Riverside

Asana sat on the chair as long as she hadn't a physical body in this world to get tired of body pain, at least she could pretend a suitable gesture not slouching the entire time whether reading girls' diary always is interesting. She feels the good senses only for now and needed time to settle down with different kinds of situations. The rough ones would bring different emotions surely.

She starts back again to where she stopped:

"It didn't last long when he came back with my cloak and made me even more curious. He knew the color of my cloak, a needlework red velvet hooded, and wore his cloak already. His face was covered with a black mask this time and passed another one to me, "Here take this all people are wearing no exceptions".

"Don't expect me to thank you", I said, still was mad at his savage lesson.

"I don't, my lady, would you give me an honor?" he ringed his hand waiting for me to do so and it was too much indeed. As anticipated I ignored him.

"You are not my beloved, no-touch required for your own sake". I wore my cloak and it whipped the air and I tied the mask's string behind my scalp.

He sighed and walked by my side. He was very tall at least 6 feet and one inch, about five inches taller than me.

"Red color suits you, although it covers those curves, it makes me happy", he taunted.

"If you keep that annoying tone of yours I would leave you alone having my path", I menaced and glowered at him. He raised his palm to be surrounded.

We walked through the gateway, guards were bowing as they saw us passing by.

I haunted his eyes while staring at me, "What is your name then?"

"Mr. Weirdo, for now". Too bad that I couldn't see his reactions under that pestering mask.

We arrived at the great wooden gate of the palace. Castellans were on the walls watching outside and the gatemen bowed and trolled the laver. The gate groaned and got wide open.

Alert soldiers with spears in hand had been ready to defend people. How amazing this engraved art is! I was staring at the gate and could hear the sounds of huge chains rolling over the spool. My eyes rolled up and the spring clouds were coming to join the feast by a nature song. It was raining at the edges of night.

We stepped out and took our horses, mine was a white mare and he had black kohl. We mounted, kicked the horses' hips, and rode in the city direction. As I warned him to be quiet he remained silent and didn't bother me anymore, but I could feel that he was staring at me the whole time.

We passed the bridge without looking back and five minutes later we were at the city entrance. The throng and sounds of happy people brought happiness into my heart and made a smile on my face. I dismounted and led my horse to the nearest stable. We left our horses to a guardsman and entered a peaceful public domain.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me back to his side and shouted, "Watch out", as I was lost to the shines and colors didn't realize the carriage is coming right on my left side.

I felt his heartbeat raced for a moment I just stood still listening to it. I pushed myself back after finding myself pausing too much, "Thank you".

He nodded, "be careful, here is not safe whether is well designed to distract you", I was watching the food when he was giving me bits of advice. My stomach was nagging that I kept it empty for a long time. I walked to the store and asked for roasted spicy wings. I got two dishes and passed the old man three copper coins.

"That's too much my lady," he said.

"Keep the change, hale to spring", I greeted and he responded, "Hale to spring," I got back to Mr. Weirdo who was standing there watching me.

"I'm starving do you want some?" I had shown some courtesy and to be honest, I really didn't care about him being hungry after his wickedness towards me.

"No, eat it yourself, but I wished you would allow me to buy you all you wish", it seemed I smashed his man being unintentional. In Parthia, if a man doesn't buy things for a girl soon will lose face and receives no respect either.

I walked between the folk and heard him sighed and mumbled, "Stubborn!"

I smirked the feeling of revenge at that moment tasted sweet. The wings were spicy exactly the taste I'd always prefer.

A few kids ran beside us carrying their wish lanterns. "Hey these are new couples," laughed and left.

I stopped fiercely and just remembered that all people use colorful masks except new couples who wear black ones. "Hey, you…"

He continued walking and ignoring me waving a hand and answered, "These were all I could find".

"How dare…" all I could say with my full mouth.

"Let's go to the riverside… time to make a wish", it was all he said and I had no other choice to go after him. Walking alone for a girl almost near midnight wasn't a good idea even if you can fight, need someone to company you.

I strode to him not too close. I knew that since I met him I'm acting sheepishly actually didn't know the reason! People thought that we are couples and shown us a lot of favors, offering free sweets and even flowers. As we arrived at the river he bought two lanterns and I was there looking at the shining view right in front of me. People already sent their wishes to heaven court and I remained alone with him. As I expected, cherry blossoms were flying down and forcing you to watch them and don't run away from your sight. They simply drunk me.

"Come write down your wish". He said, while had done it himself. I tried to take a look at his wish only out of curiosity seized for it, But that fast weirdo, he hanged it above his head and stared into my eyes from a very close sight, "Don't forget that people think we are couples so no one will bother if I… don't set on me to…" I kicked his ankle and interrupted him as he started from scratch.

"You savage kitten, no doubt you're still single", he bent and whispered in my ears. He looked very proud because when I used to answer his rude manners I felt that he likes it and somehow is testing me.

I grabbed the lantern and turned my back to him, sat near the man's desk, hiding my hand from him and wrote my wish quickly and ran to the river and suddenly stopped, I forgot to turn the light on.

"Don't worry I brought you a candle", he said behind me. I bite my lips, but figured it out again he is too close.

"Do not hide your wish I know what it is". He murmured in my ears and tickled it.

"So what is it?" I doubted.

"Asking for a loving husband", I remained speechless it wasn't exactly correct, but a bit close. I grasped the candle and finished turning the light on. He ignored me and walked to the waterside. Unintentionally I watched him leading his lantern gently, "What is his wish?" he was too soft-hearted as a man from a royal family, but still considered rude!

I sent my lantern and walked back, closed my eyes insisting heaven court to accept my wish no matter what.

"Stop staring!" I was uncomfortable as he was peering at me the whole time like never saw a girl from a close sight. He even didn't know how to treat a lady or maybe intended to annoy or play with me. I hated that bothering sense.

"Do you want me to take you home?" he suggested and I rapidly shook my head, didn't want my father to see me with a man like this not till I introduce someone to him myself.

"We must say goodbye now," and I left him there without looking back or thanking him for his company although I was mousing about his identity something within me forced me to return home. After I made my wish I felt nervous unexpectedly a feeling that I didn't know which side pushed me into, him or from home."

Asana paused and murmured, "Her home country is Parthia and her king is Seed, her father is merchant Nerssi, good information Asaya then what is the point of me being here, am I related to you? Or This Mr. Weirdo guy? Ahhh… this is a puzzle that needs to be solved very soon before you wake up." She remained thoughtful asking questions from herself to find answers.