A bit earlier than what I expected.....
Oh well just give your thanks to Shadow since he did this last night.
=
Chapter 4
“Brother~”
The first one to pull me over to the center of the hall was my sister. Looks like this would be another one of her request, It seems that the little devil was able to evade her punishment and persuaded mom on letting her join the dance
Arriving at the center of the hall, she curtsied and held her hand in front of her gesturing for me to take the lead.
I took her hand and slowly moved my body according to tune of the piece.
The music that the musicians are playing was slow and had nice tempo, suitable for people who are dancing for the first time, specially for a little girl like Sophia.
Corresponding to the tempo of the music I lead Sophia around the floor.
Handling her body gently I made sure that the errors she made would not be noticed by the crowd...
With every step and turn I made sure that there were no mistakes, no missteps, no pause everything in one single motion.
As fluid as the flowing water and as elegant as a wading swan on still water, I made perfectly sure that after tonight they would never forget my cute devilish little sister..
I turned my gaze to her to see that she was smiling happily as we danced around the floor.
Her bright smile coupled with her attire really made her look like a fairy dancing around the room captivating people that saw her.
As the conclusion of the piece that the musicians played came, my dance with my Sophia also ended.
The hall suddenly exploded as the guest that watched our dance gave us a thunderous applause.
Looking around it seems that it was only the two us were dancing at the piece that the musicians played.
Sophia wasn’t surprised at the sudden attention she has gathered and did another curtsy at our guest.
“Brother can you grant one last request of mine tonight” after honoring our audience that was entertained by our dance, she then turn around and look at me…
“Hmm… of course why not”
I’ve already did 2 of them anyway adding one more shouldn’t be a problem.
“Then can you … …. ...”
Well this is odd, for once it seems she’s shy about something...
“Ehh? can you repeat that again.”
since her voice got lower as she talked I moved my head closer so I could her request.
I was expecting another selfish request from her but what came was something unexpected,
“Thank you for being my brother and please spoil me more from now on”
Using her two hands she grabbed my face and placed a soft kiss on my cheeks.
Spoil her from now on? She really did ask for something selfish but…
“Didn’t I told something like that before we came here?”
“Hehe but that one has a condition this one doesn’t and besides what’s so bad if I act the way I wanted to anyway? ” she said as she look at me with her big black eyes
“Well there nothing bad about it but...”
“So it ok right or is brother backing out on his word?”
Uhmmm... why am I getting cornered here?
Sigh*“fine I’ll do as you say”
“Hehe Thank you brother… and oh brother...”
“What? I thought that was the last of it?”
“Of course that was the last but..”
She had a huge grin as she raised her hand poked my face with her fingers…
“Your face is turning red”
This little…
“AND WHOSE FAULT DO THINK THIS IS!”
For the second time the hall exploded in a commotion but unlike the first time where it was due to our guest applauding our dance this time around were laughters due to our bantering.
From the looks of it, the people around us must have heard our conversation, it must be due to seeing Sophia’s action that the hall became quite making our voices more perceptible to those around us.
She smiled unfazed and said to me “Un~ with that, the people that have gathered have bared witness your promise with your little sister, If you break it, I’m sure the people here will question your leadership when you become king” saying so she moved away from me and…
“Hogging you all to myself tonight would be too selfish~ of me, so with this thank you for the dance brother and please do enjoy your night~” made her through the crowd while saying this goodbye’s
Hahahaha
Before I could properly process everything that happened, it seem like that I’ve did something irrevocable. My room, mom and the dance everything was planned. If she’s like this when she’s young I don’t how she’ll grow in the future…
Realizing that I was played by my sister, I tried to move away from the center of the hall but before I could do that…
“Your highness please dance with me next”
Pleas for me to accompany them for the next piece came from parents and girls that were two to three years older. I can’t just turn them since I don’t really have a good reason to do it which forced me to entertain some of them
It looks like it’s gonna be long night…
At the 2nd floor balcony, Argus is warmly looking over at the scene where Alexander was getting pulled on by different guests asking him to accompany them to a dance.
Satisfied, he brought the wine glass that held a white translucent liquid to his mouth, savoring the smell and taste of the hundred year old liquor he then started a conversation with the guest that appeared behind him.
“Did you enjoy the party Cyrus.”
“I did your majesty.”
Argus frowned, hearing his long time friend’s answer made his mood sour.
“Do you really have to be so uptight even in this situation, Cyrus” placing the wine glass on the stone railing he turned around to look at him.
“As a soldier, it is natural to have a proper courtesy when facing the king”
“Then how about as a friend?”
