Chapter 4

Nickolas fled from the castle, running as fast as he could. He had to forget Erica. He had gone and done what she had asked of him, and he could do no more. He stopped running and tried to catch his breath.

"Nick?"

He turned around to see Aurora. "Oh, hi sis."

She put his arm around him. "What happened with Erica?"

"Oh goodness, Rora, I think I am falling for her."

"You know that you cannot. You are nothing compared to her."

"Thank you. You do not think I do not know that? It is just...I do not know. I just took one look at that Lord Brian and I felt so badly for Erica. She is being forced to marry someone she does not love! It is not fair."

"Why is that, Nickolas? Is it not fair because you love her?"

He was about to answer when he heard his name called. He turned around. "Erica?"

"Well that was very much a displeasing party," Brian said to Erica's father.

"I am sorry, Brian. I did not know that Erica would actually bring that man into our castle."

Brian eyed him. "Something troubles you." He paused. "I get the distinct feeling that you somewhat approve of this...man."

"I will not lie to you, Brian. I do somewhat approve of this man that Erica has brought here tonight."

Brian sighed loudly. "I knew it. So what are you going to do about it?"

"I know that you are good for Erica. I am going to forbid her to see Nickolas anymore."

Brian smiled to himself.

They stopped when they heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Elizabella walked in and bowed. "Good evening, father...Lord Brian. I-"

"Bella, may I ask you a question?" Brian interrupted.

"Of course, my Lord."

"Have you met this finacé of Erica's?"

Elizabella gave him a confused look. "Of course."

Brian and her father exchanged glances. "You have?"

"My Lord, I have seen you many times."

"No, Bella, I am talking about Nickolas."

Elizabella froze. "Fiancé? When did they get engaged? When I last talked to Erica, she had just met him."

"Thank you, Bella," her father said. "That is all."

"But I-"

"That is all."

"Erica, what are you doing here?" Nickolas asked stunned.

"If you think that I am here to see you, you are very much wrong."

"Then why are here?"

"I am here to see her," Erica said and pointed to Aurora.

"Me?"

"Yes. I have no friends in this stupid town and I would like to get to know you. Seeing as how you're...Nickolas' sister right?"

"That is correct."

"Well seeing as how you're his sister, I am sure that you are just as charming as he is." Erica looked at Nickolas and smiled. He looked down at the ground and blushed. "I am sorry, I did not catch your name."

"I am Aurora."

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Erica."

"Yes I know. You are all that Nick talks about." Aurora smiled devilishly and grinned at Nickolas.

"Well, I would be honored if you would join me tonight."

"I would love to. Just let me run and get my things." With that, Aurora ran off leaving Nickolas and Erica in an uncomfortable silence.

Erica started laughing. "So, I am all you talk about?"

"Well, um...no...she is just...well...I've mentioned you...a couple of times..."

Erica laughed as Nickolas babbled. She took a step closer to him. "What have you said about me?"

He looked up and into her eyes. "All good. Nothing bad."

"I would hope so."

They took a step closer to each other.

She put her hand on his face. "Why did you leave so suddenly?"

"I-I had to. I am no good for you."

"Do not say that. It is not true."

"Yes it is! I-"

"Shh. Do not say anything else. Please."

He put his hand around the back of her neck. He leaned down and gently touched her lips with hers. She wanted so much more. There were real feelings surging between them and they could both feel it. Nickolas was ready to deepen the kiss but all of a sudden someone cleared their through behind them. They both jumped back.

"Okay, you two love birds, enough," Aurora said and laughed.

"I am sorry," Nickolas said.

"No, do not apologize," Erica said and then smiled. "It was mutual." With that, Erica took Aurora's arms started leading her towards the castle.

Erica led Aurora into the castle and towards her father's room. She stopped when she heard her father and Brian talking. "Wait here," she told Aurora. She went up to the door and pressed her ear to it.

"Do you mean it?" Brian asked. "Do you really think that you can forbid her to stop seeing Nickolas?"

"I will lock her in the dungeon if I have to!" They both laughed.

Erica felt tears welling up in her eyes. She knew at this moment that she truly wanted to be with Nickolas. He had treated her better in these few days than her father had treated her her entire life. My plan will have to be put into action faster than I thought, Erica thought to herself. She took Aurora's hand and walked into her father's den.

"Erica?" her father questioned. "What is the meaning of this? Do you not know how to knock?"

