Chapter 8: Girl in Sea-Green Dress

"Oh my. You look utterly fabulous!"

A small smile crept on my lips as I watched Thiara's expression after I dressed up at the night of the royal occasion.

"Be honest with me. Are you a goddess in disguise?" she humored.

"You look stunning in your dress, too." I didn't say that for the sake of returning the compliment but because it was true.

"I know I'm beautiful, but note that your beauty is definitely on the higher level. I suppose your mother was as beautiful as you."

"More than, actually."

"Oh don't be too humble, Ophelia. I know your mother would say the opposite."

"But it's true that I got my beauty from her."

"Must be true," she agreed and then pulled me out the tavern.

* * *

The music can be heard from the streets. Lanterns were flying over the horizon and everything was on lit. Everyone was on their best dresses and very alive. The sight of it amazed me. Nothing like this happens in Eravia. But here, I felt like everyone is on the same level. No rules of ranks, no status discrimination, which I suppose is almost impossible. But Solterra made it possible. Whoever their leaders are, I admire them for having such heart of a true leader.

Happy? Glad that you are, Raja said.

I just smiled and for the first time, let myself do something beyond my imagination. For tonight, I'm breaking my chains, freeing myself to taste the joy this new world could offer.

I couldn't take my eyes away from the dancing children. They look more than adorable. Couples are everywhere, and I could hear the murmurs from the single women how they would die for a chance to dance with any of the prince.

"You know what, every single girl here has a chance to be chosen by the princes to dance with them. And when I say princes, they are not just men with crowns in their heads. They are drop dead gorgeous princes holding the ability to manipulate the major earth elements except fire," Thiara was very enthusiastic as she told me that.

Their abilities didn't surprise me. Expected from the most powerful kingdom from the east.

"They must be really powerful then."

"Indeed."

You'd be as powerful as them once you've mastered your ability, my lady. Fire is a major element as well, Raja echoed in the background of my thoughts.

I do not intend to be as powerful as anyone, Raja. I only want a simple life away from complications.

Raja didn't say anything.

I looked at my sea-green dress flowing down my shoes. The cuffs reached my wrists, covering what I've been hiding all this time. Raja advised not to tell anyone about my birthmark yet once we are certain what is the meaning of it. I agreed because I knew that whatever it is, it could either mean good or bad. I'm taking risks everyday of being here and I don't want to add more.

The loud sound from the trumphet caught my attention. Everyone was then attentive to whatever is coming.

"The royal princes has arrived!"

"Oh my! This is what I've been waiting for!" from the group of girls at the corner.

"I wish I'd be chosen!"

"I would literally die for a chance to dance with any of them for even just a minute!"

"See? I told you. The princes are very good looking. How excited these girls are is the proof," Thiara said.

"I can see that," I replied as my eyes swam to the sea of people, straight to the grand carriage that just arrived. Music boomed, but the cheer from the people were louder.

From where I was standing, I clearly saw how two men went out the carriage. The other one was wearing all white and black outfit with their kingdom's ensign at the right chest. The younger one was wearing a royal blue prince's attire. Both were dashing as they strode to the aisle of their waiting townsmen.

"Where is Prince Ares?" I overheard the murmurs circulating around.

"Prince Ares is not attending?"

"Why is Prince Ares not around?"

"I was expecting him!"

"The first prince must be busy," Thiara whispered to me. "That Prince Ares they're talking about is the first prince. That one in black and white is the second, Prince David, and that in blue attire is the youngest, Prince Martin."

"But although he is busy, he must have showed up even just for a few moments since everyone is expecting him."

"Or it could be he's just late," Thiara justified the first prince's action.

Later on, the dance part started and a man asked to dance with Thiara. She hesitated to go at first but I assured her I would be fine. As I said, I don't to be a burden to anyone, someone who needs to be taken care of, or who needs to be watched. Besides, this is one of the most awaited night in this kingdom. I don't want her to lose the chance of enjoying herself.

Two lucky girls were chosen by the two princes to be their dance partners. I heard how every single girl sighed the moment it happened. But not so long, they found each of their partners and everyone else were dancing.

Why don't you try to dance? Raja broke my silence. I was just around the corner, watching how all of them are enjoying the night.

You were invited by seven men but you rejected all of them. Do you have plans on standing there like a statue for the next few hours?

