Playing with Fire

VII - One of Them

As the days went by following that horrifying incident, a palpable tension filled the mansion. The inhabitants were on high alert, carefully observing my every action with caution. No one dared look away from me, fearing the dire consequences they might face. I understood their apprehension, for I, too, found myself in a similar predicament—fighting relentlessly to stay alive and escape the suffocating confines of this prison-like palace. The constant sense of danger and uncertainty hung heavily in the air, casting a dark shadow over our every interaction.

As time went on, the situation in the mansion remained stagnant, and tension continued to build in anticipation of the upcoming celebration for the crown prince's birthday. Despite the passage of time, I still found myself without a clear plan for my next move, feeling lost in the labyrinth of uncertainty.

I glanced down at the slightly healed wounds on my leg, a reminder of the toll the recent events had taken on me. Pushing myself too hard had resulted in persistent pain every time I tried to stand up. After taking a bath and attempting to tend to my injuries, an unexpected intrusion disrupted my solitude. I quickly set aside my chamise and applied salve to the wounds on my neck. Penelope, accompanied by five maids, stood before me with heads respectfully bowed. Their arrival signaled the need to prepare for something significant.

"We need to prepare, your highness," Penelope said, her voice full of respect as she bowed before me. I stood up from my seat and made my way over to the couch where they had gathered. Taking in the sight, I watched as Penelope and the other maids worked diligently, arranging everything I would need for the upcoming event. The makeup table was set up, a mannequin displayed the dress I was to wear, shoes were neatly placed, and exquisite pieces of jewelry awaited their turn. I remained composed, patiently waiting for them to complete their preparations, preparing myself mentally for the festivities ahead.

"Your highness," Penelope called, breaking my daze. The lack of proper sleep over the past few nights due to my aching legs has left me disoriented.

"Let's get ready," she said, prompting me to stand up.

As the highly anticipated party drew near, I knew I would have the chance to encounter all the essential characters from the novel. However, the masks they wore would conceal their true identities, making it challenging for me to recognize them based on appearances alone. I couldn't recall their faces from the first chapter, and the fear of mistakenly identifying someone gnawed at me.

Yet, despite my concerns, I couldn't contain my excitement for this unique opportunity. Witnessing how these characters would interact and intertwine their destinies intrigued me. The enigmatic atmosphere of the masquerade only added to the mystery, and I eagerly looked forward to unraveling the drama that lay ahead.

~

It took a full hour to complete all the intricate preparations for the grand event. My attire for the night was a stunning white ball gown adorned with golden rose details, featuring a sweetheart neckline and an off-shoulder long sleeve design. The dress was backless and had an elegant, long train that trailed behind me. My outfit was complemented by a pair of white heels with a delicate golden rose engraved on the heels themselves. I hoped that my wounded leg wouldn't hinder my ability to walk gracefully in these heels throughout the evening.

Penelope had chosen an extravagant diamond necklace with a ruby pendant, beautifully matching the color of my eyes. I decided to let my hair down, knowing that anonymity was my shield for the night, and Penelope placed a dazzling golden tiara, encrusted with diamonds, as the final touch to my ensemble.

"Enjoy your highness," Penelope said, a warm smile gracing her lips as she handed me a luxurious white mask adorned with diamonds and gold details.

"I will," I replied, donning the mask before leaving my room. Sneaking in through the right door and avoiding the main entrance, I made my way to the balcony as I prepared to join the festivities of the ball.

Preferring to remain unnoticed as I intended to observe rather than partake in the festivities, I hesitated to join the dancers due to my aching leg. As I glanced around, I noticed that the dancers were gathering in the center, indicating that the party was about to reach its climax. Though I might have arrived a bit late, I was grateful to witness this pivotal moment.

My eyes were drawn to the center of the gathering, where a lady exuded a radiant beauty, captivating everyone like a precious gem. She wore a bright smile, embodying the typical protagonist of a story. The title of the novel, "Captivated by the Dancing Flower," made perfect sense as all the male protagonists seemed enamored by her presence. Even I couldn't help but be captivated by her charm.

