Sidañian stood sideways in between the flowers and the angel fountain. He was fascinated by how the night sky shone upon the garden. He felt nostalgic, feeling the touch of the air breeze, and wistfully smiled at the white rose he plucked from its stem. Suddenly, a veil flew in front of his eyes and caught it. Irelina strolled and saw his back.
“Glad you found it—” She was in disbelief. Huh? How come he’s able to touch it? Does it mean the veil is disempowered after I put the bracelet? She wondered and gracefully approached him.
Sidañian turned around, and his eyes were stunned. Irelina was caught by surprise and stepped back. Shit, he saw my face. She gripped the sides of her long skirt. His gaze was intimidating in her eyes. Is that a purple eye color? She was amazed. Her heart tensely pounded while Sidañian slightly gulped and thought, Am I seeing the goddess of the night? No. Her beauty is far more than that. He was mesmerized by her beauty as the moonlit illuminated her face—a sudden wind blew the strands of his half-ponytailed hair while his eyes were deeply on her gaze.
“Please give my veil back.” She politely said.
He snapped and blinked his eyes, “Oh—” he handed the veil to her right hand, and he felt a tingling touch from the tip of her fingers.
She took the veil and looked at him again. His stares were unwavering. 'I don’t think I know him,' while their eyes looked at one another.
Abruptly, he smiled. The more he stared at her, the more captivated he was by her siren-golden eyes, and he felt hypnotized. Although he had the power to control hypnotism, his desire to have her deepened.
“How did such a beautiful young lady end up here?” His tone was soft and calm.
She glanced away, “Oh, I got lost on the way. I’m supposed to be at the party. But the wind ruined it more. I am so late.” She sighed and pouted, and he quietly chuckled.
“Hey, I can see you laugh,” she said.
“I’m sorry. You look keenly perceptive.”
“Huh?” her left brow furrowed.
He smiled again. Irelina tried to pin the black veil back on her hair. But she struggled, biting her lower lip—' I am so damn late,' she felt annoyed.
“Would you let me help you with that?” Sidañian's tone was gentle.
“Okay,” she turned around and handed the veil and the pin.
Sidañian gently fixed the veil pin to the hidden clip. He then looked at her head slowly down to her nape. His gaze was filled with desire. He wondered, Why hide such an exquisite face? Is she planning to do something for later? He softly grinned.
“I don’t want to be rude, but why must you wear the veil?” He asked. But Irelina was quiet.
Irelina did not answer. She was quietly thinking of the right words to say. He then smelled a sweet scent coming from her nape. He felt a sudden thirst and a strange feeling inside his body and softly gulped. Her scent smelled like night-blooming jasmine. I want more…’ He craved her touch.
She flinched her lips, “Ahm—for personal reasons,” she lied.
“Personal reasons?” He smirked.
“Yes.” She bluntly said.
“Done.” He let go of his hands.
She turned around back to him. “Thank you. Are you headed to the party?
“Yes, but since we’ve been here for a while, I guess I am also late to the party.” He smiled.
Dammit. She thought.
“Do you want to go together if you know the way?” She asked.
He smile, again and said, “Of course.”
They walked together to the Golden Empire Hall just after the Empire Building. The opened hallway was quiet and serene. He kept glancing at her as they strolled, and Irelina looked forward to where they headed.
“By the way, I didn’t get your name. I’m Sidañian Neus Horos.” He said.
“Eh— what? Segulian Nose Horror?” Her twisted tongue with her dumbfounded reaction. ‘What the heck is wrong with his name?’
He chuckled. He again looked at her and thought, 'So she’s a tongue twister. What an interesting young lady.'
She pouted while walking forward. “Hey, don’t laugh at me. I have a twisted tongue for names. Anyhow, can I call you Sadi? It’s easier and shorter to remember.” She bluntly said.
He smirked. “Not bad at all. Sadi, it is, then. What about you?”
