Bonding Ties Between Reality and Non-reality
Chapter 16: Tension
Prince Isaac was stunned with disbelief and shock when he found his left hand grasping a glass of water. Or so he thought.
At that very moment, his natural living instincts blinded all other questions that rose at the back of his mind. His hand automatically reached up to his mouth.
He thought he heard a voice again, clearer this time, but dismissed it.
He gratefully downed the transparent liquid without much thought.
It registered faintly in his mind that it tasted bitter . . .
The glass slipped from Prince Isaac's hand.
It fell to the ground, shattered and empty of its contents . . .
----o----
"Oh! My goodness!" Merlina exclaimed. "Please excuse my deplorable clumsiness, King Hydros."
King Hydros immediately restrained her as she started to bend down. "Please, allow me to retrieve your glass."
"Oh, thank you so much," she replied in return, accepting his offer graciously.
Picking up an empty glass which Merlina had dropped earlier, the blue-haired King handed it back to a nearby waiter with a tray of drinks.
"It was lucky of you to down the champagne before dropping it, if I may say so," said he, his eyes twinkling.
Merlina grew pink. "I can't imagine what made me drop my glass like that," she murmured. "I can assure you that I do not apply that as a daily habit," she continued with a shy smile.
"I'm sure that is the case," he agreed pleasantly.
----o----
What . . . bitter . . . why so . . . dizzy . . .
Isaac stumbled and fell forward. Karst immediately rushed to his aid and tried to support him. He looked vaguely at her. Behind her, Saturos emerged.
"Hurry," he sharply told Karst.
Karst did not need any coaxing. Holding his shoulders tightly and firmly looking into his dazed eyes, she whispered quickly and enchantingly, "You're in my control now. Do you hear me? You will remember nothing other than what I will tell you. You will do all that I say and accept all that I tell you. All that goes against my words are lies. Do you hear?"
His eyes went a deeper shade of grey as though a fog clouded them. He numbly nodded semi-consciously. He felt like sinking into a disturbed sleep . . .
Karst then continued convincingly, "Now Prince Isaac, you're going to be all right. You're just feeling mildly dizzy because you're not feeling very well today. The drink I gave you will make you feel better. I saved you. Understand?"
The fog was slowly dissipating, only to leave behind a growing headache. Prince Isaac shook his head in efforts to rid that heavy feeling in his head, but proved to be futile.
"Y—yes, I—do," he murmured slowly, wincing as he did so. He looked at her and frowned with effort, not recognising this woman. "Who—who are you?"
Just then, Alex rushed over, suspicious and wary.
"What's going on?" he demanded. His sharp eyes noted that both man and woman that stood before him were Proxians, and immediately he felt dislike towards them. He was not prejudiced against Proxians, but he trusted few of them. "Your Highness, are you all right?"
"He's fine," Karst intercepted sharply. "His Highness just felt a little dizzy, that's all. Isn't that right, Your Highness?" she asked him sweetly.
Rising with Karst's help, Prince Isaac tried to focus his gaze on Alex. "Y—yes, I am all right, thank you—er—"
"General Alex," Saturos said helpfully.
"Yes, General Alex. Thank you." Isaac could hardly get that drowsy feeling out from his mind. Who was he? Oh yes, he was Isaac. Prince Isaac of Vale. And that blue-haired man was General Alex, joint head of Vale's army. Now where was he?
Where . . . He tried to remember anything that had happened prior to that very moment, and felt a jolt of pain the second after. He grimaced.
"If I may be enlightened as to what has happened, prince—?" Alex inquired, politely but firmly.
"Nothing happened," Saturos intervened again, smiling in a way Alex couldn't help but dislike.
He glanced coolly at the pale-skinned man. "I hope I am not being rude, but I'm afraid I was directing my question to the prince," he replied smoothly. "Prince Isaac?"
Tension was in the air. Alex could feel it. He did not know precisely why, but he knew it was there. The three of them looked at the golden-haired prince in concealed expectation.
"I—no, nothing happened," Isaac answered, a bit hesitant but nevertheless, sounding quite sure. After all, what else could he say? Had something happened to him, he had no idea what it was—now would that not make him absolutely silly and absurd?
