I intentionally stood off to the side when the Crown Prince and Grand Duke walked in, feeling guilty as if I had wronged them when they walked in. I felt the world spinning around me from my mana exhaustion. The magic laced words already took a lot out of me, but to convince Ophelia I also needed to touch her aura. Her aura was soft and reassuring, but I still felt horrible and guilt ridden. I clapped my hands against my warm cheeks to snap myself out of my thoughts. I needed to get somewhere cool because my fever was starting to spike. I saw the legendary golden hair of the prince over the crowd, but I didn't see there the Grand Duke there, but the crowd was so thick it would have been next to impossible. If I remembered the book correctly, he watches Agatha dance with the Crown Prince and falls in love at first sight, becoming like a lovesick puppy. I wanted to save the Duke from a painful future with Agatha as well as the Crown Prince. I figured that once I expose the Roswell's to faces them, they will be repulsed enough. The Duke was said to be so in love it bordered on almost obsession, but I was positive that if everything went to my plan he would not even get close to that stage. I instantly started speed walking across the wall of the ballroom. Agatha was in the center, twirling to entrance the boys around her so she didn't see me. I felt at ease that her hawkeyes weren't on me. As I recalled from the book, the Duke was said to be tall dark and handsome. With onyx hair in a two block fringe hair cut, and amber-gold eyes. He always wore black and blood red, and often stuck out like a sore thumb. I was looking for a speck of darkness in a sea of light while trying to advert my eyes from the leads. My eyes were darting around the crowd looking for him, but I couldn't see him. I was determined to hide from any of them seeing me. My deed was done, now I was just waiting for the end of the party quietly. I went to the bottom of the grand staircase, noticing how people were avoiding them. Before they were crowded, now they were barren. No one was standing within ten feet of the staircase and I couldn't quite figure out why. I took a deep breath in and began climbing the stairs. My head was still spinning and my skin was red and feverish. I could feel the crawling eyes of the Counts spies lingering on my back as I pulled the heavy material of my dress up the stairs with me. I was getting a bit of stage fright and stress, worrying that I was drawing too much attention. Despite the whispers I kept climbing up the stairs. There were large golden doors that lead to the main lobby of the Sunrise Palace, the palace used by Empress Anya's extended family. The ballroom overlooked the Sol River, two balconies on either side of the golden doors. I saw a breeze blowing the navy blue curtains on the left door while the right remained stagnant. I was drawn to that balcony, just and the orchestra bathed in silver moonlight ont the stage started playing. The melody was soft and sweet, and people began coupling off to dance. I didn't know how much time I had left but I knew it wasn't much. I was a little nervous as I stood before the curtain brushed against my skin softly from the cool air. I was also a little delirious from some heat overload. I pushed myself through the curtain, feeling the cool breeze from the river rushed over my feverish face. I stumbled a bit, my mana output draining me severely. My world was tilting a bit and I held onto the railing and I took long and deep breaths. I felt faint, my legs feeling a wobbly and numb.
"Thank God, I hope this nightmare is over after this." I muttered softy to myself, looking to the river reflecting the canvas of stars and the pale full moon overhead. I knew it was a long shot thinking that this single plan would bring down the empire they created, but I believed if I burst the rest of my mana to send negative vibes amongst the nobles something will crack. If I fan those flames every once in a while with Empath and rumours, I believed I could break them down. It was a long shot and more of a pacifist route than most people would have taken but I was never one for long drawn out plans. I wanted to make it short, sweet, but befitting to them. I felt like forcing them to wallow in their class the rest of their generation was a fitting end, since neither Mercy nor I prefer a method of blood-- usually at least. The stormy sky flashed across from my eyes for a moment.
Just thinking about that made my blood boil. I gripped the side of the railing so tight my knuckles turned white. Mercy may have forgiven her family, but I doubted I could forgive the bastards associated with my end. If I ever saw Riley, Quinn, or that murdering psychopath, I don't think I could have resisted ending them there and then. Suddenly a crystal glass of bubbling liquid was placed in front of my face causing me to flinch. I was so distracted with my rage I didn't even notice someone approaching me. I was burning up so much that I couldn't look up, but I was certain it was one of out guards checking up on me. His tone was strong and mature, like he had seen a battlefield so it made the most logical sense.
"Are you thirsty, milady?" A strong and alluring voice said to my right where the glass came from. I was so overheated I gently took the wine glass from the hands.
"T-Thank you." I mumbled softly. I wasn't going to drink it, I had not lost my common sense from overheating. The water from the river sprayed across my face lightly cooling me off. I felt like my brain was being cooked from the inside out and my vision doubling breifly. I put everything I had into Ophelia and I was hoping that it would work out but I pushed myself too far. I barely even noticed when a large cold hand placed itself over my sweltering forehead.
