Bonding Ties Between Reality and Non-reality
Chapter 17: "Hurry!"
"Garet?" A hand waved. "Earth to Garet!"
Startled, the redhead in question turned sideways to face an amused Picard standing beside him.
"Picard!" Garet exclaimed, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, I was thinking of something," he explained, scratching his head.
The blue-haired young man hid a smile. "Yes, I believe I noticed that," said he. "What's on your mind?"
"Uh . . . I'm not quite sure how to explain, but . . ." he explained hesitatingly. "It's nothing really." Even if he wanted to share his thoughts with Picard, he barely knew how to present the current situation such that it would make sense to an outsider listening. After all, what did he, Garet Jerra, know about all this?
He was baffled. Isaac's latest conduct was worrying him to no end. After all, you do not meet an acquaintance and forget all about her the next few hours later. That was the most baffling part of all. Truth be told, he was brooding on which method best to approach the prince. That was the only way to get answers, but he just had no idea how to go about it.
"I would rather you to 'come clean', Garet," said Picard seriously, observing him intently. "It must be a big issue if you're standing here, seemingly doing nothing." If Garet was in a better mood he would have teased him that there were still delicious foods around, he thought.
"Oh, all right." Garet was eager to confide in someone else, and he always regarded Picard as a sensible, understanding and wise person for his age. "It probably sounds silly, but . . ." He chose his next words carefully. "Have you talked to Is—I mean Prince Isaac yet?"
Picard cocked an eyebrow. "His Highness? No, I'm afraid I haven't. Why?"
"Well . . ." Garet paused, fidgeting, "You'll think I've a screw loose in my head, but I feel that he's—different. Somehow. I don't know how."
"Different?" Picard echoed. "What do you mean?"
Yeah, well, he's apparently forgotten all about Mia alias Lady Sarah Lushielle, he thought sarcastically. No matter how good a friend Picard was, Garet doubted he would accept that sentence at its true value. Ironically, he did not know Mia was blood-related to Picard. "It's sort of a long story," he began, his own voice unsure, "Just—different. It's like distracted plus something else I-don't-know-what."
"You make me even more curious, I'm afraid," Picard replied, chuckling mildly. "I'm afraid I cannot help you though. Last I saw His Highness, he looked well and fine. Why not ask His Highness himself?"
Garet nodded slowly. "Yeah, I was thinking of doing that . . ."
Picard looked at Garet keenly. "You do make me worried, you know . . ."
"Sorry," Garet apologised with a faint smile, "I'll keep you updated about this."
He nodded. "I expect you to."
----o----
". . . And in the end, I had to let them go because I had no concrete proof to accuse them of anything," Alex ended.
Mia stopped, her face drained of colour. Alex had just narrated the sequence of events that happened prior her entrance with Felix at the castle grounds. It was worse than she had hoped for. Her stepfamily's plans had finally worked! Despite all the precautions she, Sister Jenna and Garet took, they failed. It was all her fault for ditching the prince in the first place, she thought. She hated herself for letting this happen. Sister Jenna and Garet would be so disappointed in her!
Useless. I couldn't help him in the end . . . If only . . . if only I didn't leave him back then . . . if only!
In confidence, she had told him and Felix that the liquid Karst (she mentioned her name but did not inform him that they were actually related) administered to Isaac must have been some sort of poison that affected his mind. Only Mercury knows what she will do to him! Alex was more than mystified. So was Felix.
"How do you know all this?" Felix had asked her earlier suspiciously.
She did not know how to answer. "I . . . please, you've got to trust me. I can't explain things now, but I will . . . after we find His Highness first." She paused for a while. "You will trust me, right Alex?"
". . . Yes, I trust you, Mia," he agreed gravely. "I always have."
Now Alex looked around valiantly in the ballroom for familiar faces. Particularly a golden-haired prince. "Dash it all, I can't see him anywhere!"
"Let's split up," Felix suggested. "I'll find Ivan and Sheba. They can help."
"All right. I'll look for Picard. Maybe His Highness is with him."
Mia suddenly clutched Alex's sleeve when she heard her other cousin's name. "Picard? He is here too?"
"Of course. I'll tell him I've finally met you again," he answered with a smile. "He will be so happy."
They parted.
----o----
"What's the time now, dear?" King Kyle inquired. "My eyesight is failing nowadays, I'm afraid."
"Half-past eleven, dear," Queen Dora answered with a smile. "Soon, Isaac should be announcing his bride-to-be, and our future daughter-in-law!"