His answer did not suit Alex's books at all. Walking around in circles was definitely not an example of a normal situation. That woman's sudden entry and action of pressing a glass onto Prince Isaac's hand was still very suspicious. For all he knew, that drink could have contained doping substances. That would explain his dazed air.
But he could not very well argue and demand an explanation from a woman right in front of the prince himself, he reasoned. Besides, he did not have sufficient evidence to prove his accusations. He would just have to keep it to himself and of course, keep a stern eye on both Proxians. He didn't trust either an inch.
"Very well. I trust that Your Highness is well," he accepted grudgingly.
"Then, if you'll excuse us, we'd like to return to the ballroom," said Karst, smiling attentively at the prince. "I believe His Highness has enough of fresh air."
The word 'ballroom' clicked in Isaac's mind. Of course, he was in the castle! His home! And he was having a ball, and he—oh no, he remembered nothing further than that. He knew that if he probed further, that jolt of pain would strike again. He faced difficulty even trying to remember where the ballroom was exactly. Millions of questions raced through his mind. Was he out here for fresh air? If not, then why? And who were these people? And why did Alex look so concerned for him?
Perhaps this red-haired woman would help him to remember. She had seemed so assured, self-poised. She would certainly help him, he was sure. She had to. At least, until this momentary (he fervently hoped) crisis was over.
"Y-es. Shall we?" At least he had not forgotten his manners, he thought gratefully. If he thought hard, maybe he would remember his parents. And with a little more effort, his friends.
Venus, what was wrong with him?! Did he just knock—no, rephrase that—bash his head against some rock tree or such until he was out of his mind? How could he not remember his parents?!
"Delighted, my prince."
Pushing very disturbing thoughts away, Prince Isaac nodded at both Saturos and Alex as he led Karst away. He would ask this young woman questions.
"I will also take my leave, if you don't mind," Saturos excused himself politely with a sneering smile. "We shall meet again, perhaps, General Alex."
Alex was left at the spot, mystified and troubled.
----o----
"Our little observatory tower is so useful, isn't it?"
Sheba nodded as she accepted the glass of champagne that Ivan offered to her. "Indeed, this balcony is a very strategic spot for observation."
"Seen anything of Prince Isaac or this Lady Lushielle since the last time we saw him rushing after her?" Ivan inquired.
The blonde threw a look at him. "No—" She suddenly stopped as she saw something out of the corner of her eyes. "Yes. His Highness is right there."
"Where?"
She pointed to one of the side doors leading out into the castle grounds. "There. He isn't with Lady Lushielle though. Some red-haired woman."
Ivan raised an inquiring eye, focusing his attention to a spiky-haired golden person from afar. "Now isn't that odd. Shouldn't he be with Lady Lushielle, after all that action of chasing after her?"
"Perhaps, but not necessarily. Maybe he couldn't find her in the end, came back and met this woman on the way. Or otherwise he already met up with her and sorted things out, and came back comforted or something," Sheba suggested, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. "No big deal, I should think."
"You may be right, and I hope the latter is the case," he replied. "I think I quite like her, actually. Lady Lushielle, I mean."
"Hmm . . . I think she is an interesting character. Where did she say she was from?"
"Imil, apparently. It must be very cold now there at this time of the year."
She nodded thoughtfully. "I see." She paused for a while before saying her next words. "I also think that she is hiding something."
Ivan cocked an eyebrow. "What makes you say that, Sheba?"
"Just from a short conversation we had earlier. But I'm probably just probing in the air."
"May not be a bad secret, right?"
"I didn't say it is."
----o----
"Isn't it a wonder that I actually find dancing with you a pleasant thing?"
Garet Jerra pretended to look offended. "I'm hurt."
Jenna laughed as they both walked towards the main table of the royal family. "You're not good at pretending, Garet. It sticks out like a mile. Just like Prince Isaac."
"At least we're both honest, then," he shot back with a grin. "Something to be proud of, I say."
"Come to think of it, we haven't seen much of both His Highness and Tia since we last traded partners," Jenna brooded thoughtfully. "I hope they're getting along well."
"I wouldn't worry about that," Garet replied with yet another grin. "They're really good together, don't you think?"
The crimson-haired young woman was about to reply when she suddenly stopped abruptly in her speech. "Hey, there he is! And—"
"Isaac?" Garet looked over at the direction Jenna's eyes were focused to. A certain golden-haired prince was entering the ballroom through one of its side doors arm in arm with a young woman with flaming red hair. "Yeah, you're right!" His voice then dropped. "But he isn't with M—Tia, though . . ."
