Dancing has been my job for years. It became a part of me, a part of my soul. But tonight, when Demitri held my hand and led me to the center of the dancing crowd, there was hesitation for a moment. It was as though it was my first time to step on the dancing ground. It was like I had never experienced dancing before this. For whatever reason, it was how I felt and I could not help but wonder why...
"Sea-green suits you best. Probably the reason why you have that eye color," Demetri said, just low enough for both of us to hear.
"I do not intend to do anything with you. Quit with the flowery words, I will not buy that."
"Indeed?" His voice soft, yet his eyes were challenging. His hand at the side of my waist smoothly crawled towards the small of my back, pushing me closer to him.
"I-Indeed," I agreed, trying to be tough but my trembling voice ended up defying me.
"It's odd how your eyes look so much familiar to me. Have any idea?"
My heart skipped a beat.
"Why wouldn't you just go straight to the point? I'm not fond of riddles."
I placed my left foot behind the other as I turned smoothly. When I got back, his ironclad arms were waiting for me. He pulled me at once, tilted his head on purpose so his nose would touch mine.
"You..." I bit my lower lip to stop the curses.
"My apologies. I just love staring at your eyes. Would you condemn me for that?'"
"In my mind, I already did."
"So straightforward. Your honesty is enticing. I suppose in this case, we aren't just mere strangers to each other. Mind telling me your name?"
"There is no need for that. Exchanging names are only for those who will see each other again. In our case, we won't so let's just leave it that way."
"How certain are you? Perhaps, do you have the ability to see the future?"
"If I had foreseen the future, I wouldn't be here just to end up dancing with you."
"Your honesty stung," he said playfully.
"My apologies," I said with obvious sarcasm.
"Now back to the main topic. Shall we?" I don't want to play games with him and that should be clear.
"Whatever you please."
"I know you recognize me. Yes, I'm that royal entertainer in Eravia. If that answers your question."
"I already know that."
"You do?"
"Yes, the first time I saw you, I was sure you were that girl."
I already had a feeling about it.
"Is that the reason why you were curious about me, then?"
He just smirked.
"I escaped from the palace and I was brought by a merchant's caravan here," I said honestly. "I'm trying to live peacefully, so if fate won't forbid, let's stay away from each other's lives after this. Don't involve yourself in my business."
"You're afraid that I would expose your identity, are you?"
Silence.
"If that is what you're worrying about, you have nothing to worry. I won't tell anybody about you."
"At what cost?"
His forehead creased like he heard something offending.
"What do you mean at what cost?"
"You will do me a favor in exchange of what?"
"It is a favor. I'm not asking you to pay me for that." His tone was hard.
"So you'd just keep my secret just like that?"
I stared at him intently. I was expecting him to demand something from me.
"Yes. But to think of it now, I actually want you to give me something in return."
The kind image of Demetri faded in thin air like a bubble.
"What is it?" I asked, ready for the worst.
"Tell me your name."
My lips parted, taken aback by how simple his request was.
"That's it?"
His deep black eyes reflected the glistening lanterns above.
"Yes. Your name would do for now."
Just tell him, Raja suggested.
Alright. I gave in.
"Ophelia. My name is Ophelia..." I said, my voice barely audible as if there was something embarrassing about my name.
"Beautiful name for such a beauty."
"Don't flatter me. I won't buy that."
"I didn't say that to flatter you, though. I'm a man of integrity, just saying what is obviously true. Is that a crime?"
My cheeks flamed. This man knows how to use his tongue well. What if his ability is to lure women with his charm? Is that the reason why I'm suddenly different around him? It could be possible!
Raja growled at the background of my scattered thoughts. Try harder, my lady. He's an earth summoner, not a witch.
Oh, right. I may be just overthinking again.
"Mind to share your thoughts?"
My gaze drifted back to the pitch black orbs in front of me, staring at me darkly like I was—at that moment—the center of the world.
"How did you know I was thinking about something? Do you read minds?" Although I know it's not possible, I just want to check.
He chuckled as if I said that to humor him.
"No. That is beyond my capability as an earth summoner."
