Once we arrived back home, we had a funeral for Hiroshi. The whole village came to attend. It was obvious how greatly respected he had been. Everyone wore black and took turns saying their goodbyes. Johan, Lon, and I walked up together, placing our flowers in his hands. At the end, his coffin was lowered into the ground of his family's land, completely full of flowers. I had spent the rest of the day on the balcony where Johan had led me my first night at the palace. He was busy talking to the citizens and family members. I should have been there with him but Johan had refused saying I was still recovering and I wasn't accustom to the way things ran yet. The only thing I wasn't too sure about was what he had meant by still recovering. Not only did my body ache but my heart was now wounded as well. It was my fault Hiroshi died. If I hadn't rushed in he would still be here. He would be surrounded by people praising him, not mourning his death... I watched Johan for a while. He had such a polite and caring face when he spoke to everyone. I would have broken down crying with guilt. My carelessness is why everyone is grieving.
A hand gently touched my shoulder...
"It's not your fault, you know? You shouldn't let it eat away at you." Lon smiled at me.
I just turned my head back to Johan, unsure of what to say.
"Before we ran to intercept... Hiroshi told me something." Lon looked towards all the people surrounding Johan.
I quickly turned my head to him, waiting to hear about Hiroshi's words.
"He thought you were pretty reckless going in after Johan and risking your life for him." He laughed a bit and looked at me from the corner of his eye. "He was scared of both of you dying. There was nothing more he wanted but to reach you before those snakes. For the Prince and Princess both to die... Well, it's safe to say this war would be over. Lamia would take over and slowly devour every single country."
I felt my eyes water and I quickly dropped my head down. "I'm sorry... I was so careless."
Lon placed his hand on top of my hand which had been gripping the railing. "You made the right choice. You really did, Princess. The fact that Hiroshi gave up his life for you means he believes in you, in both of you." He bent down to look at my face. "Before Johan and you caught up to us after the fight, he left a message for you."
"He did?" I looked up instantly.
"He said, 'Smile Princess, you've truly changed from the lost and scared girl we rescued. I know you'll do great things. Please live your life the way you have been: full of love and hope. Take care of Johan and Lon, they need someone like you in their life.'" Lon looked away, his face red.
Tears ran down my cheeks before I knew it. I smiled the best I could.
"Cry all you want, Princess. After today, though, I don't want to see you shed another tear over his death. He died happy." Lon said as he reached out and hugged me.
I hugged him back and rested my head on his shoulder. Hiroshi believes in me... I can't let him down again. I looked down over at the crowd again, lost in my thoughts. I made eye contact with Johan. I lifted my head off of Lon's shoulder instinctively and Lon turned his attention to where I was looking.
"Forgive me, I shouldn't be seen with the Princess like this in public. It could cause rumors." He laughed lightly and separated from me. "Feel better Princess." He bowed then turned, walking back inside.
I watched him until he disappeared then looked back towards the crowd. They had already dispersed and Johan was no where to be seen.
"Where did he go?" I muttered confused.
The next day was a celebration in my honor. It was really confusing on what exactly we were celebrating since I had been kidnapped, awoken and kidnapped again. Apparently it was centered around my awakening. The whole day had consisted of being pampered by all the servants that had helped me the first day I came here. I was still uncomfortable with most of the treatment but I tried my best to be polite about it.
"We have your dress ready for the ball as well Princess." One woman said while bowing down.
"Ball...? Are we really going that far just for me?" I asked confused and a little shocked.
"What do you mean 'just' for you? You're the Princess... Princess." Another bowed nervously.
"Well I don't think it's necessary. I mean... Hiroshi just passed away. Is this really alright?" I looked down, feeling my heart grow heavy.
All the ladies in the room smiled and bowed, not answering me.
One then stood up straight and smiled again. "This was Hiroshi's request."
My heart stopped. "When did..." I couldn't even finish my sentence. My vision blurred and I quickly blinked to push back the tears.
"He did the day you came back. Before you went to meet the Prince, he requested it. He thought it would help ease your nerves." The same woman bowed again with the others and they left the room in order to continue the preparations.
"Hiroshi... Thank you for everything." I mumble as I let my vision blur again.
