Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: The Wine Glass

The carpet was laid on the center stairs, and everyone's eyes were on her. Her throat seemed to close in, but she still managed to force out a smile. 

She put one foot over the other and started descending the stairs. Somehow, she felt exhilarated. Alive, even. She couldn't discern what everyone's reactions were, but one thing was for sure: the emperor was seething.

She used to imagine how their reunion would go. Would she cower in fear? Would she beg for mercy? Or would she strut down the stairs with a smile, head high and proud?

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, the nobles on the floor made way for her. Above her was the throne for the royals, overlooking the whole ball. She looked up and met the eyes of the man she had been dying to meet and humiliate. He looked more rugged in person than in his portraits. He looked more sullen, tired, and aged. But if there were some things that hadn't changed, they were his frowning expression and his gold-plated crown. Hera idly wondered how heavy that crown must be for him to not be able to get up on his throne and visit his own daughter. 

But she quickly dismissed such thoughts. After all, this night, she must only have one: royally disgrace her father enough for him to finally get up from his chair.

"My greetings, your imperial majesty." She curtsied gracefully, her right hand raising the hem of her dress while the other reached for her chest. Her attire wasn't a ball gown like what was customary for these events. It had short frills that paraded as a skirt and sleeve. Her legs were on full display as well as her shoulders. Her neckline bore little diamonds that only someone of high status could garner.

Her dress alone was mockery since to wear one that wasn't fit for a grand ball thrown by the emperor himself wasn't honorable. To curtsy with one hand on the chest was her announcing her royal heritage, but for the king who had not publicly addressed her as one, it was a ridicule.

The emperor had not yet responded to her greetings, yet she had already risen and looked him in the eye. Her grin didn't bare her fangs, but it still didn't spare any venom. Her gaze was full of proud mischief, but his was nothing short of resentment and rage.

The crowd was still; all eyes were on the reunion of the ignorant father and the daughter who only existed in rumors. It was a breathless tension that was cut short when the emperor stood up from his throne and left the ball.

Well, the princess thought, that was boring.

She had her expectations, but none of them were fulfilled by her father. Hera could not know if she was disappointed or relieved. Regardless, her audience was certainly amused.

Hera turned to the nobles with a smile. She curtsied the same way to them. Some reciprocated out of reflex, while the others hesitated but ultimately returned the greeting. Once everyone's head was bowed, one grey hue stuck out like a sore thumb. Hera squinted her eyes to make out the person's face in the crowd, but before she could do so, the back has been turned on her. 

Someone's bitter. 

She shrugged off the petty, faceless noble in the crowd and grabbed a glass of champagne. Then, she headed for the palace gates. Since she had done what she came here for, she might as well just leave now.

"Your highness," a voice from behind tailed her on the way out. "Allow me to escort you to your manor."

She didn't stop walking. She sipped on her champagne without looking back because she had a hunch she knew who it was.

"Your highness!" he continued to call out to her.

Shut up, she thought. Why are you so persistent? 

"Pardon me, but I must see to it that you arrive at your manor safely, your highness!" 

She walked through the hallway they used earlier while the knight paced to keep up to her.

"Your highness!"

She sipped one more time, and that had more kick than the previous ones.

"Please, your highness!"

So this is what champagnes taste like… she nodded in amusement. Now, I know why there are alcoholics. 

"Wine glasses are not allowed outside the palace gates!" he shouted all of a sudden, making her stop on her tracks. "—your highness…" 

She turned to finally face him. They were in front of the door she first followed him to. 

"Really?" she asked him with a frown. "Next time, get straight to the point like that rather than spout nonsense about my safety," she paused, "—my lord."

She finished the remaining champagne in her glass in one gulp before raising it to the knight's face, so he would not have any choice but to take it.

Then, she turned to get her cloak. She put it on herself and secured it on her shoulders.

"You highness, please allow me to escort you to your manor," he insisted, putting the glass down on the floor.

Hera looked at the glass beside his shoe. "Is this his majesty's orders?"

He paused, "No–"

"Then, no."

"Your highness!" 

Hera looked at him in shock. Did he just raise his voice at me? 

"Did you just yell?"

He looked down. "I didn't, your highness. That was how I normally talk."

"An octave high?" She raised a brow at him.

He breathed sharply as if annoyed. "Yes, your highness." He kept up his excuse by speaking in the same high volume.

She crossed her arms against her chest. He's crafty, but they both know it's not working. Why can't he just leave her? 

"You do know that adding 'your highness' to your sentences doesn't make them respectful, don't you?"

"Yes, your highness. Forgive me if I crossed the line. I merely wanted to get you home safe and sound."

"Why?"

He looked at her. "It is my duty as a royal knight."

He's a tough cookie, huh?

"How long have you known I was the princess?"

He averted his gaze. "Forgive me, your highness–"

"I asked you a question; answer it."

He closed his eyes as if he was collecting his thoughts. "Ever since I saw you here."

She raised her brow at him. "You sure pretended well."

"I apologize if I have offended you, your highness." He put his feet together and raised his arm to his chest while he bowed his head. It was a knight's respect.

Even Hera admitted that wasn't expected. 

"Fine. Raise your head," she acknowledged his apology. "But I still do not allow you to escort me home. I can go on my own."

"Your highness–"

"I will only go with you if you take me home in your arms." She raised his arms in the air as if she was carrying someone. 

Let's see how you react then-

"As you wish, your highness." He kneeled on one knee and extended his arms to her.

She looked at him like he just grew a second head. "Oh my god, I was kidding! Rise, you dumbo!" Hera held her temples, suddenly wounding up with a headache. 

The knight, on the other hand, stood up as he was instructed. 

"Just go fetch me a carriage!" 

He eyed her suspiciously.

"I won't run away, jeez!"

"Right away, your highness."

He turned away after bowing and moments later, a carriage was brought in the corner. The knight opened the door for her and offered his hand for assistance. Hera, out of mere pride and spite, held onto the carriage instead of accepting his help. 

Empty, he retracted his hand. 

"'Till we see each other again, your highness." He smiled at her before he closed the door.

Simon stayed on where he stood as he watched the princess' carriage disappear in the distance. Once it's barely visible, he heard footsteps approaching him from behind.

He grinned as he crossed his arms on his chest.

"Why didn't you just show yourself?" he asked the shadow behind him. It was leaning on one of the trees with a glass of champagne on hand.

"Why didn't she look for me was the right question, Simon," the shadow corrected him. "Didn't you find it odd?"

He turned to face the shadow. Their eyes met, but neither closed the gap between them. "The princess was cautious, and you couldn't blame her."

"I guess I couldn't." It finished the drink in its glass. "Oh, I'm sorry, it slipped my mind that wine glasses are not allowed outside."

Simon laughed, suddenly ashamed. "I'm not proud of it, but I had to stop her."

"Well," the shadow loosened its grip on the glass until it fell to the floor and shattered. The deafening sound made Simon flinch as he felt the air around him tense. "You should've thought about that first before you let her inside, should you have not?"

Simon stepped back, but the sharp air was faster than him. Before he could move a muscle, the brisk wind had him by the throat and he was thrashing to escape.