Chapter Five ~ The Dinner Reception
Mandy rushed forward to support me as I stumbled over backwards, tripping over my long skirts. I was jabbering nonsense, pointing fearfully towards the mirror. The face I had seen before - the eerie hollow face of the dead man - had evidently vanished. Mandy was peering behind the mirror, tapping it on the glass, searching for a crack. But either it had just been my imagination or the ghost had evaporated before Mandy could see it. In other words, when Mandy turned back to me, she looked worried.
"Dear, are you feeling alright?" she asked me concernedly.
"Bakthu," I swore in Ayorthaian, thinking she wouldn't understand me. But Mandy obviously could, and she smiled back at me secretively.
"Alright, we have to rush you, now. Five minutes until the reception! And I'm taking a good bet that it's because of you that they're holding it! So you mustn't be late!"
She pushed me towards the door, but I was already running...or shuffling if you may. The tight shoes that bound my feet weren't exactly my choice mode of transportation, and I hobbled along as quickly as they allowed. I slid out the door and into the hallway, not exactly what you would call a ladylike entrance, and I hastily made my way to the ballroom.
The room was nearly full when I entered. Already people were forming into couples, and I was a bit put down to know that I didn't have a partner. Yet, I hoped. I could see Arthur a few feet away, and he caught my eye and smiled. I blushed back at him and turned to face the front of the room. I could see Sharn with her husband by her side (it feels so weird, saying husband) and also another woman, middle-aged by the looks of her. This was perhaps the scary stepmother-in-law that I had been hearing about. Eeps. Better stay away from the woman.
Suddenly a trumpet from the orchestra blared out across the room, blasting three times as the whole room went quiet. A herald announced my name to the court, and I felt butterflies mount in my stomach.
"Welcome to the Queen's guest from Ayortha! Great-granddaughter of the Honorable Lady Areida, lady of the legendary Queen Eleanor and King Charmont!"
The room went stock still as I walked up to the thrones. Although my dress hid it, my legs were undoubtedly shaking, and I was aware of the many eyes that were on me. The ascent to the top of the room seemed to take me forever, and when I finally reached the thrones, Sharn gave me a quick smile of reassurance.
"Thank you for your invitation," I addressed to all. "I am Marika of Areeb."
There was a silence, a cough, then Sharn nudged Edward beside her.
"Ah!" he said. He looked over at Sharn lovingly and smiled, then he said to me, "Yes. A friend of Jane's is also a friend of mine." He grinned, then whispered, "Jane forced me to practice." Jane gently kicked him.
Thank the fairies, he seems like a nice guy.
"My mother, Queen Rosamund," he gestured to his stepmother.
Ahh! Rosamund the evil stepmother-in-law! I cowered inwardly.
Rosamund looked at me coolly and studied my garment. She seemed a bit displeased at my choice of clothing.
"Enjoy your stay," she said tonelessly, loudly. It felt so staged. And it felt she meant more like, 'Don't stay too long,' or something.
Edward sat considering me for a moment, then he grinned. "Where's Luke?" he asked Rosamund.
Rosamund turned her head. "He said he would be late," she said disdainfully. "You know that he doesn't really like dinner receptions." Then she added, "Besides, lately there have been too many strangers coming in and out of the palace..."
"Mother!" Edward gasped.
Sharn apologized. "Sorry. Have patience, Mari..."
"I understand. Don't worry!" I brushed it off like it was nothing. But I was steadily growing to dislike that queen more and more, and my impression of her was steadily sliding downhill.
Suddenly, the doors closest to the thrones swung open and in walked an overly pretty girl. It looked as if she had prepared for the ball five hours beforehand. Her gown was perhaps the most elaborate out of all the ballroom dresses in the room, and her expression was that of haughtiness and power. She threw a look at me, and I saw the traces of a slight frown crease through her makeup.
"Vivian!" called out Rosamund.
But Princess Vivian ignored her mother and swept toward the center of the ballroom, one hand carrying her big skirt while the other was raised in an open invitation.
"Music!" she shouted. "Now who wants to dance with me first?"
I balled up my fists and clenched my teeth. No one wanted to speak to a commoner like me! Was this how the aristocrats are? I mentally sent a fury of rage to attack the princess. What annoyed me most was that she was pretty despite her character on the inside. Perhaps what fueled the anger was that she was probably prettier even then Sharn.
