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"Andrea."
"Mmmh," Andrea mumbled as she rolled over
"Andrea," the voice repeated, this time sounding a little testy.
"Hmm.."
"ANDREA!"
"Huh? Whaatt?" Andrea grumbled, as she tried to roll over again.
"WAKE UP!" the voice cried out as hands fumbled to shake the girl awake.
Andrea opened her eyes and stared around, her vision blurred.
"Andrea! I demand that you shake out of your stupor and get out of bed right now!"
"Huh? Damien?"
Her mother held back a grin," I'm sorry, but last time I checked, I was a female, and your mother at that."
"Mum!" Andrea exclaimed as she shot up," what are you doing here?"
"Well your father requested your presence, and since the maids couldn't awake you from the dead, I had to intervene," her mother explained.
"Ohh.."
"So!" Aariana smirked, "you were dreaming of Lord Smith's son, huh?"
"No!" Andrea declared hastily, "I was not!"
"Really, now?" she drawled, "because you two just seemed so comfortable together, yesterday. Oh..in each other's arms?"
"You were spying on me?" Andrea declared, turning the tables.
"Ahah! So you admit it!"
"I did not admit anything, mother!" she emphasized.
"You did so."
"Mum, you sound so childish. Imagine if father could hear you now."
Aariana sniffed proudly and said," don't think that this conversation is over, because it's not."
"Whatever you say," she grinned.
"Hurry up and get ready! You're father isn't going to wait very long, you know how impatient he gets."
"All right! I get the point, mother! You can leave now," Andrea declared, pushing her mother out the door.
Her mother stood in the middle of the doorway and turned to look back at her daughter," you'd better be down soon. Your father has business to attend to."
Andrea sighed," okay, mum. I got it. I'm getting ready," she said as she pulled a dress out from her closet," see mother, I've even taken out a dress."
Aariana nodded her head at her daughter and left the room.
"Of course my dear. Do sit down, and we'll discuss it over breakfast," her father explained motioning towards one of the many chairs.
Andrea merely stared confusedly at her father then at her mother, and finally back at her father again. Her father never talked during breakfast, well at least not to her, anyway.
"Andrea! Take a seat! I do not have much time, "her father snapped.
"Well sorry," she muttered underneath her breath as she took a seat located horizontal to her father.
Once he saw that his daughter had taken a seat, he started up," Andrea. Your birthday has come and gone, and your mother and I have come to the decision that it's time for you to get married."
"Hah..right papa. No, seriously. What did you want to tell me?"
"You're getting married," he repeated.
"But I don't want to get married!" Andrea whined, "I'm still young."
"Nonsense! You're at your prime to get married, and you don't see me getting any younger, do you? I want you to get married and have children before it's my time to go."
Andrea's eyes widened incredibly," Papa! A-a-ar-are you d-dying?"
"I'm not dying," Lord Black chuckled heartily, "I just want to see you get married, since you're not getting any younger and neither am I."
"Fine," she huffed defeatedly," if you find me a suitable suitor, I will get married."
"I've already found one," her father smiled mischeviously, " and he has agreed to become your betrothed."
"What?" Andrea shrieked, "who on earth is it?"
"Me," a familiar voice sounded from the doorway. Andrea turned to see who it was and she paled as she screamed once again.
"Alexander? You want me to marry my own brother? Th-tha-that's incest father! Why on earth would you do that to me!" Andrea ranted as she glared at her brother openly.
Alexander smirked at his sisters antics, "yeah right, Andrea. Father doesn't want you to marry me! I was just joking. You're really going to marry Lord Smith's son, Damien."
"What?" Andrea exclaimed, not believing her ears. Damien wanted to marry her? When had this planning of the two getting married occured, and why did she not know of it?
"We saw you cuddling with him yesterday," her father smiled his eyes dancing with merriment.
"Who's idea was this?" Andrea demanded.
"His," they replied simeltaniously.
"Whaaaaaaat?" Andrea screeched.
"Ouch, sis. Please take the screaming outside. My ears are starting to hurt from all your screeching." Alexander groaned as he rubbed his ears fervently.
"Sorry," Andrea responded sheepishly," but why would Damien want to marry me, of all people?"
"Are you that dense? Do you not know that he's liked you for ages?" Alexander questioned, surprised.
"He has? Since when? And how do you know? How did I not know?" she queried, directing the questions at Alexander.
"Slow it down. One question at a time, sister."
"Start from the very beginning," Andrea said as he latched onto her brothers arm and led him to the sitting room, "tell me everything you know."
"Why is everyone calling me," she muttered underneath her breath, "am I that special?" Just as the words left her mouth, one of her older cousins burst into the room, almost knocking Andrea in the head.
"Lily," Andrea asked surprised, "what are you doing here?"
"Do you not know?" Lily replied her face contorted into a puzzled expression.
"Not know what?"
