The Fated Encounter

The bright lights temporarily blinded Halesia as she emerged from a passageway.

When she adjusted her sight, a splendid vast hall filled with lavish decorations filled her eyes.

Halesia realized she has arrived at the wrong location.

The music played by a troupe and the conversations intertwined with soft laughter echoed in her ears. Men and women in their formal attires, appearing like a gathering for influential people, filled the well-decorated venue. Nonetheless, she can't appreciate such a grandiose event, for she looked out of place. In an area full of individuals with the best appearance, her messy state is simply a joke.

Her bun is already crooked, and her uniform has stains here and there. Not to mention her tear-streaked face that is wrecked by her crying session earlier. Just that thought alone made her feel a sense of inferiority.

( I should have asked Ryle for direction.) She inwardly sighs.

She was initially searching for a place to take a breather but decided to look for a powder room to adjust her appearance midway. However, she was confused about which way to take and ended up taking a wrong turn. In the end, she emerged in the banquet and now can't decide whether to turn around or head forward.

Halesia regrets leaving as if she knew the place. Heaven knew how much she struggled to find this hotel. Thankfully, mobile phones have maps and lead her to the right place.

She was assigned to kitchen work earlier for some simple tasks and thought she didn't need to carry her phone. While thinking she might be scolded for having gadgets while working, she decided to leave it. How could she ever fathom that she'll end up getting lost after all? She can only lament at her misfortune.

Halesia scanned the place, hoping to see a familiar face. Maybe someone can help her out. Needless to say, she found no one. She can't even recognize north from south. Aside from appearing extravagant and lavish, she can't figure the ins and outs of the hall.

Halesia fidgetted, wanting to minimize her sense of existence while desperately looking for a way out. She is now torn between going back to where she came from or going forth. Glancing back at the passage, she recalled going around in circles for a long time. Then her sight focused on a stairwell just a few steps away from her. She had already come this far, and she might as well do what she had originally intended. Filled with resolve, she gingerly walked forward as quickly as she could.

***

Sarien spoke a few polite greetings to some acquaintance. He had wanted to return to Eve's side after greeting the host, yet he is stuck with his social obligation. The temptation of just leaving such an annoying plight is enticing, yet he simply can't.

His actions mirror the face of the Lu family; thus, he must act appropriately. Nodding his head and responding amiably is the only thing he can do for now while inwardly worried about Eve. He is waiting for the right time to excuse himself and go back to her.

After a considerable amount of time, he successfully dismissed himself and swiftly turned upstairs.

***

Eve straightened her back as she witnesses Sarien approaching the heavenly being. She unblinkingly peeled her eyes over the unfolding event. The suspense made her send caramelized kernels in her mouth in short intervals.

Her gaze returned to Halesia, who's already taking up steps on one of the staircases leading to the second floor. Just a few steps away, Sarien is quickly drawing in. When Halesia was on the 6th flight of stairs, not knowing what tendon has twitched, she suddenly missed a step and fell.

Thud!

The sound wasn't that loud, but it immediately garnered the nearby guest's scrutiny. One by one, they turned their head towards the source and found such a peculiar scene.

A little waitress was sprawled all over the floor. Her hair had come undone, and she awkwardly massages her buttocks and moaning in pain. Apparently, the fall isn't too serious to cause significant injury but did result in a humiliating situation.

"It hurts." Halesia kneaded her butt. It was too painful that her tears started to well.

"Are you injured? Should we call an ambulance?" A mellow voice captured her attention. Halesia raised her head and saw an open palm offered to her. Following upwards, she gasped.

Striking appearance in a white suit that highlighted his good looks and well-proportioned stature. His brown eyes contained her astonished face. She watched his thin lips part uttering words she couldn't comprehend at the moment.

[Prince!] Halesia inwardly exclaimed after seeing Sarien.

The man standing in front of her is the exact epitome of what a prince would look like, and she can only stare stupidly at him.

"Miss?" Sarien called out again after noticing the girl's absence of mind.

Observing that the waitress seems okay, he wanted to retract his hand. He only offered help because it was the right thing to do. Not to mention, he felt a little obligated since he noticed her falling but missed her. His body moved on its own and broke away from her landing site.

Before he could retrieve his hand, a small palm hurriedly grasps his, followed by an inward force. Sarien adjusted his posture to accommodate the unexpected movement. After assisting the person, he took a step back and maintained a proper distance.

"Th-thank you." A sweet sound came out of the girl's lips. She peeked over her savior and blushed.

"Do you need an ambulance?"

"N-no." The alienated response doused Halesia's enthusiasm. She can't help but glance at the handsome man looking a little aggrieved.

"Good." He uttered and continued walking upstairs.

The heroine can only follow his back feeling disappointed.

When he came to aid her, she was genuinely flattered. She felt the scenario was similar to the fairytales she had read in her youth. For a moment, Halesia even had a notion that she is the pitiful princess saved by the Prince. Nonetheless, a snort slapped her entire being and reminded Halesia of the harsh reality she was in.

She was not a princess but a commoner lost in a majestic palace and right now, she is playing the role of a clown.

Halesia timidly glanced up only to realize that almost every person in the hall watches her in contempt. Their harsh gazes contained nothing but schadenfreude and ridicule.

They have seen everything in high society. How could a little server hide her thoughts? The rich expressions on her face were even too bare to go unnoticed. Some petty females chuckled while the males looked away. Some may want to rescue the beauty, but no one wants to come forward under the public eye.