I felt someone tap me on the back, and I spun around, ready to verbally defend myself. But I found myself looking down to a small boy, perhaps about seven years of age. It looked amusing, to see a child wearing a formal suit in the fashion of all the other men in the room.
"Excuse me," he said. "Why are your clothes different? Where are they from?"
"Sharell! What are you doing?! Come here!" an angry voice choked out from behind.
Ooh, so this is Prince Sharell.
Prince Sharell bowed over my hand and kissed it.
"Good evening, Miss Mari. Come and dance with me."
"Sharell!"
Queen Rosamund stormed down on the little Sharell and whisked him away from me. Despite the queen's rudeness, I thought the little prince was cute. How could such a nice little boy grow up from an arrogant family?
I wistfully watched the people dancing on the floor as the orchestra whittled away. I felt more like a wall decoration, viewing the dancing as if from a window. Suddenly I saw Arthur waltz past with Princess Vivian in his grasp. Ah - He caught me looking at him and he gave me a wink. Oh, Arthur...
Suddenly, Vivian stopped. "Watch where you're looking, Arthur!" she snapped. Grabbing his hand, she placed it back on her waist and she steered him away from me.
Gah. This was hopeless. I might as well head for the banquet hall and choose a seat before the rest were taken up by the others. I felt so much like an extra wheel. I turned to leave.
"Why aren't you dancing?" The question came up suddenly from a voice behind me.
I didn't move. Now I was facing ridicule - great. I tried to think of the most smart-alecky comment to respond. But my tongue wouldn't move.
"C-because no one asked me to?"
A hand grabbed my wrist and dragged me on to the dance floor.
"Then dance with me!"
I stumbled along backwards after him. W-wait a minute! What's going on?! I tried to twist around to regain some footing, but he was going too fast and I kept tripping over my skirt.
Then he came to a stop and spun me around, so I ended up facing him, locked within each other's arms. I gawked at him like my eyes were glued onto his face. He was beautiful. Gorgeous. Stunning. My heart quickened several paces. His hand tightened the hold on my waist. Oh...the...fairies...
Blond curls fell into his brown eyes, the softest brown you could find in the kingdom. They held mine like a magnet, though gently, and I was lost and drowning, drinking deep from the chocolate irises. I gulped involuntarily. He was holding me so close, so that his chest was against mine. Only couples were that close. I brought my hand down to try to soften the tight grip he had on my waist, but as I rested it down on top of his hand, he only pulled me closer. Ack... But he did have nice hands; nice, big-boned hands that were so wide...and they held my hand and waist, they connected me with him.
I melted to his touch and felt the electricity run through his fingers. I was drawn to him, and he was drawn to me, and we danced on and on until the trumpets blasted thrice, signifying dinner was about to begin. By then, I was near exhausted by dancing and had worked up a huge appetite. The people on the dance floor began to shuffle along together, all bumping into each other to fit within the narrow doors. In the process, the mystery man and I became separated. But he quickly leaned out and took my sweating palm, so he caught up with me and stayed by my side. During all of this I was blushing furiously, and I sort of longed for the peace and quiet of my room, where I could recuperate my wits. But the boy looked at me so...ah...fondly, that I couldn't just leave. And plus, I had never in my life had so much attention from a boy. How could I back out now?
He led me into the banquet hall, which was quickly becoming filled up again. I spotted Arthur and Vivian again, but this time, somehow, I felt less grieved by seeing Arthur with the brat. It bothered me less, and when I saw Arthur turn to wave at me I saw his jaw drop then shut. Then he smiled less enthusiastically and looked at Vivian. Ha! He's jealous.
We sat a couple of seats away from Edward and Jane. The king looked at me and grinned, then turned to Sharn and whispered something to her. She leaned back and smiled like a little girl.
The boy - who was he? - pulled out a chair for me just as I sat in another. He looked blankly at me then laughed, and went to sit in the chair he had pulled.
By then the room had nearly filled, and a chancellor began to make a speech. A long, boring speech that had no relation to anything whatsoever. I began to get bored. The eyelids of the others began to droop, and some slouched in their seats. I stifled a yawn.
