The second dance ended as the music changed. The sunset's last ray disappeared soon, and the view was so majestic that I was about to take my breath and turn away from the crowd, "May I have the pleasure to dance with the crown princess?"
"I'm sorry but..," I turned to the next man standing in my way. "Your Majesty!" I was surprised to see him standing all smiling, baring his white teeth. I can't deny how handsome and manly he was, but I was still tired from the last dance. When did he make his entrance? Before the first dance or after? Did he see my encounter with Lady Maia?
Emperor Aleq took my hand to him without waiting for my reply, and instead of heading to the dance floor, he took me towards the edge of the garden, away from the music and crowds. Aware of what he was doing, I smiled at him. "Thank you for understanding, your majesty. Although I shouldn't have declined your request for the dance."
"Don't be," He continued to exit the garden. "I am not really into this kind of party anyway. Except for today's special occasion." I was surprised at his confession. Thinking that he is the emperor of the empire, he doesn't have any choice but to attend more official parties. Not far behind, the Royal Guard, Larky, always appears a fair distance away, but he has a sensitive hearing that makes me think of SWAT back home.
This morning's ritual event played in my mind.
"Allow me to congratulate both of you, the star of the day." This man was the first person to approach us as the direct kin of the groom. He gave him a bear hug emotionally. He ended it with a light smack on the groom's cheek and a pad on the back before he turned his attention to me.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." I gave a light bow to him. His majestic aura never ceases to fascinate me. He looks almost similar to the groom, only shorter by three inches, thinner and pale.
He gave a slight nod to me with a smile. His beautiful eyes blinked several times, and he turned away. "I'm sorry. I think something got into my eyes." but his sniffle noise is so obvious that I barely contain my laughter. So cliche. He smiles as he watches me become more relaxed. Well, by now, all the guests might think I was about to ditch the groom.
Somehow I can get my mind off that emperor Aleq is so beautiful for a man. If only he was a woman, maybe brother Jacob might be the right man for her. The groom showed his concerns signalling a nearby guard. But, emperor Aleq waved them away.
I took a little glance at the groom and the man. The man gave me a naughty wink. I turned away in flushes. "Smile, Ephraim. You are scaring the guests with your killer stares."
Ephraim. That was his name. I always wondered what his name was when everyone only called him crown prince.
Ephraim didn't respond but grunted more.
#####
"What have you done to your fingers? It appeared flushed." I have forgotten my fingers since entering the Royal Garden, but I am unaware that I'm still rubbing the ring the whole time. I was beyond surprised at the redness of my rough action and hid my hands behind my back.
"It didn't work like that." He smiled at me with a suppressed laugh. He pulled my hand from behind and led me to the nearby stone bench overseeing the sunset and dusk sky with a beautiful hue from the thin group of clouds, creating a superb and awe evening view. "I love the way you decorate the barren and dull garden into your wedding reception. Where did you get the idea?"
"I… I…" I can't concentrate on answering him when he is still holding my hand in his lap.
Realising my stuttering, "Ah, sorry for that." he gave my hand a slow kiss before returning it to me, leaving me speechless. I feel my face hot and flushed. His behaviour becomes even more suspicious and makes me more anxious about being alone with him.
It took me a while to get my feeling settled. "I did my part, your majesty. Now, may I get your end of the bargain. Thinking about it for a while now, I think I am beginning to regret doing it."
"Is that so?" He smirked at me, looking triumphant at what he had accomplished.
It irritated me further to know I was correct. 'You are blackmailing me into marrying the crown prince. I wish for the best answer behind this.'
"I heard from lord Jacob that you had lost your memory. I can't be certain without seeing with my own eyes." He stares at me with an intense, serious tone.
"Well, I am not sure what my brother told you, but I can't see the relation between losing my memory and how I was being forced into this loveless marriage." I insisted, knowing nothing about what he was talking about. He obviously tried not to give me an answer!
"If you want or plan to disappear soon, you can't. Not with that ring attached to your finger." he nodded at my flushed finger. I frown at his reply rather unrelated to the answer I want, but his hinted words worry me. Did he know anything about my origin or what happened to Coriane?
"How would you know if you, yourself, didn't marry?" He ignored me and grabbed my hand as he began to give it a soft rub. "Your Majesty." He smiled at my retort. He is obviously trying to avoid my probe.
"What did you see on his chest during the exchange?"
"What?" I was startled by his question. He nodded at me knowingly. "It was an almost hatchling egg," I replied immediately.
"What about yours?"
"It was a white crocus bud."
"I see." He let go of my hand, and he turned to the horizon for insight. "Crocus, hah."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, it is hard to explain right now, but it is always about the journey of your relationship as a couple." I chuckled at his unrealistic explanation.
I turned to the way of the Royal Garden, watching my new so-called husband walk with Lady Maia in the crowd. "What if it doesn't work?" A gust of evening wind blew a few strands of my hair.
The sun finally set, and the garden began to darken. It's time to get back to the party.
"It may sound bizarre to say this now, but it seemed that despite the cold treatment he gives you, it seemed it was going to be a compatible match after all." I stare at him in confusion. 'What do you mean, compatible?' I pouted and looked away. "Although, it may be a long & hard journey ahead of you. You are the legitimate consort for Ephraim. Don't you forget that?"
The murmuring of the guests becoming loudly with gasping of breath among them at the sudden surprise doesn't interest me any longer. I turned to the garden way in time to watch that the dark garden turned into a bling of yellow lights from the fireflies I created for the evening party is now in full swing. I am glad that they're entertained with it. I smiled inwardly at their fascinating looks. Well, that's all I can give to show them the beauty of my world had created.
I shook my head, refused to agree with him. 'Sorry to disappoint you, your majesty, but I'm not staying for that long to get in tune with that man. Not when he isn't happy to see me at all.' I heaved a furious and sorrowful sigh. 'I want to go home soon.'
After spending some time with emperor Aleq, my mood has just plummeted, and I care less about any of the skits that I made Kirai prepare for the show.
From the beginning, emperor Aleq was never planning to tell me anything about his real planning behind this marriage. All I knew was that Lady Coriane was supposed to get married to the crown prince, Ephraim, when Lady Coriane disappeared for a year. The reason being, some information was collected that the dead stepbrother is there gathering his people. The only faction supporting the royal family is not much but the noble faction.
Looking at Coriane's condition after one year of searching for her only confirmed their suspicions. Some dark and powerful entity is getting closer now. Do they aim for the Gate? Or just simple greed for the throne? Nobody can be accurate about it but awaiting the return of the High Priest Romou.
"Please take care of that idiot brother of mine, Lady Coraine."
I strongly wanted to refuse him, but I ended up nodding weakly at him.