Forbidden.

He liked the idea of being able to look her over with out being yelled at but he still was not sure if he should. He did as ordered though a awed look on his face as he looked her up and down. She looked lovely and the ribbon made her look considerably fuller. "You will most certainly get a good deal of attention with that dress. It looks very good on you. " He spoke trying to mask just how strongly he liked both it and her having to bite his tongue almost literally to not say she looked amazingly beautiful.

[ The dresses are all going to be.. Very different. The black one I was talking about pretty much looked like this <!-- m --><a class="postlink" rel="nofollow" href="http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/4814/m99001j.jpg">http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/4814/m99001j.jpg</a><!-- m -->.
Here is the second dress. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.prom-dresses2009.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/red-ball-gown-red-formal-gown-strapless-ballroom-dresses.jpg">http://www.prom-dresses2009.com/wp-cont ... resses.jpg</a><!-- m -->
And here is the third <!-- m --><a class="postlink" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.giftag.com/clip/zaphonprom/lovely-sweetheart-neckline-ball-gown-homecoming-dresses-hot-prom-gown-zaphonpromcom-clip.jpg">http://www.giftag.com/clip/zaphonprom/l ... m-clip.jpg</a><!-- m --> ]

Celestia gave a little twirl and laughed, "I could be wearing a bin liner and men would still give me the attention. As long as they somehow win me or my Father over and get the money and the kingdom." She rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Thank you." She smiled, "Now for the next." She rolled her eyes, kicking the shoes off into her room before closing the door over. Once undressed she changed into her second dress which was a long pleated Red ball gown, the clothes she was probably used to wearing. She hopped out of the door real quickly and done a little spin for Nathan, "Not too sure about this.. But, how about this one!" She ran back in quickly only closing the door over a little. She had trouble with this dress at first but quickly undressed herself. The ball was in about an hour and she wished to be ready well before it started. Finally she changed into a long white netted dress with another tight ribbon below her bust, dotted with patterns. She smiled and nodded to her reflection slowly exiting her room. "How about this..?" She did one last twirl, giggling.

"I prefer the first. Though i think as a princess this is the nicest dress you have shown me. " He smiled softly she was so beautiful and he did not like that he could not say things like that to her. His men where coming down the hall as they spoke he smiled looking into her eyes. "Princess i need to go change. My men will watch the door while i am gone. "He moved slowly and turned to walk away he was glad to move away it allowed him to relax a bit.

Once back in his room he sighed and quickly removed his armor putting it away properly. He cleaned up quickly and began to get dressed slipping on the suit and hiding 2 long daggers on his person. One at his lower back the other on his ankle. Once he was done he had 20 minuets to get the princess to the ball he moved quickly to her room his men leaving immediately to take up there places around the ball.

"No, no. The first it is.." She smiled moving back into her room after waving goodbye for now to Nathan. She undressed herself and layed both dresses neatly out onto her bed and slipped herself back into the first white dress that Nathan preferred. A man's advice for once that weren't her Father trying to have her look 'sensible' was nice. Instead of her black pumps she put on black heels instead, they weren't too big, only about 2 inches or 3. It wasn't often she wore heels so she was afraid to stumble in any higher. She let her hair flow down over her shoulders and put a ribbon around her hair to separate her bangs from the rest of her hair. She wore a see-through white shawl with small diamonds over her shoulders before exiting her room, "Evening." She said to the men, awaiting for Nathans arrival.

The only nodded to her smiling the moved quickly to leave as Nathan walked up the hall. "You went with that one? I thought you would go with the more proper dress. " He spoke softly walking up to her clearly not feeling comfortable in the suit. He felt much more comfortable covered in steel. He had to admit she looked amazing but he certainly could not admit that to her.

Lyra smiled and nodded, she ran toward him and linked her arm with his, "You can be my escort, it's only proper." She laughed and began to walk down the hallway to the largest room below the house, "Tell me.. Honestly. How do I look?" She sounded a little uneasily, thinking maybe she should of went with something that covered her body more, she was such a petite girl.

"He was a bit uneasy about being her escort he did not have the proper rank for that. He was not far away from it though... He only need about 3 ranks from being able to speak to a princess romantically but he was certain he would never see that station. "You are going to be the talk of the ball. Every man will have his eyes on you i promise that. Just don't tell your father i picked the outfit... I don't want him to get angry at me. " He spoke softly she was not dressed like a princess even if she did look amazing.

Lyra blushed a little and smiled, once they arrived to the double doors of the ball, the sounds of chattering were already heard, she leaned up and whispered into Nathans ear, "It's our little secret." She knew she'd been flirting, but she couldn't help it, of course she spoke to the staff before, but not this much, and she'd never really had a true friend. Maybe these were the feelings she was feeling for Nathan, friendship, nothing else, at least she hoped so.

