Kriztian’s smile got a little brighter and appeared to be even boyish-looking than ever upon hearing her small chuckle and seeing the look of merry amusement on her face. “750 years,”he replied with a small dry chuckle back at her response. Ignoring the apparent teasing and subtle and slightly flirtatious tone that indirectly went along with her statement, he then continued,“I’m 750 years old and that’s the number of years I’ve been - ah how do you put it?..gracing, most parts of this vast Earth for,” he teased back, with very small hint of playfulness in his tone. At that moment, Kriztian didn’t know why but he chose to recklessly ignore this slightly playful part of him that was coming out this instance, and almost impulsively and without thinking rationally, he went on with this very un-Kriztian-like action of his. “I must be going out of my senses. What with all this dramatic stress and draining pressure and worry caused by all the past dreadful events of this past month, it wasn’t any wonder or irrational, if I were really going a bit off my mind,”he mused. .. But then again, another possible reason why he was letting himself be a little boyishly playful with the girl in front of him right now, could be due to the thought of that said poor girl who had to endure the same bad experiences he had, but with probably twice the pressure he possibly had, and she might have internally gone through, ten times worse than he did, of terrible hellish experience in this dratted place, due to her physical vulnerability as human girl who seemed to be inexperienced with any sort of grueling fighting or battles, she was probablly leaning to feelings of worry, high stress, slight paranoia and fear for her safety or even life. Even though he knew that Emilia could put on a brave face and brave spirit or armor when it was necessary, Kriztian was pretty sure that without even asking her right now, she had probably already viewed that grimly dark viral video of the mysterious and brutal werewolf murder and Kriztian wouldn’t blame her if she happened to presently be a little on the high edge these days. Thus with these present thoughts now in mind, Kriztian was starting to think that this summer ball, which he was initially disgusted by, as he had viewed it as cover up excuse of the Paragons that only further showcased their incompetency in dealing with the current problems at hand and highlighted the shadiness of this whole marriage scheme even more, was actually starting to morph into a pretty good distraction to take most of the scared beings’ minds off the current slightly dark circumstances they were in, to offer a break and bring a sense of peace and relaxation to most of the royals here even if it was only temporary. Kriztian himself now realized, that he too needed this short little respite from the problems currently plaguing his and his family members minds, and what more so of a kind-hearted, soft and bright-hearted pure human soul like Emilia? Thus Kriztian now strongly concluded that he would do whatever it took to ensure that Emilia Banks had a perfect ball night. At least just for tonight, she deserved a 100% happy and peaceful night. She currently seemed to be whole-heartedly enjoying herself very much here based on her current facial expressions, body language and present air, which Kriztian had been observing as many times as possible from the moment he walked in and laid eyes on her. He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself for some time period if he accidentally ruined or took away her current happiness, thus if allowing a small bit or part of his playfullness or light-hearted side to come every once in awhile to Emilia, just to make sure that her night was perfect, then by jove he would do it, even if it meant betraying his present persona and personality he had been wearing for the past few centuries.
He liked the way she sighed. As that thought came in without warning, Kriztian had to hurriedly shake it away from his brain and tried to re-focus back on Emilia who had now started speaking again. That was another of those weird and highly un-explainable thoughts that would come every now and then, whenever he was with or around Emilia . What the hell was wrong with him nowadays?? “I do,” he nodded. “And in fact, it is actually highly reasonable for you to be very excited about your lovely and truly historical ballgown and you shouldn’t care what others think of that. To be completely candid, if there are people who think that it’s unreasonable of you to exhibit such a behaviour, those are the kind of people you shouldn’t even need to even trouble your mind with or associate with at all, as they are probably un-poectic beings, or have no sentimental bone in their body or perhaps they even don’t value family background or history, “he spoke bluntly, not really caring much if his words sounded a little jaded or slightly hard or even, some might say, a bit contemptuous. Kriztian had spent too many years being exposed to the various uglier or bad sides of of human nature long enough to become quite cynical , dry, a little jaded and also to adopt a couldn’t really care less transparent shell if his words contained not-so-nice, brutal truths.
