I Think I am in Love

He places his palm gently against my jaw and strokes my cheek with his thumb. I can feel my heart rate increase. I feel frozen in place. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before dropping his hand. “I should be getting to bed.” He says after a few minutes of quiet. I just nod my head not knowing what to say or what type of interaction that was. “Good Night, Nic.” He climbs off my bed and gracefully leaves my room. I stare at the door not sure what to think. I…need Amelia. I get up and leave my room going over to the one next to me. I knock on her door and she answers with a big grin on her face.

“You were listening weren’t you?” I question her

“Yeah, I’m not even going to deny it. You guys suck at whispering.” She giggles and pulls me into her room. “So how was he selfish?” Her eyes glow with intrigue. She drags me onto her bed and we sit criss crossed facing each other
.
“Um… he rubbed my cheek and then left.”

“Oh man, I thought he was going to kiss you.” She pouts.

“ I know! And I just… I think I love him.” I bury my face in my hands. ” Everytime he looks at me or talks to me or touches me I feel like I am going to explode. It is so annoying, it was never like this before.”

“It’s because the borders are opening and they are encouraging intermingling.” Amelia rubs my back, “There was never hope for the two of you until now, and you're finally facing your feelings.”

“I don’t want to face them. I want them to go somewhere deep down inside of me and stop making things so awkward.”

“Well I would say he is the one making things awkward.” She pauses, “ You know the whole face stroking thing.”

“I know! If we would stop being so weird and just kiss me or something. Then we could, I don't know, figure out what is going on between us.”

“Oh Nic, you should just tell him or better yet kiss him.”

“I can’t just kiss the prince. That seems like illegal or something.” I giggle sitting up “I wish more than anything to hold him in my arms and tell him how I feel.”

“You’re the only one stopping you.” Amelia lays back in her bed.

“I just can’t. What if I am wrong? What if it ruins everything? Plus I am an Ambassador. What if I lose my job?” I stare at her intently, “I need to forget about all of this. I have spent my life dreaming of this job, and I can’t let boy drama affect this.”

“Or you are overthinking it, and he is just as in love with you as you are to him.” Amelia stares back at me with a smirk. I climbed out of her bed.

“I should head back to my room.” I tell her, walking away.

“Just tell him, Nic.” She says as I exit the room. As I walk back to my room Benjamin is also returning to his. We make eye contact, give a head nod and then dart into our rooms.

I climb into bed completely awake. The night is long with sleep not greeting me. I spend some of that time practicing my shadow hand magic and reading a book on spells that Elau had given me. Before I know it the sun begins creeping over my balcony and the night is gone before I have a chance to sleep. I let out a long breath and climb out of my bed. I dress myself in a light blue corset dress and head to breakfast. I make my way to the dining hall for an early breakfast. As I walk in I immediately make eye contact with Elau and look away to which he continues to stare..

“Ambassador Niccola, Please come join us.” The King greets me. I smile and walk to the head of the table to join the Royal Family.

“It’s quite early to see one of our Ambassadors up already.” Queen Iverna comments

“Oh I didn’t sleep the best last night.” I say and almost immediately regret. “I was so busy thinking about the human culture class that the night escaped me.” I lie, covering the real reason for my lack of sleep.

“I’m sure it will be a lovely introduction for our Elvish Ambassadors. Elauthin will also be attending the class.” King Eloquen sips at his morning tea. I smile at the King.

“How wonderful, we look forward to having you as a student, Prince Elauthin.” I glance over at him and notice he is still staring right at me.

“I’m sure you have a lot to teach me, Niccola. I am excited to learn all I can about human culture.” He smirks and I know he is thinking about how useless the class will be since we have been sharing our daily lives with each other for several years now.

“Well make sure you bring a quill and paper for notes. Maeve shared that you will be traveling with her to Havestree. You may certainly come across some shocking human behavior.” I chuckle

“Shocking how?” Queen Iverna asks

“Well not all humans are prim and proper. I look around here in Dellum and even the common folk are nicely dressed with not a hair out of place. It is not like that with humans.” I stop and look at them, “I mean you must have seen a human city 500 years ago?”

“Not really, Honestly we rarely leave Dellum.” The King responds

“Well not all humans are afforded the best life, and compared to here it can look rather rough when you are entering the city.” I explain

“How interesting.” King Eloquen mutters and then looks over to me, “Thank you for a rather informative breakfast. I do believe I should leave. I have meetings all afternoon to prepare for.”
The King excuses himself, “Come alone, Elauthin… Iverna.” He says and the three of them stand, take a small bow of respect and then leave to the back door.