Jenna frowned. "You know, I can't say for sure, but that girl looks rather familiar . . ."
"Really?" Garet puzzled over it for a second before it all clicked in his mind. "Mars, she looks really alike Tia's stepmother! Maybe she's some daughter or relation or something!"
Mia's godmother cursed silently. "Where on Angara is Tia?"
"Maybe they got her out of the way," Garet suggested concernedly, thinking of the charming aqua-haired young woman. "Whatever it is, we better get over to Isaac and make sure we stick close to him—"
"Even if that girl's a relation or just no one in particular," she finished. "And I'm finding out where Mia vanished off to."
Making their way towards Prince Isaac, Jenna was relieved that Isaac, at least, looked alive and well. "But we can't say for sure, though," Garet objected seriously, "we've just got to hope that he hasn't been doped or anything like that yet. Better still, if that girl is just a Somebody."
"But I'm worried about Tia, too . . ."
----o----
Isaac was feeling much, much better. Memories were coming back, and easier to recall at that.
All thanks to Lady Sierra Hynas, that beautiful, sweet young woman who had helped him so much.
All that he was so regretful and guilty about was that he could not recollect even a single piece of memory of how he first met her tonight. She, with some embarrassment, had to fill him in with all the details. Their first meeting at the dance floor after dinner had commenced did not seem familiar at all. He could not remember a single topic of their conversations throughout the time they spent together chatting.
Without her, he wouldn't have known that she, Sierra Hynas, had found him walking in delirious circles in the palace grounds. (That would explain that fuzzy feeling, he guessed). She had left him to go to the washroom for a while, and had come back to find him missing. She had then went outside and finally found him in the confused state he was in. Thank Venus the drink that she administered to him would make him feel better soon enough.
But not even she could justify his odd actions. She was very shocked herself; but after all, who would not be? He had to be insane. No one, at least not of this world, would walk in circles over and over again like a madman when there were just trees and shrubs around him. Either he went purely idiotic and as mad as a hatter, or something extraordinary had happened during that short time which no one had an answer to. That remained a huge question mark, and deep-felt embarrassment for his side.
And the rest, he knew.
It hit him then. Now he knew of the story after dinner commenced, but what happened before dinner? When he questioned her, she could not provide any useful information. Unfortunately, she was held back due to certain reasons, therefore arriving extremely late for the party ball. She had immediately met him then. He could see that she was crestfallen for not being of any help there. He quickly dropped the subject.
The next question that egged on him was whom on earth did he invite over to the royal family's table for dinner.
If it was not Lady Hynas, then who was it? Who was that someone? Goodness, everyone would think him senile if he could not even remember the potential princess-to-be that he himself chose! A princess whom he could not remember!
Terrible, absolutely terrible! Perhaps she was looking for him now, and he did not even know her name to start looking! How ironic. She would be so disappointed and embarrassed beyond reason!
And it would be his entire fault. All right; perhaps not altogether his fault if something bizarre had happened that caused his temporary loss of memory, but still . . .
But after all, if I can't remember her . . . whoever she is, if she didn't leave an impact on me, then . . . his inner mind argued. If she were to be someone like Lady Hynas, I'm sure I would remember her, he thought with a smile.
She was so nice and kind to him, filling any gaps that his memories had. The fog was starting to clear already considerably. He owed her much gratitude.
In the meantime, he had to find out discreetly who was the young woman that he had invited over. The obvious method would be to open his mouth, and ask . . . of course, not just some random person. He had to be careful. He had no intentions of worrying his dear parents by letting them know of his troubles.
Now who should I ask—"Look, Your Highness! Your friends are coming," told Lady Hynas, smiling at Isaac.
True enough, Garet and—who? Oh yes, Jenna, he remembered—were hurrying over. Oddly enough, he thought he spotted a worried look in Garet's eyes past his eye mask.
"Your Highness," Jenna bowed politely. She looked over to his companion. "And you are—?"
Lady Hynas smiled. "Sierra Hynas. Lady Segrave, I presume?"
Jenna was mildly gratified, though remained suspicious. "Yes, that's right. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"As well mine."
"So how are you holding up, Isaac?" Garet asked genially, butting in their conversation.
