Of Heart & Duty ⚜ Ch. 6

Sabrina put one more pin in her hair and took a breath. He'd seen her worse. Grabbing her purse, she hurried out of the dorm to the front of the Academy, where a sleek black car was waiting.

She grinned. "You took the top down."

Raphael smiled, leaning against the side with his arms crossed. "I thought we'd enjoy the weather before the chill sets in. Shall we?"

He opened the passenger side door and she got in. "Thanks. So, where are we headed?"

Starting the engine, he looked over to her. "I thought we'd just let the road decide for us."

She shrugged and smiled. "Drive on, then."

They left the grand castle behind, driving to the bridge that led to the village of Vanera. But he didn't turn there, and instead kept going through town. Around them, the leafy trees were starting to get rusty edges, turning the forest a warmer green. The breeze was cool but not uncomfortable as they drove along, providing rejuvenating fresh air after being in the somewhat stuffy castle for a while.

Sabrina's mind wandered as she watched the lovely scenery pass by. They took a mountainside road that led up a winding route to near the top of one of the small mountains. As they crested the final rise, he slowed down.

"What do you think? Is this an acceptable destination?" Raphael asked.

She could see the small town up ahead, and a lake beyond it. "Oh, this is the place Gin took us sailing. I've been wanting to visit the shops here."

He smiled and drove on. They passed expensive hotels and chalets overlooking the lake as they entered the town, going straight for the shopping center. Pulling into a parking space, he turned off the engine and got out to open her door.

"I'll follow you, Princess."

Sabrina smiled and started towards the first shop. They spent about an hour looking around down the line of stores, and she came away with a beautiful new brush and comb with mother of pearl inlay. They then stopped by the cafe and got hot cocoas to take to the picnic benches next to the water.

Sitting down, she looked over the lake and sighed. "Isn't this beautiful?"

Raphael sat across from her and nodded. "It certainly is." After taking a sip of his cocoa, he looked back to her. "So, I wanted to ask about that ball you promised."

She certainly hadn't forgotten. "Oh? What about it?"

"I was thinking, what if I took you to the masquerade at the end of the year? That way you won't be seen with me if you don't want. And even if people noticed, you'd only have to deal with their whispering for another day or two."

She considered that and raised her cup. "I think we have a plan."

He smiled and tapped his cup against hers. "Thank you, Mireya. Sorry, I heard your friends call you Sabrina. When did you start going by your middle name?"

"My first year. My roommates convinced me that 'Sabrina' was more modern and chic. I don't know, I guess I needed their validation at the time," she shrugged. "Now it's just habit. But if you want to call me by my first name, I don't mind."

He nodded. "I always thought it was such a beautiful name, Mireya." For a moment he hesitated, then reached into his coat pocket. Pulling out a small velvet box, he offered it to her. "I got this for you."

Setting down her cocoa, she rather nervously opened the lid. Inside was a delicate ruby ring with gold scrollwork. "Oh, Raphael... This is beautiful."

"Do you like it?" he asked hopefully. "I know you like red, so it would go with most of the dresses I've seen you wear. I'd thought perhaps... you might see it as a sort of promise ring. But not quite that, more of a 'potential ring'. Something to remind you that you're loved. No matter what you choose."

She stared at the beautiful ring before looking up at him.

His eyes reflected his nerves. "You don't have to wear it. Maybe I said too much..."

She put a hand on his. "No, it's lovely. I'll absolutely wear it. Thank you."

He smiled and reached over to take it out of the box, helping slip it on her finger. "Thank you, Mireya. It means a lot."