King Kyle scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm . . . speaking of that, what did you think of . . . just now?"
"Just now? You mean . . . when Isaac came along with Lady Hynas?"
"Precisely. Frankly, just between the two of us, I thought it was rather . . . odd."
"Well . . ." she paused. "It was a bit strange. I wanted to ask him where was Lady Lushielle, but it would have been impolite to ask that in front of Lady Hynas. Then later, he excused himself with her before I could say anything. He seemed a bit distant . . . flustered," said she. "I hope nothing is wrong."
He nodded his head. "If I were suspicious, I would think there was something fishy going on."
"I like her," Queen Dora suddenly said with warmth, "Lady Lushielle, I mean. If I had a daughter I would have imagined her just like that. Isaac seemed to be quite taken in by her too, didn't he?"
"I believe so, dear. I think all of us think the same."
". . . I hope Isaac makes a wise choice, when the time comes."
King Kyle took her hand in his. "Well, no matter what happens, we still have to stand by his decision. It's his choice to make, after all."
----o----
Meanwhile, Prince Isaac was making his way to the lions' den . . .
He could not help but think Lady Sierra Hynas a most delightful young woman. She was intelligent, attentive, obliging, kind and really rather beautiful in her own way. Of course, Proxians had different skins from the norm, but her own pale skin made her dark, red eyes even more outstanding, he thought. She had charming tastes, in looks and in clothes. She was knowledgeable about world affairs, including Vale. She was witty and most interesting to talk to. And most of all, she saved his day!
Strangely, he felt that she had some charm over him. Like . . . magic, he thought. Whatever she said he would do most willingly. He did not pause to reflect why, but there it was. He had even discussed the whole ball event with her, and when he came to a stop to choosing a future bride, she had turned her dark red eyes at him. Her eyes pierced into him. She did not say a word. The meaning was there.
His mind felt dizzy.
Venus, could it be that he was falling for her . . .? When the time came for him to announce his future bride to the whole crowd, would he choose . . . her?
Curiously, his mind told him he would.
There he was guilty again. His conscience pricked him. What about this—this Lady Lushielle everyone seemed so concerned about? If she seemed so important, she must have been the person he invited over for dinner. He didn't think he would choose randomly out of desperation, so she must have caught his attention somehow from the mass crowd. And yet he couldn't remember a single thing about her.
No, all he could remember was Lady Hynas. She really was wonderful. When he thought about her his mind would go dizzy occasionally. He hardly knew why.
"What are you thinking about, Your Highness?" The lady of his thoughts suddenly spoke.
Isaac shook his head slightly, smiling. "Nothing, Lady Hynas. Or perhaps, should I say . . . you?"
She allowed herself to look away in girly embarrassment. He guessed she was blushing. "Your Highness . . . I don't really know what to say . . . really?"
"You've been wonderful, Lady Hynas," said he warmly, "I mean it."
"Thank you, Your Highness," she murmured. Then her voice rose. "Ah, that is my mother over there, Your Highness."
"Splendid. Let us meet her."
They moved towards Merlina, who was conversing with a young, blonde-haired female Proxian. As they approached Merlina turned and had a look of surprise on her face as she greeted them. 'Lady Sierra Hynas' quickly spoke before her mother revealed her real name.
"Mother, Sara, this is His Highness," said she, throwing a knowing look at both women.
Menardi lifted her eyebrow at the change of her name but decided to play along for safety purposes. "Your Highness, it is such a pleasure to meet you," said she as she curtsied. Her mother did the same.
"Please, it is all my pleasure," he smiled warmly. "Lady Hynas was eager for me to meet the rest of her family, and I am glad I agreed. It is wonderful meeting such wonderful ladies as you all."
Merlina noticed sharply that he did not seem to remember her from their first meeting earlier. "Ah, but you pay us too many compliments, Your Highness. I'm afraid we are like any other," she said pleasantly with a laugh.
"True compliments, my lady," he corrected gentlemanly.
Lady Hynas coughed delicately. "Actually . . . Your Highness, might you permit me to have a word or two with my mother and sister for a short while?" she asked, giving a charming smile.
"But of course, Lady Hynas," said the prince, "I have one or two business to attend to as well."
All three women curtsied as the regal prince departed thoughtfully.
----o----
"Ivan! Sheba!"
The two in question turned as Master Hama approached them calmly, unhurriedly. Ivan smiled.
