Midnight seemed appropriate. Part of her hoped that Avila's subjects would have retired by then. But she knew far too well that very few souls would have retired even at such a late hour. She'd left the feast early and gone to her chamber to primp her hair. She pinched and massaged her cheeks with warm water until they were a rosy red. This would only be worth it, if people saw and she might as well put in the effort to make it believable.

Twisting a lock of her dark chocolate locks around her finger nervously. What if Avila saw? What if she accused Aline of treason?

No! Aline, don't listen to that crap. This relationship must be formed on evidence. And what better evidence that a good portion of high society catching a glimpse of the two, wrapped in each other's arms in a show of realistic passion. She was doing nothing wrong.

And if her 'friend' should find wrong in the proceedings that justice did not exist.

People would talk, seeing as Fonceamour was a decent sized island. These days gossip spread like wildfire. Elias Mortel was a favored protagonist at the supper tables of many.

The dramatics of the Lumièreamour political scene, concerning the transition between the tyrant King and his successor Adam Daigner. Elias Mortel's horrid actions resulting impregnation of Julia Morien, who had not died in popularity despite the sixteen years. Lord Sebastian had a particular disdain of Elias's father, since the torrid affair with his sister. It would appear that resentment was hereditary in the Lord's eyes. Lord Le Navré would be very displeased at her selected beau. But that was her exact motive.

Not a soul was to know of the false regards on the relationship, not even her two younger sisters. Francesca or Soleesi could be trusted with such a valuable piece of information. Sebastian Le Navré was one of the most powerful of the high lords in the northwestern corner of the island. He also was infamously stubborn, gruff and power hungry.

Despite young at twenty, Aline had grown quite accustomed to her father's indifference. For it was no secret that he longed for sons. He was still deeply upset at her mother's inability to bless him with male offspring. While he did not loathe his daughters he did not show them a father's love. Aline's mother Violetta Sourianti retained a sweet personality in comparison to her husband. And while she cared for her children. Though Aline bitterly found her mother's favoritism towards thirteen year old Soleesi. Soleesi, the baby of the family was the least disappointing of Sebastian's daughters. By her birth, Lord Sebastian had given up hope of having a son and resigned himself. Over the years Aline had often wondered if her father was sweet on Soleesi because of her uncanny resemblance to their mother. That made her an easy pawn in his schemes. Francesca, at seventeen was almost as disliked as Aline herself. The older girls had inherited their father's stubbornness. The one defining difference, being that Francesca did not harbor a certain bitterness.

Aline, you are my eldest daughter. It is your duty, to your parents, and your people that you provide me with a male grandson. You're child is to inherit my seat, wealth and power.

Casse toi. Digging her fingernails into the soft wood of the vanity table leaving gash marks. Every single time she tried to have a conversation about her inheritance he would start off on his long winded explanation about her duty. Her duty be doomed. She would not give him what he desired. She rose, taking one last glance at her rosy cheeks in the mirror and glanced at the doorway. It was time. One last deep breath gazing at her regal reflection. She whispered, in inaudible words: "I can and I will."

♔♔♔♔♔

Moonlight flooded the corridor through two high windows. A warm draft blew through the room. She found Elias standing in the shadows ominous to Aline's fast beating heart. It pounded, as if there was no tomorrow. Since when have I cared that much about my first kiss that wasn't in play? Never, especially if it involves someone of the male gender.

"Ready, Darling?" Her body tensed at the suggestion of the name, but she reminded herself that such names were natural.

"This better be worth it." She grumbled walking into the shadows. A shaft of moonlight was illuminating his forehead. Though most of his features were masked in darkness. She caught the edge of a raised eyebrow.

"There is a reason I am infamous for my... sexual conquests." Goodness, this is not what I asked for. I asked for someone who would make this bearable. This is not bearable, this is an atrocity to my soul. Must I be the mature one, and discourage this as if you were but a young boy?

"Elias, you disgust me. I don't wish to discuss your sexual conquests. I couldn't care less if you're any good at kissing." She bit her tongue hard, wincing at the pain, but it stopped her from spilling her truth to him at the moment. If she did, this moment would be spoiled, and this moment was crucial to setting up this entire act. A shake foundation would never do, she must have a solid base to build her fantasy upon. Oh, and what a fantasy it would be. A marriage, without affection, but with the power of choice.

"Is it erroneous to assume that you're judging me based on anything?" Who do you think I am? I'm always judging, I never stop. And you're giving me endless opportunities to continue this habit.

"Goodness, no Elias. I chose you because I thought you could maturely handle this situation, but it appears not. I'd thank you in advance to keep such thoughts to yourself. Now let us get this over with. Then you are free to do whatever you want to whoever you want." And that moment cannot come soon enough. Then I wouldn't have to lead you through every step of a plan, that was never complicated. Soleesi could follow it, and she doesn't know the difference between South and East.

"Wouldn't that cancel out the point of this exercise?" Aline had to remind herself to breath. Really? Obviously. That never would have occurred to me. She pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose, asking for the patience she did not possess. But she wasn't going to shirk away now. Not after how much effort she'd put in to trying to even ask Elias for his help.

"If I wanted to be questioned I would ask for a philosopher. I don't need your cheek." Hypocritical or not, she was not in the mood for his foul snark. They were there for a reason, and Aline was not leaving that spot, without results.

"Okay. Here goes nothing. I'm sorry to have to do this." He placed a hand on her hip and another on her neck. His hand icy against her hot skin. "Elbow me when you wish to stop." His hand guides her face towards his face, fingers pressing into her jawline. As if in a dream she allowed his movement to control her. She hadn't kissed a boy before. She'd once kissed Avila, during one of their pretend games. Avila had teased Aline of liking a stable boy. Despite the fact that she'd refuted her friends claim with solid evidence, Avila would only be satisfied if Aline had kissed her.

At the tender age of five, this behavior seemed normal. She had not question her friends request. Avila, had learned about the 'I'm your future queen and I said so' card and joyfully played with the concept at every opportunity.

Lost in the memory, she started when she felt his lips on hers. His tongue gently teased touching her teeth. She let her body lean against his and she felt him stumbled, although their lips never broke. She didn't dare to open her eyes. She didn't want to see people watching them. The hand on his neck followed the curves down to her lower back at a slow pace. The hand on her hip followed suit. Unsure of what to do with her hands, she placed them on his chest, feeling the skin. She heard hurried footsteps then murmurs. When she dared to open her eyes a crack and saw two noblemen, she didn't recognize and a lady behind them.

"Is that Elias Mortel?" One asked. The voice was higher pitched and feminine. Probably some courtier, not anyone Aline recognized. As long as Avila didn't make an appearance, she didn't care who saw. As long as people saw. Even if one of The Morien's saw, she didn't for see that as a problem. The Morien's and her father, had a fine relationship. Of course, she knew a majority of her father's ties to other high lords was because he imposed a sense of firm power and fear upon those who met him. You'd be hard pressed to displease such a man. Even if he was not the King, or related, he held a sense of power, that Aline did not find a common part of most men she'd met.

"By jove you right, but who is that young lady. She doesn't look like some plain connasse." If Elias, could hear what they were saying he didn't react. His body stayed calm and relax and he never stopped except to allow quick breaths. More footsteps followed and a gasp by the new audience member.

"Aline?"