#be the light and souround off greats moments because is new day

[avenusa]

[sophiaravensfromillea]

Selection Challenge 1 [2/2]

Slowly I close the drawer of my desk and tuck away any left over make up utensils. I take one last look in the mirror, grab  my western guitar, which i brought from home, and start strumming some random patterns. I humm along to the chords of my favourite song. My fingers fly over the guitar’s neck, my thumb and index finger start picking the strings in a aimless order. The notes are getting faster and louder and soon i am floating through thousands of melodies. My eyes fall shut and my ears listen carefully to the music my delicate hands create.

My body jerks just as my ears absorb a deep cough coming from the door. My eyes fly open and my  head is already moving towards the door. And guess who is standing there? Prince Haiden, life and in person. And do you know who has already forgotten that they had a date with said person? Me.

I jump off the bed i’ve been sitting on, place the guitar in its case, grab the books i’ve wanted to return and finally walk towards Prince Haiden. With an apologic look i greet him and drop a curtsey. He offers me his arm and we start walking down the hall.  

„So how are you today?“ I start the conversation.

„Pretty good. How about you?“

„That’s good to hear. I am fine, a bit tired due to reading all night“

Haiden starts laughing.

„Do you do that often?“, he asks with a look of wonder on his face.

„Sadly yes. Sometimes I just can’t control myself“

„I understand. Sometimes a book is too good to even think about stoppping. Once i snuck a book into a budget meeting because i didn’t want to stop“

„Really?“, i look at him with surprise, „Okay, that’s a new level of ´one last chapter´! Did you manage to finish it during the meeting at least?“

„Most definitely, but it didn’t help that the main character died during that part and i almost cried.“

„Ohh no, that’s awful“, I exclaim.

„What do you like to read?“

Don’t freak out and start rambling Sophia, or else he will already be creped out.

It’s not helping that you are staring at him the entire time.

I let my eyes wander of the colourful paintings clustering the hallways. Scan each and every one of them and study their colour composition

„I really enjoy young adult novels with tons of different topics. But I am also really into dystopian and fantasy novels and in between i try to read as many classics as I can. How about you?“

I face him again and study his expression.

„I like historical fiction and memoirs and biographies. Reading about other people’s lives is something I love to do.“

I nod and try to keep my eyes fixed on my shoes, I really wasn’t planning on falling down these long stair case.

„Is there a particullar book you are really fond of or don’t you pick favourites at all?“

One feet after another Sophia, you can do this.

„I definitely try not to pick favourites because I think all my books are special in their own right, but I’ll have to say The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a great book.“

Just replace the word book with the word woman and you pretty much have how he views them.

I nod while we turn around the corner, walking towards a huge door, with gold handels and all sorts of carvings inside the rim of the wood. Two guards greet us and hold the doors open.

„That’s understandable. Soo (..) how are you holding up with all these wonderfull lady’s around you?“ I try to lighte the conversation.

„Um I wouldn’t say holding up, per sé. More like `Trying to hide falling apart.´ But overall it’s going well“, he says with a chuckle.

„Why do you feel like falling apart“, I ask concerned and look him straight in the eyes. Gosh, I really hope he is fine.

„Nah I’m fine. Mostly just me being dramatic as usual.“

„Are sure?“  He better not be lying.

„I’m sure it’ll be harder, but all of you are being very gracious so far.“

I look at him and see a genourus smile. I return it and state: „That’s nice to hear. I don’t think i could handle holding a selection and i have a lot of respect for you handling it the way you do. And I really hope you find the one your heart is looking for.“

I settel down on a nice looking couch with expensive cushions leaning against it. I let my eyes scan my souroundings and absorb every little detail. The library is still as breathtaking as it was the first time i was here. I visited this place a few days ago with the company of my new found friend Lady Mila. She is really one of a kind and just loves books as much as i do. We talked a lot and staggered through the aisles. I found a few treasures and managed to bring one up to my room.

„Thank you i don’t know exactly what that is yet, but I’ll know it when I see it, I suppose.“

So it can’t be me.

Mila and I have gotten to know each other a lot lately. We joked a lot about one us being Queen one day, living in this palace and never letting the other go. This big place would be very lonely without a friend like her. She is very different to Lillian, but I am not complaining. It’s nice to actually have friend who has the same interest as you do. I wonder if I could ever be friends with Haiden, and maybe even more. He seems very nice and laid back.

„It’s there anything you want to know? I feel like I just drill with you with questions“  

„No, it’s fine. I’m not to great with asking questions, so sometimes it’s better for me to leave the option open for someone else.“ He folds his leg over the other one and shifts a bit towards me.

