When Peony Blooms #AMBW

Chapter 8: "The Dance of Seduction"

Ayodele nodded, trying to push aside the feelings of hurt and betrayal that were creeping up inside her.

    As the ceremony continued, she couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment from her own life. It was as if she was watching everything from a distance as if she was just a spectator to her engagement.

    As the night wore on, and the festivities continued, Ayodele found herself drawn to the balcony, where she could feel the cool night air brushing against her skin.

    As she stood there, lost in thought, she heard a sound behind her. Turning around, she found the Crown prince standing there, his eyes dark and intense.

    "Your Highness," she said, bowing respectfully.

    "Crown Princess," he said, his voice just as formal. "May I join you?"

    Ayodele nodded, not knowing what else to say. As they stood there in silence, she could feel the tension between them growing thicker and thicker, until it seemed to almost suffocate her.

    "There's something I need to tell you," the Crown prince said suddenly, breaking the silence.

    Ayodele looked up, her eyes meeting his. "What is it?"

    He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "I owe you an apology," he said finally.

    " What are you apologizing for? "

    " Pretending I was someone else." The Crown prince stated.

    " That is no bother, I also pretended to be someone else. We both played a role in each other's confusion," Ayodele responded.

    After the subtle exchange they both paused, taking a sigh in the awkwardness.

    "Unless there is something else you are sorry about," Ayodele continued, breaking the silence between them.

Yet, her words seemed to hang because the Crown Prince remained silent and distant-eyed, though he seemed to focus on something--or someone--below. A wistful and almost nostalgic look crossed his face in that instant, lost in a beautiful gaze, making it hard for Ayodele to turn away.

    " No, not that I know of." He finally said.

    Suddenly, Ayodele noticed the young woman with raven silk hair whispering to Ji-Yun in the courtyard. She sighed heavily, realizing that this was most likely who caught his eye - the one he has been in love with since before they ever met.

" Maybe for kissing someone, then again I already knew you were in love with someone else." Ayodele wanted to say but bit her tongue and attempted to retreat instead.

    Before she could get off the balcony Seo-jin arrived down below, a hint of amusement glimmered in Ayodele's eyes. "Sejabinmama, beautiful hair," Seo-jin commented in his usual sarcastic tone, knowing how uncomfortable Ayodele must've been.

    At last, a smile tickled at the corner of Ayodele's lips and she offered a small chuckle; it was the first time the crown prince had seen such an expression since the night before. The sound caught his attention and just for a moment shifted his gaze from whatever or whoever below he had been watching.

    " I will be right down." She said to Seo-jin. She excused herself from the crown prince, turning around to leave - leaving behind the only positive emotion that managed to pass through the crown prince's features all night.

    Just as the night was beginning to settle in around Ayodele, there came a tumultuous disturbance.

    The same raven-haired woman that she had seen talking to Ji-Yun earlier suddenly collapsed and confusion spread through the court like wildfire.