Seeing Emilia’s bubbly self coming out right now again as she had a tendency to bring it out sometimes , half the time he was with her, Kriztian current quite good mood, lifted up even higher than ever. he had to secretly admit that he admired the way she was able to naturally be so bright and bubbly and if he was being completly honest he preferred that she remained as bubbly as long as possibly during their-who knows how long?-stay here in the castle He kinda kiled seeing that side of her personality and nature , the longer he was in her presence. “Well, “he mused out loud, “ if this ballgown is such of deep importance and highly precious family knowledge to you, you should probably try writing that “essay” down into a journal perhaps? So that it might become one of the history books on Emilia Banks, to be read by the future generations of humankind or even by your own future great-great-granchildren,”he smiled lightly. “For trust me, I’ve been around long enough to know that some people have a tendency to blow things slightly out-of-proportion when passing down family background stories by the word-of-mouth method till there are quite a few instances, that a family’s history story becomes more of a fabrication and much lesser of the real facts about what had happened or the actual truth.” Till now, Kriztian had yet to to register in his head, the possible implications of him using the term “future great-great-grandchildren” might have on Emilia’s mind upon hearing him say those words, as he was too busy being genuine about giving some advice to Emilia regarding the preservation of her family’s background stories.
Oh dear Lord, her smile! Kriztian was now, like a similar part of his initial experience upon catching sight of her some minutes ago before their current conversation, completely wonderstruck by the blindingly wonderful and beautiful reaction to his highly unplanned and unexpected earlier comment. At this very moment, Kriztian took back the initial regret he had felt and blame he had internally ranted on himself earlier for making that wildly unexpecetd remark of wanting to see her wearing her dress again as he was now given the most delightful first-hand view of seeing Emilia’s enchanting golden expressions and actions to his remark. Oh that beautiful, angelic, soft , and sweet cherry-red lips of hers that was curving into such a .. Stop! Stop thinking of her lips that way, you idiot and say something. As he was about to speak something, anything in order to distract himself from staring in wonder at the slightly glowing happiness that was somehow radiating off her, which was amazingly brought about by such a simple remark from him, he was then forced to close his mouth as she suddenly lifted her gaze back to him and looked at him straight with her exquisite, always-beautiful lake-blue eyes into his own dark brown orbs. Currently lost in the moment of slightly staring back at her lovely, very bright and pretty blue pools, Kriztian almost didn’t hear her soft mumble of a reply coming from Emilia’s lovely sweet voice. “Good gods man, break the silence! Break the silence!“ the rational part of his brain screamed at him. Say something. He absolutely had to speak before he did something similar to what he accidentally had done during that afternoon outing of theirs weeks ago or even repeated that un-thinking action of his again, which could hold a chance of possibly spoiling her night. Hurriedly clearing his surprising dry throat, he then spoke as quickly as he could,” Well, yes, you certainly should, Emilia. It would be a shame to not wear such beloved and lovely dress of your ancestors a few more times and plus you would definitely put a smile on many other people’s faces the moment they see you, with that pretty picture you make in that dress,”he smiled back politely with a slightly pleasant tone, trying to construct his sentences in such a way that it would come off as being as non-romantic as possible.
He liked her golden-sounding laughter. Dammit!! “Here was another of those confusing emotions and weird thoughts coming to disturb him again,”he almost groaned out loud in despair. Did Emilia have any idea of the weird, unexplainable effects she had on him?? Not that he was actually going to tell her that truth to her in any near future or even if at all, but he still half -wished she had telepathic powers or something, so she would know to stop doing those slightly adorable and highly-pleasing, and- dare he say it?- wonderful actions and mannerisms of hers. She was going to be the death of him by the end of tonight. He was that sure of it. He nearly chuckled out loud again in reaction to her acting playful and trying to tease him again. Highly deriving pleasure just from looking at her very big and prefect smile, he then smiled back amiably as he answered, “ Yes, I do. I think I just might still have tow preserved left in fact. You;re very lucky and that you might able to have a chance to see it hanging in one of my rooms or maybe in one of the hallways when we go back to Germany in our large Gotha family castle, “he said in a pleasant and rather matter-of-a fact voice. “That is to say, if my lovely little sister has not deign to renovate the place again for the hundredth time,”he smiled in slightly lively humor as he shook his head at the thought of his entertaining younger sister.