"Although this is the first time we met, I know all about you," came a whisper from my right. The boy's breath felt warm on my neck and blew stray wisps of hair.
I turned and found his face was near mine, and I leaned back a bit, uncomfortable. He also gave me a bit more room to breathe, and I gratefully accepted the precious space.
"What are you talking about?" I whispered back.
"I heard a lot from Jane," he quietly answered. "About her closest friend."
I drew in breath. "How do you know Jane?" I asked.
Suddenly the speech was over and everybody started talking again. I couldn't here his reply.
"What?"
He spoke again, but then shook his head and smiled, like retaining a secret from me.
Dinner went as expected, with the boy telling me of Kyrrian customs and what was expected of me in the palace.
"When you leave the table, you must fold your napkin in a way of thanks. If you leave your napkin in a heap on the table, then it is either a show of disrespect or that the food had been terrible."
"In Ayortha, we don't really care about napkins, but the nobility make a big fuss with the silverware; if you are still eating and merely pausing in your food, you cross your fork and knife on the plate so the servants wouldn't take it away."
"Well in Kyrria, you mustn't put your elbows on the table while eating," he said with a smile.
I promptly took my arms off the table. "And we have that custom in Ayortha, too," I said quickly.
"And in Kyrria, if a boy meets a girl he likes, he must first kiss her hand," he lifted my hand and quickly kissed it, "and the usual proceedings may take place."
The usual proceedings?! A girl he likes?! Is he...flirting with me? Agh! I didn't know how.
"Well in Ayortha, the boy has to introduce himself," I said roughly.
He smiled crookedly. "I'd rather you find out on your own. I think it's better if you don't know now."
"What?!" I yelled, frustrated.
"You know in Ayortha," he said, changing the subject, "that they have beautiful voices." He looked at me. "Can you sing?"
"Of course," I snapped. I wasn't really annoyed. I just didn't know how to respond to a boy in this situation. I was at my racking nerves' end just because of nervousness.
"Sing, then," he asked. "Sing one of your songs."
I looked at him uncertainly, but he seemed to truthfully want to hear me. So I sang the first song that came to mind.
"A voice from the past, joining yours and mine. Adding up the layers of harmony. And so it goes, on and on. Melodies of life, To the sky beyond the flying birds - forever and beyond."
There was a pause. The room had gone slightly quieter, and I discovered to my rising red face that half the room had been listening. A scattered applause was taken up by Edward and Jane, and a few others joined in for Their Majesties' sake.
"That's not all, is it?" asked the boy, and I frowned at him.
"No, it's not. But why would you want to hear more?"
"Because I like it. Now sing." He outstretched his arms exaggeratedly.
I clenched my mouth together, then opened again.
"So far and away, see the bird as it flies by. Gliding through the shadows of the clouds up in the sky. I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings. Leave them now and see what tomorrow brings."
This time, the room was almost silent.
"Wow," said the boy. "That was...beautiful..."
"I didn't make it up. It's just a song."
"But the way you delivered it... It really felt like you were speaking..."
"It's just a song," I repeated. But I felt my face grow hot with the increasing compliments. Back in Ayortha, this was considered a mediocre performance.
The rest of the night, I ended up standing up in front of the table and singing various songs that came to mind, and the people clapped as they ate. I had somehow been upgraded from being the third wheel to an entertaining fool. I was sure they were secretly snorting into their sauce, shaking their heads at how unbearably penetrating my voice was. But maybe it was just my pessimistic, empty-glass side.
Once dinner was over, the boy had darted back to my side and was now escorting me out with the rest. There was an optional ball to attend after the meal, but most were heading back upstairs for bed.
He twirled me around and said to me, "So what's up? Are you ready for the second round?"
So we danced further into the night, this time having more room to slide and twirl, since half the people had gone. Once again, I found myself pressed up close to his chest and my heart, which had been pounding all evening, just about gave out as it tripled its pace.
After a half an hour or so of dancing, an older man had walked up behind the boy and touched his shoulder.
"Prince Luke..." he interrupted.
The boy turned around, then looked away, scowling.
"What is it? You're being rude, General Dubell."
"But the Queen would like to speak with you..."
Abruptly the boy turned away and led me by the shoulder, walking away from the General. He led me to the door.