He smiled. "Good enough, thank you. It's been wonderful to have Lady Hynas by my side all this while," said he, throwing a look of gratitude at his companion.
Unbeknownst of Jenna, Karst caught her frowning ever so slightly at spiky-haired Garet. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Your Highness," she replied, laughing embarrassedly. She smirked inwardly. So far, the whole plan was working like magic! Of course, he had taken her unawares with a few detailed questions, but she was quite sure that she had covered up her backgrounds well.
"So, um . . . where did Tia go anyway?" Garet inquired. He had never seen this Lady Hynas before, and most definitely he had never heard of such a name. Jenna was right, he decided; she did resemble Mia's stepmother in some ways. Especially with that Proxian touch.
Prince Isaac cocked an eyebrow. "Tia?" He could not seem to recall such a name, oddly familiar as it was.
Jenna's heart leapt. Concern was building up. What in Mars . . . "Perhaps you remember her better as Lady Lushielle, Your Highness," she explained, forcing a laugh. "Wasn't she with Your Highness last we parted?"
If she could, Lady Hynas would have most certainly scowled at Jenna. She threw a quick look at the golden-haired prince. If the potion was concocted perfectly in the right proportions, he would not be able to remember such a name.
Lady . . . Lushielle? . . . I—no, there isn't anyone I know of that name, I think . . . But then if I've never heard of her, then Garet would not have asked me. Perhaps it's one of the bits of memory that I still can't recall. Lady Lushielle . . .
Both Garet and Jenna were panic-stricken inside when Isaac frowned in effort to recall such a name. Something is terribly wrong, their minds echoed.
"Don't you remember?" Garet asked quickly.
Isaac knew then that there was something wrong. This Lady Lushielle must have been someone important to both Garet and Jenna. He could see uneasiness and apprehension in them. Oddly enough, that name was rather familiar . . .
Oh no, he suddenly thought. Don't tell me this lady is the one I . . .
He winced as a sharp pain suddenly jolted through his head. He realised that if he probed further he would only meet with pain. Perhaps it was some side effects of his bizarre actions earlier on.
"Are you all right, Your Highness?" Lady Hynas inquired worriedly.
"Are you okay, Isaac?" Garet echoed.
Putting on a reassuring smile, he nodded. "Yes, I'm all right, thank you. Just a little headache, I fear," said he, laughing it off. He then struggled with his words.
"I—I cannot seem to recall this—Lady Lushielle—of whom you speak of, Garet. Uh . . . my apologies." It was really odd how many things seemed to be familiar though, he thought. It was evident that many memories were gone.
Immediately, he noticed the colour drained from both Garet and Jenna's faces, especially Jenna's. They did not seem to know how to react. It struck a panic note in him. Who on Venus was this unknown lady, and why did she seem so important? Why did it bring forth such a drastic reaction?
Worse still, was she the one that he invited over to the royal family's table?
"A—are you—sure, Your Highness?" Jenna asked fearfully, trying to keep her cool.
"There, there," Lady Hynas cut in smoothly, "His Highness has had a headache previously, thus not feeling too well. Perhaps it is better if we ask less of His Highness for now."
"I apologise deeply," Prince Isaac rushed in, eager to explain, "but Lady Hynas is right. I cannot seem to remember some things, but I am sure I know this Lady Lushielle of whom you speak of. I . . . "
He was about to say more when he stopped hesitantly. He wanted to ask Garet about this Lady Lushielle so much; Lady Hynas could not help him in this. He knew that if he could confide in someone, it was his godfather. There was no one that he placed greater trust in. But he would have to wait until he could tackle Garet alone.
"Isaac, are you sure you are okay? You don't sound or look like it," Garet asked concernedly. If there was something wrong with Isaac, Garet was always the first to know about it, aside from his parents.
And he knew, just from his distraught face, that something was terribly wrong. What on Mars had this suspicious woman done to him? She seemed so evasive when it came to Mia . . .
The prince looked gratefully at his young godfather. "Thank you for your concern, Garet. I am sure I will be all right soon. I . . . I'm very sorry."
"No, it's all right, Your Highness. Perhaps Garet and I should take our leave. We have some business to attend to," Jenna assured with a smile, ignoring her partner's surprised look at her.
