BENEATH THE MOONLIT BALCONY
1129 Words
The laughter and music of the ballroom faded with every step Octavia took.
She walked slowly through the quiet palace corridors, her golden gown sweeping gently across the polished marble floor. Tall windows stretched from floor to ceiling, allowing the moonlight to spill inside like silver silk.
She placed one hand against her chest.
Her heart refused to calm down.
It wasn't because she had just met the prince.
It was...
That feeling.
Again.
The same mysterious feeling that had haunted her since the first dream.
A cool breeze drifted through the corridor.
She closed her eyes.
There it was.
The scent of rain.
The scent of pine.
The same scent that always surrounded the faceless man in her dreams.
She opened her eyes quickly and looked around.
No one.
Only silence.
"...Why do I feel like you're here?" she whispered to herself.
Without realizing it, her feet carried her farther through the palace until she reached a pair of magnificent glass doors leading to a moonlit balcony.
She gently pushed them open.
The night air greeted her.
The view stole her breath away.
Below, the Kingdom of Eldoria shimmered beneath thousands of glowing lanterns. The royal gardens stretched endlessly, with marble fountains sparkling beneath the moonlight. Beyond them lay forests, rivers, and distant mountains sleeping beneath the stars.
"This is..."
She smiled softly.
"...beautiful."
She walked toward the marble railing and rested her hands upon it.
The breeze played gently with her beautiful orange-red curly blonde hair.
For a brief moment...
Everything felt peaceful.
Then—
The cold sensation returned.
Stronger than ever.
It wrapped around her like an invisible embrace.
Her breathing became uneven.
She slowly turned toward the darkness beyond the gardens.
"I know you're here..."
Her voice trembled.
"The man from my dreams..."
She searched the shadows.
"I've never seen your face..."
"But why does it always feel like you're close?"
Behind her...
The balcony doors opened without a sound.
Lincoln stepped outside.
He had followed only to make sure she was safe.
When he saw her standing beneath the moonlight, her curls glowing like fire beneath the silver sky, he forgot every speech he had prepared.
She looked like a dream.
He remained where he was, not wanting to disturb her.
Just then, Octavia took a small step backward.
Her heel caught the edge of her gown.
She lost her balance.
Before she could fall—
A strong arm wrapped gently around her waist.
She gasped.
Her eyes widened.
A scream rose in her throat—
A warm hand gently covered her mouth.
"Shh..."
The deep, calm voice immediately quieted her fear.
Her heartbeat thundered inside her chest.
Slowly...
She turned.
Moonlight slipped across the handsome face before her.
Her eyes widened even more.
"My Prince..."
Lincoln slowly removed his hand from her mouth.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't mean to frighten you."
She let out a nervous laugh as she placed a hand over her racing heart.
"I thought..."
She stopped herself.
"You thought what?"
She looked down.
"...Nothing."
He smiled kindly.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
The silence between them wasn't awkward.
It was peaceful.
Finally, Octavia looked at him again.
"Thank you... for earlier."
"You didn't have to help me."
Lincoln's expression softened.
"I couldn't stand by and watch someone ignore your answer."
She smiled.
"Still... thank you."
Then a thought crossed her mind.
"My Prince..."
"Yes?"
She tilted her head curiously.
"How did you know my name?"
A smile touched his lips.
"My sister talks about you more than you realize."
She blinked.
"Princess Arina?"
He nodded.
"Almost every time she returns home, she tells us stories about university."
He chuckled quietly.
"She especially enjoys telling us about you and Aurora."
Octavia laughed, the surprise easing from her face.
"I had no idea."
Lincoln smiled.
"I don't think she realizes how much she talks."
Both of them laughed together.
The sound blended with the soft music drifting from the ballroom.
Lincoln noticed something then.
A tiny tear still lingered on her cheek from the frightening encounter with the nobleman.
His expression became gentle.
"You've been crying."
Before she could answer...
He carefully lifted his hand and gently wiped the tear away with his thumb.
His touch was warm.
Careful.
Respectful.
Octavia forgot how to breathe.
He looked at her beautiful orange-red curls that had fallen across her face.
Without hesitation, he gently tucked them behind her ear.
"There..."
He whispered.
"Much better."
Their eyes met.
Neither looked away.
Then...
The strange feeling returned again.
Even stronger.
The cool breeze.
The scent of rain.
The scent of pine.
It surrounded her completely.
Her heart raced.
She quickly looked beyond Lincoln into the darkness.
She was certain of it.
"He's here..."
"The man from my dreams is somewhere nearby."
Lincoln noticed her searching.
"What are you looking for?"
She hesitated.
"I don't know."
She frowned.
"It sounds strange..."
"I keep feeling someone is close to me."
"The same feeling I've had for months."
Lincoln remained calm.
Then, he simply said,
"Sometimes... our hearts notice things before our minds understand them."
His words somehow comforted her.
The fear slowly faded.
For the first time...
The mysterious feeling no longer frightened her.
Standing beside him...
It felt safe.
Lincoln smiled.
"When everyone else is around..."
"You may call me 'Your Highness.'"
He paused.
"But when it's just the two of us..."
His eyes held hers.
"Call me Lincoln."
She smiled shyly.
"...Lincoln."
Hearing his name spoken so gently made his heart feel strangely light.
A smile spread across his face.
Then, with graceful elegance, he stepped back.
He knelt before her.
Holding out one hand, he looked into her eyes.
"Octavia..."
"Would you honor me with this dance?"
She smiled, her cheeks warm.
"I would love to."
She placed her hand in his.
He stood, holding it carefully, as though it were something precious.
Together, they returned toward the ballroom.
As the grand doors opened, conversations slowly faded.
Guests turned to look.
Whispers spread through the hall.
"The prince..."
"Who is she?"
"They look perfect together."
Some admired them.
Others watched with envy.
Across the room, Aurora smiled proudly for her best friend, though she still couldn't shake the strange feeling that the palace was filled with unseen secrets.
The orchestra conductor caught Lincoln's eye.
With a respectful nod, he raised his baton.
Then "Young and Beautiful" by Lana del rey, was played" filleding the ballroom.
Lincoln placed one hand gently at Octavia's waist.
She rested one hand on his shoulder.
Their fingers intertwined.
Slowly...
They began to dance.
For everyone else, it was simply the first dance of the evening.
For them...
It was the beginning of a love story written long before either of them knew it.
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