Adalina nodded and bowed slightly to them. "Thank you again, Your Highness. It was lovely to meet you both." she replied, trying to get Nikolai to look at her once more. Her heart was aching for him to look at her, give her a sign or something that nothing would change between them.

She smiled back at the guard that had been with her since she arrived in their country. "Oh thank you." she whispered, lifting up her dress and putting the dagger in place as they walked away to her room. She cocked her head to the side at his comment. "What was that look for?" she then asked coyly about his remark on where Nikolai's room was.

Once he left, Lina looked at Elisa and her chest heaved. "Oh Elisa.... this isn't going to work." she whinned, tears stinging the back of her eyes. There wasn't any reason for her to be crying, but she knew what was going to happen now that Niko's brother was alive and her sister wasn't.

"I assure you I have no idea what look you're talking about," the guard said, still grinning in that same way. Obviously, he talked to Elisa. Or maybe he did things like Nikolai and Lina did when he had her alone. He waved good night before closing the door.

Elisa's eyes widened and she rushed forward, taking Lina into her arms. "Hush, Lina, hush..." She smoothed her hands across the Princess' hair gently. "What isn't going to work? Just... try to take deep breaths and talk to me. What isn't going to work?" Gently the servant girl directed Lina to the bed and sat her down on it, taking the spot beside her carefully.

Adalina hugged onto Elisa, her voice cracking as she cried into the girl's shoulder. "I-if he's alive, then I will have to marry him if our parents are wanting to continue the peace talks. A-and I can't keep acting like there's nothing between Nikolai and I..." she cried, tears rolling down her face.

"H-he's acting like he hates me right now because I can't show affection towards him in public because of who I am. B-because of who he is." she whispered as she tried to calm herself down. She stared down at her hands on her lap, starting to get a headache from crying so much.

((Updated first page character bios to include Elisa since she seems to becoming a legit side character...))

"Maybe that won't be the case. Your family isn't negotiating peace with us demons anymore. They are at war. You are the one who is negotiating peace... or potentially doing so. If you want a different outcome than taking your sister's place, say so to the King. He might listen..."

Elisa rubbed Lina's back gently, trying to help calm her down. "Nikolai can be childish and rude sometimes... he doesn't understand the distance you're putting between the two of you. When we were traveling, did you see the way he was when you were outside of the carriage? There's no word short of brooding to call it. However he feels about you, he does it with his whole heart. He has never been someone to half-ass something. I can go up to his room later, and invite him down here for tea if you want to see him..."

Adalina burried her face into her hands. "How can I do that without giving away that we've already started something of a relationship?" She shut her eyes, her eyelashes coated with tears. "No.... I was pretending to hate him so we didn't raise suspisions." she told her softly.

She sighed softly. "He's not going to come see me, he wouldn't even look at me." she told Elisa. "Elisa.... I think I messed up greatly when I told him we couldn't be like this in public." Lina said frowning. "If you think he will then do so please."

"What if you use a different angle than because you like Prince Nikolai? His brother is older than you by a fair number of years... and marrying him would mean giving up your country to his. If you request Prince Nikolai you will return home and he will go with you. Your country will remain yours... and you will get to be with him." Elisa blushed a little as she said this. "At least... that's how I think it would work. I really don't know. I'm better to predicting how court gossip plays out than peace negotiations."

She hugged Lina again. "I'll go and talk to him for you... I think he will come. If he knows you want to see him, to talk to him. I know he will come." She frowned a little and decided to take a try at lightening the mood. "If nothing else, I think Prince Nikolai would make a lovely concubine and a throbbing hot secret lover."

"And his brother will rule here...." she said softly, understanding what Elisa was trying to get at. "I think you're right, let's hope he likes the idea..." she replied, hugging Elisa back. Lina blushed deeply at the thought of her and Niko being secret lovers, more than just making out in the carriage. She bowed her head, her smile widening. "Yes, just tell him it's urgent that I speak to him. I think I'm going to take a bath and change outfits just incase he comes." she said, embarrassed. She was still blushing slightly but now she was coming up with a plan of what she wanted to say to him. She reached under her dress and pulled out her dagger. "I guess I don't need this...." she said softly, putting it on the dresser next to her bed.

"If I were you I would find a hiding place for your dagger. Not everyone will let you keep it. We just happen to know it's better now to anger you." Elisa winked playfully at Lina and stood up. "I'll run you a bath. Take your time and soak... I'll go and get your dinner and speak to Prince Nikolai when he returns to his room.

