Care to Explain?

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Prince Ariel took Rara’s hand, his movements graceful and deliberate. He bowed deeply, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. Rara’s cheeks flushed a rosy pink as she felt the warmth of his lips and saw the playful glint in his eyes.

“May I have the honor of this dance, my Queen?”

Rara nodded, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and anxiety. She attempted a smile, but her nerves were making her lips tremble slightly. The sudden shift in her circumstances was disorienting.

Her stomach churned with nervousness as she bit her lip, trying to suppress the anxiety crawling down her spine. Her palm grew cold, and she could feel the icy sweat trickling down her back.

The grand hall was alive with the soft strains of classical music. Couples danced elegantly, their movements synchronized to the melody. The room was filled with the soft rustling of fabric and the muted laughter of guests.

Rara lowered her gaze, unable to muster the courage to meet Prince Ariel’s eyes. Instead, she focused on the intricate embroidery on his jacket, marveling at its craftsmanship.

“Look up,” Prince Ariel’s voice was firm yet gentle.

He had noticed that Rara was avoiding eye contact, which was unusual for someone in her position. It intrigued him that she wasn’t fawning over him like the others. He found her resistance both refreshing and intriguing.

After a moment’s hesitation, Rara lifted her gaze. She met Prince Ariel’s eyes, which were as deep and enigmatic as the ocean. His smile was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the regal facade he often wore.

It had been ages since Rara had seen a man as handsome as Prince Ariel. His charming demeanor and captivating smile almost made her forget the surreal nature of her situation.

“So, may I have the honor of knowing who this young lady is?” he inquired, his tone both curious and admiring.

“Chihara,” she replied softly.

<Wait! Why did you give him my name?>

‘You dimwit! That’s my name too!’

“That’s a beautiful name. Just like you.” Prince Ariel’s compliment made Rara blush even more, her cheeks tinged with a deep rose.

As she stared into his dark, ocean-like eyes, a flash of something unsettling surged through her. Her heart felt like it was on fire, and sweat formed on her forehead, trickling down her face. A sudden wave of anger enveloped her, making her turn her head away in confusion.

Her vision momentarily darkened, though she could still feel her body swaying to the music.

‘Why do I feel this anger? What’s happening to me?’

Minutes later, she regained her composure, though her mind was still racing.

At that moment, she spotted Arabella, who had now made it to the top of her list of enemies. Arabella’s expression was a mix of shock and disdain as she watched Rara dancing with Prince Ariel, alive and vibrant.

The music began to slow, and the crowd’s chatter faded into anticipation. Rara stumbled slightly as someone’s high heels came dangerously close to her foot.

Prince Ariel’s reflexes were quick. He caught her by the waist just before she fell, and with a practiced ease, he pulled her back to her feet. His hand rested possessively on her waist as he guided her upstairs to the second level.

They reached the balcony overlooking the grand hall, the lights below twinkling like stars in a velvet sky.

“Thank you,” Rara said, her voice trembling slightly.

“You’re welcome,” he replied with a grin. “You don’t have to hold it in!”

Rara frowned in confusion. “Hold? Hold what?”

“Er... the scream?” He stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on her.

“For what?” Rara asked, bewildered.

His smile faltered. “You just danced with a prince! Most girls would be thrilled and shout with excitement.”

“So what?” she replied, her tone nonchalant.

He pouted playfully. “Every girl dreams of this chance.”

“Well, I’m sorry about that. But I’m different from them.”

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Okay, then.”

“Umm... Can I ask you something?”

“Yes, of course,” he said, taking her arm gently and leading her away from the ballroom, through a grand corridor lined with elegant tapestries and flickering sconces.

“Where are we going?” Rara asked, her curiosity piqued.

He chuckled softly. “To my palace,” he said with a wink, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

Rara’s cheeks flushed with a deeper shade of pink.

“You should really work on that habit of blushing,” he commented.

“Excuse me?” Rara asked, puzzled.

“Your habit of blushing,” he repeated with a chuckle.

