"What are you looking at so intensely?" Kirai, looking confused with my reactions, tiptoed to look at the small group of men passing by the small town. She accidentally knocked me off my senses.
I can't tell how to express my emotions at that time. Happy? Confused? Excited? But surely that very moment, I was speechless with what I was watching. My heart was pumping heavily as if it recognised the person too. He was obviously the man I had in my dream for almost six months before I was transmigrated into this era. I squinted my eyes to confirm it, but it was only a glimpse of his side. But I was pretty sure he was the man. For the last six months, I have been having a different dream of coupling with a man like a real husband and wife. Life was so harmonious, happy & blissful too. Until the next morning, I woke up only to find it was only a dream. I tried to sleep in more, but it never came.
Now, I'm thinking about it, and I never asked his name. Regret engulfed me. But his familiar body sculpt, his lips, cheekbone from the side, his laughter and his smooth-talking with the woman beside him only makes my heart beating with excitement, but at the same time, I wonder who is that beautiful woman beside him. He turns slightly towards my way, and that very moment my heart stops. It is him! I nearly ran up to him, gave him a warm hug from the back. 'Finally, I have someone I am familiar with here.' But, as I move closer to them, my step halts at the scene of the young woman stealing a kiss on the man's cheek. He just let out a laugh. I covered my lips in surprise. I was in a trance state until Kirai came to stand beside me again as she curiously followed behind.
"Hey, don't just leave me like that! It's dangerous," Kirai caught up with me breathlessly. "What did you see? Don't tell me you know that couple." I didn't move as I watched the couple move away with several guards guarding them against behind. My heart hurts so much watching them together acting like a loving couple.
"What couple?" I blinked at her, confused.
"That was the crown prince of this empire. And that is the rumoured woman to be the count's youngest daughter. I think they're a set." Kirai explained.
"Crown prince? That man is the crown prince?" I was flabbergasted at her disbelief.
"Yes. It was pretty obvious. You can see the royal crest on the carriage they're on." Kirai pointed to the well-guarded carriage nearby. She frowned at my passive response, but I didn't explain that I am acquainted with the crown prince.
I have mixed feelings about what just happened. I recalled the shocking conversation with the emperor a few days ago.
"What?!" I took a step back from the emperor, shocked at his sudden arrangement. Another person trying to get her life fixed up. "I apologize for being rude, your majesty, but can I be allowed to speak my heart out?"
"Yes, please. What do you want to say?" The emperor smiled meaningfully. "But be warned. I suggest you think properly before you say anything."
I stared at him speechlessly. It only means that whatever I say won't change the arrangement that he already set for Coriane. Shit. What mess are you in, Coriane?
I silently rearrange my priority of asking the questions. "Since I will be the one that is marrying the crown prince, shouldn't I be given a reason why this arrangement is made, Your Majesty?"
"You are clever, Lady Coriane." The emperor walks away from me towards his throne high seat. "But I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the answer after the ceremony is solemnised and the nuptials between you & Prince Ephraim are sealed."
Well, that's that. Now I know who & what the crown prince looks like. I am looking forward to the marriage ceremony. I only need to verify one thing first. I need to meet him personally. I want to know if he recognised me. My heart was beating anxiously and with anticipation.
I turned to the sleeping Kirai while sitting on the moving carriage. She has been a good friend since I arrived in this world. She has a pure heart, righteous virtue and is very passionate, being a priestess yet clumsy and easily gets scared, less confident when what she does turns sour.
A week after meeting High Priest Romou, he allowed Kirai to join me at the mansion to accompany me, but I think he just wanted someone to keep me in check if I dare to escape. The thought of that schemer makes my blood boil up.
"Are you acquainted with the lady or the crown prince?" I remembered Kirai asked curiously.
"Never mind about it." I can't say that I am acquainted with the man, who is also the crown prince.
"Why?"
"Well, because I say so." I walk away in annoyance with her endless inquiry into my every move. " And stop asking why." I confronted her. She backs away with her hands raised & covered her lips with it. Idiot.
"Well, care to listen to what I hear?" Kirai didn't even want to shut her mouth. I ignored her. I walked towards the waiting carriage. Horseless. I was fascinated by Kirai's explanation about how animals in this world are so special and respected. All the magic was operated by the alchemist designated to every village, town and including the palace. But it was considered a privileged ride. Only those with the power and ability to hire those alchemists can move around in a carriage. In this case, the noble, temple's people and the royal members of the empire.
"According to rumours, the count is one of those most trusted and loyal subjects of the emperor before he died. But, in recent years after the previous emperor died, there was a dispute of who should sit for the throne after the passing of the emperor." She continued. Kirai is relentless in continuing with her gossip. I heaved a sigh of annoyance, but I was curious to know who that woman was.
"Well, that normally happens when you have several children. What the fuss?"
"You don't even care about the struggle, huh?"
"No politics for me. I refuse to listen." It was a bluff if I say I don't like politics. My favourite subject in school was history & politics. There was always a war between kings or emperors in every history of empires that I read. An heir is a must to continue with the legacy. The power struggle among the children of the royalties can be seen until today, in the modern era. But, throughout the century, the empire of kingdoms will only disappear/ perish when there is no heir to land or when the existing heir is weak to be a kingdom's ruler. Which later led to war with another stronger tribe, and it rose to power.
"You did it again. You're so despicable. You know that?"She pouted as she walked away from the pathway. "You're never going to let me finish my story." I smiled at her antics but not really enjoying the fun. Deep inside me, I feel empty. My heart hurt.
Those dreams felt real.
We shared many sweet memories and kisses. I never felt that blissful before.
I recalled Ah Phung asking me once if I have a boyfriend or meet Kimi's friend. God, no. I refused her politely even though she kept on thinking that I was making excuses and always suggesting that I have a boyfriend who is also a best friend to her boyfriend. The thought of it makes me cringed that I began to refuse her offers to join their normal happy hours on the weekends. I preferred to stay home early for my so-called 'boyfriend'. I began to prefer to get to sleep as early as possible, which was not the wrong answer. I think I have my real life in my dream.
But, ever since I arrived here, I have never had my dreams any longer.
But now, when I saw him here in this era, I couldn't express how overwhelmingly happy I was. I wonder if he recognised me if I stood in front of him. I didn't dare to guess the answer.
I shook my head, trying to shake off the painful scene a moment ago. I leave the town square reluctantly.
"Milady, we have arrived." The carriage stopped, and the coachman called out. I woke Kirai from her slumber, smoothen up my fluffy and expensive garments that fit for royalty. My short and wavy hair has grown longer since I arrived here six months ago and was fashioned into a beautiful lock of bum. It smells wonderful after that hair treatment for her back in the palace using essential oils of flowers. Ah Phung might be super excited if she gets her hands on those smells. The door opened, and I descended from the carriage like a princess with Kirai following behind last.
Today, I was informed to meet Duke Hamdel or my brother, Jacob, in this world. He will be waiting at the Duke's mansion where I once reside for a while after being captured by his man. He said he has something to show me before the wedding ceremony.
The last conversation I had with High Priest Romou worries me. Duke Hamdel knew my real identity. What else does he want from me? Will he punish me for that? Should I make a deal with him?