To Where the Tides Ebb And Flow

Chance meeting or Fate?

Mimi- or rather- Stella navigated the grand palace corridors with a mix of curiosity and exasperation. Her search for Jeje had led her through a labyrinth of gilded hallways and opulent rooms, each more magnificent than the last. The elegance of the evening was overwhelming, and she struggled to keep her composure in her restrictive gown and uncomfortable shoes. 

As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with someone coming the other way. Startled, she looked up to find herself face-to-face with Prince Xavier. He was dressed impeccably in his formal attire, his presence commanding yet unassuming.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Stella exclaimed, taking a step back. "I didn't mean to—"

"No harm done," Xavier interrupted with a warm smile. "Lady Stella, isn't it? I didn't expect to find you wandering these halls."

Stella raised an eyebrow, surprised by his familiarity. "Prince Xavier, right? I'm actually looking for Lady Julianna. Have you seen her?"

Xavier's gaze shifted thoughtfully as he considered her question. "I haven't seen Lady Julianna recently. But you seem rather...lost, if you don't mind me saying."

"Just a bit," Stella admitted with a sheepish grin. "I'm not exactly a master of palace navigation. These halls are like a maze."

Xavier chuckled, the sound both genuine and reassuring. "The palace can be quite bewildering. It took me a while to learn my way around, and I've lived here all my life."

Stella's eyes widened in mock horror. "Oh great, so I'm not just hopelessly lost; I'm in the company of a pro-level navigator who still finds it tricky."

Xavier's smile widened, clearly entertained by her candor. "I wouldn't call myself a pro, but I do know a few shortcuts. If you'd like, I can offer my assistance in finding Lady Julianna."

Stella's face lit up with relief. "That would be fantastic. I'd be forever grateful if you could help me escape this labyrinth."

As they walked together, Stella couldn't help but notice how Xavier's demeanor shifted from his formal public persona to a more relaxed and approachable one. His conversation was light-hearted, though he clearly had no idea of the modern world Stella had come from.

"So, Prince Xavier," Stella began, her tone light as they strolled through the crowded ballroom, "when you're not navigating the treacherous waters of court politics or attending grand events like this, how do you unwind? Surely even a prince must have a secret way to relax?"

Xavier paused, his brow furrowing slightly as if the concept of "unwinding" was foreign to him. "Relaxation," he mused, his voice tinged with a thoughtful curiosity. "In truth, I find solace in the quieter moments—reading a good book or wandering through the palace gardens at dawn. The stillness of the early morning has a way of clearing the mind."

Stella smiled, though her thoughts raced as she tried to find common ground with someone so distant from her world. "That sounds...peaceful. Like finding a hidden corner in the middle of a chaotic day where you can just breathe."

"Precisely," Xavier agreed, a hint of surprise in his voice as he realized they shared a similar sentiment. "And you, Lady Stella? How do you find calm amidst the chaos of life?"

Stella laughed softly, her amusement evident. "Oh, you'll probably find me with a cup of tea, lost in a book, or catching up on the latest gossip with my cousin. But honestly, right now, my main goal is just to survive the night without tripping over my own feet."

Xavier's laughter was warm, genuine. "A pragmatic approach, to say the least. It's refreshing to meet someone who doesn't shy away from the truth."

Their conversation flowed naturally as they meandered through the ballroom, the easy banter between them making the evening unexpectedly pleasant for Stella. Despite his title and the formality of the occasion, Xavier's sincerity made him an enjoyable companion.

As they neared the grand water fountain, where Julianna was engaged in conversation with Duke Rafayel, Stella began to excuse herself. However, she stopped briefly, contemplating.

"Looks like I should not be disturbing her conversation," she said, looking at them.

Xavier gently caught her arm, his touch light but enough to give her pause. "Lady Stella," he began, his tone suddenly more serious, though still laced with that familiar warmth. "Before you go, there's something I've been curious about."

Stella turned to face him, intrigued. "Of course, Prince Xavier. What's on your mind?"

Xavier's smile held a mischievous glint. "If you had to choose between a grand ball like this and a quiet evening at home, which would you prefer?"

He was trying to assess if Stella was in fact, putting on an act. Many ladies had done this before, acting all cute and innocent to get his attention, but situation based questions like these often made them show their true self to him.

Stella chuckled, the question taking her by surprise. "That's easy. I'd choose the quiet evening every time. There's something comforting about the simplicity of a peaceful night in."

Xavier nodded thoughtfully, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. "A fair choice. But tell me, would you still not be interested in the ball if you were to meet the man of your dreams?"

Stella smiled. "I don't think hopelessly going to each ball to look for some handsome man is a smart idea. I will wait until the time is right, who knows, I may meet someone at a silly gathering than at a ball in full swing,"

Xavier's laughter echoed through the space, clearly entertained by her different response. "You seem to have a talent for finding the silver lining in any situation, Lady Stella."

Before Stella could reply, a sudden commotion erupted nearby. A group of elegantly dressed ladies stumbled into their path, and a misstep sent a tray of champagne tumbling to the floor. The clatter of glasses and the splash of liquid drew everyone's attention, and Stella found herself in the midst of the chaos.

"Oh no!" she exclaimed, instinctively stepping back to avoid the spill, only to bump into Xavier, while also getting some of the drink on the hem of her dress. "Just what I needed to make this night even more memorable," she added with a wry smile.

Xavier, trying to navigate the chaos with her, couldn't suppress his laughter. "It appears we've found ourselves in a bit of a predicament, haven't we?"

Stella grinned, despite the mess. "Just another adventure to add to the list, I suppose."

Xavier offered to escort her to a powder room so she could clean herself up, and on the way their earlier conversation took on a lighter, more playful tone. The mishap, while inconvenient, created a shared experience that broke down the formal barriers between them. Through the laughter and the unexpected camaraderie, Stella and Xavier found themselves enjoying each other's company even more.

For Xavier, this simple, chaotic moment—seeing Stella's genuine smile and easygoing nature—sparked something deeper within him. As they parted ways, he couldn't shake the thought that this charming, unpretentious woman had left a lasting impression. However, as he admired her from a distance, watching her join Julianna, it became painfully clear to him that his growing affection might remain unrequited.

Stella, with her unawareness of the emotions swirling around her, continued the evening without a second thought, blissfully oblivious to the feelings she had unknowingly stirred in the crown prince. And so, what began as a chance encounter became the seed of a hopeless, one-sided love for Xavier—a love that he would carry silently, knowing that Lady Stella might never truly understand his heart. Julianna grinned as she watched this unfold, Stella walking down to her after being escorted back by Xavier. Her Mimi was the biggest airhead known to mankind.

Xavier excused himself as Stella walked into the powder room. Yet she was the only thing he could think of.