“I can only do that in ‘private’”
Understanding his concerns Argus released a subtle amount of mana, this kind of amount wouldn’t attract anyone’s attention since the amount he just released was only capable of activating a harmless ability but with it he was able to do two things, first was to encase the two of them in a wall of wind that blocked sound from moving in and out of it, second was to make a small spark explode, sending an unnoticeable heatwave for around three to a six-meter radius, checking for any signs of anyone hiding from his perception.
A few seconds after he released his mana, sensing that there wasn’t anyone nearby he gestured Cyrus to talk.
“So how did his highness conversation with the two dukes fare?”
“It was okay, the two were able to hide their fangs from one another but its still isn’t that surprising since the two them were standing at two different locations of the hall”
“Yes it would be another story if the two of them were huddled up in single location though...”
The Dukes of Zhery and Trares hated each other to the point that if that a simple misunderstanding in their word would light fight between the two, this was a fact only known to those that have interacted with the them simultaneously.
“Then, this should surprise you then...” Argus said while having a large grin on his face, “ the old fart tried to amend his relationship with Belmont by inviting him out on a drink”
“!!!”
“Well, the two still duked it out in the end though, including the tavern they were drinking on it would seem that their fight destroyed half of a city that the old fart governed but because of it Belmont was able to find a nice gift for Alexander. ”
“I see...” hearing the inevitable outcome, the surprise that Cyrus felt at first slowly resided, “But a slave huh, did he make sure that the slave has no connection with Duke Quin?”
“Yes, he even did a complete background check on the slave and the trader”
“Well, it should be fine then..”
saying so he walked near the stone railing and looked over, as the dance was still going on.
Argus followed suit and held the glass that he placed on the railings with his right hand
“It’s a shame that your daughter wasn’t able to come though”
“I can’t help it, the girl is as stubborn as a mule, once she decides to do something she won’t take it back...”
“So~ is that also the reason for the scratch on your face...”
Even though the wound wasn’t as prominent as the scar on his face, Argus could still see some faint traces of a ‘scratch’ from his daughter’s spar, of course that scratch didn’t came from something mediocre like her nails or the likes, it should’ve came from a sword wound but for 7 year old girl to land a hit on Ifi’s Tyrannical Weapon’s Master she must’ve been really good.
“Yeah… It would seem that she really is my daughter since she’s learning to hold a sword so quickly-”Cyrus replied with a flat tone.
“Haha~ your the same as Keena. What so bad about letting your kids learn how to defend themselves anyway, sooner or later they are bound to learn it...”
“You… No wonder Keena always complain about your behavior in raising your kids...”
Remembering how Keena usually visits his wife to complain about how Argus spoil his children made him sigh.
The reason why he took on the title of the duke and to establish his name as one of the 3 supporting family within Ilfis, even though he didn’t want to carry a heavy responsibility wasn’t only because Argus asked him to but was also because he didn’t want his daughter to experience to hold a sword and in up a war like he did years ago.
But the daughter that he was bent on protecting was moving on different path that he wanted her to walk. Inheriting the same stubbornness as her mother he can only surrender and instruct her with the techniques that he forged in combat hoping that with it, she can somehow survive through the ordeal that she might face in the future.
“Oh and speaking about Keena, how’s your preparation about her request coming?”
“I’m almost done with Instructing Rozalin, In a month I should be able to finish my preparation and comply with her request”
“Thats good to hear.”
Argus Replied with simple words
“On the topic about daughters, didn’t Duke Belmont brought his daughter with him, today?”
“Ahh... yeah- about that, it would seem that the ‘Vampire Princess’ got bored while waiting for the start of the party and left the hall, from what Belmont said, she should be somewhere on….”
“Fuuu~”
Alexander breath in the cold night’s air as he stood in front of the entrance of castle’s garden maze.
He had spent about an hour entertaining his guests, which ended with him dancing for a couple of song with girls young and old until he was worn out. If it wasn’t for his father’s meddling, he would have still be dancing inside.
Tired, he tried to go to his room and sleep but with the sound of the boisterous celebration from the Great hall was still audible even from his room making it hard for him. So with that, he decided to go out of castle and take in some fresh air at the castle’s garden.
The maze was made by a tall hedge, standing around 10 feet and with a collection of complicated pathways and dead ends. If someone who doesn’t know his way around it enters, it would take them for about a day or two before they find the exit.
But for Alex who made this maze a playground for him and Sophia, he is able to to enter the maze and find its exit in around an hour or so but what he was aiming for wasn’t exit but the center of the maze. At the center of this complex maze was a small clearing and a small flower garden that only grows one specific flower that bloom brightly during the night.
‘Brightly’ since this specific flower collects light from the sun in it’s petals during the day and releases it during the night. While the flower releases the light that It collected, the light passes through the flower’s blue translucent petals creating a peaceful scene, making those watch at it feel at ease. The light last until the twin moons hangs at the topmost peak from the sky, which was usually around midnight, which is also the origin of the flowers name “Midnight Flower” or “Aphophis’s Flower” which means “The flower that only blooms under the moon”.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
After turning left for the last time Alexander arrived at the center of the maze that was being illuminated by midnight flowers, this scene was something that he expected but among the clusters of flowers that grew abundantly was a girl standing at the center of the patch.