"Forgive me for the intrusion... My mother wants me. I'll take you back to your room."
"Prince!" the General called back, but Luke was ignoring him.
I turned around quickly and looked back.
"W-what about him?" I asked.
Luke's frown got deeper. "Let him be."
We walked in silence for a while, down an empty corridor, up a couple flights. I noticed that Luke was taking me back by the longest route possible, for I had never seen some of the hallways and stairs.
I thought back to the ball, and my heart did a flip. I had been dancing with a prince! I am with a prince! I had been acting like a fool! I am a fool! I nervously glanced in Luke's direction, then looked back at my feet. He's the King's brother...half-brother if you may, but still... I was so ashamed of myself. Now it seemed so obvious that Luke was a prince. I mentally whooped myself.
Luke stopped and turned around. His frown had softened when he looked at me.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Oh...nothing...I just didn't know you were a...a prince," I mumbled.
He grinned. "Just call me Luke," he said.
Oh...he wanted me to call him Luke...? Was I to get friendly with a prince? "Kay," I responded simply.
He looked me over again.
"It's true that you're Jane's friend, right?"
"Yes."
"Oh. You don't look as old as her."
I got defensive. "That's because I'm one year younger. But I don't look that young."
He stood back and rubbed his chin.
"One year? So you're fifteen, right?"
I raised my eyebrow. Duh...
He started to giggle. Then he erupted into laughter.
"Ah, so it's true! I've heard that Ayorthaian people look young for their age!"
Hey, suddenly it's National Children's Day!
My face grew boiling hot, as if I were steaming out of my ears. At first Luke noticed this and stopped laughing uncertainly. I was so red, I looked like I would blow up. But time wore on, and I looked away, embaraced. It didn't take long for him to realize I had actually been blushing. The worst blushing session I've had in my life, mind you, and even then at first I didn't know what was wrong with me. I quickly remedied the beet redness by burying my eyes on the tapestries we passed, depicting swordsmen and knights decapitating ogres and dragons.
Alas, we reached the guest room. My room, I guess. As I laid my hand on the door handle I turned to look at Luke. I don't know what I was expecting, because I just stood there, on the verge of opening my door and collapsing into the long-awaited bed of sweet rest. But there was an unseen barrier deterring me from that sleep savior and reprimanded me to give the prince a thank-you, or at least a good-night farewell. But no words came out of my mouth.
"Marika," he said at last. "May I call you Mari? Jane does it all the time, so maybe I should call you that, too... Marika's too formal, but anyways." He stepped closer hesitantly, as if he had been debating within himself to do so while talking. "Good night, Mari. I had a wonderful time."
His voice had picked up a serious tone. I was by the door, blinking with sleep and surprise.
"I had a wonderful time, too," I exhaled.
The corners of his lips pulled upwards twice, a halting smile. Then to my utmost astonishment and horror, they drew nearer, centering in on their target: my mouth.
Within two seconds of my life, my brain fought its most fiercest civil battle yet. One side was dubbed the "frou-frou" side, and all it wanted was for me to received that lovely lip slop and melt into any desire that drove me. Another held it in check, my "drill sergeant" side. This side demanded that I slap him on the face, real hard, and then go to bed. It ended up with a draw.
In the last possible millisecond, I flipped up my palm in front of my face, possibly to slap him. But the other side kept it in check by leaving it stationary, otherwise shielding my mouth. I felt hot breath on my palm as a mouth came up to press against my hand. Oh, it would have been a nice kiss, I lamented posthumously.
"Wait a minute!" I said. Luke had drawn back his head and was looking at me with a very puzzled expression. "Eh...we don't have this custom in Ayortha," I grinned frantically. "Sorry!"
I had been backed up against the door. Now I opened it from behind and stepped backwards, slamming the door to block entrance to my silent room.
Eh...not the most graceful way to part with a prince. "Goodnight!" I called back lamely.
Through the door I heard his laughter. Okay, well at least he wasn't mad or anything.
I slipped out of my dress and slithered into my nightclothes. Then I slumped into bed and brought the sheets above my head, muffling my screams of mortification.
=+++=
A/N: Credits for the song Marika sings, Melodies of Life, from Final Fantasy IX. It quite fits, don't you think :) ?