When Emilia stepped closer to him and closed whatever initial small distance or space they had between them, he was then given a confirmed answer by her action , that she indeed wanted to take on this tango dance with him. He was slightly surprise to hear her heartbeat, which he long been atuned to hearing for by now after all this time they’ve been together, was rapidly beating faster. Was she very nervous or..He hadn’t much time to analyze further as she then had quickly made the gentle action of trailing her soft left hand from one of his shoulder to the back of his neck which then lead to him experiencing that familiar delightful and warming sensation cursing through his back again. He was then, slightly oblivious to her clear and loudly beating heart, for he was currently immersed in all his senses being fully surrounded by the pleasurable strong whiff of her perfume and oh-god, the highly familiar and enchanting smell of her lilies-of-the valley-,yes he was sure it was the scent of that particular flower this time around, body wash that was still lingering on her fair, smooth skin and body. He had to force himself to come out of his delightedly hazy mind that was being clouded by the smell of her extremely lovely body scents and concentrate on their current dance that was about to start any moment now. His longer and slightly larger fingers curled back on her hand and he held on to Emilia’s soft and smaller hand in a slightly warm, very secure but not too tight motion. His right arm then found it’s way automatically to press slightly on the upper half of her back , some distance above her waist, with his palm laid flat securely there in order to help balance her for some of the movements they were going to partake in later when they started to tango. The moment the music started playing with a slightly gentle and slow speed at first, he proceed to sway in perfect slow rhythm with her , while his dark orbs held Emilia’s glance with a sightly warm and kind expression reflecting in his own pair of eyes. The moment the well-known tango song was about to pick up tempo a bit more, Emilia then suddenly surprised him a little as she slightly whispered to him with three simple words of “Don’t let me fall” , before her pretty eyelashes fluttered at him as she then continued with a pure whisper this time oft he word “Please.“ Glancing to her slightly vulnerable and a a little uncertain-of-herself eyes, Kriztian then felt the strongest need and urge to reassure her and with a firm, deep and slightly gentle voice filled with full of sincerity and warm trust, he uttered back, “Trust me, Emilia. I won;t.. ever.. let you fall, “his last short sentence coming to sound more like a deep inexplicable vow than just a simple promise of the moment, which slightly surprised him himself, as his dark gaze that was still locked on her lovely face, stared at her back with intensity that showed how weirdly serious he was when making that statement He had no inkling why at all presently, but he somehow, quite deep down wanted Emilia to take him whole-heartedly at his word and somehow trust him, not just for tonight, but if he was being completely honest, always till the end, that he would never, ever, let her fall if he could damn well help it.
Without waiting for her answer, as he hoped he was right in assuming that she had already instantly taken him at his word just by looking at her face which he was still holding gaze with, he then proceeded to pull her into a short but smooth slide-step. Almost a very quick second after that, he then a little speedily but quite gently lowered her in a small but hopefully, delightful dip for her body backwards before half a second later quickly pulling her back up with same equal amount of gentleness. With their bodies back into the same initial closeness they were at the start of the dance, he then moved slowly back and forth again a couple of times with her, keeping with the still moderately paced music and then switching to swaying sideways with her, while his face then turned slightly to the side, away temporarily from their current close glances at each other. After about eight seconds or so in dancing in that method, he then recognized that the song was about to reach the passionate, more quicker and slightly sensual and long chorus part in the next couple of seconds, so in a hushed but steady voice, he then glanced back at her face with a sincere and slightly soften expression and speedily spoke, “I really need you to say you trust me now, Emilia.”
