The next few days was peaches and cream. Even though the tasks I had after the party was a lot and I meant, a lot- I didn't felt like it was a lot. I was on cloud nine. Everything went by smoothly. Me and him tried as best as we could to see each other whether in the kitchen- where he'd come and pretend to care what the menu was that day or in the hall where we both acted like we bumped into each other but truthfully James would tell me which wing and hall he'd be waiting for me or we'd met in the secret garden.
I was in love.
I didn't know if he was too. But I didn't want to break my heart by asking him that. It was a delicate situation. One that you can't poke at out of the blue.
Plus I don't think my feelings for him matter. He'd marry a princess and I'd go back to my village or people and it will be like my feeling never existed. But at the moment, I wanted to drown myself in the feelings of love.
Tomorrow, the knights, Minister Farrington and Harry would be going to my village, fully prepared this time. I swore I was thinking about sneaking in and blend myself in the sea of knights so I could see what happened to my village with my own eyes, but I didn't want to get myself in trouble.
"You know, you seem happy since the night of the birthday party," Marilyn said and bumping her hips with mine while we were both preparing some batter for dinner's dessert later.
"I'm always happy." I giggled, defending myself.
"You're glowing as well." She continued.
"It's the sun." I ignored her playful glared when I kept pretending I didn't know what she meant.
"You don't have to tell me, but I already know." She hummed and ignored me when I stopped mixing the batter and turned my full attention to her.
"What do you know?" She ignored me, continuing humming some folk songs.
"Aw, cmon! What do you mean, Mar?" Silent.
"Okay fine! No apple pie for the rest of the month." I said and picked up my bowl to continue mixing the batter again and smiled when I saw she turned to me and rolled her eyes.
"I know that you're in love." I inhaled sharply and did not make any eye contact with her.
"No. You're wrong," I mumbled. She laughed and called Ruth to start baking our well-blended batter. She then grabbed two stools for us both to sit and chat.
"My love, I'm 60 years old. You don't think I know if someone's in love? I've been through it." She said putting her hand on my cheeks. I ran my eyes to somewhere else because I knew I couldn't lie to her. She was the exact copy of my mum. They knew better and they're not someone you could lie to.
"I even know who you love." I groaned and covered my face with my palms because I couldn't come up with a lie or an excuse to dodged her exclaims.
"How do you know?" I asked lowly, not wanting anyone to eavesdrop.
"I've worked here since I was 20 years old. I was here before he was even born. He grew up in front of my eyes. I know everything about him. He grew up together with James. They're both my sons. I would like to believe I know when my son is in love." She smiled and kissed my forehead.
"But you can't tell anyone. I don't want him to get into trouble. Especially if his parents know. He'd be in a lot of trouble." I said, getting worried now that more than three people knew about us.
"You're not worried about you?" I shook my head.
"See? You are in love. You worried about the other one more than you worry about yourself. You put them before yourself." I smiled and closed my eyes, hugging her. I really missed my mum and her hug.
"I love him," I whispered in her ear and hugging her tighter.
"I know, my love. I know."
++
"Knock knock!" I turned my head to my back and smiled when I saw dark hair peeking through the wooden door.
"Who's there?" I asked, still with a smile on my face. This time, I waited for him in our secret garden. He had asked me to meet him before tomorrow. Although I knew nothing would happen but, we could never be fully sure. So I cannot take anything for granted.
"Orange." He walked slowly to me with both of his arms behind him.
"Orange who?"
"Orange you glad to see me?" I rolled my eyes, laughing. I knew he was so so bad at jokes but yet it always makes me laughed like no other. I guess it was so nonsense and unfunny that the situation was funny.
"You're the worst!" I exclaimed.
"Liar liar pants on fire." He sang and walked behind me. It was almost a routine- him swinging me on the swing. It warmed my heart.
It was silence for some time. We were enjoying our time in silence. Comfortable in each other's presence. I didn't know what he was thinking but I didn't want to ask. But I was thinking about him. All the time. I wasn't sure if I sure told him and confess my love for him or stay silent till the end of time. I knew I said I wasn't going to confess my love for this golden boy, but I was slowly thinking about the future.
Thinking about how one day I will wake up in my bed and regret my decision of not telling him about my feeling. What if he felt the same but he was waiting for me to say it but I never say anything so he thought I didn't feel the same and he thought I was leading him on?
Overthinking. Evelyn White and overthinking. Not the best combo.
"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" I turned my head slightly to look at him in the eyes. It was green. Sometimes grey. Either way, I always felt calm. Beautiful.
"Seven, I think."
"That's early. What time are you coming back?" I asked again.
"Later in the evening. Why?" He walked around and squat in front of me. I looked down at him and saw he was starting to worry.
"No. Nothing. Just curious." I looked away because I knew he was worried about me worrying about him.
"I'll be fine, Evelyn." He tried to reassure me.
"Yeah, I know," I answered, looking around but him. I was conflicted about when I should tell him about my feelings? Do I tell him now or after he the mission? Or never? Was I even making sense about thinking that I should tell him?
"Hey, hey. Look at me," He grabbed my face with his palm and squeezed my cheeks with his big hands that automatically puckered my lips.
"I'll be fine. I'll come back to you. I promise." I stared into his eyes. I was speechless. The way he said he'll come back for me almost made me believe he loves me too. That he felt the same and that he too was confused about when he should tell me about his feeling.
I hold up my right pinky in front of him and he threw his head back, laughing. Almost falling down on his arse for laughing so hard.
"Stop laughing!" I jokingly slapped his biceps.
"Okay! Okay! We were having a full-on serious slash romantic moment and you had to come up with a pinky promise! It's funny but it's cute." He said, running his fingers through his hair that was messed up from laughing as he got possessed.
"Your knock-knock jokes are even worse than my pinky promise moment!" I argued.
"Now you're pushing it!" His jaw dropped at my comment.
"It's true. James can validate my point."
"Of course he can! He likes you more than me!" He scoffed.
"True. But you could even ask anyone from the palace. They'll validate my point and maybe even add some new points." This time, I was the one laughing. Enjoying my time, teasing him. He really thought he had the best knock-knock jokes.
"Ahhh!" I screamed when two arms tackled me as I fell down from the swing and fell into his arms.
"Take it back or I will do something bad!" His arms were around my waist tightly. My back on his chest and we were both on the ground.
"Bad? Like what? Not coming to the kitchen and ask about the menu? Or not ask me to cook your apple pie? Oh! Or not writing me letters and offering me fat fluffy cats?" I continued teasing him, laughing my arse off when I heard him groaning.
"This is so not fair!" He whined like a little kid, not letting go of my waist.
"Whatever! I'm never taking it back. Prince Harry Styles has the worst knock-knock jokes anyone has ever witnessed and I stand strong by my point."
I stopped laughing when he pushed me down on the ground and he came on top of me, cupping my face and kissed me. Hard. Like his life was depended on it. It took me a few seconds to respond but I moved my lips and my right hand instantly went to his neck.
During the kiss, I made up my mind.
I was going to confess my love for him tomorrow night.
***
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