Elisa was good to her word and was just settling in to do a few minor alterations on some new dresses made especially for Lina when Nikolai knocked on the door to enter. Dinner had been almost an hour ago but he had been with his family. Entering the room, he flushed a little pink.

"There was a... message left for me that you wanted to speak to me, Lina?"

Subtle as could be, Elisa got up and crept out into the hallway, no doubt to entertain herself with the guard.

Adalina grinned and hugged Elisa. "Thank you." she told her softly. "You are so good to me and you don't even have to be. Thank you Elisa." she told the girl before she left. She was soon in the bath, relaxing and forming the words she wanted to say in her head. Once she was finished she got out and pulled on a different dress. This one was different, more of a night dress one might sleep in but it was a little more formal for her to talk to him in. It was of course cut low and her cleavage could be seen quite well but she pulled on a sheer robe over the top and ate dinner and waited for Nikolai to come.

It had been an hour since she was finished with dinner and she was starting to think that he wasn't coming until there was a knock at the door and her heart skipped a beat. Lina mouthed 'thank you' to Elisa and smiled at Niko. "Yes, please come in." she said softly, still sitting on the edge of her bed. She looked down and blushed slightly, pulling the robe to cover herself up more as she waited on Niko to make himself more comfortable. "I need to ask you a few things." she replied.

Nikolai heard the door close behind him and knew they were alone. Instantly his heart began to beat faster. His eyes strayed to what she was wearing and he felt like he might blush. How easy would it be to slip that robe off her shoulders, to expose the skin under her gown... she might think him a pig for thinking it, but his want to be with her had not changed.

"If you're going to ask me if that dress makes you look fat, it doesn't." He was trying to joke but it didn't quite work. There were serious things going on between them, or so he thought. The worst thing she could do to him now was to tell him that what they'd been doing had just been for her entertainment, not fueled by emotions. It would crush him.

He stood in front of her, staying out of arm's reach for fear of making her uncomfortable... or in tempting himself too greatly to reach out and touch her. "Ask your questions," he said quietly.

Adalina rolled her eyes and blushed gently at his comment about the gown. "Well that's good to know but that's not what I was going to ask. But thank you for the compliment anyway." she replied with a wink and a smile, hoping he would get the hint she didn't want to just drop him or anything like that. She sighed and looked up at him. "First of all, how is your brother?" she asked, not ready to ask her questions about what was going to happen with them.

The robe was silk so it easily slipped off her shoulders from time to time when she shifted on the bed. She was constantly having to fix it just sitting there talking to him.

A little annoyed when she didn't offer to let him sit down, he only grew more agitated when she shifted around on her bed. That robe kept slipping and it was driving him mad. If she had any idea how attractive she was... she must know that this was torture. Look and not touch.

"He is doing well, just as my parents said. It will be some time before he is able to get up and walk about but he is in good spirits. Being alive is a miracle after all... and now that I'm home he knows that our family is safe. It's comforting and good news for us to hear." He paused, looking at her. "I'm sorry that I did not send you home."

Adalina nodded slowly. "You know you can sit down right?" she asked. "I'm sorry, that was rude of me..." she said softly, looking down. She moved over for him to side down. Once he did she turned to face him. "Okay, you know I want to be with you right?" she asked. "It's just hard for me to show that in public because of how I tried to kill you in the first place. I do want to be with you, I really do." she told him, putting her hand on his knee. "I need to know how you feel though. I..... I want to know how you feel about me negotiating for us to be together for peace between our countries..." she finished softly, looking up into his eyes.

He almost laughed when she jumped so bluntly to what she wanted to talk about. Moving further up onto her bed he turned toward her as well. "I'm not so sure you want to be with me. You are the master of mixed signals after all. Kisses and threats... and the coldest shoulder..." he trailed off as he looked at her shoulder now and the way the robe had slipped off it again. He coughed and resumed speaking. "The coldest shoulder I have ever had the displeasure of being accostumed to."

"I meant what I said earlier, about starting off as friends and letting people grow accustomed to that. I don't expect you to let me stick my tongue down your throat in front of the entire court or anything of the sort. I l... like you a lot, Lina. I think maybe you'd believe that if you'd just let me show you. I enjoyed the ride here in the carriage... but that is not the only way I know to show affection. I don't think you believe that and so I'll show you if I must."

He slid off her bed and turned to face her once more. "I will be such a perfect gentleman you will hardly remember the scoundrel who pinned you to the floor of a carriage for days on end." Reaching out, she took her hand and kissed it softly. "So if there is anything else you feel needs to be discussed, you can come and talk to me in public."