"Very well, I shall see both of you soon," said the prince, smiling apologetically. "Take care."
"Enjoy your night!" Lady Hynas bade genially, before she and Prince Isaac walked away together.
Jenna threw a sharp look at her. All the more she was confirmed of her suspicion that this woman was somehow connected to Mia's stepfamily, and that Mia herself was in probable danger.
She would remember that face, she was certain, if she saw it ever again.
"A headache that results in loss of memory? Fiddlesticks!" she exclaimed with a scowl.
Garet nodded vigorously. "Jenna, was that the best action to take? Leaving Isaac with her like that?"
"I know, but . . . we've still got Mia to think of. We can get Felix or someone to keep an eye on His Highness. I'm very worried about Mia. She was with His Highness and now he's with this woman whom I'm quite sure now is one of the stepsisters. Something must have happened to her."
"You're right, but Isaac . . ." he began, but broke off. "You look out for Mia, okay? I'll keep an eye on Isaac and make sure that girl doesn't pull off any funny-looking stunts. I've a feeling I should speak to him alone."
Jenna smiled understandingly. She knew that Isaac meant a lot to Garet. Despite Isaac being the 'godchild', they both had strong bonds since childhood days. "You do just that. Mia can't be far off."
----o----
"There you are, Mother!"
Whipping around, Merlina's smile vanished when she saw a panting Menardi.
"Menardi! What have you been doing, looking so red like you just participated in a race?" she asked disapprovingly. Dropping her voice then, she continued, "How did it go?"
Her daughter had a sour and dismayed look plastered on her face. "She dispelled my illusion! She must be an Adept, probably a Water Adept if I'm not mistaken. I had to escape before she saw me," she muttered darkly. "How can it be? Adepts aren't everywhere! What are the odds, Mother?"
"Oh dear . . . that is quite an unexpected development," said Merlina, raising an eyebrow. "We did not see that case coming." Menardi had never seen her mother turn a hair before; she was always so calm and steady.
Merlina thought for a moment, before sharply adding, "Are you thinking what I am thinking, Menardi?"
It all clicked at that moment. ". . . You mean, it was her? That whelp?" Menardi uttered disbelievingly. "But we left her in the inn, with no way of transportation here!"
Merlina shrugged her shoulders. "I think that is the most probable case. Like you just said, there are not many Water Adepts around in this world. We know that she is one. Looking from this point of view, I'm surprised now that we did not realise it sooner than we should have. No wonder she looked somewhat familiar when she bumped into the prince," she muttered.
Her daughter's mind was in a whirl, thoughts processing quickly. "The long blue hair . . . I think you're right, Mother." Her face darkened. "How dare she try to masquerade in here and deceive us! The nerve of her to do that! For all we know, she might have purposely bumped into the prince to stop him from drinking the poison!"
"Perhaps you are right, Menardi," her mother replied gravely. "I think that is what that happened. Doubtless she didn't know that the drink contained poison, but maybe did it as a safety precaution. Who knows? After all, she probably has no problems in recognising us. She must have somehow found a way to get here, and set herself to spy on us the whole time, while worming her way into the prince's family at the same time."
"Her determination never fails to amaze me sometimes," Menardi muttered. "Do you think she knows that we recognise her?"
"That I cannot say, but it would be best for us to pretend that we have no idea, I think," she replied with a grim smile. "So she dispelled your illusion. She has some control over her Psynergy. But it does not matter, as long as Saturos' side worked. Did it?"
Menardi shook her head. "I don't know yet. We split paths as they were in different places. I think it should be a success, though. Karst was with him to assist if necessary."
Gazing far off, Merlina suddenly checked her words and smiled broadly. "Assure yourself of any fears that you have, my dear. Our Karst is currently walking side-by-side with our dear prince. Just look and see."
"What?" Turning around, she saw what her mother saw. She smirked.
"The odds are still with us. We did it."
----o----
It was minutes later after Prince Isaac had made his exit with Karst Larfax that Mia and Felix reached the very spot where he had left.
"He isn't here . . ." Mia observed, dismayed.
"I'm sure I saw His Highness around here previously, though . . ." Felix's keen eyes scanned the surrounding area before they spotted something familiar.
"Ah! Alex!"