Mandy rushed forward to support me as I stumbled over backwards, tripping over my long skirts. I was jabbering nonsense, pointing fearfully towards the mirror. The face I had seen before - the eerie hollow face of the dead man - had evidently vanished. Mandy was peering behind the mirror, tapping it on the glass, searching for a crack. But either it had just been my imagination or the ghost had evaporated before Mandy could see it. In other words, when Mandy turned back to me, she looked worried.
"Dear, are you feeling alright?" she asked me concernedly.
"Bakthu," I swore in Ayorthaian, thinking she wouldn't understand me. But Mandy obviously could, and she smiled back at me secretively.
"Alright, we have to rush you, now. Five minutes until the reception! And I'm taking a good bet that it's because of you that they're holding it! So you mustn't be late!"
She pushed me towards the door, but I was already running...or shuffling if you may. The tight shoes that bound my feet weren't exactly my choice mode of transportation, and I hobbled along as quickly as they allowed. I slid out the door and into the hallway, not exactly what you would call a ladylike entrance, and I hastily made my way to the ballroom.
The room was nearly full when I entered. Already people were forming into couples, and I was a bit put down to know that I didn't have a partner. Yet, I hoped. I could see Arthur a few feet away, and he caught my eye and smiled. I blushed back at him and turned to face the front of the room. I could see Sharn with her husband by her side (it feels so weird, saying husband) and also another woman, middle-aged by the looks of her. This was perhaps the scary stepmother-in-law that I had been hearing about. Eeps. Better stay away from the woman.
Suddenly a trumpet from the orchestra blared out across the room, blasting three times as the whole room went quiet. A herald announced my name to the court, and I felt butterflies mount in my stomach.
"Welcome to the Queen's guest from Ayortha! Great-granddaughter of the Honorable Lady Areida, lady of the legendary Queen Eleanor and King Charmont!"
The room went stock still as I walked up to the thrones. Although my dress hid it, my legs were undoubtedly shaking, and I was aware of the many eyes that were on me. The ascent to the top of the room seemed to take me forever, and when I finally reached the thrones, Sharn gave me a quick smile of reassurance.
"Thank you for your invitation," I addressed to all. "I am Marika of Areeb."
There was a silence, a cough, then Sharn nudged Edward beside her.
"Ah!" he said. He looked over at Sharn lovingly and smiled, then he said to me, "Yes. A friend of Jane's is also a friend of mine." He grinned, then whispered, "Jane forced me to practice." Jane gently kicked him.
Thank the fairies, he seems like a nice guy.
"My mother, Queen Rosamund," he gestured to his stepmother.
Ahh! Rosamund the evil stepmother-in-law! I cowered inwardly.
Rosamund looked at me coolly and studied my garment. She seemed a bit displeased at my choice of clothing.
"Enjoy your stay," she said tonelessly, loudly. It felt so staged. And it felt she meant more like, 'Don't stay too long,' or something.
Edward sat considering me for a moment, then he grinned. "Where's Luke?" he asked Rosamund.
Rosamund turned her head. "He said he would be late," she said disdainfully. "You know that he doesn't really like dinner receptions." Then she added, "Besides, lately there have been too many strangers coming in and out of the palace..."
"Mother!" Edward gasped.
Sharn apologized. "Sorry. Have patience, Mari..."
"I understand. Don't worry!" I brushed it off like it was nothing. But I was steadily growing to dislike that queen more and more, and my impression of her was steadily sliding downhill.
Suddenly, the doors closest to the thrones swung open and in walked an overly pretty girl. It looked as if she had prepared for the ball five hours beforehand. Her gown was perhaps the most elaborate out of all the ballroom dresses in the room, and her expression was that of haughtiness and power. She threw a look at me, and I saw the traces of a slight frown crease through her makeup.
"Vivian!" called out Rosamund.
But Princess Vivian ignored her mother and swept toward the center of the ballroom, one hand carrying her big skirt while the other was raised in an open invitation.
"Music!" she shouted. "Now who wants to dance with me first?"
I balled up my fists and clenched my teeth. No one wanted to speak to a commoner like me! Was this how the aristocrats are? I mentally sent a fury of rage to attack the princess. What annoyed me most was that she was pretty despite her character on the inside. Perhaps what fueled the anger was that she was probably prettier even then Sharn.
