As Chris watched as Mammy walked away, Zeven watched Chris. He tried to count the freckles on her left cheek. She looked softer than usual. Her blonde eyelashes were caught in the sun's rays, they sparkled in the light.
Without thinking, his hand came up to cup her face, his thumb brushing across her cheek. Her skin felt soft against the roughness of his thumb. She turned her face to look at him, her eyelashes kissed his thumb as she blinked.
She didn't seem frightened of his touch, only surprised. Her eyes were clear and resoundingly grey. In that moment he found himself not seeking the blue eyes of his dreams. Instead of sinking into a sea of blue, he floated into the clouds of grey.
"Is someone looking at us?"
The moment broke, and Zeven came crashing back to earth. Realizing his hand was still on her face he pulled it back., "no. It was just a stray eyelash. It's gone now."
He found himself unable to look her in the eyes, fearing being swallowed by them again. Luckily there were a great many other things to look at. Seeing a particular stall, he got an idea on how to get a moment to himself without arousing suspicion.
"I'll be right back. Go wait by the tree." He pointed in the general direction before vanishing into the crowd. He left without giving her time to argue. She narrowed her eyes at the place where he was just standing and huffed. Without a better plan, she decided to play along and went to wait under the tree.
She stepped off the paved road and onto the dirt. There were less people here than in the street, so she could easily make a straight line to the tree. Unsure of what Zeven had in store nor how long he would take, she sat down in the dirt beneath the shade of the tree.
Her skirt bloomed out from beneath her. And something deep inside of her demanded that she rip the offending garment to shreds. Take out all her frustrations and anger out on it. But as she gathered it in her hands, she felt the softness of the fabric, the delicate weave. It was not hers, she was only borrowing it. It was only an act. She only had to play the role of a wife and a lover and a woman for the day.
Thinking about that was not as comforting as she thought it would be. The fact that she was out here at all was an insult. She was raised to be a king, yet here she was, playing dress up, pretending to be something she was not. Ironic, considering her whole life was one big charade. In her heart, she knew that she was none of the things that she pretended to be.
And she was tired of pretending.
Suddenly, thrust into her vision was a stick holding some kind of dumpling. She followed the shape to the arm that held it, and then to the person. Zeven had crouched down in front of her, holding out a treat for her to take.
Leaning forward to grab it, she lightly took it from him. He shifted his weight and lowered himself into a seated position on the dirt now that he had a free hand. His other hand held a stick with the same kind of confectionery.
Now shoulder to shoulder, Zeven smiled before lifting his stick in a semi salute to her before taking a bite. His face lit up as the sweet touched his tongue. Seeing his expression, Chris had to try her stick as well.
She took a small, cautious bite. It was soft and delicate, nearly melting on her tongue. Absolutely heavenly. Her eyes rolled back for a minute. Earning a slow look over to Zeven who was already looking at her. There were no words, instead she bit back a smile and inhaled loudly. Zeven knew exactly what she meant nodded enthusiastically.
That was all it took, the smile that she tried to hide came rushing forward. They both took another bite of their treat at the same time. laughing as they realized what they had done.
As they sat under the shade of the tree, it was as if there was no one else in their world. The two sole people in the universe, miraculously finding each other in the cosmos.
When they had both finished eating, Zeven put both hands on the ground behind him. Leaning back in a casual manner. Chris, having an injured shoulder could not do the same, so instead she readjusted her body and leaned against Zeven.
"What would you do if you weren't a prince?" Chris didn't look at Zeven as she asked him.
"That's too easy. I run one of the orphanages. You?"
"I have never thought about it, but it seems like I may have to start."
"Just lose the bet and then you still wouldn't have to think about it." Zeven said this as a joke, but something deeper was concealed.
"Be careful or I may just take you up on that offer." She also used the humor to hide her insecurity.
"Would you believe that I think you would make a great King?"
She didn't respond, but Zeven felt her nestle in closer.
They stayed like that for a while. Enjoying the company and the breeze.