Mia's heart missed a beat. It happened every time she heard any familiar loved name uttered out. It usually ended up with her ray of hope dashed to pieces like fallen glass. Looking in the same direction as Felix, she drew in her breath sharply as she saw a manly figure far off the distance . . .
With aqua hair. Just like how she remembered it. Her mind was in a whirl. Was her mind playing tricks on her when she was on other urgent matters? Could it really be—?
The figure turned around, and seemed to wave at Felix before halting midway suddenly.
Mia nearly forgot to breathe then. Her eyes widened like saucers as she recognised the figure. Of course she would recognise it! She would know that face anywhere! The image had never been so real compared to any of her past illusions. She knew that her eyes were not deceiving her this time. And she knew that he saw her too.
Alex recognised her.
"Alex . . ." she whispered, happy beyond description yet with a tinge of disbelief. She could not believe it; that she had finally met her cousin again in her wildest place of all, in such odd circumstances.
The next thing Felix knew was that both Alex and Mia had run up to each other and hugged like there was no tomorrow. He was startled.
"Mia!"
"Alex!"
There was no doubt about it; this was no illusion. Mia's heart leapt with joy.
Pulling away from their embrace, Alex looked at his cousin happily. She knew that he felt exactly the same way she felt. "Is it really you, Mia? Tell me it's really you! Mercury, after all these years, I've finally found you again!"
Tears were glistening in Mia's eyes. His voice was deeper, his features sharper with maturity, but he was the same Alex she had departed from years ago in Imil. "Oh Alex . . . I can't believe myself too! I've missed you and Picard so, so, so much!"
"You look even more beautiful then ever since the last time we saw you," Alex declared proudly. "You've absolutely no idea how we all at home were so worried about you and Uncle! Picard will be overjoyed! What have you been up to all this time?"
A cough from Felix startled both of them.
Recovering himself, Alex laughed gaily with a tinge of embarrassment. "I do apologise, Felix. I was so caught up in our long-lost meeting that I forgot about my manners. Very remiss of me. Allow me to introduce my very dear cousin, Mia Lushiris," said he, flourishing a hand at the happy girl.
Felix only quirked an eyebrow. "Oh?" was all he said with a hint of question to a beaming Mia.
Realisation dawned upon Mia like no other then. It came crashing down on her. She realised that Felix Segrave only knew her as 'Sarah Lushielle', and that Alex had inadvertently blown her cover, so to speak.
Her happiness was not long-lived.
Worse, her disguise instantly reminded her that she still had a missing prince to recover. She realised that meeting Alex once more had shifted all her attention and focus from Prince Isaac away. Oh, how could she forget all about him! One minute she was all so het up about finding him; the next minute she was the happiest person in the world!
"Uh . . . I . . ." she stuttered, at a loss for words. It was always time, time, and time. How was she going to explain the whole thing when she had no time?
"Is there something wrong?" Alex inquired, realising that there was certain tension between the Felix and Mia.
Mia looked resolute. Explanations had to come later. "I'll explain later, please. This isn't the time! Alex, did you see Isa—I mean His Highness just now?"
"His Highness?" the aqua-haired young man echoed, his eyes narrowing instantly. The previous episode concerning the distraught prince and the suspicious Proxians was still on his mind, unsolved. Come to think of it, he guessed Mia was one of the invited ladies to attend the party ball. That would explain her presence here after all this time, he thought. "Yes, His Highness was here minutes ago," he answered readily. "Are you looking for him?"
"Yes, it's very important," Mia rushed worriedly. "Where did he go? Was there anyone with him?"
Alex's face hardened. "Yes, he was with a young lady and a man. I believe they went back to the ballroom."
"Something wrong, General?" Felix interposed, observing the other man's grim expression.
He hesitated a moment. Should he tell them of the prince's strange behaviour? "Well . . . His Highness was acting a bit oddly, in my opinion. He seemed rather troubled, though the Proxians said that His Highness was not feeling well—"
"Proxians?" Mia interrupted, aghast. Her deepest fears were multiplying by the second. Please, Mercury, let him still be all right . . . "How did she look like? The young woman, I mean?" she asked quickly.
"Uh, medium height, if I remember correctly," said Alex as he struggled to remember any striking features of the woman in question. Little did he know that with every characteristic he listed Mia's heart sank deeper and deeper!
