Ophelia's POV
I stayed up an unhealthy amount trying to look for a way to close the barrier and for some reason I couldn't find it.
It's not like I expected to find a book titled, "How to close the shadow barriers:A step by step routine," but I also did.
I consider myself a fast reader and a rather avid one at that but in the end my reading has limits.
The only reason I chose to use this library specifically is the fact that the dragon born dwell on magic and fire but the magic was the main one. The Phoenix born also dwell on fire but more than dragon born so it was only reasonable I used this library.
I was there for so long, but did I find anything? Of course not, silly.
When I was half asleep and finally about to sleep my mother knocked on my door and told me we had a charity ball. Listen I am all for helping people but did I have to be told this now, when I was sleep deprived.
"Why didn't you inform me prior to the actual day of the ball?!" I asked as she helped me look through the dresses in my wardrobe.
"I don't know,"she pulled a ball gown out. "What about this?" She asked, putting it in front of her and I just shrugged. I genuinely did not care what I wore, because sleep was the only thing I was thinking about.
"When is it?"
"In the evening, why?" She replied and I nodded.
"Good, I have enough time to sleep,"I crawled into bed and wrapped myself I'm the blanket.
"Please shut the door on your way out, mother, thank youuu,"and I slept.
************************************************
I woke up…no I was awoken by my childhood maid saying I hade to get ready.
"Princess Ophelia, you have to get ready," she said calmly, but I just wrapped my blanket tighter around myself.
"Isla,"I groaned but she just grabbed my blanket and yanked it of me. If any other person did it, it would have been considered treasonous but Isla was like my grandmother…who was currently living on the mountains with my grandfather and other set of grandparents. I had to visit them soon.
I got up, "I'm going to take a bath," I told her and she nodded.
After I was done in the bathroom I came out in a towel wrapped around me and a bonnet on my head, I didn't want my hair to get wet.
I put on my undergarments and right at that moment, as if on cue Isla knocked on the door.
"Come in,"I say and she does so with two other maids tailing behind her.
They helped me put on all the layers beneath my dress and then pulled the corset so tight I could not breathe. They had to loosen it else the charity ball would have turned to a mourning ball, with them mourning my death by suffocation.
I finished getting dressed, then they did my makeup. Now, I am a huge fan of make-up, I love getting dolled up, but I am also lazy, so they contradict themselves. I also preferred doing my own make-up, but I won't bore you with tales of my laziness.
They moved on to my hair which was arguably avoidable. It would have been way easier to leave my hair down, but what did they do? They did an updo with way to many parts that needed to be wrapped.
Everything was topped of by my Alkazarian tiara. I have three tiaras, one for Alervan, one for Alkazar and one made specially for me for events that every kingdom would be present.
I looked at myself in the mirror with a smile and at that moment they all exited my room.
My mother walked in slowly and she was all smiles and giggles, "You look beautiful firefly," she put her hands on my shoulders endearingly.
"Thank you mother," I smiled back.
"We have to make our entrance soon."
"I'll meet you in front of the ball room," I told her and she nodded.
"Meet me in ten minutes."
"Okay," and she left.
I came out of my room and Sage was standing there already dressed in his guard uniform.
"Good evening your highness," he gave me his signature small smile that was just for me.
"Evening," I replied, returning the smile.
"What?" I questioned when I saw him staring at me, but he just stepped closer.
"You look absolutely fetching," he whispered as he caressed my face.
As he looked into my eyes, I felt my cheeks go red and at that moment if he asked me to jump with the same whisper, I would have asked, "how high."
He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my cheek, he pulled away and for a second neither of us moved, his face was barely an inch away from mine
,"I have make- up on,"I breathed.
"When has that ever stopped me,I haven't kissed you the whole day, your highness, have mercy on this poor peasant," with that he crashed his lips on mine and bear in mind we were still in my hallway. Anyone could walk in on us, at any given moment.
Long story short, I had to clean my lipstick and then reapply it.
I met my mother just in time in front of the ballroom, although I had to teleport both I and Sage to get there.
Two guards stood at both sides of the gigantic double door, and my mother's personal guard; Eryx stood a few feet away from her on her left.
I stood next to her and the chamberlain announced our presence in their usual very loud fashion that ensured everyone present heard.
Sage and Eryx stood on opposite sides of the room at the wall opposite the door like dutiful guards.
Barely a couple minutes after we make our entrance, multiple noblewomen surround me.
"Your highness," an elegant voice greeted,as she curtsied.
"Lady Beaumont," I acknowledged.
"You look absolutely ravishing, your highness."
"Thank you, you look beautiful,"I returned the compliment with a smile.
