116 Side Story 1 (1/2)

Moonlight

Chronology: Continuation Of Chapter 9

They have been talking for hours under the moonlight but not a second of it was dull for Lucia. This person, Timothy Castonia, will become her husband in the future.

When she left the city of Holm, she was afraid. But now that she had finally met him and gauged his personality, she was relieved.

Timothy Castonia is kind and smart. Every word that came out from his mouth lulled Lucia into a beautiful trance. Furthermore, although she pridefully refused to give in to her carnal desires, she found Timothy to be good looking. His mellow eyes whose reach seemed to penetrate into her very soul, were a perfect match to his dark hair. She felt like melting whenever he looks at her.

”Why are you staring at me like that?” Timothy asked laughingly.

Lucia was pulled back from her trance. ”What?”

Timothy laughed. He leaned closer to her. ”You had been staring at my face for a minute”

”Oh. Well... ”

”Let me guess” he interrupted. ”Do you, perhaps, find me good looking?” A smirk formed on his face.

Lucia was surprised. How did he know? she asked in silence. And then she reprimanded herself for asking a question with an obvious answer. This Prince must have swooned dozens of ladies already. Of course he knew the potency of his looks.

”Yes” she admitted.

Timothy jerked his head back. The moonlight revealed his flushed cheeks. ”I was just joking you know. You didn't have to be direct” he said with a lowered head.

Lucia chuckled. ”But you asked me!”

”Like what I said, that was just a joke.” Timothy pouted and avoided her gaze ”Now I'm embarrassed.”

”So Prince Timothy Castonia is embarrassed whenever somebody praises his looks? Then what if I say that you are my type?” Lucia raised an eyebrow with her lips forming a smug smile. She will tease this Prince as much as she could tonight. His cute reactions delighted her.

”Stop it. You're enjoying this, aren't you? Well ha ha. Do you want me to retaliate?” He winked as if challenging her.

”Do your best”

He was silent for a while. And then he again leaned towards her. He looked directly into her eyes. She was drawn in. It was mesmerizing. It had little to do with his dazzling eyes but more with the sincerity of his gaze.

She could also smell his perfume. An Inkish one, probably of high quality. The perfume's virility combined with his natural delicate fragrance, concocted a scent that is both gentle and formidable.

”If I'm good looking, then how much more will be our children?” He whispered, a remark whose purpose was to tease her- and was successful at that.

That wasn't fair. This prince wasn't being fair. Using their imminent marriage to his advantage is not fair- because it's effective.

As soon as he stopped speaking, Lucia's cheeks warmed. She tried to open her mouth to rebut him. She had the upper hand just a while ago. But no words came out. He succeeded.

He laughed, a satisfied laugh. ”See? I told you I'm going to retaliate”

______________________________________

A Knight's Woes

Chronology: Between Chapter 24 and Chapter 69

”Have you ever had bison meat before?” Freya asked, skipping on the cobbled road of Solon like a child.

”Can't say that I have” Henry answered a few paces behind. He looked ahead and mused himself in her adorable movements.

Freya turned her head to him ”Then are you excited for tonight's dinner?”

”Not really. I don't eat meat remember?”

”But you must try it!” Freya stopped and bent towards him ”I've had it before. It's like beef but leaner and better, a little bit tougher to be honest, but it's good”

Henry just continued on walking and passed Freya. ”Meat is meat. They all taste the same.”

”Hey! What's with that bland outlook in life?” Freya said as she followed.