In the enchanted realm of Kenichi, where men and elves coexist in harmony, a shadow looms over the once peaceful kingdom. At its center stands Prince Sugi, a young heir to the throne whose journey from entitlement to enlightenment will shape the fat...
Sugi stared back at me lost in thought. After a few moments of silence, he shook his head as if he had just returned to his senses and looked away.
"I don't know. My father has been searching for her to get answers and try to help me. Her family also disappeared along with the mysterious cottage." He looked at me again with distress in his eyes.
"When I realized I was the cause of Hobi's death, it destroyed me. I'm no longer the same person. I was desperate to find her, to make things right, but my parents locked me away so I couldn't hurt anyone. It was only a few months, but for me, it felt like years. It was a terrible time for me," Sugi said with a tightening of his chest. "I mourned my little friend and all those that I had hurt. It was a terrible lesson to learn how my selfishness can cause so much harm."
I looked at him with sympathy in my eyes. "How did they know it was you?"
"It became apparent when the second person to look me in the eye collapsed and died."
"I can imagine how scared you must have been. Still, how did you know it was her doing," I said.
"She left me a message. She wanted to make sure I knew it was because I hurt her, and the worst part was she wouldn't let me apologize."
I could feel his guilt by the way his shoulders slumped and the way his words wobbled.
"What did she say?"
Looking at his hands he replied. "You will remember me and this day for your whole life. I wanted you to love me, but I looked into your eyes and I saw no love. You broke me, you broke my heart and for this, you will pay. My vindictive heart has cursed you and I will be the last person to look into your eyes and live."
Seeing the sadness on his face, Jimon replied, "Well, she was wrong cause I can look at you!"
His haunting violet eyes looked into my soul, pleading for me to understand.
"I don't know, but that's why I want to know everything about you."
"I understand," I said breaking my gaze from his.
"I know you don't like me, Jimon, but I hope you give me a chance to know you."
Sugi thought to himself and wondered if Maeve's purpose was for him to fall in love and be rejected by that person. Was Jimon the one? He thought, 'But I'm not in love with Jimon. He's just a boy I am curious about, and my heart only pounds because I'm afraid of looking at him.'
He shook his head as if to wipe the sad thoughts from his head. "Come with me Jimon. I have some things I want to give you," Sugi smiled at me.
"You don't have to do this," I said wondering what he planned to give me.
"I want to. You are here at my request. The least I can do is provide you with the things you need," was Sugi's calm reply.
Sugi walked ahead of me and placed the mask on his face again. He looked so excited to show me something. I wondered what it could be? We walked into his grand bedroom that was even bigger than the huge room I had slept in last night. I looked around in wonder at the opulent surroundings. I took a seat on a chaise that he pointed to and crossed my arms, waiting expectantly. Sugi took off his mask and placed it on a table that held other masks and pretty trinkets. He moved towards a grand armoire cabinet and started picking clothes and putting them on the massive bed.
As I waited, I looked around the regal room with fine tapestries on the walls that made the cold castle walls warm. I am astounded by the items being placed on the bed. Silk and velvet cloaks with hoods in dusky colors and deep jewel tones. Brocade vests and white linen shirts adorned with ruffles. The clothes were skillfully made with expensive fabrics that only the rich could afford. I am amused at how animated and cute he looks as he carefully places them for me to admire.
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"Do you need some help with that?" I asked him.
"No, this is fun. I can do it," he replied happily. "Where shall I start? Jimon, take your clothes off so you can try somethings on."
My eyes shot open at the request. The prince is going to choose clothes for me!
"Now, where shall we begin?" He said, staring at the clothes and then back at me.
He held up a pair of forest green, silk broad cloth pants, as his eyes found mine making me blink in surprise.
"I'll let you choose whatever you like."
"Thank you, but I wouldn't know. Please choose for me."
"Okay, try this one."
I slowly raised my shirt as Sugi looked on, his pretty eyes roaming from my torso up to my face and then I unexpectedly wink at the prince whose cheeks are now very pink.
"Here put this one on." Sugi hands me a ruffled white shirt looking away from my exposed body.
"Well, what do you think?" I ask with a teasing tone, not knowing where this newfound confidence came from.
"It's perfect... like you," Sugi says softly, walking slowly up to me.
My heart pounds as I think Sugi is about to kiss me. The prince raises his arms to my neck and adjusts the collar, his lips just inches from mine. His long elegant fingers softly touching the sensitive skin on my neck. It surprises me how much I long for his touch. I have never felt this way about a boy before, but what a beautiful boy he is. His skin is so beautiful up close, like a porcelain doll and I tingle with expectation. I wish we could stay this close.
"Turn around," Sugi says guiding my body with his hands.
I look up at my reflection in the mirror, and I'm surprised by how handsome I look. In these clothes, I feel like a prince myself and I've never felt happier.
"Do you like it?" Sugi asks, looking at me in the mirror a soft smile on his lips.
I shyly answered, "Yes, thank you."
"I'm going to make you my prince." He turns me around so we are face to face barely an inch apart, our attraction for each other growing as we stare at each other.
