Ballroom - Evening - Cool
Amalthea von Kreuz
Thea was nervous, folding her hands in front of her as she tried to calm her nerves. When she and the others had arrived, she hadn't been able to find Vridel. She'd been approached by several of the other young men in attendance, asking her for a dance, however; she'd politely declined them all. Some of them seemed a little more insistent than others, but Senka had appeared to send them off. It was nice having a friend who could intimidate people like that, especially when they couldn't take no for an answer. It was also rather lucky for them that it was Senka, and not her sister. Or anyone else for that matter. Lyanna was somewhere around, but Thea had left the group in search of Vridel. She wasn't able to find him, but that was okay. She could wait just a bit longer for him.
It was possible that he was dancing with some of the others, and while Amalthea would admit that made her a little jealous, she understood the why behind it. Vridel was an imperial prince, and there were certain things he was required to uphold. Dancing with people wouldn't be out of the norm, she supposed, but Amalthea knew she didn't... well, know a lot. She was still learning things about the world, about Vridel, and everyone else. Her heart was full and she couldn't have asked for more. She wasn't sure if she would want more than what she already had. She was with Vridel, in that weird sort of way that made her stomach do flops and feel like there were butterflies inside.
Most importantly, though, she was with Vridel, and that made her happier than she'd ever known herself to be. She was glad she'd taken that chance when he came to see her. If she hadn't... she wasn't sure where they would be standing with each other, right now.
When Vridel did appear, he was easy to spot. There was no one else in the room with white hair, after all, and at the moment in contrasted sharply with the black and gold of his formal attire. He looked—frustrated, actually, with an expression like a thundercloud. Dark and ominous.
When he spotted her, though, it eased for a moment, something like a smile warming his features, and he hastened towards her, almost but not quite too quickly for politeness, really. “Thea. There you are; I'm so sorry, I was—"
“Vi!" someone called. The voice didn't belong to any of their friends, but it was somewhat familiar anyway. From the crowd appeared a redhead in a deep sable lace gown with a plunging neckline. Monica. “There you are! I've been looking for you." She approached with a sly smile on her face.
Vridel made a soft tsking noise under his breath and murmured, so softly that only she would be able to hear. “Please play along, Thea."
Monica flounced up to them, giving Thea nothing more than a cursory nod before turning her attention fully upon Vridel. “I was hoping to catch you! See, I thought you might want to dance the tango with me later tonight?" The smile widened, but her eyes narrowed, and she fluttered her lashes in a subtle way that did something strange to her face—made it look almost more mature somehow?
“I couldn't possibly," he said, looking down at Thea. “I'm afraid my dance card is entirely filled tonight."
Monica's face shifted into a dissatisfied moue, and she glanced at Thea again, this time with something like malice, though it was gone in a split-second. “Well that's not fair,", she pouted. “You can't waste all night on your dance partner, you know. That's not very princely of you. Shouldn't you give other people a chance."
“Perhaps," Vridel said, his own gaze narrowing. But just when Monica started to light up at the chance, he shook his head firmly and circled Thea's waist with one hand, tucking her in firmly against his side. “But Thea isn't just my dance partner. She's also my date, and you're being exceedingly rude to her." He gave her a little squeeze, but the voice he used on Monica was hard, steely. “In fact, I do believe you owe her an apology."
Monica's eyes widened with surprise, but again, the expression was quickly-masked. She did turn to Thea then, though, and smiled winningly. “Oh, I'm sure you don't mind, do you, Thea? You could share a little, right? Some of us have futures to think about, after all, and it's not like you could ever—" she cut herself off with a little shrug. “You know."
“That's enough," Vridel said sharply, but Monica was still looking at Thea expectantly.
Thea narrowed her eyes at Monica. The young woman was right in one aspect; they did have futures to think about, and Thea could only imagine a future with Vridel. Her arm slid around his waist, and Amalthea pulled Vridel a little closer to her, still glaring at Monica.
“Actually, no. He's my date, he asked me, not you. And you're absolutely correct; we have futures to think about, and there's no one else I'd rather do it with than with Vridel." Amalthea recognized the spike of jealousy in her stomach, but also anger. This young woman thought that just because Thea was from the Church, a nobody, that she didn't have a chance with Vridel. If that were the case, Thea knew Vi well enough to know that he wouldn't have toyed with her emotions like that. She loved him, and she thought that he was beginning to love her, too.
