Sanzorella
Chapter 4
Sanzorella looked down at the ball room. Though everybody was looking at her so intently, she did not feel even an ounce of nervousness. In fact, she had a frown of her face. Where is that stupid prince? He better be worth it, else I came here for nothing.
Wanting not to waste time, she went down the stairs carefully. Damn these glass slippers! Why can't that Goku give me boots instead?
As Sanzorella descended the stairs, her eyes searched the crowd for her stepmother. She was positive that Lady Gojyo would not be far from the prince. She spotted the red-haired widow and standing next to her was a man with dark hair who looked like a royal. Is that him? Chh…he couldn't really look that stupid, right?
"May I escort you?" a warm voice asked.
Sanzorella did not realize she had reached the bottom of the staircase and that there was a young man waiting. She gazed at him and admitted that he was a fine-looking man, with dark hair and a pair of emerald green eyes. He was wearing a monocle over his right eye, giving him a distinguished look. Three silver ear cuffs were on his left ear, which added diversity to his wholesome appearance. His full lips curled into a charming smile.
"Are you Prince Hakkai?" Sanzorella asked, though she knew the obvious. This man was dripping with royalty and even if he was in rags, he would still exude charisma.
"Indeed I am. Shall we dance?" Prince Hakkai bowed slightly and extended a hand, to which Sanzorella accepted with a slight curtsy.
Prince Hakkai gingerly place an arm on Sanzorella's slim waist and whisked her to the empty ball room floor as everybody had stood in a round circle around the perimeters of the room. Immediately the orchestra began playing For Real piano piece. The mood was set.
Sanzorella looked up to Prince Hakkai's beautiful green eyes and felt her heart fluttering slightly. What is this? I shouldn't be feeling like a girl who's having a crush! He's only going to be my pawn! But as she maintained eye contact with the prince, she felt her resolve starting to slip away. He smelled so nice, his grip gentle but firm and he was an excellent dancer, making Sanzorella felt as if she was merely floating across the ball room. Out of the corner of hr eyes, she saw her stepmother, Lady Gojyo, staring at her dead on. A slender eyebrow raised and for a moment, Sanzorella wondered whether the lady knew her. Ah, heck! What do I care? It'll be a miracle if her dense red head can recognize me!
"I've never seen you around. Which kingdom did you come from?" Prince Hakkai was asking.
Kingdom? Do I really look like royalty? Chh... In an attempt to sound sweet, Sanzorella whispered, "I'm not royalty, Your Highness." She almost choked.
Prince Hakkai raised an eyebrow. "Come again?"
What are you, deaf? "I'm not royalty!" Sanzorella raised her voice, a frown marring her pretty face.
Instead of being angry, the young prince laughed. "Maa…maa, you have a fiery temper. I like it."
"Huh?"
Prince Hakkai chuckled again. "Yes. You see, the women here are all trying to impress me. They talked softly and when I could not hear them, they faked a giggle and acted mushy-mushy. I respect women but I do not care for such behavior. I need an original girl. If you're originally sweet, I can tell. If you're originally the conniving type, I can tell too. Do you see the woman in red?"
Immediately Sanzorella knew who the prince was talking about. She suppressed a smile. Hah, you red witch! The prince has brains after all. You can forget about being his queen!
"That woman is stunning." Sanzorella felt her heart clenched slightly. "But she's the conniving type, I can tell. Now you…you are an original temper-flaring blond, who would go well with a silver pistol and a harisen."
A vein popped up. "Nani?" she shrieked.
"Gomen nasai…I don't know why but that thought just occurred to my mind. I hope you aren't angry, ne?" Prince Hakkai apologized as he gazed deeply into Sanzorella's eyes.
Chh…baka! But Sanzorella could not help but feel drawn to those emerald-colored eyes. Those eyes were no doubt beautiful but seemed to have sadness shrouding it. Try as she might to maintain her composure, Sanzorella, in the end, broke away from the piercing gaze.
"So the fiery blond does feel shy," Prince Hakkai commented. Immediately Sanzorella's head jerked right up and she saw the handsome prince smiling again. Ignoring the teasing smile, she stared fully into the prince's eyes. She was not going to be daunted by some man.
"Maa…maa….please don't be offended, ne? It's been such a long time since anyone intrigued me this much. People always acted nice around me, just because I'm a prince. It's refreshing to see someone who's not afraid to be who she is."
Sanzorella gave a smirk. Weirdo! But she was starting to like this prince. A bit.
They danced the night away and a nagging Ironic-Reminder[1] siren kept going off in Sanzorella's mind. Urusai! She mentally scolded her conscience. She hated to admit it but she was actually having fun. "Don't these people have anything better to do other than staring and gaping at us?" Sanzorella grumbled.
Prince Hakkai shook his head. "Nope, afraid not. Do you want to leave this room and go outside?"
Without much thought, Sanzorella nodded her head. Prince Hakkai smiled softly and stopped dancing. He then guided the blond belle to the terrace, ignoring those around him. Once outside, Prince Hakkai brought Sanzorella to a secluded spot.
"It's more peaceful, ne?" the young prince asked. Under the moonlight, his monocle and ear cuffs gleamed, creating a halo effect.
Sanzorella did not say anything. She was just staring up into the velvety black night, noting that it was a full moon that night. Unwillingly, she heaved a small sigh.
"What's wrong?"
The blond girl turned her face towards the prince, her violet eyes seemingly challenging. Prince Hakkai gazed at the beautiful face just inches from his own. He noted the challenge in the droopy violet eyes and dropped his gaze to her full red lips. He felt himself getting slightly breathless and without thinking, he closed his eyes and lowered his head towards Sanzorella.
~ Continue ~
The remaining few chapters (5-9) will be posted on Tuesday, 7th of October. So if u like my fic so far, pls pls pls do check the updated chapters on Tuesday k? THANKS!!
[1] Recall the conversation she had with Lady Gojyo in chapter 2
[Suddenly, Lady Gojyo fixed Sanzorella with a dead stare. "Are you thinking of going, you stinking girl?"
Chh…like I care! Who wants to dance the night away with a stupid prince? I have better things to do, like find a gun to shoot you with! "No, of course not. The thought never crossed my mind!" With that, Sanzorella walked away, leaving her stepmother gaping after her.]