However, my attention shifted abruptly when I locked eyes with one of the five men seated nearby. Unlike the others, he held my gaze without hesitation, not bothering to look away even after several seconds had passed. This unexpected encounter left me wide-eyed and feeling uneasy. I decided to evade any further attention and hurriedly retreated to the safety of the balcony. Confusion clouded my thoughts.

Who was that man?

I struggled to place him among the five, and I couldn't shake the feeling that his gaze was directed at me intentionally. Questions swirled in my mind, but I couldn't find the answers. As the party continued, I remained on guard, trying to unravel the mystery behind that man's piercing gaze. Unsure of his identity and his role in this captivating tale, I knew I had to be cautious and observant as I navigated this enigmatic world.

Five men, including the crown prince, showcased the colors of their respective countries. The crown prince, Edmund Vaux Rizalden from the Rizalden Kingdom, was dressed in regal golden attire. The duke, Samuel Ives Enfield, also wore a golden suit, but he stood out due to his distinct hair color, setting him apart from the others. The third prince, Hilton Parish Etheria of the Etheria Kingdom, donned a green suit. Apart from the crown prince and the duke, two more men wore identical red and black suits, making it challenging to differentiate between them.

In the novel, aside from the features of the king of Arenthal that were not adequately described, all other details about the men have slipped from my memory, except for Edmund and Samuel. These two were consistently mentioned in Melantha's side story. One of them could be the young king, Cassius Azov Arenthal, as he is Edmund's cousin. Alternatively, he could be the duke, Abel Seve Dryden, who represents the Arenthal Kingdom.

However, since I wouldn’t gain anything in knowing them tonight because I know that they will never talk to me ever, I decided to stay on the balcony, away from the revelry inside the grand hall. The enchanting music from the performance filled the air, but my heart felt distant, detached from the celebrations below. Leaning on the balcony rails, I watched as the guests mingled and danced, their laughter and merriment echoing through the night.

"You seem to be bored too," a voice startled me from my thoughts. I turned to see a man standing behind me, a stranger in this grand ballroom.

"Who—" I began, but he cut me off and moved beside me, extending a drink towards me.

"It’s much better here," he said, his gaze locking onto mine. I felt a shiver down my spine as his eyes held mine captive. I quickly looked away, feeling unnerved by the intensity of his stare.

"You should go back to where you belong. Someone might be searching for you," I said, trying to redirect the conversation. It was odd that he approached me so casually, and I didn't want to be drawn into a stranger's intrigue.

Without a word, he left, disappearing into the crowd. I couldn't help but wonder if my words had offended him, or if he simply lost interest in conversing with me. As I stood there, contemplating the unexpected encounter, I couldn't help but think of the novel. In the world of the novels, Melantha have been an inconspicuous observer, living vicariously through the characters. But this encounter was different—it was as if the novel's plot had taken an unforeseen turn, and I found myself as a character entangled in its twists and turns. Shaking off the peculiar feeling, I tried to dismiss the incident as a mere coincidence. However, I couldn't help but recall the way his eyes bore into mine, and the curiosity lingered in the back of my mind.

Who was that man, and what brought him to speak to me, an unremarkable guest among the glittering crowd?

As I stood on the balcony, enveloped in the soothing embrace of the cool night air, a sense of solitude washed over me. Yet, just as I started to embrace the quietness around me, a voice, unmistakably familiar, shattered the silence, reaching my ears.

"Can I have a dance with this lovely lady?" The words were as captivating as the first time he spoke to me. I turned around to see the same man from before; his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. My frown deepened, unsure of what to make of his persistence.

Was it a mere chance that he sought me out for a dance, or was there more to his interest in me?

"My eyes were caught by your mesmerizing eyes, my lady," he continued, his voice smooth like velvet.

"Which is why I cannot end this party without having to ask you to have a dance with me," he added as he bowed before me, his actions both courteous and alluring. It seemed he was unaware of my true identity, believing me to be just another guest among the masked throng. I knew that revealing who I truly was could change the dynamics of our encounter, and part of me relished in the anonymity I had been granted. In that moment, I decided. It was just a dance, after all.

