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Waiting for the Wedding Ball

Jacob rose to his feet, extending his hand. He led me into his splendid bedroom, the heavy door closing behind us with an almost imperceptible thud.The chamber was saturated with intoxicating grandeur. Every inch of Jacob's quarters exuded a mysterious allure. Dark, velvety tapestries in deep, brooding hues covered the walls, absorbing the dim glow of lanterns scattered around the room. Their flickering light danced with the shadows, casting the space in a dreamlike haze.

A grand canopy bed dominated the room, draped in midnight blue velvet. The intricately carved posts stretched toward the vaulted ceiling, while heavy curtains embroidered with symbols I could not decipher shrouded the bed in secrecy. It was both alluring and unsettling, as if the bed itself held secrets I was not meant to uncover.

An antique mahogany writing desk stood nearby, cluttered with quills and scattered parchment. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with dusty tomes bound in leather, hinting at long-forgotten knowledge. The faint scent of exotic incense hung in the air.

Jacob’s presence filled the room as much as the lavish decor. His every move was deliberate. I began the familiar task of pulling back the covers.

Jacob reclined on the bed. I hesitated before taking my place beside him, feeling the weight of the plush textures beneath me. It was a luxury I had never wanted, yet here I was, ensnared by circumstances beyond my control.

Without warning, Jacob drew me into his embrace. His eyes locked with mine, their depths unreadable, leaving me unsure of what he truly wanted from me. His touch was gentle but firm. He lifted my chin, and our lips met in a kiss that was more measured than passionate. It was a test—a question without words, demanding an answer I was not ready to give.

He pulled me closer, guiding me down onto the pillow, his grip around my waist tightened. Even when he withdrew, his arm remained anchored around me.

"Are you tired, my dear?"

"No, my lord."

"We should rest."

"We have a long night ahead."

I had no desire to extend this evening any further, but defiance was not an option.

"As you wish, Jacob."

"What troubles you?"

"Nothing."

"I am fine."

He frowned but said nothing, settling back into the bed. His eyes closed, and soon his breathing deepened into the heavy rhythm of sleep. I wanted to move, to escape the confines of the bed, but his arm still held me fast. With no other choice, I shut my eyes, trying to will myself into slumber. It did not come easily, but when it did, it carried me far from this place.

Hours passed. The soft rustle of fabric stirred me awake just as the clock struck four. Jacob shifted beside me, his movements slow and deliberate.

"Forgive me," he whispered, his lips brushing my ear.

"I did not mean to wake you."

I blinked, disoriented, still half-caught in the remnants of a fading nightmare.

"Where am I?"

The words escaped before I could catch them.

"In our bedroom."

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, just a dream."

He kissed my forehead, his touch warm but distant. A knock at the door shattered the peace.

"Enter."

The door creaked open, and Jake stepped in, his gaze lowered in deference.

"Your Highnesses, your mother has requested your presence, my lord."

"She wishes to see you immediately."

"I will go at once."

He turned to me, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

"Stay here."

"Jake will look after you."

Before leaving, he bent down and kissed me again, this time more fervent, as if staking his claim. I glanced at Jake, catching the flicker of pain in his eyes. He saw everything.

"I wil be back soon, my love."

The door closed behind him, and I felt the weight of Jake’s gaze on me. I could not avoid it any longer.

"Jake I am sorry."

"For what?" he asked, his tone tight.

"For everything."

My voice cracked.

"For betraying you."

"I had no choice."

"I love you Jake."

"I always will."

His silence cut deeper than any words could have.

"I know."

"I have always known."

Tears blurred my vision, but I did not fight them.

"I never wanted this."

"The king, and queen made it impossible for me to refuse."

Jake took a step closer, his hand brushing my cheek. His lips found mine, soft at first, then filled with the same passion that had once bound us together. I melted into his embrace, letting the kiss consume me, if only for a fleeting moment. When he pulled back, his voice was barely a whisper.

"I never stopped loving you," he said.

"We both know what would happen if anyone knew."

We held each other close, caught in the impossible tension between love and duty, knowing that no matter how much we longed for each other, the path forward would be anything but simple.

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