The World Of Sally

Chapter Twenty-Four (Part Two): The Promise before the Winter Break

HIS EYES were surprisingly warm and gentle, his voice is even calming. It was new for her to see the crown prince wearing that kind of expression in front of her. The wind blew at them softly. Sally remained silent while looking at the crown prince.

“I want you to be there, Ms. Esther.” He repeated. She sighed and pulled her hand away.

“I told your highness that I can’t attend the winter ball.” She repeated.

“Do you not know what punishment can you get by declining a royal invitation?” He asked her. Sally knew that those people who refused to attend such important events.

“Yes, and I already give my reason for why I’m not attending.”

“But it depends on us if we accept that reason as valid or not. And I consider yours as inconsequential.” He replied.

‘What!? This childish tyrant! This is so unfair!’

“I don’t need a dress, your highness.”

He heard what she said but he didn’t stop. Seeing him ignoring her, she pulled herself full force. The crown prince was pulled back and looked at her with a surprised expression. He grinned wickedly.

“So you want to play tough with me? Then,” He steps forward, closing the gap between them, and carried her in his arms. Sally was shocked, she tried to leap but the wind surrounded them lift them away from the ground. As she saw that the both of them were already far from the ground, she tightens her grip on the crown prince’s clothes.

“Y-Your highness! This is dangerous! What if we fall!?” She screamed in fear while staring at the ground. The campus looks so small from their position.

“What if we fall? That’s a very tempting suggestion though.”

“No! I don’t want to die! Please let me down your highness!”

The crown prince laughed at her terrified expression. She stopped whining and stared at the crown prince’s face. His face glow even more and his laughter was charming. It’s like soft, warm music in the ears. Helios stopped laughing and stared at her.

“What?” He asked her. He stared at her astonished face.

“Nothing, your highness.” She answered. She’s too embarrassed to tell him how charming his face when he’s laughing. He smirked and draws his face closer to hers.

“What? Am I too charming in your eyes?”

“Yes, you’re charming in EVERYONE’S eyes, your highness.”

“What a passionless answer.”

“I’m telling the truth, your highness.”

“Shut up if you don’t want to fall from here.”

She flinched and her face turned white. She obediently nodded for dear life.

“Hold my hand.” He ordered. Without asking any questions, she held his hand. She felt his other hand slowly letting her go. Her arms automatically embraced his neck.

“Y-Your Highness, are you going to let me fall to death?”

Helios looked at her for a moment before laughing. 

‘Did I just make a record of making the crown prince laugh for the second time?’ She pondered feeling proud of herself. His hand holding her waist tighten once again and he pulled her closer to him. She held her breath and draws away from her face a little.

“Do you think of me as an incompetent fool? Or a murderer?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then, stop thinking nonsense. Why don’t you look ahead instead of looking at the ground?” He suggested. Sally slowly looked in front of them. Her eyes sparkled and widen a little. She was mesmerized by the view of the capital and the palace a little far away from the capital. The wind is gentle and cool, and it feels refreshing.

‘I never thought that I’ll feel this kind of happiness. It’s like I’m at the top of the world and no one can touch me. What’s more surprising is that this man brought that feeling in me.’ She thought and glanced at Helios who’s also staring at the view and has a small smile on his face.

‘He looked gentle and enchanting. Very far from his usual intimidating look.’

“Let’s go. We’ll waste our time flying here like an idiot.”

“Ah, yes, your highness.”

The two went to the town and landed at an alleyway where there are no people around. Since they’re wearing their uniforms, the crown prince changed their clothes through magic. Their clothes, although modest, didn’t hinder their charms and beauty.

Helios was staring at Sally secretly while she’s busy looking at her clothes with an amazed look on her face. Her skin is as white as snow, her eyes were charmingly sparkling like diamonds, and when she smiles her cheeks turned pink.

‘She has a bearable face.’ He thought while examining her.

“Your highness?”

He snapped and looked at her.

“Are you alright? Is there bothering you?”

“You’re taking too long looking at your dress. You look like a moron.”

She frowned hearing his words. But she stopped mumbling when the crown prince took her hand and drag her out of the alleyway.

