Written by: Engydragon
Translated by: Eleanor_Devil
Rose in the Desert
Chapter 3 – Dancing for the Prince
Tante took care of Raf, day and night, when she could, but still the prince had not requested the dancer's presence.
Raf was motionless on a bed of wood, covered with a mattress and a soft red blanket. She was looking at the floor; she couldn't believe everything that had happened. She couldn't believe…
She couldn't understand if she should feel happy to be alive or terrified, because she didn't know yet what the prince was reserving for her.
She touched nervously the embroidery of the dress that had been brought to her. It was of blue silk, embroidered with gold and silver.
Tante had made her wear jewelry and precious bracelets, things with which, she was more than surprised, she had never wore them, but she had seen them on other women, and with those they looked very beautiful! It didn't even cross her mind to steal them, they would have never served to feed her or to live better, but mostly stealing was a thing of real cowards, but not if it was necessary to live…
Tante had been really nice to her, even though Raf, didn't utter a word all the time. Her heart was plagued by constant thoughts.
She could still feel the gaze of the prince. She felt the heat going down her body, shuddering with pleasure, but why!?
She didn't understand and didn't want to think about it, now she didn't want to see the prince, after the snowstorm that he had caused in her soul, but she had to be grateful, after all he had spared her.
But now, she had become his slave, of which her life was in the hands of the prince, and only for an insignificant mistake, he would take it away!
Raf fell to the ground from despair. She knelt down and in despair put her hands on her face drenched in tears.
-Oh mother! What will happen to me now!? Why aren't you still here with me to advise me!-, she cried in despair, as she tried to wipe herself with her wet hands.
Her mother had been a comfort to her in all these years, she always felt her close, she felt that somehow she spoke to her, advised her, but now more than ever she felt alone. Had her mother abandoned her!?
She no longer felt with her, since she had arrived at the palace. Right now that she had an even greater need.
"Come my child, one more effort, don't worry, I'm here…"
-I can't hear you anymore! Where are you!?-
Raf was now slumped to the ground of the room, she was terrified, her breath was hurting her chest…
How she wanted to have a signal, even an insignificant one, but that would help her move forward.
At that moment Tante entered in the room.
-Oh, but what happened to you!?- the woman leaned in towards her and taking her hands, she pulled her up.
She saw her crying and for a moment she felt a deep feeling of sadness, not just in the girl, but also in the room…
-Why are you crying?- she asked her gently, as with her dress she wiped her face.
Raf didn't answer right away, just opened her mouth to moan out some sadness, but touched with her hands to one of Tante's. They were smooth and soft, but thin. They reminded her of her mother's, those which embraced and rocked her.
Tante continued to speak, with a soft and angelic voice. Raf listened and slowly calmed down, rocked by those words.
Raf looked into her eyes. Tante also did it.
The woman understood how the young girl was feeling, frightened, lost and alone. –You feel alone, don't you?- asked Tante again.
Raf nodded.
-I am here, you won't be alone-
-T-Thanks- replied in a low voice Raf but without looking up. She was so little accustomed to say that word that she believed to have lost the ability to do so.
Tante smiled. She knew that she wasn't a bad girl…
-Now stand up dear, or you'll ruin the dress.- said quickly Tante while smiling. Raf did so, but sat down again on the bed.
Tante settled some cloths and blankets that were in the room: -Oh my, what a mess! Those others just give me work!- snorted the woman, while Raf looked at her.
In the room was also a marble bath, of modest size, Tante quickly filled it.
-Dear, come, the prince has asked for your presence this afternoon, he wants you to be perfect for your first meeting with him-
Raf felt as if she had been struck on the heart "T-The prince asked for my presence?-
No, she couldn't meet him! She was afraid, very afraid!
Not even realizing this, Tante took her hand and brought her near the hot tub.
She helped getting undressed and dive into the water.
Maybe it would be good to relax a bit, but her heart didn't stop beating fast and her thoughts were at the mercy of the storm that the eyes, the glance, the face of the prince had provoked her the first time she had been in his presence.