“Also, no one is allowed to call me Thea unless they are my friends. You are no friend of mine. If you'll excuse us, Vridel and I must go." With a huff, she glanced up at Vridel, smiling up at him before narrowing her eyes again at Monica.
Vridel looked a little dazed, actually, like he'd been on the wrong end of a punch from the Professor, but he was grinning about it, a bright one that he turned on Monica. “There you have it. Please excuse us." He didn't really give her a choice, not with the way he practically dragged Thea towards the ballroom's side exit. He opened the door, ushered her out, took a quick glance around for some reason, then turned them both, pressing Thea's back to the door. A half-second later, his lips were on hers, and he made a soft sound into the kiss.
He only pulled away when they both needed air, his breath coming in soft, short exhalations. “That was..." he paused, almost as if having an internal debate with himself. “Incredibly hot, Thea." He grinned at her, leaning down to press his forehead to hers. “You should tell people off more often."
Thea swallowed thickly and cleared her throat. “I... um, well, she made me angry with those things she said. She was implying that I wouldn't ever..." be able to marry him. Thea was naive in some senses; Vridel was an imperial prince, and she'd only known him for eight months. She'd fallen for him during those eight months, but even if she did imagine them getting married one day, she knew that it was just a silly dream that most girls often thought of. Who was to say something didn't happen to the both of them? Who was to say that he wouldn't want her anymore?
Vridel was, in all senses, her first love. From the books that she'd read, the tales of the knights and their princesses, first loves were often the only loves. And it felt like that to Thea. She didn't think she could ever fall in love with anyone other than Vridel. She wasn't his first, she didn't think, but that was okay. She accepted him for everything that he was, because she loved him.
“She shouldn't have made me mad," she murmured as she pursed her lips at Vi.
“No," he agreed, smiling slowly and reaching up to run his thumb along her pursed bottom lip. “She shouldn't have." The smile faded, though, and he regarded her more seriously for a moment. “Are you worried? About what she said? You can ask me anything you want, you know. Always. I promise I'll tell you the truth, no matter what."
Something about the way he said it made it sound like the most solemn of vows, and his eyes were almost dark, half-lidded by snowy lashes.
Thea shook her head softly. “I'm not worried about what she said," she began softly, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I'm not sure what I'm worried, about, really. I think... what I'm worried about is after. When we graduate, I mean." What would become of them, then? Would she be able to go with him to the Empire? Would she have to remain here at the church? She knew Lyanna couldn't leave, but Thea thought that she was almost old enough to go out on her own. And if Lyanna let her, she would go with Vi to the Empire to be with him. But...
“What's going to become of us, after?" Graduation was four months away, but Thea couldn't help thinking about the future. She couldn't invision one without Vridel. “I don't... I don't think I could see a future without you there, Vi." She spoke in a hushed whisper.
Vridel sighed gently, taking her hands in his and stepping away from the door. “I know you're probably excited to be inside with everyone," he said softly, “but would you walk with me a little, first? I want to answer your questions, but it might take a little while to explain everything."
Thea easily fell in step next to him as she shook her head. “I'm not that excited, because I'm with you. Nowhere else I'd rather be than here, Vi," she stated, offering him a small smile and lifting his hand to her mouth. She placed a soft kiss to it before letting it drop.
He chuckled a little, whether at the words or the gesture was unclear. When she let his hand go, though, he made a dissatisfied noise and lifted both back up, so that her hand rested on his arm and they could walk the courtyard thus attached to one another. “When the year here is over," he said, starting so softly it was almost hesitant. “I intend to return to the Empire, and ask that my father hand me the crown." He let that sit a moment, then explained.
“He's in poor health—even moreso than I am. And more importantly, he doesn't have much power anymore. Ever since I was a small child, he's been more of a figurehead than a true Emperor, while the real power is held by a group of seven nobles, including my uncle. I intend to change that—to wrest back what power I can, and put it to use for the people of Adrestia. I want to build better treaties with Mercer and Sorcha, advance our technology—make the Empire the best, safest place in the world to live." He half-smiled as he said it, looking out over the courtyard as though he could see a vision of what it would be like, right there in front of him.