‘Why is he always dragging me?’

“Your highness, I’ll follow you from behind so you can let go of my hand now.” She said but he ignores her.

‘Ignoring me again? Is the crown prince deaf?’

They have two hours before sunset so they walked around the capital first, trying the street foods and looking at the people.

‘This is refreshing.’ Sally muttered inwardly with a smile.

“Why are you smiling?” The crown prince asked. He had an expression like he doesn’t understand the feeling of looking at people while sitting on the fountain in the center of the capital.

“Because it’s peaceful and fun looking at people.”

“Fun? What’s fun in that?”

“Hm, how should I explain this, I am not a socializing individual. I find it troublesome for some reason that’s why I’m not bothered being alone all the time. But whenever I’m like this, even if I’m just looking at them from afar, I felt like I’m also a human being. You know, your highness, when you’re all alone, a lot of things came in your mind like waves in the shore.”

“What kind of thoughts do you have?”

“A lot of things, both the good and bad.” She answered while smiling. Helios stared at her then at the people walking around. He tried to understand her words by sensing and he thought she’s right. It’s not bad being alone sometimes and observe people passing by. He is the crown prince of the kingdom, and he always socializes with people. It doesn’t matter if he hates or he likes that person, as long as their existence will help him attain the throne he won’t push them away.

The one thing he seems to not understand is why he’s keeping this woman beside him when her existence isn’t needed for his goals.

‘At least she’s not boring to be with.’ He thought. He’s quite surprised at himself. Other than Felix, he didn’t think that other’s company would be this comforting.

“By the way, does everyone know about your highness’ face?” She looked around and saw that no one paid any attention to them despite her being with the crown prince.

“I used magic to alter our identity.”

“So that’s why.”

He stood up and offered his hand in front of her. Sally stared at it then raised her head to look at his face. She’s confused and hesitating but before she can decide, the crown prince took her hand and started walking.

“Your highness, do you and Lady Robia hang out sometimes?”

“Why’re you asking?”

“There’s no particular reason, your highness. I’m just curious.”

“I don’t hang out with women alone. It’ll create rumors.”

“Huh? Then why are you hanging out with me? This might create rumors to you as well, your highness.”

“I told you, we’re in a disguise. No one can tell who we are.” He answered. Sally watched his back.

She just realized how tall the crown prince was. His body was lean and compared to him, her height and size were too small giving other people an image of a small rabbit beside a big lion. They stopped in front of a flower shop.

“Your highness, are you going to buy flowers? I’ll wait here outside so you can take your time.”

Helios stared at her before letting go of her hand. He smiled mischievously at her and held some strands of her hair. He leans closer and whispers,

“Don’t think of running away.”

“W-what? Of course not your highness!” She denied it though she’s thinking of running away the moment he turned his back on her.

“Well, even if you try, I will still find you.”

She can feel her face turning pale while listening to him. He let go of her hair and went inside the flower shop. Sally gazed at him.

‘Is he going to give the flowers to Lady Robia?’ She wondered. It’s not her business but she’s curious. Other than the flowers, she’s curious as well as to why the crown prince decided to be with her. ‘Is it because he’s guilty?’ She thought. She felt gloomy all of a sudden due to the injustice she received.

‘Yeah, it must be it.’ She thought again.

Helios was waiting for the flowers when his eyes fell to Sally. She’s in a daze staring at the flowers displayed outside of the shop.

‘I wonder what she is thinking.’ He keeps on staring at her until the vendor arrived with the flowers he ordered. ‘She looks like she’ll evaporate if it’s not for her black hair.’ He added.

“Excuse me, Sir. Here are the flowers.”

He stared at the flowers. The vendor seems to notice his curious expression so she started speaking.

“These are Ranunculus which means ‘radiant charm’. It gives a message that that person is attractive or radiant, and these are Amaryllis which means ‘worth beyond beauty.’ You’re going to give it to a woman, right?” She asked.

“How did you know that I’ll give it to a woman?” He asked.

“Pardon me but are you not with her?” She pointed Sally outside who’s still staring at the flowers. “I noticed that you kept on staring at her so I thought that these flowers will be the best flowers to be given to her. In addition, these flowers are a trend to lovers.”