Lina smirked and pulled her robe back over her shoulder so he could snap back into reality and speak to her. "Well yes I know that, I would want to start off as friends in public but in private, who says you're going to adhere to that?" she asked, smirking at him with one eyebrow raised. She put her hand on his chin and teasingly moved his chin back and forth. "Aw you think you're a scoundrel now?" she asked playfully. She was looking into his eyes, trying to tempt him into doing what he really wanted to do besides kiss her hand. "Who's to say you won't do it again?" she asked, bringing his face closer to hers. "And who's to say I don't want you to do it again?" she whispered, biting at his neck gently. She then pulled back and shrugged, sighing softly. "As you wish, Prince." she replied, smirking. "I will speak to you in public then." she added, waiting to see what he would do.

Nikolai swallowed hard at the way she teased him and wished he could stop his body from reacting as she bit his neck. It was grossly unfair for her to do this to him when he was trying to be honorable. "Until you are comfortable with me in public," he whispered, leaning in so close he might kiss her. "I will insist upon not making you comfortable..." His gaze flickered down, looking down at the plunging neckline of her night gown and he smirked. "Or maybe it's uncomfortable... while we're alone. I will kiss you again only when it is appropriate to do so. For now," he pulled back and straightened up, giving her no kiss and not even touching her at all. He wasn't even holding onto her hand anymore. "Good night, Princess."

Adalina could feel his breath on her lips as he spoke to her and she started to close her eyes, wanting to close that small space between their lips. Her had started to lean forward to kiss him when he straightened up and let go of her hand. "Are you kidding me?" she gasped, and gaped at how he resisted her. She huffed and turned away from him. "Fine. Good night, Prince." she replied softly. Lina was dissappointed in him, she wanted to continue what they had started in the carriage when they were in private. But she was appalled that he did not, she just knew she would have to work harder for him to give into her again.

Nikolai headed toward the door and then turned back around to face her once more. "Maybe I'm not such a pig after all. Learn how to look at me in public without glaring and speaking ill of me and you know exactly what you'll get from me behind closed doors. I can't live with your disdain for me, Lina." He smiled across the room at her. "And I don't think you can live without me."

Oh, he sounded egotistical but he couldn't help it. She was seriously upset that he hadn't kissed her, hadn't risen to her teasing... and he liked having the power over her that this gave him. Someday he would give into every desire he had for her and fulfill her every desire but for now... he was willing to bit his tongue and play the gentleman.

The next morning Elisa brought a very small breakfast up to Lina's room and reminded the princess of having brunch with the Royal family. "I was thinking this might be a good look for you," Elisa said, holding up one of the more conservative dresses that had been made. "A nice impression to make..."

Adalina smiled at him. "Haven't you figured out how well I can act?" she replied coyly just as he left her room. She sighed and put her face in her pillow, growling slightly at herself for letting him see how upset she was at him for not giving in. She had now made a decision to toy with him just as he was toying with her. She wasn't going to give in so easily either. She would be nice in public and be friends with him in public but she wouldn't give in that easily in private. Sighing, Lina turned off the lights in her room and went to bed.

The next morning she was woken up by Elisa rumaging through her closet. "Oh, good morning Elisa." she said sleepily. She looked at the dress, it wasn't low-cut like she was used to but it was still beautiful. The top was widely square cut so it hung high on her neck but off of her shoulders, hiding her cleavage she was so proud of, long sleeves that draped at the ends and there was no slit in the side that she was also used to. "You always know just how to dress me." she told the girl with a smile, accepting the dark blue dress from her. There was a silver belt that she would wear over the dress to show where her hips were and give it form.

Putting on the dress and some silver flats, Lina smiled at Elisa. "Could you fix my hair?" she asked, smiling at herself in the a mirror for a split second. Lina was always hopless when it came to her hair and she loved the way Elisa fixed it the other day she wanted her to do something elegant and princess-like, like that again.

"You seem to be in a good mood this morning," Elisa noted with a little smile. "Did things go well with Prince Nikolai last night? He didn't stay as long as I expected him to." She blushed slightly, remembering what the prince had caught her doing with the guard in the hallway. "Sit down, I'll fix your hair for you." She twisted ribbons into two small braids at the front of Lina's hair and then tied them at the back of her head, making a sort of circlet out of it and leaving the majority of the princess' hair down. "There you go, looking lovely again. One last touch, I think... hold on a moment."