I felt someone tap me on the back, and I spun around, ready to verbally defend myself. But I found myself looking down to a small boy, perhaps about seven years of age. It looked amusing, to see a child wearing a formal suit in the fashion of all the other men in the room.
"Excuse me," he said. "Why are your clothes different? Where are they from?"
"Sharell! What are you doing?! Come here!" an angry voice choked out from behind.
Ooh, so this is Prince Sharell.
Prince Sharell bowed over my hand and kissed it.
"Good evening, Miss Mari. Come and dance with me."
"Sharell!"
Queen Rosamund stormed down on the little Sharell and whisked him away from me. Despite the queen's rudeness, I thought the little prince was cute. How could such a nice little boy grow up from an arrogant family?
I wistfully watched the people dancing on the floor as the orchestra whittled away. I felt more like a wall decoration, viewing the dancing as if from a window. Suddenly I saw Arthur waltz past with Princess Vivian in his grasp. Ah - He caught me looking at him and he gave me a wink. Oh, Arthur...
Suddenly, Vivian stopped. "Watch where you're looking, Arthur!" she snapped. Grabbing his hand, she placed it back on her waist and she steered him away from me.
Gah. This was hopeless. I might as well head for the banquet hall and choose a seat before the rest were taken up by the others. I felt so much like an extra wheel. I turned to leave.
"Why aren't you dancing?" The question came up suddenly from a voice behind me.
I didn't move. Now I was facing ridicule - great. I tried to think of the most smart-alecky comment to respond. But my tongue wouldn't move.
"C-because no one asked me to?"
A hand grabbed my wrist and dragged me on to the dance floor.
"Then dance with me!"
I stumbled along backwards after him. W-wait a minute! What's going on?! I tried to twist around to regain some footing, but he was going too fast and I kept tripping over my skirt.
Then he came to a stop and spun me around, so I ended up facing him, locked within each other's arms. I gawked at him like my eyes were glued onto his face. He was beautiful. Gorgeous. Stunning. My heart quickened several paces. His hand tightened the hold on my waist. Oh...the...fairies...
Blond curls fell into his brown eyes, the softest brown you could find in the kingdom. They held mine like a magnet, though gently, and I was lost and drowning, drinking deep from the chocolate irises. I gulped involuntarily. He was holding me so close, so that his chest was against mine. Only couples were that close. I brought my hand down to try to soften the tight grip he had on my waist, but as I rested it down on top of his hand, he only pulled me closer. Ack... But he did have nice hands; nice, big-boned hands that were so wide...and they held my hand and waist, they connected me with him.
I melted to his touch and felt the electricity run through his fingers. I was drawn to him, and he was drawn to me, and we danced on and on until the trumpets blasted thrice, signifying dinner was about to begin. By then, I was near exhausted by dancing and had worked up a huge appetite. The people on the dance floor began to shuffle along together, all bumping into each other to fit within the narrow doors. In the process, the mystery man and I became separated. But he quickly leaned out and took my sweating palm, so he caught up with me and stayed by my side. During all of this I was blushing furiously, and I sort of longed for the peace and quiet of my room, where I could recuperate my wits. But the boy looked at me so...ah...fondly, that I couldn't just leave. And plus, I had never in my life had so much attention from a boy. How could I back out now?
He led me into the banquet hall, which was quickly becoming filled up again. I spotted Arthur and Vivian again, but this time, somehow, I felt less grieved by seeing Arthur with the brat. It bothered me less, and when I saw Arthur turn to wave at me I saw his jaw drop then shut. Then he smiled less enthusiastically and looked at Vivian. Ha! He's jealous.
We sat a couple of seats away from Edward and Jane. The king looked at me and grinned, then turned to Sharn and whispered something to her. She leaned back and smiled like a little girl.
The boy - who was he? - pulled out a chair for me just as I sat in another. He looked blankly at me then laughed, and went to sit in the chair he had pulled.
By then the room had nearly filled, and a chancellor began to make a speech. A long, boring speech that had no relation to anything whatsoever. I began to get bored. The eyelids of the others began to droop, and some slouched in their seats. I stifled a yawn.
