On the way to the ballroom, King Alaster stopped Alexander in the foyer. The prince tilted his head quizzically. Knowing his father was never a fan of being late at a social event and that they were already running late, Alexander found his father’s behavior highly unusual.
“We never had a chance to talk ever since we got here,” his father said, his tender voice always taking over when he talked to Alexander. “I’m sorry if I can’t always give you what you want.”
Alexander’s jaw clenched. “I gave up a real connection ever since I realized my responsibilities. You know where my priorities lie now.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Alaster sighed. “I was hoping you would retaliate a bit, but I guess I’m thankful that you’re doing what’s best for the kingdom. Aelysia is a large, wealthy kingdom with a strong influence over other countries. Being associated with them is-”
“I know,” Alexander’s lips stretched to a thin line. “But Anatolia also has knowledge on its side.”
“We do,” the king beamed at his son, pride building up in his chest.
They resumed walking until they turned the corner to the ballroom area. There, they saw the Queen, in the middle of a conversation with an elegantly dressed woman. Alexander couldn’t tear his eyes away from her and for a moment, he felt guilty for staring, knowing that he must at least stay faithful to his fiancée even if it were a political agreement rather than of love.
The Queen noticed them and she waved energetically. She muttered something to the lady with her. Slowly, the lady elegantly spun in place, revealing the face of the Crown Princess. From the corner of his eye, King Alaster saw his son’s reaction and he felt a sense of genuine shock. Did he ever react like a regular lad at the sight of a lady before?
Katie smiled shyly and managed a graceful curtsy. The Queen pulled King Alaster away and entered the ballroom together, telling Katie to prepare for their entrance. Katie nodded and walked to Alexander, making sure to keep a considerable distance between them.
As the princess approached, Alexander could feel his nervousness start to grow. He forced himself to look away but he found himself staring at her anyway. The way the soft curls of her hair cascaded down her shoulders were… enchanting. The way her brown eyes glimmered in the dim lighting made Alexander feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t fear this time… He was sure it wasn’t. So what is it? He cussed loudly in his mind, yelling at his body to say something. Thankfully, his body followed.
“I think they’re telling us to go inside now. Let’s go!”
He absent-mindedly grabbed the princess’ hand and dragged her inside the ballroom, practically throwing the doors open. Their sudden entrance abruptly stopped the revelry and all eyes turned to them. Alexander finally realized what he had done and, for the first time, was unsure what to do. Katie chuckled behind him and the next moment, he felt her other hand gently wrap around his arm.
“Just smile and nod at the guests,” Katie spoke through a forced smile before raising the volume of her voice. “I’m sorry I thought I heard our names being called. We just got excited.”
What kind of lame excuse was that?! Alexander thought to himself, fighting to keep his smile on. To his surprise, the guests simply chuckled and resumed with their conversations. The music played once more and the room was back to its old energy.
Relief washed over Alexander and he felt his hand squeeze the princess’ hand. Katie smiled reassuringly and they continued to walk to their guardians at the center of the room, nodding and greeting guests on the way.
“I can’t believe your excuse worked,” Alexander whispered.
The princess shrugged. “I’ve learned a thing or two about Aelysian nobility in my time here. Most of them only care about the party anyway. Although earlier was a bit of a new incident.”
“Yeah, I noticed.”
“There doesn’t seem to be any guests from Anatolia,” Katie remarked after taking a quick, casual glance of the room.
“A hurricane struck the country a few weeks back so it’s all hands on deck,” Alexander replied. “My father and I only left when the damages were manageable. Still, we need-” he went silent.
“I see,” Katie muttered. “Still, it must have been hard to leave.”
Alexander simply nodded. Once they reached their guardians, their almost disappointed glances pierced through their hearts.
“What was that about?” Alaster asked his son.
Alexander rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. “I… kind of freaked out, okay?”
The King stifled a laugh, the disappointed look gone. “I don’t know if I should be happy or stay disappointed,” the King squeezed his son’s shoulder. “Go mingle. The nobles are expecting you.”
Alexander took a deep breath and approached guests. Whenever he had a clear view of the princess, she would glance at him and smile reassuringly, giving him a covert thumbs-up. However, as soon as she turns back to the nobles she was speaking with, the light in her eyes would dim and her smile didn’t look as cheerful anymore. The guests do not notice this yet they seem to feel more cheerful as the leave. After Katie had spoken with a number of people, she scanned the room to check if there were others who wanted to speak with her. When she made sure no one felt obligated to speak with her, she fast-walked around the room and out of the ballroom doors.