Elisa slipped out of the room and a moment later there was a knock and Nikolai entered. He wore the same shade of dark blue and smirked. "Matching me today, Princess? How subtle and courtly of you." He walked over to her and looked at their reflections together. They made an interesting couple, but he saw them fitting together perfectly. "I've come to escort you to brunch." He offered his arm to her. "If you're ready, we can be on our way."

Adalina laughed softly. "Uh, well not exactly but in a way I suppose things did work my way." she replied, sitting infront of the mirror. She smiled as Elisa worked on her hair. "He didn't do what I thought he would do either." she said frowning, "Thank you Elisa." she told the girl with a smile when she was done with her hair.

Lina put her dagger in a good hiding spot so that she wouldn't get in trouble for having it. She was still infront of the mirror, looking at herself when Nikolai came up behind her. She jumped slightly, startled because she didn't hear him come in. "Hm, I think you wanted to look like me today. But, I guess great minds think alike." she winked playfully. Lina instantly thought that Elisa did that on purpose, like she knew they would be in the same color. "I'm glad you're escorting me, I would be lost for hours if I tried to go on my own." she said, even though she knew that her guard would show her where to go. She placed her hand on his arm lightly and waited for him to lead the way. They truely looked like they were a couple when they left her room and entered the room where they were to have brunch in.

((I think it's time for bed))

He grinned a little. "Oh come on now, Lina. We both know I could never look even half as good as you so I'd never even try." He leaned down, his lips close to her ear and whispered. "And, just so you know, Elisa picked my outfit out for me this morning. She fed me a great line about the blue making my eyes stand out. Do you think it's true?" He batted his eyelashes comically at her in the mirror and smirked.

When they entered the room they were to have brunch in, Nikolai helped Lina to her seat, even pulling it out for her. He took his own place at the table, feeling the way his parents watched him. His younger brother was there as well and couldn't help but stare at the princess. He'd never really met an angel and this one was beautiful. It was, perhaps, because of his young and roving eyes that Elisa had picked out a higher neckline for Lina today.

"Did you sleep well, Princess Adalina?" Nikolai's mother asked. "I'm afraid we weren't properly introduced yesterday. I'm Queen Beatrix... but you're welcome to just call me Bee. Most people do, even if they might not dare do it to my face." She smiled, trying her hardest to make the princess feel comfortable here. "Is your room to your liking? We have others if you prefer something bigger, or smaller... or perhaps a different view from your windows. All you have to do is let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you fittingly. You're our guest here."

Lina couldn't help but laugh at him batting his eyes at her. "Oh yes, they make your eyes stand out wonderfully." she said with a laugh. "Elisa picked this out because it's more... conservative. Also, dark colors make my eyes stand out." she told him, grinning brightly at him.

Adalina couldn't help but smile when he helped her into her seat. "Thank you." she told him quietly at they sat down. She saw his little brother was staring at her and she could help but be slightly embarrased at the young demon prince gawking at her. She now understood why Elisa had picked the higher cut dress.

She brought her attention to the Queen and nodded with a smile. "Oh yes, I slept wonderfully. Thank you very much." she replied. "Bee.... I like that." she told the Queen with a smile. "I know that 'Princess Adalina' can be a mouthful to say so if you want to you can just call me Lina.." she added, smiling at her kindly. "The room is wonderful, you are most gracious hosts." Lina told them happily.
She glanced at Niko, almost as if she was saying 'Hey look, I'm being nice.'.

"Oh, I'm glad you like the room. We had hoped you would." The Queen smiled in a soft, motherly kind of way. She didn't let it on, but she saw the way that Lina glanced at her son. She also saw the way Niko rose his eyebrows at her and smirked before raising his goblet of orange juice just a little into a mocking toast and drinking from it.

"You know, I think it'd be lovely if you had a tour of the castle. It's really quite spectacular. Perhaps after brunch Nikolai can take you?"

Niko's eyes widened and he looked at his mother with wide eyes. She simply smiled sweetly at him and winked.

"That sounds like a fine idea," The King said from where he sat. "I don't have time to meet with you until tomorrow, Princess Adalina." There were no offers of being called by a nickname where he was involved. And Niko's little brother still seemed stunned into silence as he watched Lina.

Adalina smiled at the Queen and nodded. "Oh yes, that would be just wonderful." she said sweetly, smiling at Niko. "Would you mind Nikolai?" she asked, tilting her head innocently at him. Lina took a drink of her orange juice then turned her attention towards the King.

"Oh please call me Lina." she said, wincing slightly at her full name. "I really don't mind." she added. She looked at Niko's little brother and smiled. "You can call me Lina too." she told him, smiling again.
((Gah short post))