"Although this is the first time we met, I know all about you," came a whisper from my right. The boy's breath felt warm on my neck and blew stray wisps of hair.
I turned and found his face was near mine, and I leaned back a bit, uncomfortable. He also gave me a bit more room to breathe, and I gratefully accepted the precious space.
"What are you talking about?" I whispered back.
"I heard a lot from Jane," he quietly answered. "About her closest friend."
I drew in breath. "How do you know Jane?" I asked.
Suddenly the speech was over and everybody started talking again. I couldn't here his reply.
"What?"
He spoke again, but then shook his head and smiled, like retaining a secret from me.
Dinner went as expected, with the boy telling me of Kyrrian customs and what was expected of me in the palace.
"When you leave the table, you must fold your napkin in a way of thanks. If you leave your napkin in a heap on the table, then it is either a show of disrespect or that the food had been terrible."
"In Ayortha, we don't really care about napkins, but the nobility make a big fuss with the silverware; if you are still eating and merely pausing in your food, you cross your fork and knife on the plate so the servants wouldn't take it away."
"Well in Kyrria, you mustn't put your elbows on the table while eating," he said with a smile.
I promptly took my arms off the table. "And we have that custom in Ayortha, too," I said quickly.
"And in Kyrria, if a boy meets a girl he likes, he must first kiss her hand," he lifted my hand and quickly kissed it, "and the usual proceedings may take place."
The usual proceedings?! A girl he likes?! Is he...flirting with me? Agh! I didn't know how.
"Well in Ayortha, the boy has to introduce himself," I said roughly.
He smiled crookedly. "I'd rather you find out on your own. I think it's better if you don't know now."
"What?!" I yelled, frustrated.
"You know in Ayortha," he said, changing the subject, "that they have beautiful voices." He looked at me. "Can you sing?"
"Of course," I snapped. I wasn't really annoyed. I just didn't know how to respond to a boy in this situation. I was at my racking nerves' end just because of nervousness.
"Sing, then," he asked. "Sing one of your songs."
I looked at him uncertainly, but he seemed to truthfully want to hear me. So I sang the first song that came to mind.
"A voice from the past, joining yours and mine. Adding up the layers of harmony. And so it goes, on and on. Melodies of life, To the sky beyond the flying birds - forever and beyond."
There was a pause. The room had gone slightly quieter, and I discovered to my rising red face that half the room had been listening. A scattered applause was taken up by Edward and Jane, and a few others joined in for Their Majesties' sake.
"That's not all, is it?" asked the boy, and I frowned at him.
"No, it's not. But why would you want to hear more?"
"Because I like it. Now sing." He outstretched his arms exaggeratedly.
I clenched my mouth together, then opened again.
"So far and away, see the bird as it flies by. Gliding through the shadows of the clouds up in the sky. I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings. Leave them now and see what tomorrow brings."
This time, the room was almost silent.
"Wow," said the boy. "That was...beautiful..."
"I didn't make it up. It's just a song."
"But the way you delivered it... It really felt like you were speaking..."
"It's just a song," I repeated. But I felt my face grow hot with the increasing compliments. Back in Ayortha, this was considered a mediocre performance.
The rest of the night, I ended up standing up in front of the table and singing various songs that came to mind, and the people clapped as they ate. I had somehow been upgraded from being the third wheel to an entertaining fool. I was sure they were secretly snorting into their sauce, shaking their heads at how unbearably penetrating my voice was. But maybe it was just my pessimistic, empty-glass side.
Once dinner was over, the boy had darted back to my side and was now escorting me out with the rest. There was an optional ball to attend after the meal, but most were heading back upstairs for bed.
He twirled me around and said to me, "So what's up? Are you ready for the second round?"
So we danced further into the night, this time having more room to slide and twirl, since half the people had gone. Once again, I found myself pressed up close to his chest and my heart, which had been pounding all evening, just about gave out as it tripled its pace.
After a half an hour or so of dancing, an older man had walked up behind the boy and touched his shoulder.
"Prince Luke..." he interrupted.
The boy turned around, then looked away, scowling.
"What is it? You're being rude, General Dubell."
"But the Queen would like to speak with you..."
Abruptly the boy turned away and led me by the shoulder, walking away from the General. He led me to the door.