The girl must’ve noticed his arrival since she turned around and greeted him with a smile
“Oh! I didn’t expect that someone would be here in this hour” the girl said looking at Alexander with her red crimson eyes.
From Alexander’s observation the girl was five to ten centimeters taller, determining her age to be two years older than him, her pair of strong and confident crimson eyes and her long golden blond hair that reached her waist was something that was more of a marker to her identity.
“I too didn’t expect that a Duke’s daughter would wonder around in here in the middle of the party” Alexander said confidently
“Oh! It would seem that the rumors about the prince being a clever is quite true”
“And you’re basing that on?”
“It’s quite simple...”
The girl said reaching her hand out to him which made Alexander confused by her actions, curious, he tried to question her but before he could voice out his question, something quickly passed by him.
That something, was a black bat that gently landed on the girls fingers, hanging upside down and as if it was made from Ice the bat slowly melted with the liquid like substance dripping from it merging with the girl shadow.
As this spectacle made Alexander stare at her in awe the girl then slowly talked “This occasion is for the celebration for his Highness the prince 5th birthday, while I was inside I memorized all the faces of the guest that attended including the kids that came with them, at first I thought that your family must’ve came in late since you weren’t there earlier but I then dismissed it...”
With the bat completely merged with her shadow the girl then slowly walked toward his direction
“Your attitude, the way that you addressed me was quite brazen knowing that I came from a family of higher status second to the royal family which suggested that you also must’ve came from a Duke’s family or higher but as I’ve said before, a duke is only second to the royal family so either you came from a Duke’s house or a part of the Royal Family itself comparing the two, the later has a higher chance with the other...”
“And with my shadow that I left at maze's entrance I was able track your movement inside this maze, locating the center of it a minute earlier than I was.”
The girl stopped a few steps away from Alexander and then, she bowed her head and holding the two end of her magenta colored gown, she did an elegantly curtsy.
“Your age, status and your familiarity with this maze, lead me to think that you must be his prince Alexander or are you going to deny it and tell me that you're the caretaker of this garden dressed in that clothing?” she jokingly added
Alexander didn’t change, minus the bowtie that he took off since it was getting uncomfortable for him, he was wearing the same attire he wore during the party.
“No, you right...”
With all of those facts that the girl said it was hard to deny all of it, not like he was going to deny it though.
“Then prince, please let me introduce myself, I am Rushella Drakul De Trares as you’ve guessed I am the daughter of the Duke Belmont, pleased to be of your acquaintance prince”
“For someone who said my actions were quite bold aren’t you doing the same?”
“I just don’t like all the unnecessary pleasantries that’s all” The girl honestly answered.
Usually, “your highness” “his or her highness” and such were the proper terms in addressing the prince and princess of royalties, while on the other hand addressing a royalty to their corresponding titles is still within the bonds of etiquette but only individuals that are close to them are able to call them that lightly.
“Since you don’t like it, it’s fine if you call me by my name and in return is it okay if I call you by yours?” seeing the girl… Rushella was being familiar with him, Alexander found it better if Rushella calls her by his name rather than feeling uncomfortable being called “Prince” all the time...
“Understood, then I’ll call you Alex from now on” she replied, even shortening his name.
“Ale… nevermind, do you mind if I join you in enjoying the scene?”
“I don’t and besides it was getting a bit lonely with just me around enjoying this view, so having someone to watch it with would be splendid” Rushella replied...
With Rushella’s permission, Alexander walked to a spot that he usually use when watching the midnight flowers bloom, moving to where it was, Alexander then sat there with his back leaning against the hedge with Rushella following suit, sitting a few centimeter away from him.
With the two of them like that...
Time slowly passed with the two of them peacefully enjoying the flowers bloom.
Although this was their first meeting and there were things that they wanted to ask each other
but looking at the flowers that were blooming, the two them thought…
“I’ll ask after this is over...”
For now they just wanted to enjoy the calm-silence and beauty that they are looking on.
Not talking was their way of not breaking the serenity they are currently experiencing...
By doing so they hoped that time would stop… forever, so that they... could somehow forget their current situation…
But...
But time wouldn’t stop by just wishing for it to
So Instead of stopping...
It moved slowly… slowly, just for the two, it moved ever... so…. slowly…
Knowing that time won’t stop for them…
And knowing that working for their wishes for it come true…
was better than waiting for it happen…
Each of them vowed to strive to see their dreams to come true…
For Rushella it was something… Trivial
Something so insignificant… so superficial… so… simple, that if someone hears it…
They might just laugh at her…
But for her who has a responsibility to her race.