"Ready..?" She smiled, making her way through the doors into the packed ball-room with Nathan on her arm, most people turned to look and people began to greet her with the gossip of course. Her Father waved to both Nathan and Lyra.

Nathan was not ready, he wanted nothing to do with this ball other than to protect her. He lead her over to her father looking at her his eyes begging to be left alone far to many people where looking at him and it bother him slightly. "I will never get used to this!"

Lyra shrugged, "I'm not quite sure I am.." She sighed and lead him over toward a less crowded area near the back-garden doors, "Stay here on look out if you wish." She smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Thanks for escorting me here.. You can do as you wish now.." She sighed, looking away before heading off into the crowds to 'socialize' with rich, snobby people who were exceptionally old compared to her. She barely listened to what any of them said, and her moves were effortless on the dancefloor with the men, however she still looked graceful as ever.

He moved slowly as he took a deep breath and followed her subtly staying several paces away and appearing not to watch her. He was doing quite well at pretending to care about these people and there concerns. It made him sick when he heard them speaking about there trials during the war. Several times he almost attacked some men who complained about losing money because of the war. It was everything he could do to keep himself calm.

Lyra saw that there was quite a young man talking to her Father, about 20-22. He'd been there almost all night, when he caught her looking he turned to wave, she waved dozily before he walked over toward her, her Father's expression of course one of most delight. She tried to make her away toward Nathan but the man grabbed her hand and spun her around into his arms. Lyra let out a little squeak, her face just an inch away from his.
"Princess Lyra. Such an honor to meet one of such elegance and beauty." He said before bowing, kissing lightly upon her hand. Lyra only nodded slowly with a half smile, "Charmed.." She mumbled. "Care to dance?" He said, slowly pulling her toward him. She nodded and placed her arms upon his shoulders as he swiftly took her around the dance floor. She was amazed by his moved, they were so easy, it was almost as if she was floating. Maybe this man was different? Soon after the song had finished they both sat down near the table of drinks and he began to yap on about how great he was, and how much money he has and bladi blah. Like everyone else. Lyra rolled her eyes and excused herself.

Lyra exited the ball-room through the back and into the garden, she knew Nathan would follow so she wouldn't really get that 'alone' time. She sat on one of the benches and sighed, spindling a strand of her through her fingers.

Nathan stayed a few yards away close enough to hear things he should not. He made polite conversation maintaining the mask he was ordered to wear. Pretending to be just like everyone in this room even though he hated all but 2 of them and he was not sure how he felt about the king. He heard the man being very self glorifying and it made him chuckle. Here was a man talking about how great he was just because he had money.

When she got up and slipped from the back door it appeared the man had thought that an invitation to speak to her in private. He stood to stand and follow her outside but was soon met by a very firm grip on his shoulder. "Sir i think the lady wished to be alone I would suggest finding another dance partner the crowd would love to see you dance again. "

He glanced at him moving away staying between her and anyone in the crowd. Smoke was not far away from her hiding just out of sight. He moved so that he was standing off by himself with a clear line of sight to the princess. He knew she liked her alone time and he would give her just enough to keep her happy and relaxed.

Lyra heard some voices from behind her and before she could turn around properly Nathan had warned the man away, "Nathan!" She shouted, "Come over here, sit with me." She wanted someone to talk to, honestly. Just not one of those snobby, stuck up idiots who bragged about their money, she had much more than anyone in that room, did she brag? She wouldn't think of it. If anything she would give her money to people who actually needed it. "I wish to speak with you.."

Nathan left the dance hall walking from the back door closing it and putting a small rock against the door so it would move loudly against the stone walk if the door was opened. "Smoke take a walk." A soft rustle filled some of the bushes as the man that was hiding behind them turned and did as ordered.

Nathan smiled at her as he walked over she looked quite lovely and something about the way she despised nobles made him happy. "Is something wrong princess do i need to hurt someone." He took a deep breath setting down with his back facing the way she was facing so he could watch the door. He sat far back on the bench so he was could see her easily his chest a few inches past hers on the bench.

Lyra sighed and lowered her head, "Nathan.." She whimpered, moving closer and letting her head drop into his shoulder, her arms around his waist as she began to tear up, "I'm so fed up.." She cried, "I'm fed up of this palace, I'm fed up of fancy balls and dinner, I'm fed up of those people, those fake, self-obsessed snobs who supposedly admire me, but not for who I am, I wish I weren't who I am.. I wanna be normal. And I know maybe I'm selfish for complaining.. Since most people would so calledly LOVE to be me... And LOVE to have my life.. They have money struggles and... Difficulties even keeping homes.. But I'd prefer to try and keep my life stable then have it done perfectly for me every single day.." She soaked his suit a little, but she couldn't help it, she just felt so tired.

