Camilla looked in the mirror, her fingers on her lips as she remembered her actions from the prior night. She grimaced at the thought. She had let jealousy take ahold of her.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid," she chanted as she gently hit her head.
"I am guessing things are not working out with the Duke," Rebecca noted as she entered her daughters room.
The image of Duke Somerset kissing her causing caused the anger to return, but this time Camilla was able to calm her nerves.
She straightened her back as she continued to pamper herself. "It seems as though Duke Somerset's interest has shifted," Camilla mumbled.
"Whatever do you mean?"
Camilla turned to her mother with a sigh. "I saw him kissing cousin, Mila. He seemed to be enjoying himself, so I rather not waste my time."
"Hence the kiss with Lord Guido," Rebecca concluded. She walked over to her daughter and cupped her face. "My dear, you know how your cousin is with men. Are you sure that the Duke returned the affection or was just in shock of your cousin's bold moves?"
Camilla took a minute to process her Mother's words. Her cousin, Mila, who was a widowed Countess and in search of a new wealthy husband. She was known to her very bold. Kissing men without constant and wooing her way into them.
Rebecca watched as realization hit Camilla. "Nonetheless, Lord Guido is downstairs. He seems eager to have a word with you." She informed.
"What did I get myself into?" Camilla groaned in annoyance as she slouched back into her chair.
"I'll let you get ready," Rebecca said before stepping out of the room. As much as she wanted to aid her daughter, she knew that Camilla had to take responsibility for her actions.
Camilla quickly combed her straightened locks before applying a bit of lipstick. She walked down the stairs, all the while she felt her heart beat accelerate. She was determined to clear the air with both the Duke and Lord Guido.
"You are quite a player, your highness." Camilla froze at the familiar voice. She twisted her head back and found the Duke standing there with an unamused expression. "Kissing other men while wooing me, tsk, tsk, tsk."
Camilla's lips formed into a hard line. "You are one to talk, your grace," she retorted. "Kissing my cousin whilst making me believe you were actually interested in me."
Dylan's lips coiled into a tiny smirk. "So, that's why you kissed the Lord?" Dylan stalked over to Camilla and princess took a step back until she found herself trapped between the Duke and a wall. "Are you jealous, your highness?"
Camilla could feel her heart beating hard against her chest as she avoided Dylan's gaze. "I-I am certainly not jealous," she scoffed. "Just angered that you turned out to be a womanizer."
Dylan's chuckle echoed through the hall and this caused Camilla's skin to boil. Not wanting to draw attention, Camilla grabbed Dylan's hand and pushed him into one of the vacant rooms nearby.
"You are just so full of yourself!" Camilla could feel the emotion inside her get out of control like never before. "To think that I was falling for yo—" Camilla gasped as she let the last sentence slip.
"You were falling for me?" Dylan raised an eyebrow as his smirk grew.
"Goodbye, your grace," the blonde huffed as she walked toward the door but Dylan blocked her path. He grabbed a hold of Camilla's wrist and pulled her toward his chest.
"If I had initiated the kiss, I would have wrapped my arm around her waist like this" Dylan snaked his arm around Camilla, the simple touch igniting a foreign feeling inside her. "Then gently caress her face," Dylan grazed his fingers over Camilla's soft cheek. "And finally I would have closed the the gap between us like this."
Camilla felt her breathing hitch at the close proximity as Dylan slowly molded his lips with hers. Guided by her mind she placed her hands on Dylan's chest aiming to push him away, but the action only fueled the burning sensation inside her. She let her lips move to the rhythm of Dylan's as she slide one hand up to the back of his neck, pulling him close and deepening the gentle kiss.
Dylan ran his hand through Camilla's silky blonde locks, accidentally dropping her golden butterfly clip onto the floor. The two pulled away from the kiss, breathless.
Dylan laid his forehead on Camilla's. "I promise I did not initiate the kiss," Camilla was able to tell he was being genuine. "As soon as she kissed me, I shut her down. I am completely smitten by you Camilla Valentino and I do not intend to fail you anytime soon."
Camilla looked up at Dylan, a guilty glint in her eyes. "I should have probably talked to you first," she muses and Dylan nods.
"Camilla!" Rebecca's voice ran throughout the halls. Camilla's eyes widened in panic.
"Princess Camilla!" The maids joined in as they all searched for the princess.
As the door opened, Camilla pushed Dylan out of sight. "I am here," she chirped before the maid could step inside.
"Your highness, Lord Guido is awaiting for you near the main lounge," the maid explained. "He would like to take you out in a formal date."
Dylan who was out of frame, standing behind the opened door raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Tell him, I will be there shortly." Camilla instructed and the maid nodded.
"I thought we had a special moment and now you are off to a date with that Lord," Dylan said in a low disapproving tone.
Camilla grinned teasingly. "Who's the jealous one now?"
Dylan pouted as he brought Camilla into his arms. "Tell him you can't go," Dylan begged as he tucked a strand of hair behind Camilla's ear.
"I need to clear things up with him," Camilla argued. "And let him know that last night's kiss was a mistake."
Before Dylan could protest, Camilla pecked just lips and walked out of the room. He felt his heart sink after being left alone.
Although it was meant to be an act, Dylan found himself yearning for more of Camilla's kisses and he was jealous at the fact that Lord Guido was taking her away from him. The kiss had sparked something inside of him and he did not wish this feeling away.
His sulking gaze fell to the floor where he found Camilla's clip. He leaned down and picked up the hair piece, a mischievous smile growing on his lips. Dylan wasted no time to waltz out of the room and head toward the main lounge.
"You look quite stunning this morning, your highness," Dylan gagged at Miguel's cheesy line.
"Your highness, you dropped this," Dylan announced drawing the attention of the pair. Dylan walked over to Camilla and put the clip back in it's original position. "I have been blinded by your beauty once again, cara mia."
Camilla felt her heart do a flip as she stared up at Dylan in awe. Miguel looked between the two enamored doves with a frown. His disappointment grew when he noticed the light smudge lipstick on Dylan's lips that matched that of Camilla's.
"You have a little something on your lips, your grace." He pointed out.
Dylan smiled smugly as he slowly wiped away Camilla's lipstick in a taunting manner. "Huh, I wonder how that got there," he said innocently and Camilla bit the inside of her cheek while gently nudging him.
Miguel rolled his eyes and turned to Camilla. "Shall we get going, your highness?"
"Uhh, yeah," Camilla said as she interlocked her arm with Miguel's. This time it was Miguel smirking and Camilla bit down on her lip as guilt consumed her. She stopped on her tracks and turned toward Dylan. "After I return, we can commence the enhancement of your Italian-dialect. I'll meet you at the royal garden, if that is alright with you, Oliver?"
Dylan smiled down at her. "I would very much appreciate it, Camilla."
Miguel scowled at the pair, mad that they were already in a first-name basis. He was determined to woo the princess and he was not going to let Duke Somerset get in the way.
Author's Note
Hello my lovelies! I am sorry for the late update. I am currently juggling schoolwork, studying for my driver's exam and writing three different novels. I promise to try my best to get another chapter out next week so be on the lookout.
With that said, what do you think Miguel is planning? Is the handsome Lord a serious suitor or only in it for the title? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.