"You're burning up milady," His voice was stressed as a cooling hand rubbed against the side of my face. The pressure caused me to stumble a bit, snapping me back to reality a bit. I even dropped the wine glass I was just handed. I barely had time to react before an arm wrapped around my waist. It yanked me back up and cradled me against a tall, lean body. The glass was less fortunate and smashed on the floor and wetting my dress.
"Milady are you okay?" This time I was able to try and focus my eyes. I only got a glimpse of gold and it was enough to make me shove away. Our guards didn't wear anything gold, so I had no idea who this strange man was. My world was still spinning but I tried to push myself away from the man. He held me firmly against his chest, the smell of vanilla and sandlewood filling my nose.
"Oh dear I'm sorry, I've been studying quite a bit lately. I must have pushed myself too far." What I said wasn't the lie but not the whole truth. I was pushing myself and I was staying up early but my mana consumption was the main cause of my sudden dizziness and fever. I tried to take myself away from the mysterious figure but again he held firm. He place his free hand across my forehead to cool me off. I was finally able to focus myself enough to look up but his face was just a blur to me.
"Excuse me sir this is very inappropriate." I feverishly mumbled and tried to push myself away from the broad iron chest in front of me. My eyes met with two sharp pins of amber. They seemed to be wiggling ever so slightly and I felt entranced looking at them. I suddenly forgot about what was happening. The fact that I was basically being pinned to the balcony by a lean giant of a man was so far from my mind it wasn't in the same hemisphere as those thoughts. I could only keep an eye on the glittering pins moving.
"You have quite the fever, are you okay?" I managed to wiggled my head in a weak nod. As I did, I finally realized what the pins were. They were a pair of beautiful eyes looking almost into my soul. His black fringed hair fell over his beautiful eyes. I was finally coming back to my senses, the cooling sensations driving away the madness of fever.
"Are you mana exhausted?" I weakly shook my head no, trying to push the man off me and flee but I was still too woozy. I barely managed a shove before my eyes had to close as my world was spinning around me. It felt similar to when you were too drunk and moved quickly.
"Hold on, don't move so fast you'll make yourself sick." He tried to hold me more gently. I knew he was just doing it to make sure that I didn't collapse, but I hadn't been near a man since everything happened and I really did not want to be near one. My heart beat was racing, whether it be from fear or mana output was unknown but it almost felt like I was vibrating.
"I'm sorry if this feels unpleasant." The man sounded almost melancholy. Suddenly the cold hand flashed with a cooling almost healing sensation. With it, the fire burning brightly in my chest fades down a bit. The sickly feverish feeling began to fade from my limbs. My muddled head felt refreshed and I managed to regain my bearings.
"I'm giving you some of my mana. If it is unpleasant, I deeply apologize." How could anyone think this was unpleasant? It felt like a cool breeze on a hot day. There was something about it that was comforting, and I felt myself relax. It was involuntary, but my muscles just let go of their tension and my body automatically pushed against him. I heard a sharp intake of breath from him at the same time I let out a long relaxed sigh. All the fear and anxiety I had just melted away in a instant. I suddenly wasn't caught up in that murderous storm trapped in my head, but being held up and comforted by a kind stanger.
"Thank you sir." I looked up at him, to be met with those amber gold pins again. I froze in place, completely stunned. Dark clothes, two block fringe cut and alluring amber eyes. Tall and overpowering, whose physique showed years of battlefield wear and tear. Body harder than steel, and skin colder than death-- this man must have been Jayce du Hraesvelgr. The 'Corpse Eater'. I know he was supposed to be the main lead, and he had a tragic backstory but his presence was overpowering. Moreso because I was trying to avoid him. I shrunk backwards from him, but he still held me in place. That was when I became aware of the position we were in. He was basically holding me off the ground single handedly by cradling my lower back which his left arm. He had me pressed against the railing to help prop me up. His right arm was lifted up with his large hand pressed against my forehead. His hand was so cold, spreading across my warm skin like an ice pack. His face was way too close to comfort to mine, his eyes scanning my face for something. I knew that my face started to glow when I realized what was going on and I made a loud squeaking noise. The man's handsome and stern face suddenly blinked in surprise from the noise.
"You seem much more alert. Are you feeling better?" His strong and reassuring voice was soothing, but I could feel myself being prickled with embarrassment.
"Please let go of me, your grace!" He looked a little shocked and gently let me down. He quickly returned to a stoic disposition as he straightened himself out. My heart was pounding wildly and I knew my face was bright red.