"Long dark red hair, red eyes, wearing a dark red dress—" he stopped as Mia uttered a soft cry of anguish. "What's wrong, Mia?" he asked concernedly.
"I've got to go," said she, her face pale. "I'm so sorry I can't explain things right now, Alex; I'd love to catch up on the old times, but there's something terribly important going on, and I'm responsible for it."
Felix watched her closely. He was totally in the dark just as Alex was. First came this young woman who declared herself as Sarah Lushielle but apparently kept her real name, Mia-something, a secret from him and everyone else, including the prince himself. Then she seemed to know something about the danger on the prince. And as if her actions and behaviour were not odd enough, she was actually Alex Lucerne's (and as well as Picard Lucerne, he guessed) cousin, whom apparently had not seen her for many years. Yet they seemed so close.
Now, all he knew that the prince was still in danger. In fact, in greater danger than ever before.
Without another word, he started off towards the castle building in a fast pace.
"Felix—" Alex started to holler.
"Will you follow me back to the ballroom and identify that young woman, Alex?" Mia pleaded. That description fitted Karst to no end. She loved the colour of dark red above any other, she remembered. "It's for the prince's sake. We really need to find him now, and fast. That young woman may be a bad person."
Alex shook his head, baffled. All this was way beyond his knowledge. "All right. I wouldn't have believed you if not for the fact that I witnessed something most peculiar with the prince myself just now, and those two Proxians."
Bad news was too much an understatement. Oh, how she wished she had not been so careless as to let the prince out of her sight! It would be all her fault if her stepfamily had finally got him under their thumbs!
"Tell me as we go," Mia breathed, eager to know yet dreading so much.
Please, let him be all right . . .
----o----
King Kyle and Queen Dora, host and hostess of that night's party ball, were feeling most delighted. Indeed, proceedings were going so smoothly, the food was perfect, even the orchestra was flawless! All their guests were happy and entertained, and had no hesitations of proclaiming so.
And of course, not to mention that their one and only son had chosen a most charming and beautiful young lady. Of course, it was not confirmed yet, but inviting her over for dinner was a huge sign. Her antecedents were yet to be cleared up, but social status did not matter anyway. As long as she made their son happy, loved and took care of him, that was good enough.
"So what do you think of our Lady Lushielle, Master Hama?" Queen Dora asked confidentially.
"Yes, do tell us," King Kyle encouraged with a smile. "Your impressions are always most valuable to us."
Dressed in her best gown, Master Hama thought for a brief second before replying, "I cannot really say as I did not meet her in person, but based on my first impression, I think she is quite a good match for His Highness, Your Majesty. Possibly charming," she added nonchalantly.
Queen Dora beamed. "I'm glad you think so, Master Hama. Personally, I'm quite delighted with her. She appears to be very friendly and gracious. I think Isaac chose . . . er, rather well."
"Speak of the devil himself, here he comes!" King Kyle exclaimed. Then his face dropped. "But he isn't with Lady Lushielle, though."
His wife was about to reply when Prince Isaac came up and bowed to them. His companion, a red-haired Proxian lady, also curtsied politely before royalty.
"Father, Mother, Master Hama," said Prince Isaac. "Allow me to introduce Lady Sierra Hynas, a most charming lady. Lady Hynas, this is my parents, and one of our best advisors, Master Hama."
Karst smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet Your Majesties, and Master Hama."
"As it is mine as well," Master Hama replied politely, throwing an observant glance at her. That glance seemed much more than just a fleeting look. Karst somewhat felt a sense of calmness and vigilance surrounding the older woman. It made Karst rather uncomfortable somehow.
"Oh no, it is all ours, Lady Hynas," said King Kyle politely. (He had forgotten what ten thousand-time was that.)
"So, how are you finding the night, Lady Hynas?" Queen Dora inquired.
"Oh, it's absolutely wonderful! I'm sure everyone here couldn't agree more," Karst replied gushingly. "I'm letting myself go too much, I'm afraid. Such lovely hospitality!"
Queen Dora smiled. "We are most delighted to hear that. I hope you have been treating our guest well, Isaac?" she teased.
"Actually, Mother," handsome Prince Isaac replied, "Lady Hynas has been most obliging and caring. I should be thanking her for making this night so pleasing, indeed."
That sentence struck a strange note in both his parents. An unknown lady, suddenly seemingly so close to their son when he had a Lady Lushielle to think of and entertain? Where was she anyway?
