The Story of Dhanvanthri

twenty-four

Of Eustine, Alexsandra and Alexander

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Dhanvanthri stepped into the balcony, he didn't even leave the area as he looked at the night sky blankly. There was a knock outside and someone stepped in, he didn't even need to look back to know that it was Noah who had just interrupted his time of peace.

"Your Highness, shouldn't you be inside with the others?" Noah asked plainly.

Dhanvanthri waved him off. "Later, leave me be for now. I'll just be here for a couple of minutes."

"Understood," Noah bowed and walked back into the noisy ballroom, once more leaving Dhanvanthri alone in the silence of the night. He sat down on the balcony railing and leaned forward as his eyes stared at the scene before him. Should he just ditch the dance after all? Alas, he can't. Especially since he was the crown prince right now.

Dhanvanthri stepped back into the ballroom and was instantly the target of many eyes. He blinked at the girls who were staring at him expectantly, oh right, he should actually ask someone to dance, shouldn't he? Dhanvanthri's eyes immediately moved to seek out the form of his sister, he knew no one else in this area.

"Your Highness, I am Finneas Eustine. I would like to introduce you to my daughter," A man walked up to him, his eyes filled with stars. The Marquess of House Eustine. Dhanvanthri looked at him coldly then his gaze shifted to the two girls behind him, one was with long blue hair while the other was with long red hair. The red-haired girl stepped forward and curtsey, "Your highness."

"This is my daughter, Helena Eustine." Marquess Eustine introduced.

Dhanvanthri looked at the other girl who just stood there. "Who's the other one?"

"Uh, that's my other, daughter, Alexsandra," Marquess Eustine said. "She's a bit defective, so please don't mind her."

"Is that so?" Dhanvanthri turned away. Alexsandra looked angry, actually. She was glaring at Marquess Eustine subtly, it likely has nothing to do with how he was introducing her and just his existence in particular. Dhanvanthri smiled, "I don't see how she's defective, Marquess Eustine. If anything, she looks perfectly fine."

Marquess Eustine stiffened, "She's just... not someone who can speak. She's stupid and mute, she can't speak."

Alexsandra glared at the Marquess even harsher, it was amusing. To Dhanvanthri, it was beyond clear that their family situation was shit. Considering how dysfunctional his own family was, that was saying a lot. He wondered how Alexsandra became mute anyway, from the way she was glaring at the Marquess who kept emphasising her being defective, there was more to the story.

Now, that was interesting. With a quirk upwards on his lips, a kind and charming smile made its way onto Dhanvanthri's face, he held out his hand in a way to extend an invitation to Alexsandra, she widened her eyes in confusion then in a blink of an eye, her cheeks were dusted in pink. Dhanvanthri raised his brow in a silent invitation and watched in amusement when Alexsandra gave a loathing glare at her father before placing her hand in his.

Marquess Eustine looked as if he wanted to say something but was too terrified to or perhaps he was too smart to say anything, his daughter didn't have the same self-control nor intelligence. Helena stepped forward and exclaimed with a sharp tone. "Wait!"

Dhanvanthri paused and tilted his head, "Yes, Lady Eustine?"

"You can't dance with Alex!" Helena blurted out.

The glare of pure hate that Alexsandra gave out was impressive, Dhanvanthri could admit that. But still, who the hell was Helena to tell him exactly what to do? The prince of Obelia turned and glare down at Helena with a glare that would've scorched her if his gaze could be used to kill. The recoiling flinch he was awarded only gave him mild entertainment before it was followed by a bubbling frustration.