What did that mean for her now, she wondered. Would he even remember? She had thought to see a spark of recognition in his eyes earlier, and she only now could place it once she was sure herself. But then again, of course he would remember her face, you didn’t run people over everyday. There was nothing else to this of course… and she had been dreaming, delirious by the painkillers when she had thought to feel a kiss. Yes! Energetically, Yassia forced herself back into the present. She still needed to represent her uncle after all and she better completed this task to her best ability.
But then the most unexpected of all happened. In an instant, she felt her hand being taken into his, and instead of an informal handshake or anything she would have expected in the split second it happened, he put her hands to his lips, like she was a lady! It was a mixture of that and the sensation of his warm lips aspirating a kiss on the back of her hand that made her gasp in surprise – along with a great amount of the watching audience! – but she did not retreat her hand. Of course not, that would have been very impolite. Then again, a detached part of her mind thought, if this is how he usually ensnares women, then there’s no question of why he is so effective. That unexpected move really could make the strongest hearts falter!
And then he got even more personal, asking her with a low voice which side she had favoured, maybe to make her think he would follow her her lead for her own sake. But Yassia would not fall for such games, right? And it didn’t matter that she now knew him to be her savior… right?! “I’ve been playing it safe and howled with the pack, Sir!” she said with a little laugh, remembering that after the first mentioning of his title, a simple ‘Sir’ sufficed. “After all…” now she dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper as well, “ever since I’ve come here I disovered RAA’s self-made chocolate to be one of the things I could not possibly resist.” Was that bordering on flirting or was it still just being ‘nice’?`Yassia did not know, all that she knew was that the eyes of the whole school and the Duke’s entourage were on them now… and Yassia only felt self-confident in the spotlight when she knew what she was doing.
So she was glad it was the Duke of Richmond saving the situation from becoming awkward, in asking to lead the congregation inside, because of the weather. Immediately, a subdued cheer rose from young throats and chests and they started to shuffle towards the entrance that would lead them up the broad stairs towards the refectory.
“Of course, you are right, Sir!” Yassia quickly said with a thankful smile and then turned round to the already moving crowd. “Try to uphold at least SOME order, will you, nens I nenes!1” she called out rather fondly, then turned towards the duke again. “If you please would follow the pack, Sir, and I think there I see my uncle in the distance.” Shouldn’t Yassia feel relieved to have the responsibility of playing hostess lifted from her shoulders in the forseeable future? Then why was she feeling a pang of letdown at her uncle’s sight? Something must be going wrong in her brain today, there was no denying it.
1: 'boys and girls'
Oliver had to admit he had felt a bit let down when, upon seeing him, he saw no hint of recognition from Yassia. But as soon as he had spoken, he knew he saw something there click. Had she been trying to recognize him through his voice? It would sound understandable as she was mostly in and out of consciousness the last time. Still, Oliver was rather happy now that he had finally registered in her mind even just a bit, and that she didn't exactly give him the evil eye or anything. Of course, they were in public. She could very well claw his eyes out once they will be left alone. Oliver decided with mirth that he'd risk it nevertheless.
He ignored her gasp as those of the crowd when he pressed a kiss on the back of her hand. Trust people to expect him to follow rules and protocol. Not that Oliver was over and above rules, he just didn't find this one to his liking. Women deserved to be respected and treated well regardless of their status. Noble or not, Oliver believes that they deserved to be kiss in the back of their hands.
“I’ve been playing it safe and howled with the pack, Sir!”
She had been playing it safe indeed. At least, she didn't tell him it was none of his business. Oliver chuckled at the thought. Somehow, he was preparing himself for the worse of her reactions towards him now that she realized clearly who he was. No, not as the Duke of Richmond, but as her assailant or something like that. "I couldn't help but agree with you there," he echoed her sentiments towards the school's self-made chocolate. Then, he boldly decided to make the most out of her kindness and seemingly civil reaction to him. "Very well then, I would be most honored to drink the famous RAA hot chocolate with you." Yes, she didn't not exactly offer that he drink it with her, but Oliver just made it so. For selfish reasons, he admitted. And he even made sure a few of the students heard him so Yassia couldn't just as easily decline. He turned to look at his two bodyguards who had considerably stepped back to give him space. Two large and hulking bodyguards who would make formidable opponents on the court when they play later. He just won their wager when Yassia practically shoved RAA's hot chocolate down his throat. Figuratively speaking, of course. Not that he minded. He actually preferred hot chocolate over tea.
"I'll follow your lead," he told Yassia and made room for the students to pile on ahead. Yes, it was clearly a dilatory tactic on his part as Oliver was keen on spending as much time as he possibly could with Yassia. He had never expected to see her again after the accident. To have her here now, Oliver was going to exploit it for whatever it's worth. Her uncle can wait. He had been constantly communicating with him through emails anyway. "I hope you didn't go through all the trouble of letting the children prepare a dance or a song for me today," he teased, his hand resting on the small of her back as they walked in after the students. He would appreciate a presentation, of course, but then having been there himself once before, he hoped the school had chosen students who actually enjoyed doing it as well. Oliver knew he had to stop comparing his own experiences as a student to what was going on now, but he couldn't help it. He hadn't exactly come to visit like this since he had graduated years ago. Had he known that Yassia would be here, he should have probably come to visit sooner, maybe even oversee the construction of the gym himself. Of course, he was determined to make amends for what he had done to her. "I remember losing a wager once when I was a student. I was forced to join the a play for a visiting foreign dignitary. It was the worst torture possible." He didn't know why he was telling her these story. They just suddenly came pouring out, like a part of him wanted to share himself to her. " Have you experienced something like that?"