“750 years...” emilia repeated, the feeling of surprise laced in her words. sure, she knew he was old - she had heard of the gotha family before, they weren’t young like their neighbour irish vampire family, but now that she knew that a person who lived seven centuries and a half was standing in front of her now, and that man also happened to be the one she was going to marry, was something else entirely. compared to his, her twenty-five years of life experience seemed to be nothing and she immediately wondered how it must feel like to be alive for so long. how many countries he had been to, had seen rise and fall? how many musical instruments he knew how to play? how many famous or historical people he had known? there were too many questions in her mind she wanted to ask but this was not the time, nor the place to ask him numerous questions and she also didn’t know if he’d be willing to have a talk with her about his past. but given the chance, she’d definetely want to ask and listen to whatever wonderful stories he might have. before she could think on that more, he used her wording to somewhat tease her, emilia blushed even harder, her cheeks and the bridge of her nose flushing deep pink immediately. oh god, he could get her all blushing with a single word. oh well.
listening to him talk about how she shouldn’t listen to people who were like she had mentioned, she knew he was right. no matter how hard he was going on those people - even with only words - it was the truth after all. and she already knew that he could be very blunt when he wanted so it didn’t surprise her to hear such things from him and she even could go as far as to say that it actually made her feel even better about being excited over such a thing, she liked the way how he reassured her about it. it wasn’t like she knew he wasn’t doing anything wrong or that she would change her harmless behaviour but to hear that she wasn’t being silly by that from someone who was rational and had a very, very long life experience gave her more courage. so to show that she appreciated and also understood what he was telling her, she gave him a soft smile despite his bluntness and slightly hardened features, looking like the opposite of him but surely, their thoughts and feelings on the matter were the same nonetheless. “you’re right, i have no reason to change my behaviour or hide my feelings, my excitement isn’t harmful after all, i’m free to feel whatever or however i want.” she nodded firmly, agreeing with him. they shared the same thoughts after all, it was just that she put it with a softer manner.
sensing his good mood, emilia felt more at ease, starting to believe her high spirits and bubbly self wasn’t being annoying to him at all. since emilia really wanted him to feel comfortable around her - they were to be wed and be around each other constantly especially after they leave to go to germany when everyone in the castle was married so that was a natural thing to want even though she felt like deep inside, it was not just her needing him to be comfortable with her, she wanted him to like her, not tolerate her - so it was a good thing to see that he was not bored with her or something, otherwise that’d make her feel pretty bad considering she really wanted to spend the night with him, she just couldn’t help it. she had quite a few friends that she made here, her cousin, a few old acquaintances that she could spend time with and she’d actually have fun with them too actually, but for some reason it was him that she wanted to be with tonight despite everything, despite the fact that he probably didn’t like her as much as those other people she knew, it was kriztian she wanted to speak with, it was him she needed to be around. it was a weird feeling but she knew that she’d feel pretty bad if he was to soon excuse himself and go mingle with other people and spend his time with someone else. it was like without him, she would to pretty okay, she wouldn’t be frantically looking for him after all but now that she had seen him and actually had some time together, she found herself to be needing him to stay with her. she was very happy like that, getting to know him and that teasing back and fort, compliments that weren’t dry like many other people’s, locking gaze with each other -- basically every little thing passed between them got her craving more and she felt so lucky and glad to know that he chose to spend time with her. he came to her when he could simply walk away after seeing her and she wouldn’t even know but for some reason he did come and that thought alone made her feel... cared about. she could be wrong, it could only be because he was a gentleman and could have nothing to do with her happiness but just him being his kind self, but she liked to think she mattered. it didn’t happen a lot after all, so she’d enjoy the feeling as long as he allowed her to feel that way.