It faded a moment later. “It won't be easy. They'll probably try to kill me. I believe... I believe I was raised to be a puppet, like my father became after the Insurrection. I think the plan might even go as far back as my father taking my mother as his concubine, though I can't be sure. But I—I refuse. I refuse to be that. I refuse to abandon my country to a bunch of old men who only care about themselves." He shook his head, then looked down at her.
“I always thought... that it would be a fight I had to carry alone, or maybe with only a few outside allies. And I can't deny that some part of me wants to keep you far away from Adrestia, because the moment I prove I won't be a good little puppet boy they're going to have it out for me and everyone I care about. But—but I also don't want to underestimate you, or decide anything for you. So..." he trailed off, releasing a soft breath.
It was a lot to take in. He'd shared this before, with her, or at least part of it. Even if they were mostly for his country, his ideals aligned with her own, and it brought a strange warmth in her heart. She squeezed his arm softly, pulling them to a stop so she could look him in the eyes. She released her hold on him and lifted both hands up so that they were cradling his face. She smiled softly at him and sighed.
“I want to do that, too, you know. Change the world and make it better. If... I can help you achieve that as well, I want to go with you. I'm... not that strong, yet, but I'm getting there. I'm going to keep getting strong enough so that I can protect you, too. So that I can help you achieve a dream that is similar to my own. I want that, so very much because you mean so much to me."
“And maybe... maybe we can keep changing the world, together after Adrestia. In whatever meaning or way that may be," because she, too, didn't want to assume or decide anything for him. She swallowed thickly, clearing her throat as she tried to form the words she wanted to say.
“I didn't think it was possible to care about someone in this kind of way. I only knew the kind that was for my friends, and for Lyanna, but... you're not just my friend, Vi. You're... well, I love you. And that means something to me, so I want to help you in whatever way that may be, even if it means going with you to Adrestia to help you shoulder your burdens."
He brushed a thumb along her jaw, settling it at her neck. For a moment, his eyes closed, and he smiled wryly. “You know, when you say it it really sounds possible," he replied, cracking his eyes back open and huffing softly. “I didn't used to believe it was possible, you know. That someone might love me. I think I was doing my best to be unlovable. Insufferable, to be sure. And I thought—I thought all you saw was how I looked, and not who I was."
Somehow, Vridel looked almost melancholy. “I'm sorry. I should've never underestimated you like that. I just... no one's ever point-blank told me I'm a good person before. I'm still not sure I believe it, but—but I know you do. And I know that if your dreams are like mine, then mine must be the right ones after all." He brushed back a little piece of hair behind her ear.
“I don't know if I know how to love, Thea. Or what it feels like. Or what you'll feel for me in four months, or four years. But I think if I've ever loved anyone, it must be that I love you, now. And—even if it's reckless to say so soon, I." He swallowed, ducking his head for a moment and seeming to struggle with his words.
“I want you there. I want to protect you, too, and make your dreams come true, every bit as much as my own. I want—I want them to be our dreams. I don't know when it happened, but... I do know I want to at least try. To try being the person you see in me." He glanced away; she could feel his face heating slightly under her hands.
“...I think you've made me sentimental. I never used to be, you know."
She smiled brightly at him, huffing lightly as she tried not to laugh. “I know. I'm really lucky to have someone like you, Vi, you know that? Let's make our dreams come true, then, together. There's no one else I'd rather be stuck with, after all," she stated, grinning just slightly before she moved her hands to wrap around his waist so she could hug him and rest her head on his chest.
“I don't know about you, but I rather like it outside. We don't have to go back do we?" she asked, glancing up at him, her head still on his chest.
“Oh, is the lovely Thea trying to keep me all to herself?" Vridel replied, his tone playful. He returned the hug, though, rather snugly, and ducked his head to whisper in her ear. “We can stay here as long as you like. I do have one request, though."
He stepped back a little, lifting one of her hands to his mouth as she'd done for him earlier, deep violet eyes bright with mirth. “Would you do me the honor of a waltz, milady?"
“Of course, milord," she replied, grinning at him as she placed her free hand on his shoulder. “And yes, I am trying to keep you all to myself. If I don't," she pursed her lips together as her eyes narrowed slightly, “Monica might try to take advantage of you. As your lady, I cannot let that happen, so I'm afraid you're stuck with me for the rest of the night." She nodded her head in a sagely manner.
