anything, he gently planted a kiss onto the corner of her lips. It was quick, yet long enough to make her feel the spark. As he pulled away, he couldn't help but chuckle at her flustered expression. "Oh... and by the way, darling... I hope you know I'm not worried at all. Soon you'll see things... my way." Caressing her cheek one final time, he sighed happily. He motioned to the steps, moving out of her way. She got goosebumps as he said that. His voice changed slightly as he spoke. It went from a calm tone to that of a serious yet playful one. For an odd reason she felt the smoothness of it all send shivers down her spine. Charlotte got the chilling idea that whatever he was, he wasn't fully human. Part of her was afraid to turn away from him, knowing that he could just appear in front of her whenever he wanted. However, she managed to break away from his presence as she walked upstairs. With each step she got closer to the top, she felt his eyes burning into the back of her head. Then suddenly, the feeling left her. She looked behind her and over the railing to watch his tall shadow disappear. The fading of his footsteps also left as they exited down the hall and in the direction of the living room. As soon as he was out of sight, she sped walked to her room. Once she was inside the comforting walls of her own bedroom she locked the door behind her as quietly as possible. After removing her shoes, she turned to the desk at the other end of the room by the window. True, she wanted to leave, but she also wanted to let the other father know why. She loved him, but she sensed that he was hiding something.