Maia was taken to the cabin, which she shared with her mother. Before exiting the car, she was handed another envelope placed on her lap by the crown prince, who told her to respond properly and promptly in a cold voice. She reached for the door handle, but he pulled her back and grabbed her chin, cradling her face with his smooth, soft hand. The feeling inside her started to swell at his touch. She felt like he was fire. "I want you," he said with a soft expression before releasing her.
Maia stood outside the cabin that sat alone on the dirt road; candlelight beaming from the windowsill, still visible from the street, seemed to cast a dark shadow that mimicked how she felt at that moment. Maia read the letter and painfully laughed, then crumbled the paper in her hand and shoved it deep into her pocket as tears tickled the rim of her eyes. "This would be a lot easier if I had never been on that train." her words hung as a bitter echo of the day she first met the prince. Her naivety woven her into the hands of the crown prince. She laughed harder as she ascended the wooden creaking stairs, taking a seat on the last step.
***
"All abroad"
Passengers were rushing to get on the train. Maia squeezed her way through the commotion, almost slipping on the icy surface. She purchased her ticket at the last minute after receiving news that the lead in the upcoming play had been sick and couldn't perform. However, since broken pipes flooded the Sienna Theatre, the play was going to be held at the Frankston Theatre in Boulder, a four-hour train ride from the capital.
The train was so packed with various riders that maia felt suffocated and shuffled her way through the train cart, bumping into people and excusing herself. She approached the meal train cart, which was only half full of customers. "Miss, you could only be in this cart if you purchase something," an attendant said as she sat in a booth. "I will have a hot chocolate," she said softly. "Very well," the attendant smiled.
The cart slowly emptied as they made three stops. Maia was singing in a hushed voice, rehearsing her scene and cues, lightly tapping her shoes. A man walked through the cart wearing a pair of navy slacks and a collared white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and unbuttoned at the top. His disheveled appearance vastly differed from how elegantly he moved with unhurried steps. Taking a seat in the booth across the aisle from her, he nestled into the booth, closing his eyes and crossing his arms.
Maia turned towards the window and started to sing again, even quieter, but this time, it came off as an airy whisper rather than a singing voice. She stopped for a minute and looked back at the man, who seemed to be asleep. She sang a little more precisely, turning back to the passing silage.
"Miss, you will have to buy something or move to another cart," the attendant interrupted again.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she rustled in her seat, picked up her wool coat, and pulled out two coins. "Another hot chocolate and a cake, please," maia said, not wanting to leave the comfort of a noncrowded cart. The attendant placed a teacup on the gentleman's table, which he drank and nestled back into his seat.
Moments passed as Maia periodically looked over at the sleeping gentleman, taking in his features. He looked muscular, refined, and clean-shaven. His tousled, pitch-black hair complemented his complexion.
"With the hole you are burning in my face, I can't help but wonder if there's something on it?" he remarked through lidded eyes.
'Is he talking to me?' Maia wondered.
As if reading her mind, he tilted his head and spoke matter of factly, "Yes, you," his thick eyelashes open, showcasing his clouded grey eyes, staring directly at her.
Perhaps it was nerves, but her voice hitched when she apologized sincerely for disturbing him.
"Well," he started, directing his hand towards the seat across him as if he wanted her to join. "If you're truly apologetic, have a seat with me," maia reluctantly obliged to his invention.
Maia, Sitting across from the man, could see that he was younger than he appeared, but not wanting to be caught staring again, she looked away out the window.
"Your eyes love to wonder, I see," he mockingly said, watching her. Maia's face was flushed red with his retort. She turned her attention back to the gentleman sitting before her and leaned back into the chair's plushness while caressing the chair seat with nervous hands.
"Are you traveling for work," she asked, trying to make conversation.
"You could say that," he responded, "im always working," he grunted, unwinding back into his seat with his arms still folded and closing his eyes once again.
Not knowing how to carry on a conversation, Maia sat there quietly, glancing at him, which the gentleman didn't mind because he was genuinely exhausted. The waiter interrupted the lengthy silence, placing the hot chocolate and cake on the table. "Would you like me to refresh your tea, your-?" the waiter was interrupted by the gentleman waving his hand in response. The waiter hurried away, leaving them back to their discussion.
"So," the gentleman broke, adjusting himself and looking at the red-headed girl who was taking a small bite of the cake, "may I ask your name?".
"M Maia," she studdered, swallowing the cake.
"Ah, lady maia," he declared, turning towards the window. "I heard you sing; your voice is quite beautiful." His careless expression differed from his compliment, but maia thanked him anyway. "What is your reason for traveling, lady maia?" he asked, gazing at her and noticing the white cream on her cheek. He gave her a slight grin, holding in his laughter.
Unknowing her mishap, Maia smiles back in response, telling the gentleman, "I've just been given the leading role in a play at the last minute, so I have to hurry because tonight is opening night."
"What theatre will you be performing at?" he casually asks with his arms still tucked.
"The Frankston Theatre"
The waiter returned with a fresh cup of tea, and they continued their sporadic conversation as the train scenery suddenly changed. Maia told the gentleman about her joining the Sienna Theatre and how it was a lifelong dream of hers to make it to the Valorian Theatre, where the most prestigious performers perform in The city of Hodge, which is the heart of the artistic world. She became more relaxed as he allowed her to talk uninterrupted. Maia suddenly leaned towards the window, a new town coming into view. The gentleman watched as she cracked a smile. "If I had one wish, it would be to travel the world and see other talents and shows," Maia said while turning to the gentleman, "music and dance are beautiful. They can tell you happy stories or sad stories," she finished passionately.
"That's an exceptionally ambitious dream and wish you have, lady, Maia," the gentleman complimented her, making her feel confident. "Well, lady maia," he cut short, looking at his watch as he rose from his seat, straightening out his suit, "it seems our gathering will have to come to a close."
"so soon!" Maia broke as she looked up at him. He smiled. "I wish you well on your journey, lady Maia, the world's greatest songstress," he added playfully, turning away and strollin' back to the cart from which he came.
As Maia turned to gaze out the train window, the landscape passing by in a blur, she felt a flicker of regret wash over her. In a soft whisper meant only for herself, she murmured, "I didn't get his name."