It was something that she had to abandon.
But for a girl like her, she still hoped that... someday…
It may come true…
And for Alexander, It was something that was deemed…
Impossible from the very beginning…
Even with all the Wealth...Fame…and influence.
Even with the warmth of a family that he had once forgotten...
Every time he closes his eyes and dreams…
He always see the same dream.
Eating breakfast with the person that took care of him after his parent’s death...
Going to school and being bossed by the girl that he hated but…
also loved…
And then fulfilling it with a kiss under the evening sunset...
only to end on that same day on a stormy night...
Wakin’ up everyday for the last years with the same end
Made his longing resolve stronger… made him think…
That even if it was impossible…
With the help of magic…
With the help of something that ‘that reality’ didn’t have
and with it, He will go to their side to fulfill his promise.
And with that the two of them silently vowed in their hearts that no matter what, one way or another, the two of them will fulfill their Desires..
Cah! Cah! Cah!
A sharp cry of an animal suddenly broke the silence that they were experiencing.
Alexander frowned as he search for the origin of the noise, while Rushella stood up from her position and just like before raised her hands in front of her..
Alexander already expected what would happen seeing her next action.
Moments later a crow that two times bigger than normal came from the bustling castle and landed on her arms.
And with her back facing Alexander,she talked softly with the crow.
The crow only looked at Rushella for a moment and then flew off to where it came.
With the crow gone, Rushella turned around.
“It would seem that my 12th o’clock has arrived and the magic that my fairy god mother has casted on me will now disappear, I enjoyed your presence Alex but It is time that I must leave.” using a soft voice she bid her farewell to Alexander.
Alexander stood and did a courteous bow
“I too enjoyed your presence… so does her lady needed an escort to get out of this maze” he jokingly added
Even though it was short amount of time he really did in all of the essence of the word enjoyed it.
Though they didn’t talk much during their time when they watched the midnight flowers bloom, just sitting beside each other was enough to tide over their curiosity to one another.
“Fufu~” seeing his action, a stifled laughter came from her; “My it looks like his highness is quite the gentleman but it’s fine I already remember my way out of here and before I leave...”
Declining his offer, she then stopped talking midway.
Alexander raised his head to see what was stalling her only to be surprised. The distance between them shortened with her hand reaching out and holding his cheeks.
“My gift to the birthday celebrant” saying so, she blocked Alexander’s lips with hers…
and as fast as their lips touched one another that too was how fast it ended.
“I don’t have anything that will fancy your interest which is why I hope that my lips should suffice for a gift” she said, as she look at him mischievously.
It would seem that she was satisfied with Alexander’s reaction to her sudden gift that she left while almost skipping her steps a few times leaving him in a daze.
Different from the time with Sophia, where he only felt embarrassment due to his sister antics. When Rushella and his lips touched an image of ‘her’ suddenly flashed through his thoughts which tightly gripped his heart making him feel guilty about what he just did, even though the one who initiated it wasn’t him.
Which made him realize that even though his relationship with her only lasted for a short moment, his feelings for her was already buried... lodge deeply inside his soul.
Realizing this, it only made his resolve stronger and he slowly review his plans for the future.
Letting his body fall, he lay down with his limbs sprawled on the grass, with the midnight flowers blooming around him his gaze was locked up on the night skies, where the twin crescent moons with the countless stars were glowing brightly along the carpet of darkness.
Looking at that scene, he closed his eyes, recreating his last moments of his life on that other reality. Ignoring the cold, discomfort and weakness that he felt as his consciousness faded, Filtering the sounds that he heard until he could only hear one familiar voice…
“Please don’t leave me--”
It was weak and fable far from her usual confident voice, as if she was chanting a prayer, her pleas kept repeating and repeating until it became distorted because of her sobbings and even though it hurt him so hearing her cry, he still kept repeating it, every plea she made in his mind he would reply with words of comfort and reassurance:
“Please don’t worry”
“Please don’t cry”
And
“Please wait for me”
...
Until he slept, he kept repeating these words in his heart hoping that the person herself would somehow hear them.
===
I don't have anything to rant since I wasn't expecting to post 1 chapter today....
And yeah! as I've said I'll switch to weekly updates from now on there won't be any set date or schedule just that I will release at least 1 chap per week that all over and out!
Thank you for reading!
Impressions, typographical errors, and constructive criticism, anything! I will welcome them in your comments!
Credits to:
JFG - writer and author
Shadow Silence- PR
CIAO~ and best regards from JFG
Edit:
I'm really sorry It looks like I pasted the unedited version of chapter 4 by mistake but I've already fixed it hehehe.... :D Really sorry about that guys it look like I was half asleep while I was posting it.