Tante approached the girl and saw the scars on her slender back.
-Must have been a hard life out there right?- asked Tante with a voice slightly sad, remembering her past life.
Raf, rubbed slightly her back and nodded…she didn't want to remember.
-Come on, enough memories; let's get you washed for good, dear- reassured her, Tante, with a sweet voice
Raf remained huddled in a corner of the bath tub, trying to survive again the storm…
Sulfus had just entered in the gold room of the palace. The decoration itself with walls decorated with gold and precious objects adorned the space and gave the name to the room.
Everything inside of it shone and glowed with the light of the sun…
The white marble floor then reflected the image of the beautiful adorned ceiling, golden until the frame supported by arches with silver motifs and alternated gold from others.
At the center of the marble floor was represented a great sun, that with its rays expanded throughout the room.
Sulfus walked slowly admiring the room; it was always nice to look at it in all its glory every time he entered. Waiting for him at the side of the room were his three most faithful servants, including Tante, his nanny.
She smiled at him and he smiled back.
They were all around a long purplish-red sofa, also it decorated with gold! Meanwhile, two servants were holding two big sticks with the top, large feathers that began to shake as soon as Sulfus laid down on the couch.
Tante looked at him: -Are you hungry my prince?-
Sulfus looked at her thoughtfully: -I want these delicious grapes…at least they will make this headache go away!- hurried to say the prince, as he took off his black jacket, remaining bare-chested.
He felt sweaty; the infernal heat of the summer was killing him!
He rubbed his forehead and with a nod asked Tante a cloth that she had between her hands. She handed it to him and he rubbed it along the neck, going down to his chest…it was completely sweaty.
-A little more strength! I'm dying from the heat!- scolded bitterly the two slender servants fanning him.
Sulfus was panting, was it possible that today he felt all this heat! He had to get distracted…
It came to his mind the thief whose life he had saved..she knew how to dance, she had shown it to him and she wasn't so bad either!
Sulfus was invaded by a strange urge to look again at all those beautiful and graceful movements of the young girl. Maybe it hadn't been all wrong to leave her alive.
He looked again at Tante: -I want a show to satisfy my boredom!-
Tante knew immediately that the prince wanted to immediately put to test the girl and lowered her head as a bow and permission, she moved towards the large door, behind which waited three dancers including Raf.
Raf was scared, she felt her heart almost leaving her chest. She felt naked and defenseless; she still remembered the look of the prince on herself.
A pale blue veil covered her face, down from the nose, she wore a blue bra, highly decorated and a light skirt that covered enough…her hair had been caught into a low ponytail and had between her hands a thin layer also blue.
She rubbed her skin and didn't think she had ever felt it so clean and fragrant. Her hair was silky and shiny, like the rays of the sun on a beautiful morning…she could finally admire in its entire splendor.
She touched with her thin and tapered fingers, a teardrop-shaped gem that fell from her forehead, tied by a silver wire that encircled her head.
She felt a couple drops of sweat fall from her forehead, too much tension, too afraid to make mistakes and take risks again! Her mother had abandoned her and she was desperate…
Another dance next to her put her hand on her shoulder: -Don't worry, everything will be fine…- she said.
She was tall, thin, had cinnamon-colored skin and her emerald green eyes stood out of the blue veil that covered her.
Her dark hair hung down over her shoulders adorned with a few beads of gold.
Her face was round and soft, and her eyes had immediately captured the confidence of Raf, which somehow seemed to know for some time.
-How do you know?- asked in a faint voice Raf, almost wanting to learn on her to not faint.
-I don't know, I'm sure – she gave her the most beautiful smile that Raf had ever seen. This infused courage, but she felt Tante's footsteps coming from behind the door, and felt those chills of terror again moving among her body.
"You will dance for me!"
She could still remember ever single word of the prince and constantly felt his gaze on her!
Tante came and slowly opened the door that separated the dancers from the room, where they would be exhibited.
-Come on girls, don't make the prince wait!- said Tante pointing them to go fast inside the golden room where Sulfus, laying down and relaxed waiting to see them dance.