Alexander saw how fast Katie got out of the party after only a few minutes in it. Was she that opposed to staying? The moment his conversation with the nobles ended, Alexander rushed out of the ballroom as well, intent on following Katie. What was she up to?
The princess was not outside the ballroom, leaving Alexander to wonder about where she could be. “She’s someone who doesn’t like to let people down,” he thought to himself. “Somewhere private but close enough to run to the party at a moment’s notice,” he glanced at the hallways stretching in opposite directions on both sides. “The greenhouse is too far.”
For a second, he was deep in thought… then he looked up. “Wait a second, why am I even so determined to find her?” irritation grew in his chest. “Agh! I’m supposed to not care at all!”
He spun on his heel and was about to enter the ballroom when he heard a soft hum from his right. Thinking about it now, he cussed. “Of course! This part of the hallway is as good as abandoned tonight!”
He walked down the hallway and eventually saw Katie sitting on the floor opposite one of the large windows, bathed in the faint, ghostly glow of the moon. She hugged her knee close to her chest, her head resting on her knees. She pouted as she continued to hum a melancholic tune. After a few more moments, she finally noticed him. She stared at him for a second but when she spoke, her words were more amiable than reserved.
“Here to recharge too?” she muttered, patting the spot beside her. “You didn’t look like you were having fun.”
Alexander sat beside Katie. From his spot, everything looked bigger… but the emptiness made him relax. “Do you do this every party?”
Katie nodded. “It’s exhausting having to talk to everyone. Aunt understands,” she took a deep breath. “It’s nice to get away when I have the chance.”
“But you’re the one who is responsible for this party. Shouldn’t you be there in case something goes wrong?”
Katie sighed and buried her face between her knees. “Just please allow me this time,” she inhaled sharply. “I don’t want to think about anything going wrong right now.”
“Oh… I’m sorry,” Alexander looked out the window, staring at the foliage of the trees visible outside. “For the record, you’ve done well. You were very composed yesterday.”
Katie looked up and met his eyes, squinting suspiciously at his compliments. Her eyes widened and shock flitted across her features. “Wow… you’re…” she giggled. “You’re actually not… mean.”
“I’m not a bad person!” Alexander threw his hands up, “What the hell?”
Katie burst out laughing, her laughter echoing in the halls. “I’m sorry! You were just so condescending when we first talked.”
“Oh…” Alexander paused. “Fair enough. I apologize.”
Katie smiled. “I accept your apology.”
Their conversation was cut short when they heard Arden shouting for Katie in the hallway. Katie rose to her feet quickly and rushed in the direction to the ballroom, Alexander hot in her heels.
“Katie-” Arden started but he paused when he saw Alexander trailing behind her. Knowing the crisis was more important, he brushed it off. “The staff said some of the instruments broke their strings and they need time to fix it. Tell me what to do.”
Despite herself, Katie stayed calm. She paced back and forth as she thought of a way to give the band time to fix their instruments.“How long to they need?” Katie asked.“Ten minutes would suffice. They’re fixing it right now but the guests want music to dance to,” Arden spoke rapidly.Katie groaned, her shoulders slumping. “Okay, I have an idea but can you play the guitar?”Arden eyes widened… then a playful and teasing smile tugged at his lips. “I’ll grab one quickly. I’ll see you inside.”“What are you planning?” Alexander muttered, following Katie as she darted back into the ballroom, where the restless guests were starting to complain.“Something I never thought I'd do in this setting,” Katie replied.“You? Wha-”Alexander watched as the princess ran to the platform where the band was staying and muttered: “T
In the morning, after Katie’s lectures in the library, she was left behind by her tutor to self-study. In the silence of the library, the creaking of the large doors opening almost sounded deafening.“Sneak attack!”Every instinct to survive kicked in and she jumped back from her chair, colliding with another table behind her. A heavy broadsword fell upon the table, bouncing on the thick books but it didn’t fail to leave a mark. She jumped over the table and her pursuer did the same. The figure chased her around the library, flipping over tables and chairs, and dropping books left and right. Katie ran toward the door and her pursuer pounced, reaching the door first, blocking the way out. Immediately, the person raised the sword over his head and sliced it downward. Katie crouched down, her hands over her head, and expected the dull sword to crack her head in two. After a few seconds, nothing came.Arden’s laugh echoed in the library