“I think I can live with that," he replied with a grin. “It's not every day I get my own knight in shining armor. Though the dress is also lovely, I must say." He paused, and then:
“Speaking of... I never did officially ask you, so: Lady Thea von Kreuz, would you be my date to the ball?"
“It would be my honor, Vridel von Hresvelg," she replied, smiling brightly at him. He really did make her feel special.
It was possible that he was dancing with some of the others, and while Amalthea would admit that made her a little jealous, she understood the why behind it. Vridel was an imperial prince, and there were certain things he was required to uphold. Dancing with people wouldn't be out of the norm, she supposed, but Amalthea knew she didn't... well, know a lot. She was still learning things about the world, about Vridel, and everyone else. Her heart was full and she couldn't have asked for more. She wasn't sure if she would want more than what she already had. She was with Vridel, in that weird sort of way that made her stomach do flops and feel like there were butterflies inside.
Most importantly, though, she was with Vridel, and that made her happier than she'd ever known herself to be. She was glad she'd taken that chance when he came to see her. If she hadn't... she wasn't sure where they would be standing with each other, right now.
When Vridel did appear, he was easy to spot. There was no one else in the room with white hair, after all, and at the moment in contrasted sharply with the black and gold of his formal attire. He looked—frustrated, actually, with an expression like a thundercloud. Dark and ominous.
When he spotted her, though, it eased for a moment, something like a smile warming his features, and he hastened towards her, almost but not quite too quickly for politeness, really. “Thea. There you are; I'm so sorry, I was—"
“Vi!" someone called. The voice didn't belong to any of their friends, but it was somewhat familiar anyway. From the crowd appeared a redhead in a deep sable lace gown with a plunging neckline. Monica. “There you are! I've been looking for you." She approached with a sly smile on her face.
Vridel made a soft tsking noise under his breath and murmured, so softly that only she would be able to hear. “Please play along, Thea."
Monica flounced up to them, giving Thea nothing more than a cursory nod before turning her attention fully upon Vridel. “I was hoping to catch you! See, I thought you might want to dance the tango with me later tonight?" The smile widened, but her eyes narrowed, and she fluttered her lashes in a subtle way that did something strange to her face—made it look almost more mature somehow?
“I couldn't possibly," he said, looking down at Thea. “I'm afraid my dance card is entirely filled tonight."
Monica's face shifted into a dissatisfied moue, and she glanced at Thea again, this time with something like malice, though it was gone in a split-second. “Well that's not fair,", she pouted. “You can't waste all night on your dance partner, you know. That's not very princely of you. Shouldn't you give other people a chance."
“Perhaps," Vridel said, his own gaze narrowing. But just when Monica started to light up at the chance, he shook his head firmly and circled Thea's waist with one hand, tucking her in firmly against his side. “But Thea isn't just my dance partner. She's also my date, and you're being exceedingly rude to her." He gave her a little squeeze, but the voice he used on Monica was hard, steely. “In fact, I do believe you owe her an apology."
Monica's eyes widened with surprise, but again, the expression was quickly-masked. She did turn to Thea then, though, and smiled winningly. “Oh, I'm sure you don't mind, do you, Thea? You could share a little, right? Some of us have futures to think about, after all, and it's not like you could ever—" she cut herself off with a little shrug. “You know."
“That's enough," Vridel said sharply, but Monica was still looking at Thea expectantly.
Thea narrowed her eyes at Monica. The young woman was right in one aspect; they did have futures to think about, and Thea could only imagine a future with Vridel. Her arm slid around his waist, and Amalthea pulled Vridel a little closer to her, still glaring at Monica.
“Actually, no. He's my date, he asked me, not you. And you're absolutely correct; we have futures to think about, and there's no one else I'd rather do it with than with Vridel." Amalthea recognized the spike of jealousy in her stomach, but also anger. This young woman thought that just because Thea was from the Church, a nobody, that she didn't have a chance with Vridel. If that were the case, Thea knew Vi well enough to know that he wouldn't have toyed with her emotions like that. She loved him, and she thought that he was beginning to love her, too.
“Also, no one is allowed to call me Thea unless they are my friends. You are no friend of mine. If you'll excuse us, Vridel and I must go." With a huff, she glanced up at Vridel, smiling up at him before narrowing her eyes again at Monica.