Eventually one of the women came back and started to fix my make up. I asked her to keep it as light as possible. Afterwards I changed into my dress behind a small curtain as one of the women spoke to me.
"Everyone in the village will be attending Princess. Guests have already started arriving." I could hear her gentle voice through the curtain.
"Everyone?!" I panicked.
"Of course." She said. I could tell she was smiling.
I came out and her smile grew.
"You look lovely, Princess." She said and motioned towards a mirror.
I looked at my reflection a little shocked. I was so use to seeing myself covered in rags and blood. My hair was slightly curled and my gown was a lovely strapless light blue that matched the color of my eyes. My skin wasn't scraped or bruised this time either.
"I'm pale..." I frowned.
"Is that the first thing you noticed, Princess?" I heard her laugh a bit.
I looked away embarrassed.
"Well I think you look lovely Princess, and I'm sure the Prince will think so too as well as everyone else." She smiled.
A knock came from the door.
"Who could that be?" I asked.
"Your escort." She smiled and bowed farewell before opening the door, letting the person in and exiting.
I stayed facing my reflection.
"You look lovely as usual, Princess." Our eyes met in the mirror.
"I see you're my escort now, Lon." I smiled, turning around to face him.
Once I looked at him I stopped smiling and stared at him concerned.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Your face is red. Are you not feeling well?" I reached my hand out to touch his forehead.
"I'm fine! Really." He backed up and looked away embarrassed.
"Are you sure?" I asked, taking another step toward him.
"Y-yes, don't worry about me." He quickly bowed, "Should we get going, Princess? Everyone is waiting for you."
He stood up straight and pointed his elbow at me. I put my arm around his and he led us out of the room and towards the center of the palace.
"I don't want to worry you but I thought I should at least tell you that you'll be seeing the Queen again soon. You'll also begin training to better improve your abilities. You'll be able to manipulate the minds of others eventually." He looked at me and smiled.
"The Queen...?" I frowned at him, completely ignoring everything else he had said.
"Don't make that face, Princess. It doesn't suit you." He laughed and reassured me I wouldn't be attacked or put in danger this time.
We reached the center of the palace where the celebration was being held. There was so much music and noise coming from the other side of the door.
"It sounds like everyone is having so much fun." I listened with a smile on my face.
Lon smiled back and opened the door, leading us through.
"The Princess is here!" I heard someone shout and immediately all eyes were straight on Lon and I.
I felt him slowly slip away from me and I desperately tried to get a hold of him but I missed. "Lon!" I managed to call out to him but he simply shook his head and mouthed the words 'enjoy yourself'. I looked back towards everyone. A few people had gone back to what they were doing while the rest kept watching me. I hesitantly started walking forward. Once I made it onto what appeared to be the dance floor, I was surrounded by a few men.
"May I have the chance to dance with you?" One bowed nervously and held out his hand.
I smiled at him and remembered Lon's words. "Of course." I took his hand.
I should try to enjoy myself, all of this is for me and Hiroshi was the one to request this.
The whole room was elegant and it really gave off such a peaceful atmosphere. The only thing I didn't really like was the dancing. Each dance I did the same thing just with a different partner. I spent my night mostly dancing with each man that asked me. I practically had the steps memorized and I felt like I was leading instead of the men since they all seemed to do the same thing. Every turn I kept looking around trying to spot Lon or Johan. Especially Johan... I hadn't seen him since he disappeared from the crowd yesterday.
The song ended and I parted from the guy I had been dancing with. I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder and quickly turned around. I already knew it wasn't one of the men that had surrounded me earlier because they were so polite and only offered me their hands instead of taping me on the shoulder.
"Johan!" I smiled and quickly reached out to grab his hand which was extended towards me but someone else reached out and took my hand.
"Sorry Prince Johan, but you know the rules." Lon cut in with a smirk and pulled me away. I looked back at Johan who kept a calm composure but a stern face.
"Rules?" I asked, looking back at Lon who had stopped and turned towards me, placing his other hand on my waist.
"The Prince and Princess get the last dance. He has to wait until the end." He smiled and started to lead me through the dance floor. We were doing the same thing I had been doing the whole night but it felt different. Lon had sped up the pace just a little bit and kept talking. "It seems he was getting impatient and was about to break that rule."