They all sat inside Arden’s car, all silent, none wanting to break the tension. They heard Katie’s breath hitch and she looked away, wiping a tear threatening to stream down her cheek.“We’re going back to the pa-”“Take us to the studio,” Katie said firmly.Alexander’s head whipped toward Katie’s direction, surprised at the princess’ response. He had anticipated she would follow Arden’s advice without question. “Are you sure? You don’t have to force yourself.”“My imagination played a trick on me. I am not injured,” Katie replied opened the door and got out, dropping any further protests.Both men exchanged glances on the rear-view mirror before following Katie. Arden felt irritated that he couldn’t stop Katie from practicing once she had calmed down.Katie slightly threw open the doors, showing aggression but trying to be polite at the sam
A week passed and the dance practice always carried on until late in the night. At the end of each lesson, the students would always request more time to practice in the studio so the instructors would leave first. With how much Arden had stuck with Katie before this week, Alexander wondered why he was nowhere to be found now. Ever since Katie came back from her walk with Arden clutching her bruised arm, he had never seen him around the palace again. Katie had discussed her injury with no one, hiding it with bandages until it eventually faded. The day before the dance, Alexander finally saw Arden in the palace, walking out of the Queen’s study, holding a folder full of papers. Alexander turned toward the stairs, but after a silent argument with himself, spun sharply on his heel and darted toward Arden. The young doctor noticed him and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “What?” Arden asked, mildly irritated. “You were gone for a whole week. Why?
Katie managed to catch Alexander when she saw his body start to slump and set him down gently on the floor. She grabbed his phone and shone the light over his body to check for anything that could explain him losing consciousness so suddenly. She saw blood dripping from his temple and took a closer look at it.“It’s something blunt, probably,” she muttered. “I should get him ou-” she paused when she recalled why they were eating sandwiches in the studio instead of going out. “Crap.”She felt movement around her and she scrambled back, her back against the dance studio mirror, shining the phone’s flashlight. The darkness around her felt as if it now hid something else that wasn’t supposed to be seen. Another movement on her right… then to her left. Summoning all of her courage, she dashed to the door.“Help!” she helplessly pounded on the door in panic.She could almost feel the darkn
“Uh… Your Majesty, why is my ensemble a little less fitting for the ritual?” Alexander called out from inside the dressing room.“That’s because the story happened when the god of war met the goddess of love,” the Queen answered. “The god of war was the leader of a more “civilized” tribe but the goddess of love was a maiden from a different tribe so the clothes aren’t matching.”In the other stall, they heard Katie gasp. “It’s so flowy!” she exclaimed, chuckling to herself. “I feel like I’m living in the wrong time. The sleeves feel like it’ll get in the way of sword, though. This, uh, lower part reaches up to the end of my dress.”“They did say you’re quite the sword user if you finish the dance with no damage to the dress.” The Queen replied. “Although, I don’t think it has anything to do with skill at all. I was not a good
“Thank you for attending the courtship dance, my lords and ladies,” the priest smiled warmly at the gathered crowd. “With the blessing of the gods upon the prince and princess’ engagement, they’ve both considered each others’ kingdom as their responsibility. Now, with your generous donations, Princess Katie believed that it will go where it is truly needed: as an aid to the Kingdom of Anatolia.”The nobles clapped with approval and they all nodded politely at King Alaster. The King greeted back, unable to mask the surprise and gratefulness in his expression. Alexander turned to Katie, his expression identical to his father’s. Katie grinned from ear to ear and nodded shyly.After more felicitations from the nobles, they finally went home. The monarchs watched from their seats as Katie and Alexander displayed a playful fight, probably to shake off their nervousness from the performance. Alexander beamed at the sight o
Intent on exploring the entire passage, they continued on. Alexander and Katie discussed what they heard from the conversation of their guardians.“Maybe he had a sibling who took over?” Alexander suggested.“The story about him was a bit more fantastical than the other kings, really,” Katie muttered, surreptitiously grabbing the end of Alexander’s shirt as she constantly looked behind her. “They say he was this ‘Great Warrior’ who descended from the old temple in mountains of Aelysia. His battle prowess made people believe that he was favored by the god of war, which is why he was able to unite the people. It is also said that he was immune to poison and that he defeated an army of a hundred thousand strong with no weapons in hand.”Alexander scoffed. “With the obvious ego boost aside, that does not prove he didn’t have a sibling.”“That’s because I didn’t say