"Your Highness, may I have a private moment with you?" Master Hama suddenly inquired politely.
Prince Isaac looked a trifle surprised, but nevertheless acquiesced. "Of course, Master Hama. Excuse us, Father, Mother, Lady Hynas."
They walked idly away, Master Hama leading the way. She made sure that they were of some distance away from the other three before she finally spoke. "Ahem . . . if it may not be too much of me to ask, Your Highness, but when did you meet this lady?"
"Lady Hynas?" said he, surprised by her question. He realised that his practical answer would be "in the castle grounds not more than half an hour ago", but that would perhaps not be the correct answer. After all, she herself told him that they met at the dance floor, though she did not exactly specify the time.
"Uh—some time after dinner started," he answered vaguely. "I did not exactly take note of the time," he added sheepishly.
The short lavender-haired woman cocked an eyebrow. His answer seemed a little odd, she thought. "Also, may I know where Lady Lushielle is? I would like to meet her personally, if Your Highness does not mind," said she, smiling faintly.
Isaac got another shock then. Lady Lushielle again!
Master Hama knew her, and she evidently expected him to know even more so than her! Venus forbid, she must have been the one he had invited to join him for dinner then! Perhaps that was why her name was slightly familiar, he contemplated.
He was grasping at straws now. He could not remember a single thing about this lady; how she looked like, how was her character. But if only he could find her, perhaps she could help him to recover part of his memories of before dinner commenced. Yes, he would ask Garet who exactly was this lady, and somehow remember what happened from A to Z.
But for now, he had to give an excuse. He debated on what he should tell Master Hama. He did not think it was best for her to know that he was suffering from temporary (or so he fervently hoped) memory loss; that would certainly alarm her, and his parents.
"I . . . uh, I'm afraid I am not too sure . . ." he answered hesitantly. A questioning look from the older lady made him even more nervous. "She—excused herself some time ago as she said she had some business to tend to."
Lame, lame, lame, his mind screamed at him.
There was something amiss with the prince, Master Hama thought. He seemed somewhat distraught. Did it have to do with . . .?
"I see," she said coolly, accepting that explanation for the moment. "Thank you, Your Highness. I must take my leave now, if Your Highness will excuse me."
"Very well. Enjoy yourself, Master Hama," he bid, smiling respectfully. He wondered what inspired all her sudden questions.
"Be careful, Your Highness," was all she replied, leaving him most surprised and bewildered.
Be careful? What does she mean?
Be careful Of what?
----o----
I must find Ivan, Master Hama thought. Perhaps he may know whatever it is that troubles the prince so. There is definitely something wrong with him.
And that girl . . . something about her bothers me.
Master Hama had not forgotten about the impending danger that loomed above Prince Isaac's head. She had been alert the whole time, and everything seemed well above normal.
Until now.
She had her suspicions on this Lady Sierra Hynas. Something was not quite right about her. She was a stranger, yet seemed rather intimate with the prince, to the extent that the prince himself introduced her to his parents. To top it off, he was primarily at a loss for words when it came to the subject of Lady Lushielle. His excuse was not very convincing. Any fool would be able to see through that.
The situation looked, indeed, quite peculiar.
Somehow, she hoped that she was gravely mistaken. Probably she was mistaken.
After all, what were the odds that you discovered a Mars Adept in a blink of an eye?
Author's Note: And Chapter 16 is done! There's so much going on now suddenly—Isaac's finally becoming blur, Karst is feeling happy, Mia meets with Alex, and Hama is getting suspicious, and Felix is baffled, and so much more! And what about the Djinn outbreak that's supposed to happen in Vale too? I'm starting to think that this story might be just the most complicated version of Cinderella I've ever come across. :(
Thank you to sweetmaiden for proofreading this chapter!
Oh yes, Picard isn't in this chapter at all—but he's definitely in the next one! Slow updates as usual, but I hope the climax hasn't been an anti-climax! Do tell me whether you think everyone's actions and stuff are normal, or especially if they've become OOC in any way.
Chapter 4 is almost finished editing, so read it when it's up—it's more important than just a side-dream-chapter, I just discovered. :P Stay tuned for updates to come—the story isn't going to end unless some more chapters come by! Comments, constructive criticism and advice are greatly appreciated!