“Oh,” Rara mumbled, scratching her ear shyly, unsure of how to respond.

“You’re lucky that I have great self-control,” he said, his voice low and teasing.

“Why?” she asked, intrigued.

“You have no idea how much I wanted to kiss your cheek just now.”

Rara’s face grew even redder, her embarrassment palpable.

He laughed heartily at her reaction. “I have a feeling we’re going to be great partners.”

She playfully tapped his arm and chuckled. “Umm... actually, I don’t quite understand what’s happening right now. Care to explain?”

He smiled warmly. “I will, but not just yet.”

Rara nodded, her curiosity piqued.

They arrived in front of a large, ornate door. Prince Ariel opened it and motioned for Rara to enter first.

“This is Mrs. Melda. She is the head servant here,” he introduced the middle-aged woman who greeted them with a respectful nod. “I’ll be back shortly. You can take a shower if you wish.”

Rara nodded gratefully.

After Prince Ariel closed the door behind him, Rara began to explore the opulence of the palace.

She followed Mrs. Melda upstairs to the guest room. The room was lavishly decorated, featuring a king-sized bed with a golden nightstand, a cozy living area with a pink fur carpet, and a transparent coffee table adorned with a flower pot and delicate glasses.

A bathroom with a massive bathtub, a shower, and a well-stocked cabinet for first aid was to one side. A makeup table with an array of skin products sat nearby, while a small study area contained a desk, a swivel chair, a computer, and shelves brimming with books.

The room also had flower pots in the corners and on the balcony. The tinted glass window offered a view of the forest, while the balcony overlooked the sparkling pool below.

Rara shrugged off her apprehension and selected a blue dress from the closet. She placed it on the bed and grabbed a towel before heading to the bathroom.

The water cascaded over her, soothing her tense muscles. She closed her eyes and relished the sensation of the cool water washing away her worries.

‘It’s been so long since I’ve felt a shower...’

‘By the way, your body is quite nice, but it could use a bit more weight...’

<Kyaahh! Keep your hands to yourself!> Hara’s voice echoed in her mind, causing her to flush with embarrassment as she stomped her foot mentally.

Ignoring Hara’s protests, Rara continued to cleanse the body she now inhabited.

A sudden memory jolted through her mind, causing her to gasp in shock.

She grabbed the towel, dried herself hastily, and dashed out of the bathroom. Her hands trembled as her heart raced uncontrollably.

She hurriedly donned the dress, leaned against the wardrobe, and shook with terror as the haunting memory replayed in her mind.

Flashback

Little Rara played alone in the lush garden behind the castle. The flowers were vibrant and fragrant.

She picked red roses and ventured a bit farther from the garden into the wooded area.

As she danced with the roses, a sudden scream of agony pierced the air.

Clutching the roses tightly, Rara approached the source of the sound, her heart pounding and sweat beading on her forehead.

It was a man lying on the ground, blood covering his body as he clutched his chest.

Rara gasped, covering her mouth in horror.

The man’s head turned slowly, and his gaze locked onto her.

End of Flashback

“Chihara! Hey! Are you okay?!”

Someone shook her shoulders urgently. Rara blinked open her eyes to see Prince Ariel kneeling in front of her, his face etched with concern. She was bewildered to find herself on her knees.

“I... I... t-think s-so...” she stuttered, her voice shaky.

He helped her to her feet and sat her down on the edge of the bed.

“What happened? I knocked on your door, but you didn’t answer. I was worried something might have happened to you,” he said, his voice filled with genuine concern.

“It’s... nothing. I’m fine...” Rara reassured him, though her voice lacked conviction.

Prince Ariel studied her face intently, his concern deepening. After a moment, he sighed and nodded.

“If anything is wrong, you can tell me, alright?”

Rara hesitated but eventually nodded.

The room fell into a contemplative silence before Prince Ariel stood up.

“I’ll go clean up. You can wait for me in the library,” he said.

“You have a library?” Rara asked, her interest piqued.

“Yes, it’s in the room next to yours,” he replied.

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