“I’m Irelina Mercius, the 9th Concubine of the Emperor of Verticulas.”
He felt a prick in his heart. He was displeased. His eyes were fierce as he furrowed his brows.
“Sadi, can we keep it a secret that you saw my face?”
“And why is that?” His tone sounded cold.
'He already saw my face. Should I tell him? But what worries me is if he asks something in return. I’ll be doomed.' She carefully thought and glanced at his side view face.
“Because it’s a surprise that I prepared for my coming of age.” She lied again.
'How naive. So—she’s a pure maiden.' He smirked desirably.
“I am fine with that,” he tilted his head towards her and bluntly asked, “But what do I get for keeping your secret?” His cunning, sweet expression towards her.
'I’m so damn right. Boys will always be boys. But I’m not going to give him what he wants. Let’s see, hmm...' She touched her chin and thought for a moment. 'Ah! Let’s try this.'
“Do you live around in Hēnte?”
“No.”
'So, bribing him with money or gold won’t work,' she thought, asking, “So where do you live then?”
“I live in the Empire of Horos in Helleus. It’s the opposite side of Hēnte.”
“Ah, so how long will you be staying here?”
“A week or less.”
“Will you be staying in the palace?” Her calm and persistent tone.
“Yes, I am. But why do you ask so many questions?” He wondered and looked at her.
She suddenly stopped and stepped in front of him. He was stunned and stepped back.
“What are you doing?” He frowned his brows.
“Hmm, very well. Should I accompany you while you stay here in the palace?”
“Ha! Now you’re making sense—.” Thinking that he would get what he wanted.
“But in one condition,” she said.
“What is your condition?” He felt slightly annoyed.
She said, “I will not sleep or spend a night with you.”
He felt disappointed and became rude, “Why not? Is it because you only offer yourself to the emperor and that he owns your body?” He offended her.
She got annoyed and firmly said. “Nobody owns my body, Sadi. Not you nor the emperor. Besides, why should I offer my body to someone that I barely know? Plus, I’m not stupid enough to open my legs to anyone that I don’t love.” Her tone was composed, but her eyes were fiery.
He was speechless by her words, but then, he laughed aloud.
“Ahahaha. How interesting—” He covered half of his face that his eyes glistened—a greedy gaze.
“Are you mocking me?” She was upset.
“Fair enough, I’ll accept your condition. But right now, we better start walking fast or else your surprise will go in vain.”
“Right! We should go. And—thank you again.” She smiled behind her veil, and so was he.
Regent Robina and Medicius felt uneasy. Irelina had yet to turn up. And so, the regent motioned her hand towards the musician to stop playing the music and make a toast to everyone to greet his son’s natal day. When the music ceased, everyone looked at the regent, who stood with a glass of sparkling wine. Zeddrick strolled beside her.
“I would like to toast my son’s 26th Birthday. I wish him all the great blessings to pour upon him and make Hēnte and its people live in peace and prosperity.” She added, “I and His Majesty acknowledged the 9th Concubine of the Golden Empire of Verticulas, Irelina Mercius. It is also her coming of age, but as you can see, she is not present in this great celebration as you may have heard of.” Regent Robina said.
The regent was referring to the rumors that were going around about Irelina’s ruined face. Most of the crowd started to murmur while Dianthus was so proud of herself that no one would get her way. Then, the regent looked at his son to cheer everyone up. Zeddrick went forward and raised his glass of wine.
“To the Golden Empire of Verticulas and its empires, we shall forever prosper and live in peace.” He proudly exclaimed.
“Hail to His Majesty! Hail to His Majesty! Hail to His Majesty!” Everyone cheered and drank their glass of wine.
The musicians continued to play a piece of joyful music. The guests started dancing, but Regent Robina and Medicius looked forward to seeing Irelina so that she could show up in the crowd and find the culprit behind the death poison spell.
Everyone was enjoying the night until...
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