Lily sighed," you don't know."
"Know what?" Andrea asked prissly.
"Will you stop acting like such a stick in the mud? You don't have to act like that with me!" Lily replied defensively.
"Sorry," Andrea apologized as she breathed loudly to calm herself down, "now will you tell me what I don't know?"
"You don't know that we're attending a ball today?"
"A ball? Today?" she sighed, "why doesn't anyone ever tell me anything?"
"I can't believe your parents didn't tell you! It's a ball to announce the betrothal of you and Lord Damien."
"What? Why am I always the last to know these things? What if I don't want to get married to him? What if I don't even want to attend the ball? Huh? What then?"
"Then you would be acting very selfishly," Lord Black appeared in the doorway.
"I'm selfish?" Andrea echoed.
"I'm not saying that you are, but if you were to not go, you would be acting very selfishly. For that boy is deeply taken with you."
Andrea sighed as she looked up at her fathers face," I'll go."
"I knew you'd see things my way," her father smiled as he stroked her hair.
"Oooh!" Lily squealed in excitement," we're going to have so much fun!"
"Argh!" groaned Andrea," what have I gotten myself into?"
Andrea gasped heavily," mother! If she pulls any more at those strings, I will not be able to breathe!"
"Hmm, isn't that a good thing?" Aariana pondered as she tapped her forefinger on her chin.
"MOTHER! How am I supposed to 'enjoy myself' if I have trouble breathing?"
"It's not about whether you can breathe or not. It's about if your waist is small enough."
"Mothherr!" Andrea whined as she breathed deeply.
"Fine. If it makes you feel better," her mother sighed in defeat, "loosen the strings," she ordered to the maid.
"Much better," Andrea cried out.
"Lady Andrea is ready now, Lady Aariana, "the maid said as she pulled away from Andrea.
"Can I see myself now?" she asked her mother.
"Yes, yes. Go on ahead."
Andrea stepped in front of the mirror and was astonished at the sight. She looked-she looked so different. So unlike her normal self, so gorgeous! She had been adorned with a silvery blue gown that reached past her ankles. It snuggled her waist and was tapered at the hips and then flowed down generously like a waterfall. Her long red-brown hair had been swept up in a shiny silver clip with glittering gems with tiny other ones surrounding her hair, shining like diamonds. On her throat was a simple, yet beautiful silver chain with a blue stone in the shape of a heart connected to it. With it were matching earrings which were long enough to reach her neck.
"Mama, wow! I mean I look amazing!" Andrea exclaimed.
Her mother sighed dreamily," you do, my dear. You look absolutely gorgeous. Damien will fall head over heels for you if he hasn't already."
"Mama!" Andrea gasped. Had her mother really said such outrageous things to her?
"What? It is true, is it not?" Aariana smiled slyly, before her she clapped her hands and motioned towards Andrea," enough of this chitter chatter. Put on your shoes and your shawl, then we'll take our leave."
Andrea slipped her feet into silver heels and grabbed her almost-see-through shawl, "let's go," she declared.
"Let us," her mother echoed.
"There is no need to be nervous, darling. Unless you fall down the steps," Aariana said, " and stop twisting your shawl around your fingers, you'll get wrinkles in it!"
"Ah! What if I fall down the stairs while everyone is staring at me?" Andrea cried out as she paced back and forth. A hand gently touched her shoulder," there's no need to be so nervous. You'll be fine."
"Aahh!" Andrea shrieked.
"Relax, will you? Just breathe in and out. That's it. Breathe deeply."
"Very funn-" Andrea started as she spun around, but was cut off at the sight in front of her.
Damien stood proud and tall. He had a very nice built, with broad shoulders and a tapered waist. His ebony locks looked as messy as every, and his bangs fell into his piercing ice blue eyes. He had a handsome grin spread across his face, and a mocking twinkle in his eyes.
"Cat got your tongue?" he smirked.
"I-er-uh..no!" Andrea burst out.
"Well then, relax," Damien responded soothingly.
"I am relaxed. See? Relaxing!" Andrea declared haughtily.
"If you say so," Damien said," let's go," and he offered his arm to her.
"I-I-I can't do it!" Andrea exclaimed, "I'm scared."
"What's to be scared of? Hold my hand and you'll be fine. I promise," Damien assured her, clasping her hand in his and giving it a gently squeeze.
"Are you sure?"
"100 percent. I'm absolutely positive, my dear. Now let's go. Our names are about to be called," Damien replied as he urged her to walk forward.
"Right. I'll be fine," Andrea told herself as she took deep breaths.
Andrea and Damien took their place in front of the grand staircase, as one of the servants called out, "presenting Lady Andrea and Lord Damien."
Andrea took a deep breath as Damien squeezed her hand comfortingly. The bright and blazing lights shone down upon the two, as they made their way down the royal blue steps. Each allowing Andrea to breathe easier. She allowed her left hand to linger on the railing as the two gracefully walked down the steps.