"Your highness, good evening," a high-pitched voice greeted and I turned to my left to see the owner.
"Lady Ellington."
"Your highness, my father intends to hold a charity gathering, obviously it shan't compare to the grandeur of this magnificent ball but it would be marvelous if you could attend," Lady Beaumont said extremely quickly before Lady Ellington could say anything else.
"Have a letter of the date sent to the palace and I shall contemplate on my attendance," her eyes lit up and she nodded.
"Of course, your highness."
"Princess Ophelia,good evening," another noblewoman spoke and I was getting tired of hearing' your highness,' so this was welcomed.
"Duchess Ashbury."
"How do you do? your highness,"she questioned.
"I am well duchess. How is your health?"
"I am in good shape. Thank you for asking your highness," she smiled.
At that moment the door opened and in walked Lady Michelle Harrington, who was looking directly at me.
She walked towards where I stood with a smile plastered on her face.
"Your highness," she curtsied, smile never fading.
"Well if it isn't my favorite moon Voyager," I smiled back. In Alkazar, 'moon voyager,' basically meant someone who traveled at night.
"In the flesh, your highness," my best friend replied.
As we chatted away, I felt someone's presence behind me. I turned around and was met by a man.
"Your highness," he greeted.
"Lord Grafton, good evening," I replied.
"May I have this dance?" He asked.
I looked over his shoulder to the side where Sage stood and saw him glaring at him, looking ready to commit murder.
"While the offer is rather tempting, I have to deny it on the count of my sub-par dancing skills," I lied, I am an amazing dancer, but I prayed he would get the hint…He did not.
"Your highness, no need to be humble, the entire kingdom is aware of how good a dancer you are," Oh in the name of the realms.
"Well I am feeling a tad under the weather," I lied, I am half Phoenix born, the Phoenix born hardly ever got sick and they healed so injuries were out of the equation.
"Just one dance your highness," This man can seriously not take a hint.
I could have said, "No, leave me alone, you pest," but I said, "fine," and did my best to avert from Sage's eyes.
I literally did not touch him the entire time we danced and every time my eyes met Sage's I looked away so quickly I nearly hurt my eyes.
After the dance finish I could not get away from him fast enough.
"Did you have fun?" Lady Harrington asked on the verge of bursting into laughter.
"Not at all," I replied.
"I could tell you looked so uncomfortable,"and she started laughing at me. I am very insulted.
"Michelle stop it, I am very insulted," I rolled my eyes.
"You know I love you," she tried to lean in and hug me but I just moved and she started laughing again.
The ball came to an end and the attendees slowly trickled out, even Michelle had gone and I was tired of the social interaction. I was honestly proud that I managed to remember all their names.
I teleported to my room without Sage. You could say I was running, why? I have no idea, sometimes my actions baffle me.
I got in my room, took off my dress, took a bath and changed into a nightgown.
While I was braiding my hair I heard a knock on my door, "come in," I told whoever it was. Worst case scenario; It was a killer who came to infiltrate the palace and I was content with the odds.
Sage walked in and closed the door, then proceeded to lock us both inside.
"Oh Sage hello," I would love to think I did not sound nervous but I most likely did.
"Why do you sound nervous?" he asked, staring down at me. If I was not nervous before I sure am now.
"Me? Nervous? Never," I drawled.
"Did you do anything wrong by chance?" He cocked a brow.
"Of course not."
"Really?" He questioned again as he leaned against the wall next to my vanity.
"Okay in my defense I didn't want to dance with him and I did throw hints that I didn't want to dance but he didn't seem to pick them up…wait, wait, wait. Are you jealous?" I stop my rambling to ask him.
"Yes," I heard him say simply and I was awestruck.
"What did you just say?" I ask wide eyed, maybe I heard wrong.
He stopped leaning and walked towards me and there I was seated with bated breath.
"Yes, your highness, I am jealous," At that moment I could have sworn he was staring into my soul. I was shocked, flabbergasted and every other word that was synonymous. Yes you could argue that there were only two answers to be expected, a 'yes' or a 'no' but nothing could have prepared me for that answer.
"O - Oh," like I said had no idea how to react.
"Now, your highness, "he took my hand and pulled me up.
"No one touches you," he breathes against my ears as he wraps his hands against my waist pulling me closer.
"What?" I am asking that question alo.
"No. One. Touches. You." before I can even think of a reply his lips are on mine and I completely agree with him.
He lifts me on top of my vanity but his lips never leave mine, he really has a thing for lifting me unto tables.
"Say it."
"No one touches me, except you," I pant out.
"Good," and his lips are on mine again.