Vridel looked a little dazed, actually, like he'd been on the wrong end of a punch from the Professor, but he was grinning about it, a bright one that he turned on Monica. “There you have it. Please excuse us." He didn't really give her a choice, not with the way he practically dragged Thea towards the ballroom's side exit. He opened the door, ushered her out, took a quick glance around for some reason, then turned them both, pressing Thea's back to the door. A half-second later, his lips were on hers, and he made a soft sound into the kiss.
He only pulled away when they both needed air, his breath coming in soft, short exhalations. “That was..." he paused, almost as if having an internal debate with himself. “Incredibly hot, Thea." He grinned at her, leaning down to press his forehead to hers. “You should tell people off more often."
Thea swallowed thickly and cleared her throat. “I... um, well, she made me angry with those things she said. She was implying that I wouldn't ever..." be able to marry him. Thea was naive in some senses; Vridel was an imperial prince, and she'd only known him for eight months. She'd fallen for him during those eight months, but even if she did imagine them getting married one day, she knew that it was just a silly dream that most girls often thought of. Who was to say something didn't happen to the both of them? Who was to say that he wouldn't want her anymore?
Vridel was, in all senses, her first love. From the books that she'd read, the tales of the knights and their princesses, first loves were often the only loves. And it felt like that to Thea. She didn't think she could ever fall in love with anyone other than Vridel. She wasn't his first, she didn't think, but that was okay. She accepted him for everything that he was, because she loved him.
“She shouldn't have made me mad," she murmured as she pursed her lips at Vi.
“No," he agreed, smiling slowly and reaching up to run his thumb along her pursed bottom lip. “She shouldn't have." The smile faded, though, and he regarded her more seriously for a moment. “Are you worried? About what she said? You can ask me anything you want, you know. Always. I promise I'll tell you the truth, no matter what."
Something about the way he said it made it sound like the most solemn of vows, and his eyes were almost dark, half-lidded by snowy lashes.
Thea shook her head softly. “I'm not worried about what she said," she began softly, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I'm not sure what I'm worried, about, really. I think... what I'm worried about is after. When we graduate, I mean." What would become of them, then? Would she be able to go with him to the Empire? Would she have to remain here at the church? She knew Lyanna couldn't leave, but Thea thought that she was almost old enough to go out on her own. And if Lyanna let her, she would go with Vi to the Empire to be with him. But...
“What's going to become of us, after?" Graduation was four months away, but Thea couldn't help thinking about the future. She couldn't invision one without Vridel. “I don't... I don't think I could see a future without you there, Vi." She spoke in a hushed whisper.
Vridel sighed gently, taking her hands in his and stepping away from the door. “I know you're probably excited to be inside with everyone," he said softly, “but would you walk with me a little, first? I want to answer your questions, but it might take a little while to explain everything."
Thea easily fell in step next to him as she shook her head. “I'm not that excited, because I'm with you. Nowhere else I'd rather be than here, Vi," she stated, offering him a small smile and lifting his hand to her mouth. She placed a soft kiss to it before letting it drop.
He chuckled a little, whether at the words or the gesture was unclear. When she let his hand go, though, he made a dissatisfied noise and lifted both back up, so that her hand rested on his arm and they could walk the courtyard thus attached to one another. “When the year here is over," he said, starting so softly it was almost hesitant. “I intend to return to the Empire, and ask that my father hand me the crown." He let that sit a moment, then explained.
“He's in poor health—even moreso than I am. And more importantly, he doesn't have much power anymore. Ever since I was a small child, he's been more of a figurehead than a true Emperor, while the real power is held by a group of seven nobles, including my uncle. I intend to change that—to wrest back what power I can, and put it to use for the people of Adrestia. I want to build better treaties with Mercer and Sorcha, advance our technology—make the Empire the best, safest place in the world to live." He half-smiled as he said it, looking out over the courtyard as though he could see a vision of what it would be like, right there in front of him.
It faded a moment later. “It won't be easy. They'll probably try to kill me. I believe... I believe I was raised to be a puppet, like my father became after the Insurrection. I think the plan might even go as far back as my father taking my mother as his concubine, though I can't be sure. But I—I refuse. I refuse to be that. I refuse to abandon my country to a bunch of old men who only care about themselves." He shook his head, then looked down at her.