I looked over at Johan who was sitting down at one of the two seats that were up a pair of stairs. I assumed that's where I'd be joining him.
Lon kept his focus on me through out the dance and eventually spoke up. "Nyx..."
My stared at him shocked. He rarely ever calls me by my name.
"I want to tell you something..." He turned red again and gripped my hand tighter.
"Are you OK? You're red again." I asked, concerned.
He stared at me with his golden eyes before continuing. "For the longest time, since we were kids, I've always done my best to look after you. You were my best friend growing up and to this day you still are."
I smiled at his kind words. "As you are mine, Lon."
It took me by surprise when he leaned in and whispered while resting his cheek against mine. "...Nyx, I-" The sound of everyone clapping cut him off.
The music had ended so Lon was forced to separate from me.
"Sorry what were you going to say?" I asked, waiting for him to speak.
"I believe it's my turn now, right?" I heard a voice behind me and turned around.
He didn't waste anytime making it back down here...
"Johan..." I stared at him surprised.
"Of course." Lon smiled and bowed, walking away with pink cheeks.
"May I have this dance, Nyx?" He asked and gently extended his hand out.
I took his hand and he led me to the middle of the floor.
"Johan, everyone left..." I looked around and saw the floor was empty.
"They're suppose to. This is our dance, Princess." He smiled.
I looked at him in shock. What's up with these two? Johan rarely refers to me by my title.
"They join us half way through the song." He stopped and turned around, still smiling.
"That's embarrassing. This is making me nervous." I mumbled.
He placed his hand on my waist and laughed lightly. "Why? You'll be looking at me the whole time."
I felt my face heat up. "R-right..."
The music began and Johan immediately took me by surprise. He was doing something completely different than everyone else. My other dances were spent in a small space casually dancing in a circle but Johan was making use of the whole floor and led me through it in such a graceful manner.
"Johan..." I muttered in complete awe.
"I noticed you weren't enjoying yourself when you were dancing earlier this evening." He smiled and pulled me in closer.
"I was just worried about you and Lon. I hadn't seen you since yesterday or him since this started." I looked away feeling embarrassed.
"My apologies... I was thinking through some issues." Johan said.
"Issues? Is everything alright?" I asked, worried.
Johan simply smiled and moved away from me, spinning me lightly then bringing me back.
Everyone had poured back onto the floor and the music changed to a slower pace.
"It appears I can't take you across the floor anymore." He pulled my hand towards him and let go, letting my hand fall on the back of his neck. I understood and bought my other hand up to his neck while he set both of his on my waist.
"Johan, don't think you're clever enough to avoid my question. Is everything OK?" I looked up at him.
"I was hoping I was clever enough..." he laughed, "As of right now, everything is fine but I've just been making preparations to strengthen our defenses so your safety will be ensured until you can properly defend yourself to enter the battle field with me and put a stop to this ridiculous war." He continued to look into my eyes. "I rather not speak about this right now. I want you to enjoy yourself."
I nodded but couldn't help but think that wasn't just it. He hasn't spoken much to Lon lately. I wonder if everything is fine between them. Maybe tomorrow we can all relax together.
The song eventually and unfortunately ended. Johan led me up the stairs where our seats had been and for the first time I was able to address everyone along side Johan. We thanked everyone for coming and I reassured them I was feeling better.
Johan dismissed Lon for the night, offering to escort me back to my room. The palace was dark, so naturally Johan's and my eyes lit up the halls as we walked down them.
"Sometimes I feel like they are more useful as flash lights." I frowned.
Johan found my joke rather funny and laughed pretty loudly.
"What? It wasn't that funny..." I continued to frown.
"It's just... You said that when we were younger as well." He smiled.
We reached my door and I turned toward him. "Thank you for everything."
We said good night to each other and he turned to leave but quickly stopped.
"Forgive me for my impulsiveness." He said.
I was about to question what he had meant when he cut me off by leaning in and kissing me.
"J-Johan...?" I stared at him in utter shock.
"I forgot to mention... you looked beautiful tonight." He kissed my hand and walked away.