The Girl Playing Dress Up-Chapter 3

Weeks pass by, they are filled with the festivities of getting to know my future husband. It's ironic, almost comedic. 

But I don't feel like laughing.

I venture to into the gardens on a Thursday night. I try to clear my mind in the dim light. The air is warm, a slight wind blowing through my hair.

Today, my parents made Alexander and I play soccer. On the same team. I don't know if it was more teambuilding or pushing chemistry on us. It did neither, at least on my part. Alex seemed to enjoy it, though he wasn't that good.

The other team won since I don't like playing sports and was walking the whole time.

"Tough day?" a voice makes me jump out of my skin. I go into my fighting stance. Hunter appears, rounding the corner of the sunflower. "Wow, warrior girl."

It isn't my fault. My father made sure I knew self-defense and combat by the time I was 12. I took him down-to his thrill-when I was 14.

"I could take your head off if I wanted to," I laugh. 

Hunter steps closer to me, entwining my hands in his. A small smile is placed on his face. A blue mark-most likely paint-is on his cheek.

"Hey, Cass," he smiles.

"Hello," I grin. "What are you doing around these parts, Hunter?"

"Just passing through, love," he chuckles. "I wanted to see you, Cass."

"I'm glad," I say, biting my lip nervously. I debate whether to tell him about Alexander or not. I try to quickly make a mental pro and con list.

"I know about Alex," he breaks the silence. Of course, he does. He seems to find out everything in a timely manner.

Alex and he are friends, sort of. They mingle at gatherings. They aren't too fond of each other but respect each other.

"Good," I nod, unsure of what exactly to say. 

"Good?" he asks. His eyes sharpen. "I came out here to talk to you about Alexander and you give me a 'good'?"

I narrow my eyes. It isn't my fault I'm not that good at these things!

"What do you want me to say?" I demand, untwining our hands. "What, Hunter? I can't just change the rules in an instant, can I?"

I know I'm hurting him. I know that I am but I can't lie and say it'll be all better. I can't lie and say it'll be alright. That somehow Hunter and I will be able to be together.

Think, Cassandra, I tell myself. I run through a dozen possibilities but none come out in our favor.

"We could-" he starts. I hold up a hand.

"What makes you think my parents would be okay with it? They wouldn't just bend over backward to change their plans for me?" I try to keep my voice low. "Would your parents?"

"Cass," he sighs. "Give me some credit."

"Credit for what?" I inquire hastily.

He runs a hand through his disheveled hair. I fold my arms across my chest, irritated. I hate fighting with him because neither of us gets to a resolution.

"I'll talk to Derek and Celeste," he tells me honestly.

Hunter doesn't call his parents Mom or Dad. He calls them by their first name. He doesn't have a good relationship with them.

"It wouldn't matter," I shrug, not bothering to sugar coat it. "I'm marrying Alexader, Hunter. That's the plan and that's tradition."

"And there's nothing we can do about it?" Hunter asks seriously.

"Precisely," I reply, backing away from him. 

"There has to be something," he tells me.

"When you find a plan, sneak into my garden, why don't you," I shoot back. He rolls his eyes. I feel the tension build up. We're like a shaking tower, one last block could make us topple over. 

"Gosh, Cass, your so stubborn," he says. 

"I'm a realist," I pace the room. "What do you want me to say, Hunter?"

"I don't want you to marry him-" he starts.

"I have no choice!" I yell, snapping. There it is. The last block, I feel as if it's already tumbling down. Slowly at first, but then quickly when I see the look on his face.

"Princess Cassandra?" I hear one of the guards bellow. I straighten.

"Sorry, Captain," I call back. "I saw a spider."

"Assistance, Your Highness?" I hear footsteps rushing toward me. 

"Go!" I hiss to Hunter, shoving him into the rosebushes. "Apologies, Captain. I didn't mean to scream."

"No worries, Your Highness," the captain replies. He stands guard now, beside the marigolds. 

"Can I have a moment alone, Captain?" I plead. 

He looks suspicious for a moment but can't say no. He nods and walks away. I wait till he's out of earshot then beckon to Hunter.

"See?" I hiss. "We have to sneak around, Hunter! It would never work because we know how our parents would react."

"Please Cass," he begs. I shake my head, stepping away.

"Go home, Hunter," I command.

"Fine," he says through gritted teeth. "I hate fighting with you, Cassandra. You know that, don't you?"

"I know," I touch his cheek. He holds my hand there. I stare into his green eyes. They are beautiful and I almost can't tear myself away from them. "Go."

He looks like he wants to say, but he knows better. He knows where we stand. The feeling of helplessness is like a dagger stabbing into my heart. I wish to ignore it, but I can't. It's there.

"This is goodbye, isn't it?" he asks. 

"I wish I knew," I reply.

He gives me one last look and disappears. I watch until his silhouette becomes nothing but a ghost. I start my walk back through the garden.

A tear begins to form in my eye, it falls down my cheek. I hurriedly wipe it away. The last thing I need is for Nicoletta to comment on my sadness.

"Goodnight, Captain," I say, saluting him. He smiles.

"Your Highness," he bows, opening the doors for me. 

I step inside my home, away from chaos and into to what little tranquility is left.