“maybe i should.” she nodded slowly, despite the thoughts roaming in her mind, she had managed to listen to him talk about the dress and actually writing an essay on it. he was right, people tended to alter things the way they pleased when there was no written or any other reliable source to get information from. it was so ironic that she’d laugh if they weren’t at a ball and she wouldn’t look like a crazy person, that there was actually some major information about her family that’d go down in history as wrong. one that had been haunting her for years, that she knew she couldn’t light a shine on the matter even if she wanted to. she could write essays and journals on the dress or any other thing about her family but that one thing could never be changed, or so she was made to believe. and she knew if she ever did write it down, it’d only cause more harm than anything so it was to stay as a burden to her, probably her whole life however long it was. and it pained her to know that but to not bringing down her, or worse -- his mood, she didn’t let her expression change too much as she smiled gently, keeping her eyes on him. “i’ve always thought about writing a book anyway. you know, to be immortal even after i’m gone.” she said softly, head slightly tilting to the side as her gaze wandered on his features freely. “well -- with you immortality has a whole different meaning but i guess it wouldn’t hurt to share thoughts and information with other people. and yes, that’s be such a precious thing for someone to leave to their children and grandchildren. i, for one, know that i’d take very good care of such a thing - just like this dress - and it’d be very precious to me if my grandma ever left something like that for me and next generations.” she smiled sweetly at him, even though she didn’t know if he really thought she’d ever get to have grandchildren given that it’d only be possible if they had them since she had no intentions to have children with someone else while being married to him and cause scandals, if theirs was going to be a political alliance only, then that’d mean no family of her own for her, which was very sad for someone like emilia who valued family the most and had dreams of having her own in the future but even in a marriage without love involved, she’d still be faithful. but nonetheless, having him mention such a thing put a warm, unknown and weird sensation in her chest, making her take a deep breathe as she looked at him. that was an another thing, she found herself needing for more air sometimes when he was around her, even only looking at him had that effect on her. oh well, it was safe to say he was breathtaking, then.
god, he was definetely looking into her soul. his gaze was piercing, she felt like if he looked into her eyes a little bit more intensely, he could read her whole life, feel any and every emotion that passed her. she had never seen any other man carrying that much meaning in his eyes, and there had definetely been no other man who made her suck in a sharp breath like that with just one look. he was nothing like the people she had met before, he was different than them all and despite how hard it usually was to read him, she enjoyed it. she enjoyed reading through his layers, she liked the fact that she was starting to differ how he acted and reacted, the fact that she could see behind his mask sometimes when he pulled it up. of course, there was a long way for her to figure his personality, figure him, but it was nice to see she was starting to do that. it was like as if he was luring her to know him more and more everytime they spoke, and she was gladly letting his personality attract her. when he made a comment again, she raised a brow in slight amusement, noticing one thing in particular in how he worded his next statement. giving an understanding nod, emilia’s smile then turned into a slight smirk as she replied. “ah, yes. it’d be kind of me to put a smile on other people’s faces by wearing that dress sometime again, i guess.” highlighting that part, she then looked at him with a clever twinkle in her eyes, letting him know that how he worded his thoughts didn’t pass through and go unnoticed. but instead of commenting on the matter further, she put back her usual smile on her face as she looked at him.
and just like that her playfulness came it was gone the next moment as her smile widened in amusement, she looked at him in disbelief even though it wasn’t that surprising for someone to have a painting of themselves. he had lived for centuries after all, it was natural for him to have more than one, even. but it was still interesting anyway and the fact that she was interested in the matter was clear on her face as she spoke. “oh really? well, aren’t i a lucky girl. i get to see kriztian gotha in ruffs and possibly sporting longer hair one day.” she teased lightly, chuckling at the thought of it. even then she was damn sure he still looked good with that style as an image like that flashed in her mind. he was looking so very charming and handsome already but she was almost sure that he looked like a freakin’ disney prince at that time. despite his hardened features and all, his face was beautiful, she could easily say that. his dark orbs swearing that they could make her fall into his deep gaze, his soft-looking lips making her have minor heart attacks anytime they curled into even the slightest of smiles, his whole face that looked like it was sculpted by the most talented artist in the world, his build, his style, his general actions -- basically everything that made him kriztian gotha lured her towards him and as much as she wanted to and did deny it, it was there; the magnetism. he was not the easiest person in this world to get along with or get close to but maybe she liked that, after all. sure, it was a struggle to make sure he was pleased with her and that she didn’t make him feel uncomfortable with her and she’d want to have things going easier and more smoothly between them but it was also an another truth that she wouldn’t change it. she was glad that it was his name that she had on her envelope back in her room.
