Silver Moonlight Bar, 8:00 P.M.
"A beer on the rocks, please." I passed the bartender a coin.
I sighed deeply.
This wasn't the first time, but it just keeps on getting more and more exhausting each and every time. My head aches just from the situation a few hours ago, as I looked down at the portraits placed on the table in front of me by my mother. On the table, were portraits of women from different houses. Even men.
I closed my eyes and furrowed my eyebrows.
I was in the corner of the bar counter drinking my beer with a lot of thoughts on my mind when somebody tapped the back of my shoulder, I turned on my seat to see a young man, which looked to be in his early 20s, in front of me. "Yes?" I asked. It hasn't been long since I started coming here, but this was the first time someone had approached me, yet the man did nothing but stare at my face.
"Oh my..." He exclaimed, coming out of his trance. I raised my eyebrow in question. He was just standing there, looking at me. While he was busy staring at my face, I also took the time to study his features. Short brunette hair and forest green eyes. There was a bruise forming on his neck barely being covered by his collar, but I disregarded the thing because it wasn't any of my business.
"What business do you have with me...Sir?" I asked and he sat on the seat next to me and ordered a drink.
"You seem quite familiar. Have I seen you somewhere before?" He asked. Despite the cloak I had on, my face was clearly visible. Perhaps he recognized my face from the papers, but that would be highly unlikely seeing the state he was in. It would be bad if he created any unnecessary commotion from realizing who I was.
"I'm not prejudice, but if this was the new way of flirting, I am not certain it's working." Wide-eyed, he seemed surprised from my response. I smiled. How long has it been since someone has piqued my interest?
I stood up, having finished my drink and gestured for him to follow me.
***
"For what reason did you ask me to follow you?" he asked. We were walking on a rather desolate street. There were people, but only few, most of which were couples.
"There was no particular reason...I just--" He put a finger to my lips, making me cut off my sentence. I looked at him in surprise. He put on a goofy grin. "Don't tell me, you're attracted to me?" I wondered over how he came to that conclusion, but couldn't seem to reach an answer. Seeing his cheerfulness fading away as he added, "Well, I guess it would be disg--" I cut him off and ended up saying something quite unexpected. "You could say...I had an ulterior motive...plus, you are the one who approached me first, sir, whose name I do not know." Upon hearing my words, he stayed silent and started walking, his head lowered. I followed behind him. We continued walking until we arrived at the main street, both of us silent. I followed behind him as he turned at a corner of the street, stopping in front of a rather humble home.
He turned around and walked towards me. "May I offer you a cup of coffee?" he asked, looking up to me. "Yes?... I'm alright, it's already getting quite late, you should go in." I declined his offer. He was drunk, it was late and I was also a stranger he had only met two hours ago. His face scrunched up, it seemed as though I did something to annoy him. He clicked his tongue, "Tsk. I was just trying to be polite. Didn't you say you had an ulterior motive? We don't even have coffee." He said. Although I didn't quite hear his last few sentences, because it sounded no more than a murmur. Before he could turn around and walk away, I caught his hand. He stared at me, surprised. "I haven't asked for your name." He glanced at our connected hands and at my eyes. "I'll tell you the second time we meet." He grinned brightly. I let go of his hand and let out a small laugh after he went inside his house and I thought to myself as I watched him walk away, 'He sure is an interesting person.'
***
I lay in my bed, exhausted, thinking back on the previous events which occured a few hours ago. It was a well-known fact that our family had rather unique genes. For generations, no matter the genetic traits the successor's husband or wife had, the ducal family's blood would dominate, therefore the unmistakable deep red hair and amber eyes. Andre, even in his drunken state was not aware of my status. He could not recognize my name nor the distinct features of the ducal family. Perhaps he was intoxicated to the point of not being fully aware of his senses. He then invited me into his home. Though it would have been a great pleasure, I did not dare intrude upon a person's home while he was not in his rational state.
It was a rather unusual experience.
'It was a good idea to visit town.' I thought, as I drifted off to sleep.