What harm could come from indulging in this enchanting interlude?

Perhaps there was something exhilarating in the mystery of it all. "Fine," I said, giving in to the pull of curiosity. I placed my hand in his, feeling a flutter of anticipation in my chest. His smile widened, and I allowed myself to be led onto the dance floor.

The night was alive with the enchanting melody of laughter and music as we strolled out onto the grand balcony, our hands entwined. The eyes of the guests shifted away from the two figures gracefully dancing in the center and fixed on us instead. I felt an uneasy flutter in my stomach; this wasn't how it was supposed to be. Edmund and Stella were meant to be the center of attention, not two strangers who had inadvertently become the focus of the crowd's curiosity.

As we made our way toward the dance floor, I couldn't help but notice Edmund and Stella's gazes lingering on us. They had captivated the guests with their elegant dance, but now they seemed intrigued by our sudden appearance. I wished I could retreat, but it was too late; we were already in the center of it all.

His hand found its way to my waist, and I flinched at the touch, caught off guard by his familiarity. “Follow my lead,” he whispered into my ear, assuming authority without a second thought. My frown deepened at his presumptuous command. You cannot command me. I wanted to snap back, but I restrained myself, not wanting to cause a scene. Instead, I decided to take control of the situation.

"You... follow my lead," I retorted, deciding to lead the dance instead. As the notes of the music flowed through me, I moved with confidence, and I could hear him chuckle behind me, mirroring my steps.

“You are one strange and stubborn girl,” he remarked, his eyes locking onto mine with a glint of amusement.

“And you are one weird guy," I replied with a sarcastic smile, my words dripping with playful disdain. His laughter grew louder, resonating above the music and drawing even more attention from the audience.

"Shhh!" I hushed him, trying to regain a sense of decorum, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. His audacity had caught me off guard, and I struggled to find my composure in the midst of such an extravagant affair. But my attempt to quiet him was in vain. My nerves got the better of me, and as I took a step back, my gown's edge became entangled with my feet, threatening to send me sprawling to the floor. However, he was quicker than I could have anticipated. With a swift movement, he reached out and caught me effortlessly, steadying me in his arms.

"You should listen to me for once, little lady," he teased, his voice a velvet whisper that sent shivers down my spine. There was something oddly endearing about his tone, even as he teased me. His grip on my waist felt surprisingly secure, and I found myself momentarily mesmerized by his piercing gaze.

His concern was genuine, and I was taken aback by the sudden shift in his demeanor. "Did you hurt yourself?" he inquired, his eyes scanning me from head to toe, searching for any sign of injury. It was a gesture I had not expected from a stranger, and it left me feeling a bit dazed and unsure of how to respond.

"No, I'm fine," I managed to reply, my voice softer than before and my heart still thudding in my chest. I couldn't help but feel a hint of vulnerability under his gaze, as if he could see through the facade I so often presented to the world.

However, as my eyes momentarily shifted away from the enigmatic man, they fell upon another figure in the room. The crown prince, Edmund, was glaring at us from across the ballroom. I hadn't even noticed that Stella and Edmund were no longer at the center of the dance floor. They were already seated at a nearby table, their expressions a mixture of surprise and disapproval as they watched our unexpected interaction.

"I believe it is time to call it a day," I declared, ready to depart. As I moved to leave, the man unexpectedly clasped my hand, causing me to collide with his strong, masculine frame.

"May I know your name?" he inquired, prompting a furrowed brow from me.

What's his motive for wanting to know me?

I have no interest in learning about him, as I know we won't cross paths again. Besides, he fits the archetype of those male protagonists who fall hopelessly for Stella but end up heartbroken in the end. I have no desire to associate with such individuals. Though there is a possibility he could be the King of Arenthal,

Reluctantly, I let out a sigh. "I am Melantha Lovet Deion," I replied, offering a courteous curtsy.

"I shall take my leave now," I added, making my exit from the ballroom, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze upon me.