DANDELION || Nikolai Lantsov

24. MOVING FORWARD

"Go," Aneela gently squeezed Kheru's arm. "Tell him how good Shancai is settling in. And how much she loves the fluffy blanket he got her. The others won't notice, their backs are turned towards him, and they're focus is on Nikolai, they'll just think you went inside to powder your nose and tumbled into a small talk with him on your way back."

Kheru's head snapped back to Nikolai. "I'll keep my eyes on you. If you hurt her, things will get ugly."

"I have already declared to Aneela that my intentions towards her are true and honest. No need to worry." Nikolai gave her a nod. "Nevertheless, it is good to see that she has such a great friend at her side."

"Yes, she is very lucky indeed." Kheru winked at Aneela and then put her gloves on before she got up from her seat. "I'll see you around."

They watched the princess walk towards the entrance of the Grande Palace but redirect herself once she was sure she was out of the views of the ladies and approached the heartrender.

"He's trying really hard not to grin." Aneela observed.

"And she has trouble to keep her steps slow."

Aneela happily let herself sink into the backrest of her chair and put her cards down as she watched her friend start the conversation with Tolya. "They are so cute together."

"We are way cuter." Nikolai commented.

"Are we?" Aneela asked challenging, tilting her head when she looked at him. Her heart pounded in her chest when they locked eyes. She would drown in the beautiful blue one day. "Even though we are way more discrete?"

"Oh, for sure."

Aneela looked over the field where her competitors sat underneath tents in pairs and watched her and Nikolai with eagle eyes, making sure they wouldn't miss one movement. "And we can't even exchange one word without getting sent visual daggers our way."

"Only a few more weeks," he reminded her. "Then, it's just you and me."

You and me. How amazing.

Her eyes wandered back to him, and she smiled warmly. It sounded like a dream, only the two of them and no kerchs and fjerdans in sight that wanted her dead and Nikolai for themselves –not for his big and courageous heart but for his title. And he is so much more than that.

"Can you ... can you promise me something?"

"Of course."

Aneela took a deep breath. "You remember when we talked about flowers earlier this day?"

His bright grin made her heart pound heavily. "How can I forget?"

"I ... said you were a dandelion and I still think it's very fitting ... but can you promise me that ... when a breeze comes up that you ... don't let the storm blow you away."

"What are you referring to?" Nikolai frowned concerned. "Is something bothering you?"

Oh, I wish I could tell you ... but I don't know how. And when? When is the time to tell him such a thing? Such a big secret? I haven't even told Kheru, yet. But he has to know soon, he might reconsider his proposal when I reveal it too late. I have to tell him. No matter how scared I am.

"I just wanted to know that ..."

The smile on his lips grew soft. Aneela was close to just throw her arms around him and hug him tightly before pouring her secret out to him, clinging onto him as she tried to convince him not to think different about her when he learned about it. "I don't get up and leave when push comes to shove?"

With hesitation, she nodded. Nikolai leaned forward and her eyes had trouble to focus on his. Her heart seemed to want to jump out of her chest when he was this close to her. "Aneela, I promise you that if a storm comes our way, I won't let it blow me away from you."

It was a promise. An honest one. He has to learn about it soon, it wouldn't be fair to keep him in the dark; but will there ever be a right time?

He leaned in closer, his eyes were all caught up with hers. "We will conquer anything. Together."

She resisted the urge to simply lean forward to touch his lips with hers to show him how much his promise meant to her. "I'm glad to hear that. Thank you."

"I will never hurt you. I can't even bear the thought of you being upset because of something I did."

His voice was quieter as he raised his arm. Aneela breathed more shallowly as she noticed his hand coming closer to her face but then he stopped in his motion, remembering that he couldn't simply just touch her cheek to underline his words of comfort; they weren't alone. Aneela nearly huffed in disappointment. She wanted the gesture of reassurance so badly. No, she wanted the other thing more. Please, just kiss me.

"I-"

"Your Highness?"

Brigitta had seen him leaning closer to Aneela two times which had alarmed her greatly. And then she had witnessed his want of bringing his hand up to cup her face, making her hurry over to their tent with exceptional speed. The other ladies had gotten up as well to interfere but once Brigitta had reached their table, they slowly sat down again and threw even more vile looks over to Aneela.

Great. Lost in feelings, promises and awaiting ... and what does it give? Distraction that made our masks fall and let the others see what was truly going on between us. And what does this mean? Even more hatred towards me and even more drastic actions towards Nikolai, redirecting his attention to them. Amazing.

The kerch grabbed Nikolai's arm to pull him up to his feet. "I need to borrow you for a moment." A quick and nearly unnoticeable bat of an eye towards her competitor was nearly missed by the couple. "There is a bug on my table that doesn't want to fly its way, no matter how hard I try to make it go away."

Aneela resisted the urge to swallow hard as she understood that Brigitta was referring to her as the bug. I have to sleep with both eyes open tonight. And maybe Tolya could sleep in my salon from now on.

Although Brigitta was already dragging him away, Nikolai's eyes were still on Aneela. Something tucked on her heart when he stood at his feet. She didn't want him to go. Ever. She wanted him to stay with her at all times.

Oh my, how deep can a person fall for another? Without giving Brigitta the satisfaction of reacting to her cruel words, Aneela kept looking at the prince. "I believe your duty calls on you, Your Highness."

"Yes." Nikolai tried to hide his disappointment as he made a few backwards steps away from her into the direction he was getting pulled into. "I'll see you later, Miss Ceron."