when they were on the dancefloor and she had his hand laying on her upper back very gently but securely, the other hand holding her smaller one in his palm, she almost immediately felt more secure. it was unbelievable how safe she felt in his presence but it was even more surreal to experience being held by him, her clouded mind being a proof. she was already wondering how she could turn back to her room tonight when the ball was over and back to being alone again, without his hand on her waist or her hands cold being away from his touch and his secure way of keeping a firm hold of her hand. she knew the moment her arm snaked around her to rest on her back, she’d be craving for it when he parted from her after the dance was over. so despite how nervous she felt, she wanted it to last forever for a second but she knew that like every beautiful thing that had to end too so she decided she’d rather enjoy it as she gazed deeply into his dark hues from that very small distance, as much as her worries and nervousness let her, of course. watching his expressions after she spoke, she found the confirmation and safety on his face and didn’t even need him to say it aloud since his eyes spoke to her soul but she didn’t mind hearing it anyway, she actually very, very liked the way he put it into words. how he sounded like it was not a one time promise for this particular ocassion but always & forever kind of vow, making her heart thump against her chest even harder. he was a man of his word from what she knew about him and she knew that he meant it when he said it, that it was not an empty promise. also the gentle look on his face comforted her, making her loosen her grip on his hand which she didn’t even realize she was holding on too tight as if her life was tied to the hold she had on his hand. nonetheless, she was still holding his hand with gentle firmness as they danced, her fingertips brushing on his skin anytime they made a different move. emilia was too dazed to speak as they danced, the only thing she could do was gazing into his eyes and keeping up with him, thankfully without failing. she was being hit with too many emotions and feelings all at once and the dizziness wouldn’t leave her alone but now she knew he would be there whatever happened so she wasn’t too scared anymore. though the grip she had on the back of his neck, a little bit down his back actually, tightened slightly when he dipped her back, making her take a sharp breath as she damn literally trembled very, very slightly, but there was no question that he’d feel it. with that feeling she couldn’t name in her chest and low in her stomach radiating all around her body, she almost forgot about anyone else, her ears blocking the sounds and almost the song even, her only focus was him so every sense in her body was alarmed when he spoke again, making her eyelashes flutter as she looked at him.
“i trust you.” she replied simply, voice low and tone soft as they kept dancing, at that moment she realized her favorite part of the song was coming. she knew that was a harder part to do and, if it was the right word, more sensual than the beginning but despite how hard it was, she trusted him. she trusted him that he wouldn’t let her make a fool out of herself, she knew that they were going to have the perfect first dance. at that point, after saving her life two times and being gentle with him most of the times, and especially after tonight which he was making her have the time of her life, he could hold her hand and walk through fire together and she’d trust him with it. he was worthy of it. “and you’ll always have it.” she quickly added in whisper again, face so close to him as she positioned herself for the next part, she could swear she could see behind his eyes with that very small distance, noses almost brushing as her chest was pressed against his, holding onto him for dear life but at the same time she was very gentle, her fingers very lightly tracing on the skin of the back of his neck before she rested her hand on the fabric of his jacket, on the very upper side of his back and a little closer to his left shoulder now, getting herself ready for taking a better hold on him if she needed during this part of the dance. looking deeply into his eyes, a very small but genuine smile on her face was her reassurance that she gave him right before the tempo picked up.
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