Night Weavers

Two Souls Intertwined

...

This is not normal. Not normal at all.

I can't handle it without my father, maybe because it's my first time without him. I shiver with all the cold and happy looks on people's faces. Some aren't looking at all but I feel the uneasy air around these adults I haven't even noticed before since my father was always the one taking care of them.

The anxiety began to surge through me and thought all the unnecessary things. I couldn't spell it out, but the only thing I wanna do is go outside and breathe. It's like I'm stranded in a cage threatened by powerful people.

Noticing the nervous look on my face, Von gave me a little pat on the back maybe just to calm me down.

"It's alright, Ferdie. I'm here."

Then, everyone was quiet and looked at one direction. The grand staircase. I couldn't help but look at the same way too. Trumpets were heard the moment everyone went silent.

Three people slowly went down the staircase. No one was bound to make a sound. The air became even more intense, people are like mannequins, standing and waiting to be taken interest in. It was weird, there was not a single quiet moment when I come every year. This is the first time to have happened.

"Everyone, please welcome the hosts of the ball! The Regilia family. Here are the royalties, the king and the queen!"

At the middle was a girl, about my age, in a dazzling gown. I haven't seen her before but she was beautiful. She made everyone stare at her. What a sight to see, but I had no interest. She was also uninterested in us too. I could tell she isn't comfortable standing there as I couldn't see a smile on her face. I saw her eyes gaze at me for a second and I felt cold. Like ice went down on my spine, stopping every act I could ever done. It was horrific and I looked at every other object I could stare at and every second is a temptation to look at her.

She slowly went down the stairs, one by one, looking at everyone. I would think it's exhausting to be looked at like everyone depends on her. The moment she arrives at the end of the stairs, the crowd started to become human again and everyone was talking. She also began to disappear from my sight. Then, I continue to talk to other people.

Von asked if she may and went about and served other people with drinks and food. I had to talk to other persons and bargain with some things. It was the same conversation over and over again, money and all those stuff. It wasn't interesting at all but the looks on everyone's faces are quite bizarre. It felt like I was an outcast.

"Where is his father?" A person whispered.

It came to my senses that people don't want to associate with me but only with my father. He always comes to the ball every year and donates various amounts of money that I have never handled and never would let me. I guess that's the reason, I'll never know. I look around for my maid but I encountered the same eyes that made my body stop. Those blue crystal eyes paired with fair skin in a grand white gown.

I was just standing there staring at the girl that was at the top of the stairs, now hiding in the corner until Von tugged my suit to call my attention. She grabbed my hand and showed me a way I have never walked in before. I looked back and she did not show emotion and before I knew it, we were in a dark place.

It was a tall tower. We climbed of what seemed to be an endless spiral staircase not knowing how far the exit is. We haven't seen a single window yet and my legs were starting to get tired. I couldn't see what Von is feeling right now and every step is what I feel her hands shaking. I am unsure of what to think as she drags me up the tower. She said that I'll be alright and without word we rushed to the top. Eventually, we already arrived at a door at the end of the stairs.

"Are you ready?"

A question she asks as we wait in front of the door. She is holding my hand a little harder right now. It was scaring me for a moment but I inhaled deeply so I can recover. Confusion, fear, curiosity and the best part of them all, excitement. My heart is in a chaotic state that I couldn't handle as I finally see Von's face when she turns around.

What I saw made my heart stop. She was smiling, the same face as mine. Both exhausted with anticipation of the world outside the tower. This time, I trusted Von unlike any other.

"I'm ready."

Von opened the door and we see and bright light that was shining upon us. It was the large moon looking at us, its beauty welcoming us into its arms and we walk towards it and all the chaos turned into serenity the moment we sit down on the floor without the cold stares down our throats. I wondered what my father feels coming to these kinds of parties.

A few seconds in and a thousand stars come flying by. A meteor shower shows up and lightens up the sky. I stood up to see if I can get a closer look at the stars, I knew it would look the same but trying wouldn't hurt. As long as I appreciate what I see right now and dance until I fully express my joy for being free. I show my hands to Von, who happily sits while watching me dance. She grabs my hands, stands up and looks at me with laughter in her voice. We danced under the shooting stars as we hear the songs they play in the ball. It was the moment I embraced with all my heart. Our surroundings weren't dark at all. We were in our own little world, didn't have a care about anything else.

...

We were silently sitting on the floor and looking up the stars.

"Why did you bring me up here?"

"Well, I wanted you to see the shooting stars that happened a while ago."

"How did you know that it was going to have it tonight?"

"Just a hunch, I guess. Maybe I could hear the stars?"

We both giggled at the thought. It was not a straight answer, but it was satisfactory.

"How did you know this place?"

"Your father is an explorer, you see. He had guts to see every corner of every place he could find. Of course, he would respect belongings of other people and also because he knows the King and Queen very well. One time, I had trouble being a server in the same event and worse comes to worst, I had to greatly apologize or something bad will happen. Apparently, your father convinced the noble to calm down and move on. After that, he showed me this place to see the night sky in the eve of the ball. It was breathtaking. Every second is not counted and the moment is limitless. Just thought you'd come here if I see you freeze in there."

"Oh, so you noticed."

"Yes, I did. What's up with you and the princess?"

"I didn't know she was the princess. I never saw her before, just this time. Also, how did you know she was the princess? She only showed up this year for the first time."

"As I said, your father and the royalty is very close."

This time I see that Von really has a lot of experience due to my father bringing her along. My father is still a mystery even with his whereabouts right now. He could've been here in the ball too. I really do miss him so much and I can't wait for it.

"Okay. Maybe.... thanks for bringing me up here."

...

After what felt like an hour of us sitting and capturing the moment, we went down from the tower and back to the ball. It was less scarier than a while ago. As soon as we were entering the ball, a woman came running to us and hugged Von. To much suprise, it was the princess, the girl that was staring at me. She hugged Von so much that they almost fell on the floor and lets go moments after.

"I'm glad to see you again, miss Von!"

"My princess, you shouldn't call me miss. Just Von is fine."

"I can call you however I want." she chuckled.

"Are you alright? You seem to be reluctant with sir Ferdie."

"I'm not! He's the one who's not alright."

I gasped.

"What are you talking about? I'm fine as I am!"

"You're not fine since you don't remember me!"

...

I have never been this confused so much before.