The Enchantress

68.

Princess Mina.

He held my hand, he said he loves me again and willing to wait for me. My heart was pounding and I can't take my eyes off him. Yet I remain silent. I don't know what to say so I just stared at him.

A royal guard appeared, he cleared his throat to get our attention.

"Your highness." He bowed at us. "The King wishes your presence at the Ball."

"Certainly." Chaeyoung looked at me and smiled. "Shall we, my Princess?"

He offered his arm. I smiled back and linked my arm into his. As we made our way out of the garden, I can't help but think how things have turned out.

A lot had happened during the span of the night. The breath taking dance, the heart pounding last slow dance, him suddenly dancing with another princess, me irritated and storming out of the ball, him finding me in the garden and telling me he loves me and is willing to wait for me...

We arrived back at the ball. The King was at the center probably giving out his speech. He seemed to be a little bit drunk. We stopped in front of the crowd.

"...I haven't even thought about it even a second. But I was blessed with it... And who blessed me? The Heavens blessed me through this man here!" He said pointing Chaeyoung. "The Prince who freed us all. The answer to our prayers from the heavens. Truly a god-send angel."

The crowd clapped their hands. "Not just Prince Chaeyoung. Prince Momo and Tzuyu had been helping us rebuild our country as well. And of course our Princess Mina who contributed so much in our Hospitals as well as shared her knowledge in the medical field."

He took a glass of wine from the royal guard.

"A thank you would never be enough... gifts of no matter how expensive isn't enough to match what you all have blessed us. I and all of Aevar's people owe our life to you four." He raised his glass. "Prince Chaeyoung, For me, aside from the one above, you're the King of all the Kings. Hail To Prince Chaeyoung of Kyria!"

The King bowed at Chaeyoung and soon followed by the crowd even the Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses. I let go of his arm, faced him then bowed. Then they all raised their glasses and cheered at Chaeyoung.

I glanced at him and was amused on how pink his face had become. He is a good man. He had gone through a lot of hardships and triumphs more than any man I've known. Yet he remain humble.

The royals gathered at the center and talked. Chaeyoung took my arm and linked it with his. He didn't let me go til the party ended.

He led me to my room, he took my hand and kissed it before saying goodnight.

I had bathed, changed into my night dress and now lying in my bed. My mind wandered on what happened tonight.

I've been tensed and awkward these past few days but after tonight all those are long gone. And I know it's because of him.

I'm still not used to all of these feelings. It felt like how the books describes yet it felt powerful and even mind-blowing. All these feelings overpowers my mind and body that sometimes I find myself surprised that my body's already reacting to him before I even think about it.

I could no longer hide how I feel about him. But I'm not sure if this is love. I know for sure what he feels towards me are far greater than mine. I'm afraid I couldn't even match it.

"I love you Mina. It might not be the time for you, but I'll just be around waiting..." Those words felt so good in the ears yet terrifying at the same time.

I am not even a good lover. Look how I fare with Rowan. He did everything for me, he loved me but I didn't even reciprocated enough. How pathetic I was to say I love him only before he went to war.

Chaeyoung said he'll wait... What if it'll be the same as with Rowan? That I couldn't give nor show affection like how a lover should.

At times like this I miss Sana more. I smiled knowing that we'll be heading home tomorrow.

The next day...

At breakfast, I was able to face him without being awkward. We smiled as we greet each other. After our breakfast we headed out. He led me to the carriage while he and his brothers rode their horses. The King, who was also on his horse, led the way out of the castle.

We reached the port after an hour. I went out of the carriage and found the brothers were still beside their horses all looking at something. They all looked surprised. I followed were they were looking and was surprised to see a huge ship in front of us.

The King who was in the front faced us smiling widely.

"This had been hard to keep from you all specially we're mostly together everyday." He pointed at it. "From all of Aevar, this is our parting gift."

It was huge. It's twice more than the largest ship that Kyria have.

"Your Highness, this is..."

"Perfect for the journey..." The King inserted. "And also for the gifts too. The people of Aevar have surprise gifts for all of you. You all have your own rooms labeled under your name. The gifts are inside your rooms. I also prepared gifts for the King of Twice as well as the King of Once. Please gave our thanks for birthing you four."