"How is the night preceding so far, sister?" Ivan asked.
"From the outside, wonderful; from the inside, safe so far," the thirty-odd woman replied seriously. They both understood what she meant.
"Nothing strange or dangerous so far, eh?" said Sheba meditatively. "That's a relief."
Master Hama paused at Sheba's words. "Well . . . nothing dangerous, but strange . . . yes, you do intrigue me . . ."
Ivan pounced on her words. "There is something strange going on, then?"
She thought for a while before speaking. "From my point of view, yes," she admitted. "It's the reason I came up here to meet you two, actually. It's about the prince. And what I would also like to know is where this Lady Lushielle is."
"Oh, we've no idea as well, Master Hama," Sheba replied. "From here, we have an excellent view of all that's going on. The last we saw of Lady Lushielle was that she suddenly left the ballroom in the middle of a dance with His Highness. That was rather strange, considering they got on very well together."
"What is on your mind, sister?" Ivan asked. "The prince seems all right from what I see up here, but I wouldn't know much."
"When I had a few words with him earlier, he was . . . distraught, to say in the least," Master Hama said carefully. "His explanations were rather feeble. He had no idea where Lady Lushielle was, he even seemed surprised to hear that name. And to add it off, that Proxian woman with him is a trifle suspicious to me . . ."
Ivan frowned. "But I thought he was chasing after Lady Lushielle when she left him in the middle of the dance! Unless he lost sight of her, doubtless he would have been with her still."
"Master Hama, there's something you haven't told us yet," Sheba said sharply. "Is it something to do with that red-haired woman? Ivan and I thought her entrance together with His Highness was rather weird too."
The older lady sighed. "I had the feeling . . . that she is an Adept."
"An Adept?" both of them chorused.
"I cannot be sure, of course . . . but I could feel her Psynergy. Most probably a Mars Adept," she said gravely. "Naturally, her being an Adept may not have any bearing on our warning of danger, but anything suspicious in the least should be taken note of. Her behaviour was a bit unusual around me. I think she vaguely sensed my Psynergy as well."
"What is this all about?"
They all jumped when Felix's deep voice suddenly spoke from behind.
"Felix!" Sheba reproached mildly. "What have you been doing all this while?"
"Looking for you two," he replied shortly. "We need to find His Highness soonest possible. Something strange—no, dangerous—is going on."
Ivan was mystified. "No time for explanations?"
He shook his head briefly. "We have a good view from here. Try to spot him."
----o----
Picard was still reflecting his strange conversation with Garet Jerra earlier. His tone had been so serious, unlike the usual Garet everyone knew. And everyone also knew that when Garet was serious, it called for Concern with a capital C. And he had been concerned . . . regarding the prince. He wished he could do something.
"Mercury, I've found you at last!"
He snapped out of his reverie as his younger brother Alex Lucerne arrived beside him. His manner was a tad agitated.
"What is it, Alex? You seem . . ." he scrutinised him carefully before deciding on the right word to use, "excited."
Alex laughed. He could hardly wait to tell him all about Mia. He wanted to be the first person to see Picard's reaction. "I have plenty of reason to be excited, brother! In no time you will be twice as excited once I tell you the news, I bet."
"You make me excited already," said Picard amusedly. "What is it?"
Even though Alex was in search for the prince, he found breaking that particular news to Picard just as important. He paused for a second or two for more dramatic effect. He even debated how to phrase it in the best way, but in the end just blurted it out.
"Mia is back!"
Picard regarded his brother for a few moments before reacting, "What?"
"She's back! I found her! She's right here in this room, brother!"
He looked at him a few moments again before speaking. "You're not pulling my leg, I hope? It's not something very funny to joke about, and you should know that."
Alex laughed. "I knew you would say that. Why would I joke about something so big? It's true! I just met her! She's all grown up already, but she's still the same Mia, brother!"
Picard believed Alex. But he simply just had to see Mia with his own eyes to double, triple check that the cousin he and Alex both missed for many years was finally back again. Mercury, they were just talking about her a few hours earlier!
"Where is she?"
"Somewhere around," Alex replied, now adopting a more serious tone, "looking for the prince. I suggest we look for His Highness as well."
He cocked his eyebrow. Looks like there was something wrong with the prince, after all. Even Alex, and now he discovered Mia too, was searching for the prince. Goodness, he would have never expected to hear of Mia here, now. The world was, indeed, full of surprises. "His Highness?"
