The Alchemist's Pride

Chapter 6. The Protector

Juan Marc and Leyla decide, since it's Friday evening, to attend a party on the popular riverboat De Klavel that night.

A few of Juan Marc's work colleagues had invited him, and he invited her because (as he had said very seriously) she needed a break from all the drama that had suddenly invaded her life.

The boat is quite exclusive and has a capacity of around 80–100 people, so not just anyone can gain access to the party. As Juan Marc explained to Leyla, you can only get access if someone from the inner circle invited you.

“Well, Juan Marc hit the nail on the head: ‘My friend, we’re so behind on our studies with all these functions and parties, one more won’t make a difference.’” Leyla played along because after the afternoon's drama, as Juan Marc had called it, she probably needed a nice evening out. She wouldn't be able to focus on studying anyway.

Leyla chuckled softly as she stood indecisively in front of her wardrobe. She wondered how the evening would turn out. She hoped it would be a dance party. It felt like years since she’d danced properly.

The boat was scheduled to depart promptly at 18:30 from Dock Na Františku, one of the most famous docks on the Vltava River. Juan Marc was going to pick her up at 18:00 from her apartment.

Leyla decided on an evening gown she had never worn in Prague. She had bought the dress impulsively just before leaving America. It was a beautiful creation, not something sold in any boutique. The dress had cost her father an arm and a leg.

Leyla laughed as she nostalgically thought about the day her father bought the dress for her.

She still remembered how he had dramatically pretended to be upset about the price of the dress. But, she thought with a soft look in her eyes, he hadn’t hesitated to buy it because he could see how much she wanted it.

Oh, how she wished they were here now to come along!

After struggling to put the dress on, Leyla critically examined her reflection in the mirror. The dress is long and fit like a glove. The wine-red satin emphasized every curve of her beautiful figure, and the delicate sandals completed the outfit perfectly.

She smiled with satisfaction.

It was worth the struggle, she thought with a bubbling laugh. Juan Marc will have to help me unzip it when he drops me off tonight though. Otherwise, I’ll be sleeping in the dress tonight. Leyla laughed at the mental picture that formed in her mind, before she continues to critically examine the image in the mirror.

The striking simplicity of the dress highlighted her assets rather than drawing attention to the dress itself. She wore only a thin silver necklace with a single diamond. It had been her 21st birthday gift from her parents.

She had loosely curled her hair with a curling iron, letting it fall in large waves on her shoulders and down her back.

Her makeup was heavier than usual, though. Her large, dark brown eyes looked even bigger and more mysterious with the darker makeup, and she had added a touch of silver powder at the corners of her eyes. The makeup made her eyes look incredibly alluring. She wore dark red lipstick with gloss over it, making her lips appear full and shiny. Leyla smiled at herself. Not too bad, girl. Quite worldly and experienced!

Her reflection gave her the courage she needed to tackle the evening, despite the nagging feeling of unease she kept experiencing when she thought about the day's events.

She was relieved when the doorbell finally rang. Her own thoughts weren’t the best company tonight.

Juan Marc’s face and wolf whistle when she opened the door gave her the final boost of confidence she needed to leave behind all the cobwebs and fully enjoy the night.

“Girl, is that you?” he teased as he admired her up and down.

“I’m a lucky guy to have you by my side.” Beneath the light-hearted banter, there was a note of seriousness in his voice. The admiration was evident in his gray eyes as he looked her over.

“Yes, yes, you old flatterer! You don’t look too bad yourself. Navy blue suits you.” It was true, Juan Marc looked rather dashing tonight. His hair was tied neatly in a ponytail, his face was clean-shaven, and his navy blue suit was of excellent quality and fit him perfectly.

With lighthearted banter, they made their way to the docks where the boat awaited them.

There were already quite a few guests on the boat when they arrived. Despite his best intentions, Juan Marc hadn’t been able to park as close as he wanted, and they still had to walk a bit to get to the boat.

As Juan Marc and Leyla approached, they made an impressive picture.

Both were tall and slim, and with his striking suit and neat appearance, and her in the wine-red creation, light skin, and dark hair, a murmur ran through the guests as they boarded the large boat.

The gleam in the men’s eyes told Leyla she looked good.

The slight sour smiles on the women’s faces also told her she looked good.

She blushed lightly and was grateful when they finally stood with a glass of champagne on the deck.