"Of course I do, father," Erica replied. "I just wanted you two to meet someone. Brian, this is Lady Aurora."

"How do you do, my Lord?" Aurora said and bowed low.

Brian looked at Aurora. She was definitely beautiful and much more subserviant than Erica could ever be. Brian took her hand and kissed it. "It is nice to meet you."

"It is likewise."

Erica looked at the two of them and smiled. It is working! She is perfect.

"Erica?" her father said. "Why did you lie to me about Nickolas?"

Erica froze. Oh my God, how did he know? "Father, what are you talking about?"

"Do not lie to me anymore, Erica. I am forbidding you to have any contact with this Nickolas person. He is not even your real finacé! You lied to me! Your father! I am locking you in your room for a while."

"You cannot do that!"

"Do not raise your voice to me! I say what goes. Brian, go get the guards to escort Erica to her room."

"As you wish," Brian said and walked off.

Erica started to panic. She had to get out of here. She knew that she had to leave before the guards caught her so she turned and bolted out of the room.

Nickolas was very curious as to what Erica's real intentions were. He walked up to the edge of the castle grounds and looked down the long walkway leading up to the castle. He shook his head and turned to leave when he heard a door slam and then loud, deep voices. He turned quickly to see Erica running from the castle and two large men chasing after her. He watched as they ran up to her and caught her.

"No!" she screamed and fought them. "Let me go! Let me go!" She looked up and down the walkway. "Nickolas! Please, help me! Please!" she screamed as loud as she could.

Nickolas mentally cursed at himself and started to silently run up the driveway. The guards had their backs turned to him as they dragged Erica back towards the castle. He held his finger up to his lips to tell her to be quiet. She nodded her head. Then he changed his mind and started to wave his hands in front of her to get her to start screaming again.

She caught on. "Let me go! You can't do this!"

She kept screaming at them to destract their attention as Nickolas came right up next to her. In one quick movement, he wrapped his arms around her waist and yanked her away from the men. He grabbed her hand and ran.

"They are coming after us!"

"Don't look back," Nickolas told her and they kept running.

"They're going to get me!"

"No they won't." Nickolas turned a sharp corner around a building and led her into the building through a hidden door. They looked out of the window and watched as the two guards ran right by the building. "Welcome to my home."

Erica let out a sigh, still breathing hard. She leaned against a wall and watched Nickolas as he ignited a lamp. "You saved my life."

"Did I? Why were they after you?"

"My father found out that you were not really my fiancé and he told me he was going to forbid me to see you again and then he sent Brian to get the guards to escort me to my room so he could lock me in there."

"Oh the life of royalty." She laughed but then he got serious. "You fled from the castle because you were afraid that you would never see me again?"

Erica looked down at the ground and fiddled with her dress. "Well, yes." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I am falling for you, Nickolas, if not that, I have already fallen. I have never met anyone that has actually believed in love like I do. Not even my father. You have treated me better in this short time than my father has ever."

Nickolas stood up. "Erica, you must leave."

"But...but why?"

He walked over to the window and stared out of it, turning his back to her. "Because you must."

She ran over to him and grabbed his shirt. He looked down at her. "But I have no where to go. Why do you always push me away?"

Nickolas paused for a minute and then sighed. "I will take the couch and you may have my bedroom. But only for a while. We will go and get some of your things tomorrow evening."

"Oh, thank you."

"Nick?"

Nickolas turned around to see Alex. "Hey Alex."

"Hello, Erica," Alex said and bowed.

"Oh please, do not bow," Erica said sincerely. "I do not deserve it."

"Well okay then."

"Come with me." Nickolas said to Erica. He took the lamp and led her into his bedroom.

"It is very beautiful."

"I am sure it is not what you are used to."

She smiled at him. "It is a nice change."

"I will go get you another blanket."

She nodded and watched him leave. She slowly began to unbutton her heavy dress. Soon enough, she hoped, I'll never have to wear these dreaded things again. She pulled off the first layer of her dress. All of a sudden, Nickolas walked in the room. She gasped. "Do you have no manners?"

Nickolas sighed and turned around. "It isn't like you have something I haven't seen before-"

"Still-"

"But you have a beautiful body." He turned around and walked up to her.

Her heart started to beat faster the closer that he came. Sure her underwear covered up practically her entire body, but it was still her underwear and no one had ever seen her like this.

"Don't be so vain...like every other woman in this society." He handed her the blanket and walked out of the room.