"Yeah. I'll explain later."
----o----
I'm an idiot. The biggest idiot in the world. If something horrible happens to him I'll not forgive myself!
Mia, don't blame yourself for what has happened, Fizz comforted in her mind. You didn't do anything.
That's the problem; I didn't do anything! I left him!
Blaming yourself now won't solve the problem, Mia, said Serac practically.
Be strong, Mia. Priorities first, Spritz advised.
Mia was so deep in her thoughts as she searched for Prince Isaac that she accidentally bumped into Kraden, Vale's experienced advisor. His loose glasses slipped and fell to the floor.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" she apologised, helping the older man to retrieve his glasses.
"It's all right, my dear," said he, taking his glasses back with a nod of thanks. "Lady—Mia—no, Tia—ah, I've got it, Lushielle, right?"
Mia was desperate to find Isaac and to make sure he came to no harm. Only Mercury knew what would become of him under Karst's control. And now this kind but old man was trying to get her name right. The absurdity of it all made her confused whether to laugh or to cry. She decided on neither. "It doesn't matter now," said she hurriedly. "Do you know where Prince Isaac is?"
"The prince?" he echoed. "Hmm . . . why, I saw him earlier, talking to Garet, I believe . . . or was that before dinner?"
Mia was exasperated. "Oh, never mind, thank you" was all she said as she quickly left him.
Kraden was briefly puzzled. "What's all the rush for?"
----o----
"Well, well, looks like you've become quite the actress, haven't you, Karst?" Menardi teased. "Or should I say, Lady Hynas?" she exaggerated.
Karst grinned. "Lady Sierra Hynas at your service. You shall be my adoring sister, Sara Hynas." She then turned to her mother. "Did I not perform well, Mother?"
Merlina Larfax smiled. "Indeed, you did, my daughter. It was clever of you to change names. Always be prepared in every aspect, I always say. So the whole plan worked for you and Saturos, I presume?"
"Yes, it did. There were a few complications what with that Mr. Nosey Parker General, but the whole plan carried through. The prince is now eating out of my hand, so to speak," said she while laughing triumphantly.
"You are confident he will choose you?" Menardi asked sharply.
"Definitely. The potion is wonderful. One word from me and he listens and accepts as the truth. If I were to order him to kill himself now I doubt he would resist. I believe he is even taken in with me!"
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. Saturos' level of Psynergy is, indeed, excellent."
"I believe my ears just twitched at the sound of praise."
The three of them turned as Saturos stood behind them. He bowed graciously. "Thank you for your kind compliment, Lady Larfax."
"Thank you," said Merlina with a smile. "Thanks to you, everything will go smoothly. Not even memories back of this masquerading girl calling herself Lady Lushielle can stop us now."
Karst looked surprised. "Masquerading?"
Her older sister nodded. "You don't realise it, but she's actually our interfering stepsister. She dispelled my illusion earlier. Knowing a Mercury Adept and meeting one almost at the same time is a bit too coincidental, don't you think?"
"You're right . . ." Karst scowled. "Meddling, useless girl! To think she would be so close to the next Queen of Vale if not for us!"
"Interesting," Saturos said. "That girl has brains, at least."
"Mind you, it would be better if we do not let her know that we know," said Merlina. She smiled, but it was not a very nice smile.
----o----
Left on his own, Prince Isaac began to think.
He thought of what should he do now. He fully realised that very soon, his parents would announce that their only son had made a decision, and he would be asked to choose who the lucky young woman was. This was the turning point of his life. He had to think carefully before deciding.
His mind told him that Lady Hynas was his best choice. It kept nagging at him even when he tried to shut it off. It was the first time he couldn't stop his mind from thinking what he chose not to.
There was some force from her . . . and force from somewhere inside him too . . . that willed him to choose her.
Finally, he gave in. After all, why not her? She had good qualities in every aspect that he saw. There might be a few who would contradict his choice due to her different race as a Proxian, but what other people thought didn't matter. His opinion mattered. He was talking about his happiness, after all.
The more he thought about it, the more he decided he liked Lady Sierra Hynas.
But he was a fair man. He had to think about this Lady Lushielle as well. Even though he couldn't remember her that didn't mean she was no better than Lady Hynas. In spite of everything, she must have something that willed him to choose her as his companion during dinner.
Pain jolted in his head again. Why did he have to have this annoying temporary memory loss now? It made his choice even more difficult. Thank Venus at least the pain was slowly dissipating within time.