'What the hell just happened!' I shrieked interally, as the man stared daggers at me for a breif moment. I could just think about how I was so dead, being rude to the Grand Duke may have just cost me the very thing I wanted to protect-- my life.
'No this is so unfair! Why did it have to be him!' I was metaphorically crying on the inside as the man. I started to hope for the world to end in the next few seconds so I could avoid this awkward situation. I loved Jayce's character in the story and now he was standing before me in the flesh. He was every bit as handsome as I read, and was sure every bit chivalrous, kind and just. He was just hiding behind that rock of a exterior. For a moment I faltered and it was like the world stopped.
'If I stop Agatha, will Jayce find someone to heal him?' I suddenly felt incredibly guilty. In the original story Agatha's healing light magic soothed Jayce's bad dreams and emotional scarring. If he never meets her, I suddenly grew fearful for his future. I felt like I was at a bad crossroad. I was so lost in my guilt ridden and embarrassed thoughts that I didn't realize that Jayce had taken a step closer to me.
"Are you feeling okay?" He was at least six foot three and I reached just over five four in these heels. He bent down just a touch so it would be easier to meet my gaze. His full black military uniform with gold embellishments shone in the moonlight as he moved. It caught my eye and pulled me from the freaked out stupor.
"Y-yes sir!" I squeaked like I was a military officer and dropped my head in respect.
"Milday, please don't--"
"I apologize deeply for my impertinence!" I bowed my head deeper and held a curtsy. He cold hands touched my shoulder which felt almost heavenly from my constant burning. I still held my stance.
"Miss, please stop." His voice was calm, but it was cracking like he was angry. I felt my heart almost fall to the floor. My actions somehow made him madder. I was shaking like a leaf in a stiff autumn wind as I stood up.
'I just wanted to live peacefully but I'm going to die soon!' I couldn't stop the self pity from pouring in, cursing myself for my rotten luck. I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes, already stressed that I had offended him in some manner. I could see his face out of the corner of my eyes, and his expression looked vaguely sour to me. I gulped hard, feeling the hard ball push down the esophagus harshly.
"I am sorry if I have offended of inconvenienced you in any way, your grace." He was quiet. It was then I remembered I am not the heroine, I am the villianess. Jayce only helped me because he didn't know who I am. I'm just a side character, I don't quite matter. Somehow that hurt to realize.
"You're inconveniencing me by not letting me know if you are okay." His words were sharp but his voice was soft. I still didn't have the courage to look up at him but I managed to find my voice.
"I am okay your grace, thank you for kindness." I bowed to him again but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back up.
"Please don't do that." He looked at me, completely stoic. His voice was now as stiff as his features. I mustered enough courage and raised my eyes to meet his. His eyes were oddly soft, betraying his stiff face. His eyes met mine and he held eye contact. As much as I wanted to squirm away I stood there underneath his gaze. As much as I was scared for myself, I was sad for Jayce. He probably came up here after seeing Agatha dancing to mope and sort out his emotions, as everyone avoided him like the plague. Then he sees me and tries to be gentle and courteous, and I freaked out. His fists were balled up tightly, but his gaze was still soft. I took a deep breath in and focus my eyes again. His aura was a shimmery blue of sadness, with streaks of pink. It made sense, after seeing Agatha it was love at first sight. Seeing her dance with the prince and other suitors must have bothered him.
"Are you okay?" My words were so blunt his stoic face cracked for a moment. I had dropped all honorifics, he must have been caught off guard. When I realized my mistake I prayed for no retribution. His aura stayed mostly the same but the pink started to shine. I calmed down. He must have appreciated that I asked him.
"I should be asking you that, milady." He looked down at me like gauging my response.
"That's not an answer." His eyes widened at me and my palms were sweaty from stress.
"You seem... sad." His expression was still unreadable, but his aura was glowing. The colours hadn't shifted yet, almost as if it was lagging. Another cool wind brushed against us from the river, but we both stayed still. I always had a maternal side to me, and seeing him here just silently suffering hurt my chest.
'This should be the only time I see him, so it should be okay if I do this much.' I bowed down low to him respectfully and his aura flashed a little more blue.
"Thank you for helping me," As I stood back up, I reached out to him and gently touched his wrist. I pushed out a little more mana, pushing as much emotion that I could into it. The blue started to shimmer and dissolve into a mint lime green. I was willing the blue away, until a happy green overcame it striped with pink.
"I hope you find happiness." I spun around and disappeared, leaving him behind. I thought I would be a little blip, just a mistake in the plot. What I didn't see was him grab his chest, pink burning on his ears. I changed much more than I thought in a five minute interaction.