“I always thought... that it would be a fight I had to carry alone, or maybe with only a few outside allies. And I can't deny that some part of me wants to keep you far away from Adrestia, because the moment I prove I won't be a good little puppet boy they're going to have it out for me and everyone I care about. But—but I also don't want to underestimate you, or decide anything for you. So..." he trailed off, releasing a soft breath.
It was a lot to take in. He'd shared this before, with her, or at least part of it. Even if they were mostly for his country, his ideals aligned with her own, and it brought a strange warmth in her heart. She squeezed his arm softly, pulling them to a stop so she could look him in the eyes. She released her hold on him and lifted both hands up so that they were cradling his face. She smiled softly at him and sighed.
“I want to do that, too, you know. Change the world and make it better. If... I can help you achieve that as well, I want to go with you. I'm... not that strong, yet, but I'm getting there. I'm going to keep getting strong enough so that I can protect you, too. So that I can help you achieve a dream that is similar to my own. I want that, so very much because you mean so much to me."
“And maybe... maybe we can keep changing the world, together after Adrestia. In whatever meaning or way that may be," because she, too, didn't want to assume or decide anything for him. She swallowed thickly, clearing her throat as she tried to form the words she wanted to say.
“I didn't think it was possible to care about someone in this kind of way. I only knew the kind that was for my friends, and for Lyanna, but... you're not just my friend, Vi. You're... well, I love you. And that means something to me, so I want to help you in whatever way that may be, even if it means going with you to Adrestia to help you shoulder your burdens."
He brushed a thumb along her jaw, settling it at her neck. For a moment, his eyes closed, and he smiled wryly. “You know, when you say it it really sounds possible," he replied, cracking his eyes back open and huffing softly. “I didn't used to believe it was possible, you know. That someone might love me. I think I was doing my best to be unlovable. Insufferable, to be sure. And I thought—I thought all you saw was how I looked, and not who I was."
Somehow, Vridel looked almost melancholy. “I'm sorry. I should've never underestimated you like that. I just... no one's ever point-blank told me I'm a good person before. I'm still not sure I believe it, but—but I know you do. And I know that if your dreams are like mine, then mine must be the right ones after all." He brushed back a little piece of hair behind her ear.
“I don't know if I know how to love, Thea. Or what it feels like. Or what you'll feel for me in four months, or four years. But I think if I've ever loved anyone, it must be that I love you, now. And—even if it's reckless to say so soon, I." He swallowed, ducking his head for a moment and seeming to struggle with his words.
“I want you there. I want to protect you, too, and make your dreams come true, every bit as much as my own. I want—I want them to be our dreams. I don't know when it happened, but... I do know I want to at least try. To try being the person you see in me." He glanced away; she could feel his face heating slightly under her hands.
“...I think you've made me sentimental. I never used to be, you know."
She smiled brightly at him, huffing lightly as she tried not to laugh. “I know. I'm really lucky to have someone like you, Vi, you know that? Let's make our dreams come true, then, together. There's no one else I'd rather be stuck with, after all," she stated, grinning just slightly before she moved her hands to wrap around his waist so she could hug him and rest her head on his chest.
“I don't know about you, but I rather like it outside. We don't have to go back do we?" she asked, glancing up at him, her head still on his chest.
“Oh, is the lovely Thea trying to keep me all to herself?" Vridel replied, his tone playful. He returned the hug, though, rather snugly, and ducked his head to whisper in her ear. “We can stay here as long as you like. I do have one request, though."
He stepped back a little, lifting one of her hands to his mouth as she'd done for him earlier, deep violet eyes bright with mirth. “Would you do me the honor of a waltz, milady?"
“Of course, milord," she replied, grinning at him as she placed her free hand on his shoulder. “And yes, I am trying to keep you all to myself. If I don't," she pursed her lips together as her eyes narrowed slightly, “Monica might try to take advantage of you. As your lady, I cannot let that happen, so I'm afraid you're stuck with me for the rest of the night." She nodded her head in a sagely manner.
“I think I can live with that," he replied with a grin. “It's not every day I get my own knight in shining armor. Though the dress is also lovely, I must say." He paused, and then:
“Speaking of... I never did officially ask you, so: Lady Thea von Kreuz, would you be my date to the ball?"
“It would be my honor, Vridel von Hresvelg," she replied, smiling brightly at him. He really did make her feel special.