"Forgive me for the intrusion... My mother wants me. I'll take you back to your room."
"Prince!" the General called back, but Luke was ignoring him.
I turned around quickly and looked back.
"W-what about him?" I asked.
Luke's frown got deeper. "Let him be."
We walked in silence for a while, down an empty corridor, up a couple flights. I noticed that Luke was taking me back by the longest route possible, for I had never seen some of the hallways and stairs.
I thought back to the ball, and my heart did a flip. I had been dancing with a prince! I am with a prince! I had been acting like a fool! I am a fool! I nervously glanced in Luke's direction, then looked back at my feet. He's the King's brother...half-brother if you may, but still... I was so ashamed of myself. Now it seemed so obvious that Luke was a prince. I mentally whooped myself.
Luke stopped and turned around. His frown had softened when he looked at me.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Oh...nothing...I just didn't know you were a...a prince," I mumbled.
He grinned. "Just call me Luke," he said.
Oh...he wanted me to call him Luke...? Was I to get friendly with a prince? "Kay," I responded simply.
He looked me over again.
"It's true that you're Jane's friend, right?"
"Yes."
"Oh. You don't look as old as her."
I got defensive. "That's because I'm one year younger. But I don't look that young."
He stood back and rubbed his chin.
"One year? So you're fifteen, right?"
I raised my eyebrow. Duh...
He started to giggle. Then he erupted into laughter.
"Ah, so it's true! I've heard that Ayorthaian people look young for their age!"
Hey, suddenly it's National Children's Day!
My face grew boiling hot, as if I were steaming out of my ears. At first Luke noticed this and stopped laughing uncertainly. I was so red, I looked like I would blow up. But time wore on, and I looked away, embaraced. It didn't take long for him to realize I had actually been blushing. The worst blushing session I've had in my life, mind you, and even then at first I didn't know what was wrong with me. I quickly remedied the beet redness by burying my eyes on the tapestries we passed, depicting swordsmen and knights decapitating ogres and dragons.
Alas, we reached the guest room. My room, I guess. As I laid my hand on the door handle I turned to look at Luke. I don't know what I was expecting, because I just stood there, on the verge of opening my door and collapsing into the long-awaited bed of sweet rest. But there was an unseen barrier deterring me from that sleep savior and reprimanded me to give the prince a thank-you, or at least a good-night farewell. But no words came out of my mouth.
"Marika," he said at last. "May I call you Mari? Jane does it all the time, so maybe I should call you that, too... Marika's too formal, but anyways." He stepped closer hesitantly, as if he had been debating within himself to do so while talking. "Good night, Mari. I had a wonderful time."
His voice had picked up a serious tone. I was by the door, blinking with sleep and surprise.
"I had a wonderful time, too," I exhaled.
The corners of his lips pulled upwards twice, a halting smile. Then to my utmost astonishment and horror, they drew nearer, centering in on their target: my mouth.
Within two seconds of my life, my brain fought its most fiercest civil battle yet. One side was dubbed the "frou-frou" side, and all it wanted was for me to received that lovely lip slop and melt into any desire that drove me. Another held it in check, my "drill sergeant" side. This side demanded that I slap him on the face, real hard, and then go to bed. It ended up with a draw.
In the last possible millisecond, I flipped up my palm in front of my face, possibly to slap him. But the other side kept it in check by leaving it stationary, otherwise shielding my mouth. I felt hot breath on my palm as a mouth came up to press against my hand. Oh, it would have been a nice kiss, I lamented posthumously.
"Wait a minute!" I said. Luke had drawn back his head and was looking at me with a very puzzled expression. "Eh...we don't have this custom in Ayortha," I grinned frantically. "Sorry!"
I had been backed up against the door. Now I opened it from behind and stepped backwards, slamming the door to block entrance to my silent room.
Eh...not the most graceful way to part with a prince. "Goodnight!" I called back lamely.
Through the door I heard his laughter. Okay, well at least he wasn't mad or anything.
I slipped out of my dress and slithered into my nightclothes. Then I slumped into bed and brought the sheets above my head, muffling my screams of mortification.
=+++=
A/N: Credits for the song Marika sings, Melodies of Life, from Final Fantasy IX. It quite fits, don't you think :) ?