(Goodness, he was thinking about the ladies like they were mere objects he had a choice to possess.)
That was why he found Garet. Garet would fill him in with all the details he wanted to know. He trusted Garet.
"Garet!"
His godfather turned on him with gushing relief. "Mars, Isaac! I'm so glad you're here! Are you okay?"
Not really, his mind said firmly. He decided to go against it for once. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you. Why the sudden relief, Garet?" he asked amusedly.
"Well . . ." he paused uncertainly. "Oh, where's that Lady—that Proxian woman just now?"
"Lady Hynas," he corrected with a chuckle. "She wanted to have a word with her mother and sister, so I left . . . to look for you," he ended seriously.
"Me?" Garet echoed. "Well I'm glad, because I've been looking for you high and low! I don't believe you're okay, Isaac. There's something wrong with you," said he, going straight to the point. "Tell me what it is."
Prince Isaac sighed. Here was the crux of the whole matter. "I . . . I cannot remember some things, Garet."
Garet stared at him with a blur expression. "Cannot remember? But you remember me!"
"I mean as in I cannot remember certain things only," he explained. "And I remembered most things only when Lady Hynas recalled my memory at that. I don't know how it came to happen, but it did. I would love to know how and why. But the worst part is that I don't know either. That's why . . . that is why I do not remember this Lady Lushielle you and the rest always mention . . ." he ended hesitantly.
". . . You're not joking, right?"
"Would I be joking at this time? Garet, I need to decide my future bride soon!"
Garet hastily apologised. "I'm sorry, Isaac. It's just . . . hard to believe."
"I know . . . trust me, I've thought myself crazy and it still does not fit in with all that happened to me," he said softly. "That's why . . . before I decide, I want to know more about this Lady Lushielle. I assume she is the one I invited over to our table during dinner?"
The spiky-haired redhead assented. "Yes, she—" he stopped suddenly as his gaze travelled up to the stage. "Hey, Uncle Kyle and Aunt Dora are up there!"
Isaac was stunned. Don't tell me . . .
"May I have your attention, please," King Kyle was saying as the crowd fell silent, "I believe the long-awaited moment has come for all of us. As time now approaches midnight, so does the moment of decision nears."
His fears were proven. Time flew by so fast he hardly realised it was almost midnight, the time to give his final judgment. He groaned.
"This is the time . . . when Prince Isaac, prince of Vale, future leader and my dearly loved son, will choose his future companion for the rest of his life. She will accompany him, support him and take good care of him, in good and bad. We pray that he will choose wisely."
The crowd cheered.
But he had not yet found out who and how was Lady Lushielle like in character! How could he make a fair decision? Was she greatly disappointed already, wherever she was?
"Isaac? Will you come and give us your word?" Queen Dora invited with her warm, motherly smile.
The whole crowd seemed to be silent, looking at him, full of hopes. In every young woman's heart lay the hope of being the lucky person.
Slowly, hesitantly, his feet moved forward. The crowd made way for him silently. There was no way he could say, "I reserve my judgment for now. I ask that I may be given some more time" to the crowd. No. He would disappoint the whole crowd, not to mention his parents.
He thought carefully.
He decided.
His footsteps were more confident now.
----o----
"May I have your attention, please."
"Look! There's the prince!" Sheba gestured impatiently at a small corner of the ballroom.
King Kyle was talking, but Ivan was not listening closely for the first time. "You're right. His Highness seems . . . fine."
"He doesn't seem to be with that Proxian lady, whoever she is," Master Hama observed.
"I wonder who will he choose?" Ivan thought amusedly.
"It should be pretty obvious, right? I've no doubt Lady Lushielle is his choice. After all, he did invite her over for dinner. That isn't something very ordinary," Sheba concluded. "Isn't that right, Felix?"
The stoic man nodded briefly, but he did not seem too sure.
Master Hama suddenly frowned, perplexed. "But I feel . . . that there's something not quite right . . ."
Ivan looked concerned. "Let's just hope for the best," he muttered.
----o----
As Prince Isaac stepped up the stage, King Kyle and Queen Dora were in high spirits, full of anticipation. The time had come for Isaac to choose his lifetime partner! Queen Dora was particularly excited at the thought of having her dear son finally married, and even more so excited at the prospect of a daughter-in-law. She had great faith in him.
King Kyle proudly watched his son approaching them. Isaac was a wonderful son, and he would be the perfect leader for Vale in the years to come. He just hoped that his future wife would support him all the way through.