The dancers went into the room, running graceful and Raf again felt the cold touch of marble, on her bare feet. It made her go back.
The three dancers moved to the center of that wonderful room, and felt privileged to perform in that wonderful room…from what he felt around, only a few had the opportunity to be able to enter.
Raf was bewildered by so much wealth, she knew that the Sultan had so much luxury and gold, but her imagination had never thought he could have so much more!
She saw the prince lying like a god on his cloud to admire them, common mortals, dance for him!
Sulfus didn't remove his gaze from the dancer with long golden hair, and was almost dazzled by how the ashes, this beauty was able to bloom!
"There it is my little rose…enchant me again with your dance!" he thought while in the meantime the three dancers were closed like a bud on Saama, the emerald-eyed girl.
Before they started to dance, came two musicians who accompanied the movements of the young girls with music notes.
These arms and hands, made gentle movements, as if the bud was opening up to the light and show all its glory!
The three young girls divided, but not too far away, because after a few steps they met or exchanged, with agile movements, places.
Sulfus eyes were only for that girl, that thief! Yes, her…more than anything else, her body!
Raf, danced without trying to look or touch the prince's gaze, but he seemed interested in something else…she saw that serious look but at the same time eager to touch her and have her in his arms as a prey!
Just thinking about it, Raf blushed, and began to get lost in those thoughts, almost forgetting her steps…but Saama touched her during the dance and Raf recovered from her thoughts.
She had to thank Saama for not having lost concentration, but she didn't feel well at all and this made her feel very bad, she didn't even know how she could continue!
They went on for at least a quarter of an hour, until the prince raised his left hand, asking them to stop both the dancers and the musicians…
Everyone stopped, but Sulfus, took a bunch of grapes and slowly at a grain…the dance was to his liking, but something was wrong.
The juice of the grape teased his mouth and sometimes he would take another, from the dish that was placed next to him. He was meditating…he wanted to have some fun, but the dance was not yet enough!
Something was still missing to satisfy him, but what?!
He ate another grain.
The dancers watched him eat, lying on the beautiful and comfortable purple sofa.
He ate another grain.
Sulfus became pensive and the gaze that turned his face, made the three dancers worry, especially Raf who still panted after the long dance…and fear!
-I want to be alone…-
He ate another grain.
-With her!- he pointed the blonde dressed in blue, his rose in the desert…
He smiled mischievously, his face obscured by the feathers that the two servants waved at him.
Raf, had a moment of panic and her legs trembled. She would have fallen to the ground but Saama took her by the arm: -Everything will be fine, my friend- she tried to hide a slight hint of concern in her voice…
The servants, musicians and dancers left the golden room.
Now the heat was less insistent and Sulfus continued to look at Raf with his topaz eyes…she was wonderful!
-Proceed! I want a beautiful and sensual dance, satisfy me!- he told her in an interested and anxious tone.
He wanted to feel the pleasure once again, watching the girl dancing gracefully…
Those hips, those legs, those breasts, those lips and that look…everything about her excited him! He just felt uncomfortable to think about this, because she was thief and he couldn't have a relationship with someone of her rank! What would have thought his father if he had discovered that a dancer, a thief, had created a storm of love in the heart of his son? He, Sulfus, the prince of the heart of ice, melted before…that wonderful creature!
Sulfus was frustrated and the only thing that could be done to relax him was to see Raf dance…
Raf hesitated for a moment before beginning, but then moved a foot and began moving, trying with the body, to make coordinated and harmonious movements.
She took two and three steps towards the right, making a slow spin on herself and gently laid down her arms, as if they were pure wings. She raised them and took two steps towards the prince, there she stopped and with harmony moved her hips to the left and to the right attracting Sulfus' gaze.
The prince moved on the sofa excited, seeing that belly movement…
She was so close and the prince's hands simmered from wanting to touch that pure, smooth skin.