“You really look beautiful, Ley,” Juan Marc’s eyes were seriously fixed on her. His usual teasing tone wasn’t present tonight, and Leyla blushed slightly, feeling a bit unnerved. Don’t start now, Juan!

Leyla looked away from his eyes, which were resting on her with open admiration. As if today hadn’t already brought enough tension.

Leyla deliberately tried to keep the conversation light.

“Thanks, but all these recent parties haven’t been good for my figure. The dress is quite tight. I’ll have to take it easy on the eating and drinking.” Leyla’s voice was cheerful and joking, and she avoided unnecessary eye contact with Juan Marc.

Before Juan Marc could respond, a blond man tapped his glass lightly and called the guests to gather at the front section of the deck, which led into the dining and dance area.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! It’s a privilege to see each one of you here tonight, and we sincerely hope you’ll enjoy the evening with us. I’d like to introduce to you the man who made this party possible. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our guest of honor for the evening, Duke Stèfan Von Freudenberg. Duke, thank you for your kindness and generosity in making this boat available to us for this occasion. We hope you enjoy the evening with us. May I ask you to offer a toast to the evening, please, Duke?”

Leyla gasped softly when her eyes fell on the tall, dark-haired stranger who casually walked toward the microphone.

It was the dark man from the park! Her eyes followed him as he approached.

His sleek, jet-black hair was styled in a slightly disheveled, modern way—not exactly what one would expect from an aristocrat, Leyla thought snippily. But it suited him perfectly, she unwillingly admitted. His pitch-black Armani suit also fit him like a glove, showcasing his muscular frame.

Casual elegance, Leyla thought in a fluster. That’s what it is. The man moves with the grace of a wildcat! The woman in her had already spotted all the danger signs.

Leyla swallowed. This man is undeniably attractive!

Duke Von Freudenberg received the welcome and thanks with the necessary aristocratic grace, without coming across as pompous or arrogant. He offered the toast for the evening, and when his eyes fell on her, a small smile formed on his lips, which broadened as his eyes met hers.

For a brief eternity, he held her gaze masterfully, just as he had earlier that afternoon in the park. She gasped softly before he looked away first, breaking the magnetic bond between them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a privilege to be here with you. I know this will be an unforgettable evening. Simon, Clem, thank you for your hospitality. To all the guests here tonight, enjoy!” He had a deep baritone voice. A beautiful voice. One of those voices that send a different kind of shiver down your spine, Leyla thought, with a slight blush on her cheeks.

Focus, Leyla, focus!

The applause was deafening. He was clearly a popular and well-liked man among the guests.

He walked back to his table with confidence, without giving Leyla another glance.

Leyla blushed.

A duke, no less?

“Why didn’t you tell me we’d be in royalty’s presence tonight?” Leyla asked in an slight irritated tone, with a good dose of sarcasm, grabbing Juan Marc by the arm.

He looked surprised at her upset expression.

“Why? Does it matter? We don’t even know the man. Simon and Clem work with me, and they put this party together. Simon just told me the boat belongs to some noble person, with family ties in both Germany and the Czech Republic, but I didn’t know he’d be here.”

Juan Marc looked at Leyla inquisitively. The girl was really upset today. Must be the whole debacle with the Frenchman, he thought.

Wait, he was going to get her something stronger.

“Flower, how about a glass of Musgrave gin, a double maybe?” Juan Marc tries to lighten the mood.

Leyla relaxed and smiled at him. Shame, it wasn’t his fault. He didn’t know she’d seen the Duke earlier in the park.

She didn’t even know why the man had unsettled her so much. Maybe it was the fact that her heart had ended up in her throat both times she saw him!

“Thanks, that’s just what I need. Make it with my favorite mix, please? With lots of ice and strawberries. Lots of strawberries for love.” she teased with the twinkle back in her eyes.

“Will do. I’ll be right back.” He winks at her as he walk away.

Leyla smiled after him.

She turns to the boat's railing and stares at the dark water of the Vltava being cut away by the slowly moving boat.

How different the river looks during the day.

During the day, the river is light, lively, and friendly. It is because of the loveliness of the river that she chose this little park as her favorite painting spot in the first place. Now, in the late twilight, one actually feels a sense of fear for the dark water.

“Leyla.”

Leyla stiffens and slowly turns around. She would recognize that sly tone, and slightly dragging tongue anywhere.