"See," Damien whispered, "that wasn't so bad, was it?"
"Easy for you to say," the brunette hissed back,"you weren't the one who was afraid of falling down the steps in front of a hundred people. Can we sit down now? Why is everyone staring at us?" she demanded as she looked around the room. Everyone was dressed elegantly and each and every pair of eyes were staring the couple down. It was as if they expected something from them.
"No, we can't sit down. Everyone is staring because we have to have our first dance together as betrothed, that's why," Damien responded as he clasped Andrea's hand in one of his, and rested the other hand on her tiny waist.
"Dance?" Andrea repeated like a parrot.
"Have you forgotten how to dance, my dear," Damien teased, "never fear, for your knight in shining armour will help you out," Damien smiled mockingly as his left hand left hers to place her left hand onto his shoulder. He then moved his hand back down to her waist.
"There," he said, "much better." He then swayed a little bit, and Andrea began swaying with him. The two were silent for a few minutes before Andrea spoke, "how long do we have to dance together?"
"What?" You're tired of me already?" Damien questioned her sounding a little bit hurt.
"No, no! It's nothing like that. It's not that I don't want to dance with you or anything, it's just that everyone keeps staring at us and it's making me nervous," Andrea stated shifting her weight from one foot to another.
"It's quite all right. I do understand, my dear. But everyone will continue to stare even after we're done dancing."
"Great," Andrea muttered underneath her breath, "just great."
"What was that Andrea, darling?" Damien asked brightly.
"Nothing," she responded hastily.
"I thought so," Damien smiled as he bent down to lay a quick peck onto Andrea's lips.
"What was that?" Andrea demanded, surprised.
"Something to remind you fo what will come on our wedding night," he responded cheekily.
"Why I never!" proclaimed Andrea, her face turning a deep shade of scarlet.
"Damn right. You better not have."
"You're telling me," Damien agreed as he sat down next to Andrea, "that girl in the blue dress stepped on my feet so many times, that I lost count."
"Hah!" Andrea giggled a little bit, " at least I didn't get any guys stepping on my feet. My feet are just so sore from those horrible heels," she complained, leaning her head back a little bit.
This time it was Damien's turn to laugh at Andrea," well at least I don't have to wear those heels for the rest of the night. I don't know how and why you women do it."
"Neither do I."
"Ladies and Gentlemen," a voice boomed, "I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to attend this ball, in honour of my son's betrothal to the lovely Lady Andrea Black. And now before we head off to dinner, my son Damien shall present something to Andrea. Damien?" Lord Smith nodded in his son's direction.
Andrea just stared at Lord Smith and then at Damien, what on earth was going on? What had these two planned for her?
Damien stood from his chair and pulled out a navy blue velvet box from his pocket. Andrea just stared confusedly at Damien as he stood in front of her. He then bent down on his knee and opened the velvet box, "Andrea will you do the honour of marrying me?"
Andrea stared at Damien, her mouth wide open, "but I thought that we were already engaged to be married?"
"We were, but I persuaded my father and your father to let me ask you of your permission to marry you. It didn't seem right to me for you to be forced into a marriage that you may not want. I'd like to hear your response, but I want you to know that you are not obligated to say yes, you can always say no, if you like," Damien explained from his position on the floor. His head was bent with his dark hair covering the emotions filling in his eyes.
Andrea looked at Damien sadly," I-I"
"You what?" Damien asked as he looked up into Andrea's eyes searching for any trace of hope, he found none.
"I don't want to marry you," Andrea replied, her eyes filling with tears.
"You don't?" Damien's face contorted into an expression of sadness.
"No, you big jerk! I want to marry you!" she smiled through her tears as she bent down to hug Damien. The audience burst into applause.
"Why on earth would you say that you didn't want to marry me? I seriously thought that you didn't want to!" Damien whispered as he pushed the glittering sapphire ring onto her ring finger.
"Of course I want to marry you, I just wanted to see you squirm a little bit," Andrea smirked as she patted Damien's head comfortingly.
"Why you little devil," he laughed as he took his fiancee's hand in his.
"A toast?" whispered Andrea.
"Yeah, a toast to us. Did you not know?"
"No," Andrea replied.
"I would like to propose a toast to my son, Lord Damien Smith and my soon to be daughter-in-law, Lady Andrea Black," Lord Smith announced as everyone raised their champagne glasses together and then clinked them in happiness.
Andrea raised her champagne glass and slowly downed the contents of her glass.
"Trying to get drunk, are we?" Damien teased playfully as he took a sip from his champagne glass.
"Maybe," she smirked as she pecked Damien on the cheek.
"Aww! Is that all I'm going to get? No more?" Damien asked as he turned to Andrea with a pout spread across his handsome face.
"If you behave you'll get more," Andrea winked at him, as they began the feast.