Raf, moved three steps backwards, spinning on herself and making the blue veil dance that charmed the prince's attentive look. Sometimes, on the girl's face, showed a small smile…perhaps more than fear, Raf, liked to dance for the prince, maybe for some hidden reason, knowing that somehow, he, appreciated her, made her feel finally no longer meaningless.
Sulfus felt her sweaty body, each time that the blue eyes of the girl met his, examining the veil across her face. He felt his body tense and anxious for something that he would never be able to achieve.
The girl stopped and stretched the bust, waving gracefully her slender arms and the veil as if they were a crystallized wave! Slowly, she returned to the first pose and moved her hands on her chest, bringing them to her heart and sank slowly on the floor of the room, kneeling.
The hands slide down along the chest and breasts of the girl and she went back to agitate the veil with harmony, and then, wrapped it around herself, as she stood up.
At the end of the dance, Raf, finished raising her hands as a gesture of mercy to heaven, but her gaze was focused on the prince. A look, no longer terrified, but troubled by something inside was gnawing her soul, insatiable and voracious.
The prince felt the same thing; a blizzard inside of them was in full progress. It seemed stronger and stronger!
Both were born into a world full of deceptions and disappointments, where life could have seemed a beautiful golden palace filled with infinite wealth, rather than finding out that everything around them was just an illusion of the great human sin and that the only anchor of salvation, were the feelings lowly considerate and futile, which are an immense power and can heal every disease of the soul…but which ones?
The hard and cold spirit of Sulfus, had made him resist for very long to this illusion, but this girl was the proof that not just the luxury, wealth and unbridled pleasure were the only things to have a perfect life…for a pure soul!
Sulfus understood immediately, through Raf's large and blue eyes, all the pain she was feeling in that moment…
Sulfus' heart began to beat and his face became worried. Raf had lowered her face and arms. Breathe heavily and fell to the floor on her knees, crying.
The prince saw the scene, but remained motionless, while she continued to cry.
She too had seen what was in the prince's soul. He was tormented by something inexplicable as hers…but he could be healed, while she was by now weak, her soul was tired and suffering for many years!
The prince looked at her, now, with a distressed look, even his eyes were wet with tears, but something inside of him, held him back from freeing his torment.
He stood up from the purple sofa and walked to the girl at the center of the sun…
He didn't kneel down towards the girl, but he contemplated her from high, as she cried, Sulfus moved an arm towards her.
"The young thief was crying on the floor, after having been found touching the food of the feast in honor to Sulfus' ten years. He sobbed and had even tried to escape after being discovered, but they had caught him.
-I was hungry!- he kept repeating crying. He must have had more or less the same age as Sulfus.
The young prince was witnessing the scene…embracing Tante's legs, scared, while she looked at the scene powerless to do something for the poor boy.
The Sultan looked at him irritated and sore and with a dry gesture of his hand, he decided the sentence of the child…he kept crying, while one of the servants, his mother, desperate, tried to persuade the Sultan to spare him, saying that he was only a child.
Sulfus at that time, moved and walked away from Tante and with a piece of bread in his hands, walked towards the crying child.
-Here- he told him with simplicity and purity, that only a child possessed. The other, looked up and the prince saw his thin face and battered from not resting and lack of eating.
He was going to take it, wiping away the tears, while everything quietly assisted the scene. But then the Sultan's voice boomed towards his son: -No! Don't give him food, don't you understand that he is a thief, he is imbued with a malignant action! You could dirty your pure soul!-"
Sulfus remembered those last words, as if they were marked for life on his skin!
Sulfus withdrew his arm and went back to sit down again: -You can go- he told her.
Raf looked up and stood up quickly, wiping her tears. She bowed for a moment and walked away…she had done it!
-Hold on!- ordered the prince
Raf turned around. Maybe it was too soon to claim victory…
-What's your name?- he asked with a calm voice
-Raf!- she answered, relaxed
-From now on you will be my personal dancer…so, when I ask for your presence, you must run to me and dance…clear!? – hurried to conclude the prince as he ate a grape. This girl troubled him and whatever upset him, had to cease and the only way was to face the problem with an open face!
To be Continued…