Naroaika

Chapter 25

The following days were unexpectedly exhausting for me. Mother not only took me shopping but to a spa and salon too.
It was as if I was the one who was preparing for my engagement party!
Five days had already passed. I opened the drawer and saw that the light in the jar was diminishing little by little.
'Just two more days left!' I prayed.

It was finally the day of the party. As said, there was a carriage sent by the Ascians. I got up the carriage with my parents and headed off.
As we reached the House, I was feeling anxious. I carried a small bag where the jar fit. I gave an excuse to mother saying that it was a special gift to Juliette.
As I got down from the carriage, Al was standing at the entrance to recieve us.

"Welcome Lord ...... Lady.... Thank you for your presence." Al greeted my parents first the  turned to me. "Thank you for coming Lady Jerinah." He held out his hand to me and as I took it, he kissed the back of it.
Though it was just a norm that was to be followed formally, I felt a gush of ....

Al escorted me inside.
"Lady Jerinah, it may be rude but may I ask what is in the bag you are holding on to do tightly?"

I didn't realise until Al had said. I was clutching on to the bag with the jar. I had to just sprinkle the powder on to his face but I couldn't do with people around us like this. I had to find the perfect moment.

The procession soon began. I had never been to an engagement; not even in the real world.
So it was all new to me. Parents from both sides spoke taking turns and lastly, Mr. Keilan put the ring on Juliette's finger.
Watching it from the side, I felt so emotional. They looked so good together. I congratulated Juliette and Mr. Keilan and soon the music began. The room was filled with music and people dancing.
I was able to slip out to the balcony. I took out the jar from the bag and saw that there was little light from it.
"Lady Jerinah?"
It was Al, I thought this was the perfect timing. I quickly took out some powder in my hands and threw it at Al's face. Azlo did tell me to just sprinkle but with the power diminishing, I thought just a sprinkle won't work.

"Mmfff!" Al struggled as the powder was thrown at his face off-guard.

'Did it work?!' I thought.

"Lady Jerinah, what on earth was that?!"
When Al said that, my heart sank. It didn't work. Why?! Was it all a lie? No, it must not have been. Then was the power lost completely?!
I couldn't believe it. I stood there dumbfounded.

"Lady Jerinah?" Al called my name and I came back to senses.
"Ah.." I couldn't find the words to say. After all that I went through, this was the ultimate result.
"It's a blessing!" I said. "Some sort of good omen, that I learnt!"

Who would believe such a blatant lie!
I felt so dumb! I had to meet Azlo as soon as this party ends. I couldn't tell Zed after everything we had to go through. Thankfully, I was able to convince Al that it was just some powdered dust for 'good omen'.

While we were in that awkward situation, Kai appeared.
"Lady Jerinah?"  He called out.
Upon seeing Kai, Al quickly wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer towards him.
'Omg too close! Too close!' I screamed inside my mind.

"Relax, I won't do any harm to the Lady neither to you Lord Al." Kai said. "Or maybe brother-in-law, now?"

Al didn't let go of me even after Kai said that.
"We talked about it all, right Lady Jerinah?" Kai continued.

"Huh? Oh yeah. His highness was being walking down the wrong path and he had realised it himself after everythinf had happened and apologized." I said. "So I don't think he means any harm, Lord Al."

"You were alone with him?!" Al asked looking disappointed but he let it go after a sigh and loosened up a little.
Kai was there with was for sometime. Thanking me for coming to the party and he would like a dance with me later on and I accepted his offer.

"Do you really have to dance with him?" Al asked as Kai left. "That man is dangerous."

"I did accept his offer and it's just one dance so I guess it's alright." I said. "And I really do feel like he has learner from his mistakes, so trust me alright?"

I don't know if I was just hearing things  but Al clicked his tongue and dragged me inside.
"Let's dance" he said suddenly holding out his hand.
I realised we were right in the middle of the room and all eyes were on us. I had no choice at all.
I took his hand and danced to the music.
We danced to three music without any rest. My feet were ready to give up on me. I was super exhausted! 'What was this man thinking?!'

"Lord Al, can we please take a break?" I requested with pleading eyes. I didn't even have to pretend. I was really exhausted.

I sat down on a chair in the parlour. There was no one else in the room. My feet hurt so bad but thank goodness there weren't any signs of blisters.

"I'm sorry." Al apogized as he hands me a glass of water. I gulped it down in an instant. That was some good water. 'I'd like some wine now please.' Was what I would have said normally but now, I just wanted to go home and rest.
Then I realised that the powder did not work and now I didn't know what to do.
Did this mean that I would never be meeting Al again? But what if he had gone to the real world like I did? But there is every chance that if that happened, my memories of the real world would be gone too.

I held my head. I was at a loss on what to do next.

"Jerinah. Lady Jerinah! Are you alright?!" I head Al call my name. I was so frustrated I didn't know what to do. Al was standing right in front of me but he wasn't the Al that I originally knew. He doesn't know of the real world.

My world.

Our world.

Tears formed on the corner of my eyes. Their voices were the same too.
"Why?!" I cried out loud.
'I shouldn't have said that out loud.'

Al was definitely confused by what was happening. As I calmed down, I convinced him that I wasn't crying because he made me dance for three songs straight. That was partly why I was exhausted and in this mess right now but ultimately, I believe that it was all my bottled up feelings and emotions. The frustration I felt.

I looked on the mirror. My eyes were all swollen. I looked worn out.
Al asked if I wanted to return home but I denied. Because if I did, mother would not let me live!
I applied some makeup and I was looking better than before. Power of makeup!

Al and I walked out of the room, the room was still lively. 'How long was this party going to last.' I wondered.

"Lady Jerinah, may I have a dance with you?"
It was Kai.
Al immediately rejected him but I was the one he was asking to dance with. I agreed and danced with him.

"Is the iceberg treating you well?" Kai asked.
I paused for a moment before replying with a 'yes'.
"I see. I was worried that he was being too pushy on you. Who even dances for three songs continuously without any breaks?"

I felt Kai's concerns to be genuine. He had really changed ever since that day. I don't know what happened after the day we spoke but I could see he's really been doing well.

With the end of the song, the dance cane to an end. Kai kissed the back of my hand.
"If that iceberg does anything stupid, you can always come to me." He said as he winked at me.

"That's enough chit chat, I'm taking her now." Al held my arm and pulled me towards him.

'Whats wrong with Al tonight?!' I wondered. 'Is it because of the dust I threw at him?!'