The Enchantress

21

Princess Mina.

"My Lord, I'm here with a message from the general." Rowan said producing a rolled parchment. He walked towards the Prince without even glancing at me.

I watched him handing the parchment then bowing after. He gestured with his hand dismissing him. Rowan had already walked past him when the Prince spoke.

"Did they brought food to the camp?" He said this while looking at me.

My heart was beating fast, I was nervous for Rowan.

Rowan turned to face him and replied. "Yes my Lord. We're well fed. No alcohol was served as you've instructed."

"I see. Good. Go back and enjoy the feast. We'll ride in the morning." The Prince's icy gaze was still upon me.

"Aye, my Lord." Rowan said, then looked at me. "Your Highness." He bowed at me. He gave me one last look. A look of longing as if I felt his heart cry for me. I just nodded at him.

He then turned and walked away. The Prince just stood there still staring at me. I can't bear his stare any longer so I turned and walked away from him. Once I turned that's the time that I allowed myself to breathe. I didn't even know I was holding my breath.

I tried to calm myself. But was startled when I heard his voice close to me.

"Where are you going my Lady?" His tone changed. No longer icy yet I could still feel the chill from being alone with him.

"Back to the ball." I know that my voice wasn't stable so I said it hurriedly.

"I believe you're going at the wrong direction. Unless there's another Ball room towards the side of the castle." He said teasingly.

That was the time I looked at where I was heading. He was right, I was at the wrong direction. Embarrassed as I was, I took a deep breath before turning around.

He was smiling. I ignored him and walked hurriedly. I was about to walk past him when he suddenly took hold of my arm. I was expecting a tight grip but instead his hold was gentle. When I stopped walking he let go of my arm.

"You were brilliant at our dance. Never encountered a great dancer apart from my instructor."

Was that a compliment? I want to say something that could hurt or irritate him but after that unexpected encounter with Rowan, I decided not to. I turned sideways for I don't want to look at him.

"My mom was a great dancer, she taught us back when we were kids." I said while looking at my hands. I won't even dare to have eye contact with him.

"The Queen is such a good instructor then." We went silent for a moment before he spoke again. "I admire your bravery to go through with that journey to get the herbs you need."

"I just did what I have to do. I was young so I couldn't do anything for Mom so at least I could do something for Papa."

He then turned to face me then to my surprise he took hold of my hand and placed it in between his.

"I am deeply sorry for your loss. I feel you for I was just 5 years old when my mom died giving birth to my youngest brother."

Without thinking I looked up at him and met his eyes. His eyes were now warm and felt sincere. His hand on mine were warm too, easing the coldness in mine.

Warmth soon spread from his hands and eyes all throughout my body. And what shocked me is, this time I didn't mind it.

He then smiles and said. "That would be two things that we have in common, or three."

I was thinking what he meant. Both our mom died, what were the two?

"...That we're both royals. And our same passion for dancing. Based on how you danced, both of us would've pursued it if we weren't born royal. Am I wrong?"

I was unable to say anything. Apart from Papa and Sana. I haven't told anyone about my passion for dancing. He was right, If I weren't born royal, if my mom didn't die of that disease, if my Papa isn't experiencing the same disease now, I wouldn't become a doctor. I would've been a dancer.

"Really? You would pursue dancing if you weren't a royal?... That's kind of hard to believe." I said taking a quick glance at his body making sure he saw it.

He chuckled. "This body is a product of the training I had with combat, swords and arrows. I wouldn't be in this body if I was a commoner. I'd be probably slim which would be more lighter than I am now."

He then placed my hand on his arm and led the way towards the ball room.  We were silent on our way and surprisingly we weren't awkward at all.

The tension is still there, but it's a different tension than the one I felt before. I can't pinpoint what it is.

We went back inside the Ball Room and joined Papa while Sana and Momo was dancing. I silently hoped Sana wouldn't fall for the womanizer Momo. He's actually dancing with 3 women.

Chaeyoung never left our side. He made small talks with some guest but mostly with Papa. Papa will include me on the conversation from time to time.

I was watching the dancers specially Sana when I suddenly remembered what she said a while ago. "... That is not hatred I see. You are mad not on him but to yourself for being attracted to him. That's your defense mechanism to not give in to that attraction...."

What? I'm attracted to him? Impossible. How can I be? Well he's tall, handsome, a gentleman, he's well mannered and dances well. Wait what!? I said to myself then I shook my head trying to shake away those thoughts.

Then my mind wondered on our talk at the garden. The first ever serious and civil talk we had. It wasn't bad. We did had something in common. I then smiled as I remembered our dance. But then frowned as I remembered how I landed in his arms. Why does he affect me like this?

That bothers me a lot specially when I tend to forget Rowan because of him. And also the fact that after the talk we had, I don't feel mad anymore.