I nodded in relief. At least there's only one who can read my mind without any barriers. I'm still trying to adjust the scope of my privacy with Raja involved.
"Oh! Prince Ares is here!" A shout caught my attention. I turned my head and saw one, two—no, three up to six girls looking my way. It was then followed by another heads like a domino effect.
I looked over Demitri's shoulder to search for the first prince when I froze at a sudden realization. From Demitri's back, my gaze slowly crawled back to him, then to his black attire, and my eyes stopped to the familiar ensign of Solterra.
Why haven't I realized it sooner? The ensign was small but very visible! How could such a detail escape me? Was I too distracted by him?
I wanted to step back but I couldn't move my frozen feet. How foolish of you to dance with Solterra's heir, Ophelia!
"You are... the... prince," I said so slowly, almost mutely.
What kind of stupidity have I done?
Shocked and confused, I turned my back on him and ran out of the busy crowd.
"Ophelia!" he called and probably attempted to follow but girls hovered over him.
Ironic how I ran after knowing that he's a prince. Any other girl won't surely react the way I did. They won't be horrified, unlike what I felt on that certain moment. It's just, I was afraid. I was afraid of myself which I could not understand.
No, Raja disagreed. You're not horrified of him being a prince, nor you are afraid of yourself. You were afraid that you'd hurt yourself because deep in your soul, you know that there's a part of you who wants to know more about him... to be his friend... and you know that is not possible considering his status in this kingdom. You're just a mere commoner while he's the first prince, the first in line to the throne, the future king.
"You're wrong, Raja. I don't want to do anything with him. I don't like him if that is what you're implying."
I walked and walked, completely fogetting Thiara and all the people I left behind. I want a moment for myself. I want to breathe.
You can hide nothing to me, my lady. You like him. You're attracted to him.
"I said, I'm not! Why are you saying nonsense, Raja? My goal is to find my father and solve the mystery of my identity, not to find a potential lover, let alone involve myself to the crown prince—"
I groaned loudly when my back hit the cold, hard wall. All happened too fast, I barely had time for a reaction. All I saw was a streak of light coming from a direction, and the next thing I knew, there was a strong force that slammed me towards the wall meters away.
A rogue werewolf! Protect yourself, Ophelia! The panic in Raja's voice told me how serious my situation was.
Ow! My back hurts so much!
Come on! He's gonna attack you again!
I looked straight and tried to gather some strength, but just a few seconds after I saw a huge silhouette, another wave of force attacked me, slamming me to the wall again.
I saw black at the same time I heard a growl of satisfaction.
This is not good. Stand up, Ophelia! Stand up or else you'd be killed!
I know, alright! I know I'd be killed anytime soon if I won't stand up and try to defend myself at least. But I couldn't. My legs were turning jelly.
Think that you can! You need to defend yourself or it will be the end of us! How will you see your father if you die tonight? You've got to try your ability!
I kept on trying my best but it just won't work. I don't know what to do now. This for sure would be an unfortunate death. I will never have a chance to know the truth behind all the mystery of my identity. I will never get a chance to see my father and ask him why he didn't see us for the past seventeen years. I will never know if he abandoned us or my mother abandoned him.
And...
I will never get a chance to see that beautiful darkness in his eyes again.
In that moment, I suddenly felt a strange thing all over my body. I could feel the heat inside, it felt as though I was burning. It felt strange yet somehow very familiar. Warmth from that burning feeling. Warmth from fire.
Then I opened my eyes. My oppressor was couple of meters away, wild and ready to attack. But what surprised me was the reflection I saw in the werewolf's eyes.
There was fire. I was at the center of a ring of fire, lighting up all my corners, giving me the heat I need.
Feel the flame in you. Feel it as if it's part of your soul. Then think of how you can manipulate it then that's when you attack, Raja's voice was now calm.
And so I did. I concentrated and just enough before the rogue attacked, I thought of ball of fire in my hands and I had made it possible. Then with all my might, I throw it to the approaching oppressor.
A loud, agonizing growl echoed at the same time I felt my body faltering. But before darkness consumed me, the sense of danger vanished when I saw the werewolf disappeared from the shadows, and a familiar set of raven eyes.