Nathan froze for a moment as she hugged him and began crying. The only woman who had ever done anything like this was his sister and he was never sure how to react when she did it either. Slowly as she spilled her heart his heart began to break for her his hand reaching up slowly running his fingers threw her hair. He knew he should not but it felt right and he was in disguise anyways.

"The vacation will do you good. I... I wanted to bring someone else with us on our trip... But i do not have the authority to have them take a week off. I was hoping you could issue an order so i could bring them. " He spoke softly his left arm pinned against her by her grip reached up and rested on her wrist his thumb rubbing along the bone in her wrist lightly. "Is there anyway we could make an early exit from this ball I think it would do you good to leave early. "

Lyra slowly raised her head, "Anything.." She smiled weakly, nodding, "Maybe we should also leave a little earlier too.. Maybe within the next day or two.." She sighed, slowly standing, her grip still on Nathans side though, "Just.. Take me to one of the rooms, somewhere quiet, please?" She sniffled with her head down. When they stood together and began walking she dropped her head back against his shoulder, her arm secure around his waist. The only thing she needed, she wanted was comfort.

He moved slowly standing next to her and leading her around the back of the castle his head on a swivel. "Thanos tell the kings guard the princess was not feeling well and I am taking her to her room. Have the men take places around her room let no one in she is sleeping. " Thanos could be heard moving across the roof of the castle towards the window he came in.

He moved them in threw a back entrance and up to the conference room where she had taken him the day before. After a short walk he opened the door letting her into the room. "Go have a seat im going to secure the room ill be right there. " He slipped from her grasp baring the door with a chair and searching it for the room finding no one he went to set down in the chair he was in yesterday.

Lyra heard him leading off the guards so she could be alone, or well, almost alone. But she really did enjoy Nathans company, and at least no one could disturb them or think anything of their friendship. "Thank you for this Nathan." She said as he was blocking the doorway, "I really do mean it.. I feel a little more.. Free with myself now that I've expressed myself.." She laughed a little and shrugged, turning to face him, "It's only been a few days.. But I am a lot happier since I've met you. It's nice to have a friend.." She sighed and leaned to the side on her chair, gazing out of the window at the broad moon.

He sat down next to her smiling putting his hand on her's taking a deep breath looking into her eyes. "Are you sure you want to be friends with someone like me? " He spoke softly knowing that could be taken so many ways. He never was very good at being personal with people he was always better at just being a statue as she called him. "You never have to hold back around me or my men. We are here for your if you wish us to listen to your problems we will do so judgment free. "

Lyra nodded slowly, grasping his hands, "Why wouldn't I..?" She smiled, leaning toward him a little closer, "Yeah.. Thanos is great.. He's the only one I've really talked to... The others aren't really interested, they just wanna do their job.. I'm sure that's all you want to do too. But you're the only person I'd express myself so freely to.. and I don't know why." She laughed a little, "It's strange.. I've never been able to open up to anyone like this before... So why you?"

"I have no clue. Only Rebbecca has ever opened up to me even maybe you can tell I am used to having a younger woman open up to me. " He looked at her curiously not wanting to tell her that she might be able to tell that he felt feelings for her that he should not. "It could also be because i don't give a damn about your money or your power. The only things i wanted in my life i already have. "He was never the type of guy who longed for a family he longed to prove he was worth more in life then the station of his parents.

Lyra sighed and turned away, "But do you give a damn about me? And how I feel? About you.." She bit down into her corner of her lip, she didn't know what she was saying, she didn't know how to deal with this, "You're... Different. Maybe you don't think you're all that special, but to me you are.. We've barely, only just met and already I feel like I've known you almost my whole life.." She turned back to him and slowly leaned in, pressing her lips delicately upon his, after just a second or two she released his hand and quickly turned away from him, "I'm sorry.." She whispered.

He smiled nodding when she asked if he cared about her and how she felt. Smiling thinking about how good it felt to have someone caring about him. "Your spec.... "ial to me to. His mind finishing the sentence that his lips could not. He closed his eyes enjoying the way her lips felt against his. When she pulled away he curled his lips back into his mouth his tongue licking his lips tasting her against them for a moment forgetting who he was. "Why are you sorry? You did nothing wrong I am the one who broke the rules so that put you in position to do that not that i was expecting it." He spoke softly opening his eyes his mind still feeling her lips against his it made his hair stand on end it felt nice. Why would you kiss me? I don't understand I am no one!