Royal Masquerade

Chapter 10

The dashing young man is a walking masterpiece. He have strong planes gracing his features though his pale skin makes him resembles a nocturnal mystical creature, a vampire. His owned a pair of very dark and intense eyes, and one could get lost in it’s darkness. The man, albeit handsome and charming, but have very intimidating qualities to it. His lips are of red blood wine, one that would burn any skin that he kissed. The man resembles Narcissus but very different in many ways way. This man has a strong charismatic aura with him, one thing that Narcissus lacked. He must be Narcissus’s brother.

Astrea stood up from where she’s sitting, but in her clumsy haste, she fell backwards on her rear. The young man’s feature softens as he saw her fall. He kneel down and watched her, without extending any helping hand to help her up. After a few seconds, he extended a strong hand to pull her up belatedly and held her in his arms. She felt faint, and struggled out of his protective arms, but he gripped onto her tightly, and gave her a deep stare in her eyes and smile. The smile could have killed her instantly as her soul was lost in the beauty of his smile.

“Hey, beautiful, nice fall, would you marry me�” he asked. There’s seriousness and teasing in his voice. His impertinence immediately earned her wrath.

“What?” she asked incredulously at his proposal.

“Here, Astrea, this is for you.” he said casually and reached out for her hands and hold it firmly. She felt his warmth as he placed a single thorn less red rose onto her hand. She blushed, and was fully startled. This man who stood before her is obviously making her melt into the puddle of nowhere with his action. She can’t fully identify her feelings at the moment, but such flaring feelings is not welcomed.

“How do you know my name? What the? Unhand me!” she said, and pushed him away, though she was somehow feeling comfortable being held by him. He somehow reminds her of Narc, it’s just too bad that it’s not him. He’s not wearing a mask, and dashingly handsome and shows no sign of sickness at all. His voice is a hoarse variation of Narc’s voice.

“What did you just say? Astrea, don’t you know me?” he laughed, and walked closer to her, and they’re barely apart, and he tried to reach for her again.

“No, I don’t believe that I have even met you before. please get away from me, or I’ll scream! And what’s with the red rose?” she cried out, turning panicky as her body sensed that the young man in the business suit is trying to seduce her with his touching and affection. He reminds her of Narcissus but she knew too well that he is ugly, not as handsome as the young man who stood before her. Her love is scarred badly on his face and would not appear unmasked in front of her, what more in public.

“Hmm, not to be afraid, Astrea, the red rose is from someone who loves you as a token of apology,” he said softly as she shot him a dirty look.

“You must be Zachary, right? Where the hell is Narcissus?” she asked impatiently, not feeling comfortable in his presence. She felt irritated and uneasy.

“What?” he chuckled at her question, finding it very amusing that she even asked him that question.

“Are you deaf? I just asked you where is Narc? He said he’ll be back from town by noon. Did he come back with you?” she said impatiently as his intense eyes watched her fumed. Something ticked his funny bones, and he made an effort to hold back his laughter.

“Oh? He did? I’m afraid he won’t be back so early, Astrea. He’s a busy man. he have things to attend to.” he said carefully, upsetting her badly.

“So he won’t be back early? But he promised he’ll come back soon.” she said, concern about Narcissus well being, but guarded her expression so that he could not read it. The man before her continued to watch her with great interest and amusement. He place his hand and rubbed on non-existent mustache to stifle a laugh.