The Dance of Eternity ✓

T W O

Days that are like seconds to my eyes go by and Marianna got wed only hours ago and a ball is taking place in the ballroom of the house. I can hear the laughter overlap with the music's harmony that softly plays. I sit in my bed chambers with a book that I've already read seventeen times before and yet it always captures my attention in a way that it can take my mind away from things that plaque it. And I often find myself return to it whenever my mind goes to the darkest places within me and I need a moment to forget.

Sometimes forgetting is better than having to remember things that I would rather not want to keep. I turn a page when I hear a sodden creak by the door. "I am aware you stand there" I speak without looking. I hear him stand on the threshold. A light chuckles flows to my ears and I look up from the book to see Mr. Parker standing there. He wears what I would guess is his favorable attire for the evening and I have to admit that he does look rather attractive to the eye, though I would not speak those words.

Mr. Parker and I have met like a clockwork over the last couple of days and I take a look at his wound which thankfully is healing calmly. "I do not believe it is wise for you to be seen entering a maiden's chambers when neither is betrothed" I speak to him, and he chuckle as he walks inside my chambers and does not seem to care about my words at all. "I have never been rather wise, and if it is your reputation you wish to remain intact then you should know that none saw me" He speaks and I giggle.

"That is what all men say before fate ruins their life" I tell him. He leans against the wall and just stares at me. He has done so many times before and it does make my heart beat faster for a reason that is unknown to me. I have studied how the human body works, and yet I cannot understand what this feeling that I have inside me is or what is the cause, still it always happens when he's around. "It is the reputation that I care for, Mr. Parker" I tell him.

He looks amused by my words. "Then what do you care for? Other than reading and not attending social gatherings, of course" He asks me. I raise an eyebrow at him. "Rather bold of you to assume that I do not care for gatherings. I can frankly speak that I quite like them. Weddings are not one that fall under that, unfortunately" I speak. "Now, I really believe you should be on your way before a scandal that shall never disappear forms around your name" I tell him, avoiding his questions of why which I'm certain he would ask.

He walks over to me and stands in front of me as I sit on a chair in front of the study desk. "In that case, I would be glad if you accept my invitation" He speaks as his hand reaches out for me to take. Confusion wraps its arms around my head for a small second before I sigh and take his hand. "I told you. I do not tend to like weddings" I tell him as he helps me stand up from the chair, but I do catch a small tug at his lips. "I never said we had to attend the ball" Mr. Parker speaks and smirks slightly.

"And what other scandalous thoughts have entered your mind, Mr. Parker?" I ask him. I take his arms, and we walk out of my bed chambers and into the hallway. "I suppose you are just going to have to find that out on your own. Please, call me Alaric" He says to me and I chuckle. For some days he has been trying to have me call him by his given name and each time I have refused for it is not the custom in this country to refer to one of the opposite gender by their birth given name.

"I shall consider it" I speak. The hallways are only lit by torches yet it does not give a clear vision of what is in front of us but I do know my way around here. "Tell me, Lady Ki. Why is it that mystery surrounds itself around you?" He asks me and I giggle. I realize that he's leading me towards the back door of the house which few are aware of exists. "Mystery? I do not believe so" I tell him. I'm only wearing the gown that I had chosen for Marianna's wedding and once we enter into the night the cold breeze does kiss the bare skin of my face and my shoulders.