„Soo…“, please don’t ask something stupid, „you were homeschooled, right? What was your favourite subject?“

Here it comes.

„Literature and history. I didn’t dislike mathematics, but it was always harder for me to enjoy. How about you?“

His eyes start to glow when he talks about something he is very passionate about. He had this same glimm in this eyes when we started talking about books earlier. It’s hard not to notice this little things about him, just like the constant picking at his delecate skin.

„I was and still am a huge fan of english and music. I also enjoyed chemisttry and wanted so badly to be really good at it, but it never quite worked out. Don’t get me wrong, I was still the best one in my class, but I always messed up my exams (…)“

„What did you like most of music?“

What did i like most about it? Definitely not the people.

„Mhh. I really enjoyed it when all of us came together and made an amazing piece of art, with different kinds of melodies and harmonies, self-written lyrics and tons of instruments. Our music teacher always encouraged us to make music and not just talk about it.“

Music was always a place, where i connected with so many people, just based on the fact that we all treasured this beautiful kind of art.

„I heared you play the guitar earlier, it was beautiful“, he mentions with a smile plastered on his face. I take his compliment and return his smile.

„Is this the only instrument you play?“, he asks with a curious expression on his face.

„No, I also play the violin and the piano. I am trying to learn how to play the drums, but apparently I am not made for it. That means my brother can keep his drums to himself.“ I laugh silently to myself . I look up and suddenly stare into confused eyes.

„You play piano, really?“

„Yeah i do, for seven years now. Why are you so surprised?“, I ask with a hinter of a slight giggle.

„Oh, uh, well, I do as well“, he says and runs his hand trough his hair. How awkward. I start laughing at his hilarious expression. For a moment he just looks even more confused and after a second he joins my laugher.

„So you do? What’s your favourite piece to play“; i say in between breaths with a grin still plastered all over my face.

„I have no idea. I love both modern and classic so there’s no telling“

I nod and add: „Same over here. Most of the time i play some random classic piece, but sometimes i work on one of my favourite songs at the moment and sing a long with a couple of friends.“

We just smile each other and i grab my book and place it back into one of the shelves. Carefully i run my fingers a long of the spines of the endless books resting in one of these shelves.

„You know what? I am really glad that you hired Baguette. I really don’t know how to live without his food any more“

„I know what you mean. Despite his, um, temper, he is most definitely the best chef in Illea.“

„Yes I’ve seen him freak out the last time I went to the kitchen. He was really upset about something, I heard he and Hux broke up and now he refuses to bake me a pie. He was literally screaming at me and Naomi“, I exclaim, „Oh well. I hope Aliya will fix the mess she made.“

„That’s upsetting. I should talk to them. I wouldn’t it beneath Baguette to poison any food when he’s upset.“

I slowly blink and stare at him very disturbed for a very long time. Gosh, I really hope he doesn’t or else i’ll be the first one to die with my love for food. I speak up about my concerns and Haiden calms me down.

„Don’t worry. I’ll have it tested beforehand.“

Time starts to stand still. I don’t register anything anymore, only the way his melodic laugh leaves his mouth. We talk about our favourite meals, secret dreams and courage.

„Maybe I have the courage to do it one day“, i sigh and give him a sad smile. My keep wandering around the room and I nearly missed his answer.

„I hope you do.“

I look him and the eyes and say softly: „I have to say, I actually enjoy talking to you Haiden.“

„Me as well. I’m hoping to get to speak more with you in the future.“

The future.

„I am looking forward to that.“

I look at my wrist, just to see the watch displaying the number ten o'clock. Shit.

„Oh Gosh, it’s already so late. I hope I didn’t keep you from something important I am genuinely sorry.“

I really hope he forgives me. What an Idiot I can be, gosh he was probably so bored the entire time and just wanted me to stop finally talking. And now he is laughing, he definitley hates me.

„Of course not. This whole thing is about finding a wife. Can’t rush things“

I exhale slowly. Good. He isn’t mad.

„Thank God. I was really scared for a second that I ruined your evening.“

„My evening will never be ruined when I’m with you lovely ladies.“

„That’s good to hear. Can i ask you one last question?“

„Sure“

I chew at my lips and suddenly lose all of my previous strengh.

Gosh, Sophia, pull yourself together.

„The next time we meet, i mean if there is a next time, could be play a piano duet together?“; I ask quietly.

„Of course will there be a next time“; he smiles at me, „and i would definitley enjoy a piano date with you, Lady Sophia.“

[avenusa]