Such humiliation made Halesia forget her throbbing ache and wished the ground to swallow her. She wanted to leave instantly, but her feet are stuck paralyzed on the floor. The glaring looks and chuckles around her made her emotional that she started shedding tears.

***

( Was that it?) Eve asked in dismay.

She was dissatisfied by the "phenomenal" encounter between the hero and heroine. Where are the sparks flying everywhere that signifies the start of an epic one-sided romance? All she saw was the heavenly being's annoying teary expression and her dramatic fall. Although she enjoyed every moment of her misery, it was simply not enough. To think she waited two months for this pathetic scene? It made her feel like an excited kid waiting for an ice cream tub but only got a measly lollipop instead. It was ludicrous.

( Host, you did your thing and ruined the plot, you know.) The furball commented.

( Ruined? Wasn't the timeline intact?)

( Well, in the original plot, the hero was in a wheelchair. He couldn't have had escaped that fall and surely became her meat pad.)

(I'm still not satisfied. I thought Halesia was going to fall in love at first sight. I was waiting for that.)

( How could you tell she has not, host?)

( She doesn't appear like one.)

(Host, you also watched her ogle at the hero.)

( Maybe she hit a nerve and turned stupid for a while.)

( She was blushing furiously, host.)

Eve tried to analyze the validity of the furball's words. Were those things the signs of someone falling in love at first sight? She has to get a second opinion, preferably from a person on this plane.

That idea nevertheless lightens her unfavorable impression.

"It seems someone else is vying for favor." Eve murmured as she caught a person emerging from the hallway. He was almost dashing by the speed of his strides towards the only creature isolated by the crowd.

Halesia, who was wallowing in self-pity, didn't even realize the party resumed as usual after the uproar. They are not interested in the little servant. What use is there to continuously watch? They had long thrown it out to the wind and proceeded to enjoy the feast. It was their precious time to exercise their social skills that may potentially expand their power.

Eve wiped her salted fingers, cupped her face, and followed that drama using her fancy binoculars.

The scene below has now changed to a tall boy comforting a petite girl. It's a shame she can't hear what they spoke of, but she can observe the man's expression was off and was continuously patting the other. Not long after, he grabbed Halesia's arm and took her away.

Eve lowered her equipment and questioned the system guide.

( Who was that?)

( Ryle Ko, a Math wizard. He works part-time in this hotel and met Halesia today, host.)

( A flower knight?)

( One of her seven knights, host.)

( Why seven? Is she gonna summon a dragon?)

Halfsie was confused about how the host got that absurd notion.

(It's impossible to summon a dragon in this world, host.) The childish voice then resumed.

( Remember the old plot, host. Halesia's white moonlight is Sarien Lu. However, there are indeed seven males who protect her though out her lifespan.)

(Who's her male lead then?)

( Host, I'm not sure. It wasn't specified, but the heavenly being is ambiguous to all of them.)

Listening to the furball, Eve can't help but let out a soft chuckle.

[ How terrifying you are, Halesia.]

She wanted to applaud her sister, who demonstrated her powerful charm. No wonder she let the hero go, she has seven more to spare.

"Eve?"

Sarien sighed in relief when he saw Eve hasn't left.

"Sarien." Eve responded with a beautiful smile.

He pulled a seat beside her, sat down, and spoke in an apologetic tone.

"Were you lonely?" It took him a long time to return after assuring her he will be back quickly.

Besides, a blunder occurred that hindered him further. He scrunched his eyebrows, feeling annoyed when he remembered the greasy feeling left on his hand from that encounter. It made him detour to wash it off and resulted in making the Eve wait longer.

Eve didn't answer but asked in return. Her charming azure orbs intently looked at his.

"Sarien, if someone stares at you with unblinking eyes and with a blush on their face, does that mean that person fell in love with you?"

Sarien: …

Her enchanting face is so close he could smell the sweet fragrance emanating from her. He could only swallow his breath.

Not receiving a response, Eve thought her message was lost in translation due to the party noise. She dragged her elbow forward, bringing her cupped face closer to his, and asked again. Still, no response came from the young man.

"Sarien?"

She was too close that Sarien was lost in her immaculate eyes. He can see how thick her lashes are and the shadow they form when she lowers them. Her saccharine breath contains the scent of strawberries and milk and is sprayed on his face.

He can feel his heart beating like crazy.

Eve saw Sarien's cheeks turning scarlet. Fine beads of sweat have also formed on his forehead. She can also hear his hurried breathing. She wonders if he was exhausted walking towards her location. After all, the balcony she chose was the innermost, and one has to trek a considerable length to reach. She hesitated to occupy it at first but then thought it is the best spot that offers the perfect panoramic view of the hall. She won't walk anyway. All she had to do was sit prettily and let someone push her.

"Eve." Sarien's voice was a little hoarse.

She tilted her head and waited for him to proceed. She was curious if what the furball claimed was true. Fortunately, Sarien is her guardian now and can ask him without any reservation.

"Eve, I "

Sarien's penetrating gaze focused on the beauty in front of him. The warm golden lights from the hall illuminated half of her face. Her original porcelain skin now glows with aureate luster making her ethereal. Her pair of blue orbs contain him, only him, and he felt euphoric by that fact. He wished he could stop time and preserve this moment that belongs only to both of them.