Indeed, Raja, I answered him sarcastically. Why do he have to ruin the moment with his sarcasm anyway? I'm silently enjoying the view here.

Of course, you enjoy watching them. But have you ever thought how would it feel to dance with people?

That silenced me for a moment. I was about to part my lips for a retort when I heard a baritone voice from behind, making me froze in an instant.

"Would you mind to dance with me, lady in sea-green dress?"

I couldn't move. Even if a part of my mind is telling me that it might not be him, but the other part believed that it is his voice and there's no way I'd be mistaken. How could a stranger's voice sound so familiar like I've known it for years rather than days?

"My apologies. I have no intention to dance," I replied in a low voice, almost mutely.

I don't know why fate seems to be playing with me but I know one thing. I should not tangle my life with this man. I have a bad feeling about my reaction every time he's around. I'm no infatuated. That's too romantic for my liking. It is more like having an anxiety attack because I'm scared that he might recognized me if I stay too close.

Raja growled. You're overthinking.

I'm not. I'm just taking precautions.

"Everyone else is dancing. What is holding you back?" He now showed himself from the dark. Yes, it's Demitri. But his clothing now looked luxurious than what he was wearing the last time we met. A man with rank, most likely.

"Am I obliged to provide answers to your invasion of privacy? I suppose not."

The corner of his lips rose. "I am invading your privacy? I don't think so. Let's say I'm just a concern gentleman who wants to solve a lady's matter."

"A lady's matter, indeed. Lady's. So it only concerns me and it is not a problem of yours to solve. Why don't you just enjoy the night and dance with any girl you want?"

"Good question."

He tilted his head away from the glistening lanterns and stared at me closely. He was towering over me, his intense black eyes were darker in the night.

"Would you like to dance with me, then?"

Smooth. There was soft rumbling... like a chuckle? Does Raja finds it funny?

"I told you, Mister whoever-you-are, I'm not dancing. I don't know how to dance," I said too quickly that I didn't know what I was talking about.

Something flickered in his eyes. Amusement.

"You don't know how to dance, really?"

Uh-oh. I can see it. He recognized you as that girl, Ophelia. And he seemed very certain with that conclusion.

My eyes widened a fraction.

How sure are you, Raja?

A hundred and one percent sure, my lady. It's clear in his expression.

Oh heavens. What do I do?

In this case, I must say, you have no other choice but to talk with him and ask him to keep it a secret. Of course, you can only do that if you would accept his invitation.

"Too difficult to answer?" Demitri probed.

I looked at him straight to the eyes, my heart pounding hard and loud.

"Do you know me?"

"Definitely no, but we saw each other before."

"Of course. In the market."

"No. Before that," he insisted, a ghost of smile playing on his lips.

"You must be mistaken, then. I haven't seen you even once before the market incident. You are nowhere near familiar to me before that."

"Why do you seem to be afraid to dance with me though?"

"Afraid? Do I look like I'm afraid? I just don't like dancing, Mister. That's it. End of conversation."

"Would one dance hurt you? I suppose not."

Just follow my suggestion, my lady, and we will both be saved.

"What do you want from me exactly?"

He smirked. "If I weren't clear, I want to dance with you."

"Why would you want to dance with me—a lady who is not interested?"

"Why won't you at least try? Would dancing with me cost you so much?"

Why is this man so hardheaded? I just want a peaceful night, that's all. How could he just barged in my joyous night and ruin my mood? I get that he thinks too highly of himself for the reason that he is indeed good looking. But would that trait give him validation to force a lady to dance with him? How ungentleman that is!

Is he enforcing force? I guess not, my lady. He just wants you to consider the idea.

I don't know if Raja is my dragon or Demitri's. He's such a fan of him.

Switching sides, aren't you?

I just want to help you with your confusion.

"Fine," I finally agreed even though it sounded like a dismissal. "Let's dance and get over with it."

A crook smile plastered on Demitri's face. However, even with the smile, his face looked hard as ever like some sort of granite in its finest. And those eyes of his. Two pools of darkness waiting for someone to be drowned into it. He's like a walking tragedy, a storm that could destroy anything if he wants.

That air is exactly what I didn't like about him. Even if he hadn't done any harm yet, I could feel that he won't bring any good to me. That like a storm, he should be avoided. That like the sea, he's calm and harmless in the surface but can lure any victim towards the endless darkness waiting beneath the waters.