"Father, Mother," Prince Isaac bowed. He gave them the tiniest smile.
"Make your choice, son," King Kyle advised with a grin. "Choose, just like how I chose your mother."
Isaac nodded.
----o----
"Ladies and gentleman," Prince Isaac began.
Mia had frozen the very moment King Kyle made his announcement earlier. Her expressive aqua eyes had widened, her breathing came to a stop before she finally remembered to breathe.
So fast? She looked at the huge, ancestral clock in the ballroom. It was almost midnight. The ball was coming to a close.
Now, she was rooted to her spot as she stared at the prince hard, the person she and her friends had been searching for all this while. She had not been in time again! She had not succeeded! This decision he would make was about to either give him happiness, or to tear his life apart . . . and the worst part was that he hardly realised it.
But she knew, and she hardly did anything. She did not reveal everything to him but kept it concealed in the very first place; for her own reasons she told herself she would destroy his night if she did. But perhaps it was better if she had told all. Even if she did spoil his night, at least the rest of his life would not be spoiled.
Better one night than one life.
Silly, stupid, useless girl! Why had she not given more thought to the consequences if she kept it secret? Now it was no use crying over spilt milk. The worst situation had come, and all her efforts (not to mention Sister Jenna and Garet's as well) would be in vain. And all for what?
Cheer up, Mia. It mightn't be so bad! He might choose you, for all we know! We don't know for sure whether that silly stepsister did anything to make his brain malfunction, Spritz reasoned.
I know Karst. She takes action, no thought. She wouldn't miss this chance.
But Spritz's words held her thinking for a moment. Would he choose her?
(Mercury, that sounded so vain.)
Oh Mercury, as long as he doesn't choose Karst or Menardi! Anyone, just anyone . . .
Take it calmly, Mia, Serac advised. Panicking won't get you anywhere.
Let's pray for the best, Mia, said Fizz gravely. You've done your best.
No, I didn't, she thought bitterly. If he was really poisoned and Karst made his life a wreck in the years to come, she would not be able to forgive herself.
Someone suddenly nudged her from behind. It was Jenna.
"Are you okay?" she whispered. "Thank Mars I finally found you!"
"Sister Jenna . . ." Mia gripped her hand. "I'm afraid . . . I couldn't . . . Karst's gotten to him . . ."
Jenna understood. "She calls herself 'Sierra Hynas'," said she, hurling out the name with disgust. She patted Mia's hand. "Courage. It mayn't be as bad as we think." But her own voice sounded uncertain, wavering.
Who are we trying to deceive?
"I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and thanks to everyone who has made this whole event a wonderful and memorable one," Prince Isaac was saying. "I will not dilly-dally about, but I hope that everyone will stand by me no matter what choices I make."
The crowd was silent. Mia felt her heart pounding so hard in her chest she thought it would fall off.
Prince Isaac felt odd. It was the first time he was saying something like this. "And . . . it's not exactly my business, but for all the other charming ladies, your own special man is somewhere out there, waiting for you. But for me . . ."
For you?
It flashed in her mind. The times they were together. The scene at the pavilion, dinner, and their dance together . . . she felt like she knew him. Somehow.
She thought he felt the same. But did he really . . . ?
Prince Isaac paused momentarily. His azure eyes wandered around and caught sight of a familiar red-haired woman whom he knew well. She caught his gaze, and smiled. In her smile lay more than just an ordinary smile. But he missed the meaning underlying it.
He smiled faintly.
"I feel . . . that the lady I would like to (Venus, he hardly knew how to phrase things like this) have a chance to know her better . . ."
Everyone's hearts must have been thumping so loudly, but Mia felt that hers must have been the loudest of all.
This time, he smiled more confidently.
"Is Lady Sierra Hynas," he finished.
Mia's world shattered.
Author's Note: First of all, a super huge sorry for the terribly slow update! Hopefully you people still remember this story isn't finished yet. XD I'll be updating much more frequent now, don't worry! As I said before, I intend to finish this story by the end of this year. Hopefully it can be done, haha.
Finally, after sixteen chapters, we've come to the climax of the story! We'll have some more to go before the whole story is resolved. I know there are many chapters just on the ball, but it's the most important thing in Cinderella, right? Never fear, things are going to get even more heated now!
Comments, constructive criticism and sage advice are all appreciated!
Stay tuned for Chapter 18: Complications