“You speak a lot. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you, Sir.”

He went out of the shop and walked towards her.

“The flowers are pretty, your highness. Are you going to give it to Lady Robia? I’m sure she’ll love it.”

“No. These flowers are not for her.”

“Huh? Then?”

He tosses the flowers to her, gladly, she caught it.

“It’s for you.”

Her eyes went bigger and stared at the bouquet in her hand. Her heartfelt warm and skipped a beat. She smiled at the thought of receiving something from someone.

“Thank you, your highness. Though I don’t think that these flowers suit me. I don’t think I’m that dazzling.” She chuckled while touching the flowers.

“Do you think poorly of me?”

“Of course not, your highness.”

“I have good eyesight, when I say you’re beautiful, I mean it.”

“Oh, I see.”

Her face reddened due to embarrassment. She rarely receives compliments and to think that someone like the crown prince says such surprising words to someone is like punching the moon in the sky.

“Let’s go. We’re wasting time.”

They started walking and stopped at a clothing store. Sally was amazed by the dresses displayed inside the shop.

‘I don’t know what the fashion trend is nowadays. I didn’t expect to be here anyway.’ She thought. They entered the shop and they were immediately greeted by a servant.

“Welcome, dear customers.” He said.

“Choose anything you like. I’ll be right here.” Helios said as he sits on the chair.

“Anything?”

“Yes, anything.”

Sally blinked her eyes several times while looking at the dresses. All of them are expensive and one-of-a-kind. She felt nervous buying these types of dresses due to the price, in addition, the dresses were kind of heavy for her.

“I think we entered the wrong shop.” She muttered forcing a smile.

“No, we didn’t.” The crown prince answered.

“Oh, Madame! This shop offered the most beautiful and well-known dresses! You won’t regret being here, Madame!” The servant explained with anticipation. Sally can’t stare directly at his sparkling eyes, though she didn’t understand why he’s forcing them to buy something in the shop. Then she noticed the servant staring at something. She traced where he’s staring at. He’s looking at the ring the crown prince is wearing. Her eyes widen and her mouth hanging wide open.

‘That’s the regal ring! Was he wearing it the whole time!?’

It is a ring symbolizing the person’s rank. There are five clarifications of stones in each ring; the sapphire ring owned by the Duke Robia, the garnet ring owned by the Duke Maze, the ruby ring owned by the king, the diamond ring owned by the queen, and the last is the musgravite ring owned by the crown prince. These rings were imbued with both strong magic and curse by the gods.

‘I heard that the curse is only effective if the person who’s wearing it is unworthy.’

“What’s the problem?” Helios asked as he walks to her side. Sally didn’t answer and nervously looked around the shop. Helios noticed her actions and faced the servant. “I’ll buy all of these dresses, including the shoes.”

“What!?” Sally muttered in surprise.

“You seemed to have trouble in choosing a dress so I decided to buy them all.”

‘Is this all because of his guilt?’ She wondered.

“Your highness, it’s alright, you don’t have to do this. If you’re feeling bad about what happened please forget it.” She muttered.

“I will not take any refusals from you. What I’m doing right now isn’t about guilt. This is different, and I told you before, that if you want me to punish Lady Robia for participating in the incident, I’ll gladly do so.”

Her eyes are quivering. She didn’t understand everything he’s doing right now but still, this is too much for her!

“I’ll just pick one dress. The shoes don’t matter.”

“Make it ten dresses and ten pairs of shoes.”

“Please, no. Don’t do this. I don’t need that many, and what can your highness get if you buy me those?”

“A promise.”

“Huh?”

“A promise that you’re going to attend the winter ball and dedicate the first dance to me.”

“What?”

“Promise me.”

Sally stared at the crown prince’s eyes. It never failed to amuse her how radiant they were. What will she do? The crown prince is a stubborn person. She sighed.

“Alright, I promise, but I’ll only take one dress and a pair of shoes. That’ll be enough.” She said and smiled.

‘I’ll just let this thing happen for once. There won’t be a second time anyway.’ She thought.

***