"What's the joy in merely watching the fun?"
The violin song had just reached a crescendo, before going into a flurry bout of intense notes, I could hear the man's mischief rise with every staccato going upwards as though a particularly dramatic event is going to take place.
author note: staccato is a jumping note
"Well, their movements have a certain compelling charm, don't you think?" I evasively answer, before returning a question, "How about you? What's the joy in talking to someone who's merely watching the fun?"
In the capricious light, he looks so much like a feather, ready to take flight. Even in face of this conversation right now, it feels as though he was just planning to stay for an instance, as though his goal was never me in the first place.
Conversely, I have no doubt, he had every intention to talk to me. The way he looks at me so focused, there was no way I wasn't the target of his efforts. Perhaps he is trying to rouse someone's jealousy? I muse to myself and decide to play along for now.
The music for this dance ends, and the man in front of me casually interceded my attempts to leave. "Maybe, because I want to pull you to the other side? Would you do me an honor of a dance, my lady?"
Deep inside, I sighed. Not another one. How many have I rejected?
I restrain urge to run away and paste another smile. A part of me tempted to just cave into their requests by the accumulating annoyance. Yet, not strong enough to make me cause trouble for myself. Then again, what do the emperor care if I dance?
"Then, I am afraid I have to reject you. I am currently not so inclined to fill someone's foot with holes" I didn't bother correcting his form of address. After all, I do not have any particular yearning to be contacted and pestered by this man after this party.
It is such a shame, he is quite handsome too, with eyes that shines with a ferocious glint, deeply seductive, hypnotic, like an invitation to fall down a cliff. And the grin on his face, simply irresistibly lowering my guard into thinking of him as a friend despite all the contradictory signs.
However, the man in front of me didn't seem to understand my rejection.
"May I have the honor of speaking to you then, my lady?" I consider his offer. Is there anything wrong with talking with him? Certainly not. Besides, if he is having trouble snatching a lady's heart, what's the fault in being a fake romantic love interest?
I merely flashed an understanding smile. This young lad merely has to directly talk to her. Why is he going in such a roundabout way? Pity and desire to lead him back to the right path filled me. Perhaps, I could hear some of it and assist him.
Out of a sudden, a rumble rang, I look outside the window to see clouds appear. It looks like it's about to rain Like havoc will run rampant. "Well, how can one resist such a charming man? So what shall we talk about? The unfortunate weather, the loveliness of ladies, or the best juice present?"
I jest slightly, back resting on the wall, a hint of playfulness leaking through my demeanor. Maybe it's because we are no longer within the confinement of my kingdom, but I have started to relax my behavior, turning away from solemnity.
''Such boring topics, what's the use in speaking of them? Let's cover something with more substance, for example, Emperor Joaquin, the mystery woman, and you,''
An ominous feeling spread across my heart, why are they trying to pull me into the fray? The only man I have ever met previously was the ungentlemanly gentleman, and he is most likely to be a duke, not the emperor. Surely, I would've known it if the emperor came to visit.
Distaste filled my mouth for this conversation. Out of all the topics they chose such an unpalatable one. No wonder this man has yet to win the lady's heart. He has a foul taste in conversations.
"And what is there to speak of? Forget being the mystery woman, I have never met the emperor. Forgive me if I look so common to the point of being mistaken for someone else, but my I can't help but think you have bad eyesight."
A pause occurr between us. The only sound being the playful melody of the violin. Suddenly a snicker sounded, the man in front of me wiping his tears. I turn flabbergasted by how an insult could leave him laughing to the point of gasping for breath. He is a strange one. This man.
I was about to leave for a more peaceful corner when the man in front of me finally spoke, one hand in front of his chest in an exaggerated version of a gentleman's bow, "It seems I was foolish and impertinent, may I ask for your name then, My Lady?"
There is no way he doesn't recognize someone he hasn't met before. Surely he attended this year's debutante and social season. And I look exactly my age. Perhaps he skipped attending this year's social season and mistook me for someone's daughter?
I thought I was the only person here with such color coding. Raven black hair from my mother's mixed ancestry with the east. Alabaster skin from my father and being in the northern kingdom. Cornflower blue eyes that come from my mother's father.
But it turns out there might be another, I convince myself of such a possibility. Secretly in glee at the joy of meeting another, my identity nearly left my mouth. However, the same mischief coursing through him flew to my mind, and now I am less inclined to give a name just for the mystery of it.
"Well, how could I ever grace a blind man with the honor of knowing my name?" I take out the purple folding fan my mother gave me and covered my mouth in a fanning motion, "I am however kind enough to leave you a clue, I am not your Lady, gentleman"