Chapter 5- Deception's Dance

DACIANA

"Princess what are you doing?" He voiced out incredulously.

"Who are you?" I questioned stepping closer, his eyes darted towards Prince Tariq, a hint of something I couldn't quite place passed through his expression; surprise or maybe pride.

"Why do you interest yourself with a guard princess? Do you suspect I'm the one who did this?"

I paused for a moment wondering why he didn't mention our encounter last night, I was certain in my heart I wasn't mistaken he was my masked stranger.

"Why were you in my quarters?" I decided to bring it up.

"Me… your quarters I'm just a guard there is no way I'll risk being killed I am aware of the laws-"

"Stop lying!" I snapped, I was good at reading people and he was good at hiding his emotions.

I couldn't tell if he was unfazed because he was innocent or just simply a good liar.

"Think about it Princess why would I mask myself to your quarters that's heavily guarded and risk my life"

"Ah but I didn't say you wore a mask did I?"I smirked, placing the blade deeper into his skin.

He blinked a little realizing he had slipped.

"Mask is a metaphor since you don't know who I am. I was suggesting an obscure figure" he clapped back his emerald eyes gleaming with mischief.

"You know for a guard you speak so well" I acknowledged.

"For a princess this is inappropriate-

"Don't you dare!" I yelled my eyes blazing with fury.

Better believe I was angry, I had filled myself with thoughts, hoping that my masked stranger would be a prince, one that maybe could end the misery of this confines.

But of course it was all a lie, there was no way a prince could dare to step out and be something different than the figure for the public.

How could I blame them for repeating a circle they were taught.

"Seems you are disappointed " He whispered and I could hunt a bit of hurt in his tone or yet again that was my imagination playing a trick on me.

"Disappointed is a light word to put it I won't waste your time if you won't waste mine why were you in my room, why wear a mask what game is this?"

"Like I said before and I'll repeat myself princess I am not who you perceive to be" He denied his green eyes mocking me.

"I know it's you"

"Then why are you hesitating to follow protocol? If I am a threat and managed to sneak into your room, why not get me arrested?"

The words were on my tongue. I could taste them, I wanted to say it but they weren't true.

Something else was at play… I could feel it.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what having an opinion?"

"You're not up to the standards to have that" I sneered and regretted throwing the derogatory remark.

Those words triggered something in him and his neutral demeanor slipped into an angry bird.

"And why is that? Because I do not have a title, a crown on my head or an army that was passed down to me just because I was born into royal blood I shouldn't be as human?"

"I didn't say that-

"You didn't need to and here I was thinking you were different" he blurted and I blinked back the knife suddenly feeling heavy.

"What do you mean?” I carefully questioned.

"Nothing do what you please, your royal highness” I had his life in my hands and yet he acted as if he was the one holding the knife.

"Speak or I swear I will slit your throat right now" He met me square in the gaze not a hint of fear in his expression.

His lips opened for a slight moment but he paused before saying something unexpected.

"You look uninterested in the royal affairs but you are not changing your choosing”

"You think I chose this!"

"You are not changing it either whatever you are not trying to change you are choosing it"

"You won't understand maybe if you were in my shoes you'll understand why everyday I force myself out of bed to take on these responsibilities"

He let out a humorous laugh as if he found my words preposterous.

“What responsibilities? Dressing up and waving at a crowd, showing up for parties and having no idea of what the kingdom is like outside these walls? You are seen as a placeholder princess that is why your kingdom needs a King”

My grip on the knife flattered… how could a total stranger slap the truth right in my face.

“Is this why you came into my room, is this some sort of diplomatic act to get me into the affairs of the less privileged?”

“I wasn't in your room princess”

I ignored the feigned innocence as I searched his arm, expecting to find the wound my arrow had left behind. There was no wound, not a single mark.

Where was it? Had I miscalculated?

I pressed the dagger closer, feeling the slight pulse against the cold blade. “Do not think to fool me.”

His expression did not waver. If anything, his amusement deepened. “And what exactly am I accused of? Being unfortunate enough to dine in your presence?”

“Do not play games with me.”

“You’re the one who did all this to see me.”

A slow breath escaped my lips. “Remove your tunic.”

His brow lifted. “How scandalous.”

“Do it.”

His smile remained intact, but something flickered behind his eyes. He did not move, nor did he resist, yet the refusal was there, silent but firm.

“Afraid?” I taunted.

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Of you? Hardly.”

His fingers twitched at his sides, the muscles beneath his coat taut as though he calculated his next move. He was waiting. Watching.

I had no patience for his games. “Last chance,” I warned.

“And if I refuse?”

The candlelight flickered, the room tightening around us. “Then you will answer to my blade.”

Something in his gaze shifted then without warning, he moved. His hand closed around my wrist. The dagger twisted in my grip, and before I could react, he had it turned upon me.

The sharp tip brushed against the hollow of my throat, his fingers wrapped firm around the handle. I froze.

His breath fanned against my cheek, his voice lowering to a murmur. “Princesses shouldn't play with knives”