Chapter Forty-Four — The Ball (2)

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IN THE DREAMLAND

(Jemima's POV)

'My first dance was supposed to be with one of my parents, you idiot!' I glared so hard at the young boy who was dancing gracefully with me. For a split second, I thought he was the rumored matchless god of dance because his dancing moves and steps were all topnotch and very smooth like honey's touch and I could feel myself melting in his gentle arms instead of resenting him as I used to.

The melodious ball music rose to its peak and that was how we danced graciously to the peak. The young boy and I were like the perfect and happiest couple on the dance floor and my mother who was chatting with some nobles saw us dancing and smiled lightly. I pretended not to see her at all and focus my attention on my dancing partner.

Even the noblepersons were intrigued watching us dance. Urgh! I could feel the burning and jealous stares from those coquettish bitches.

'I pray they all die from jealousy.' I sneered within me and pulled up a brighter smile as they scowled deeply.

According to the customs and traditions of Ohreja, princesses' first dance should be with one of their parents. And now…I lost my first dance to a young boy that had gelled platinum blonde hair, fawn colored eyes and smooth skin. Ah! I don't even know his name or where he is from but he is very handsome all the same. Is he the revered god of beauty and love? Jeez! Or is he a demigod?

"Hey handsome! I don't know your name at all. What is your name?" I asked the young lad who looked to me like a seven or eight-year-old. "I am Princess Ximena Chroust!" I introduced myself with classiness and majestic rectitude in my voice and gave a slight bow to show courtesy. Sometimes, I can be full of pride.

"Uhh…" The young boy dawdled as his fawn colored eyes dilated in confusion and admiration. "You will know my name when next we meet." He left after planting a modest kiss on my knuckles and giving a gentlemanly bow. I felt sparks dashing through my spine and I saw him whisk into the multitudes.

He dressed like the son of a highly regarded noble but I've never seen any young boy like that. He had a very perfect physique despite his young age, glossy platinum blond hair, charming but cold eyes that held tempting mystery, and aquiline nose. His skin was as fine as fresh milk and flawless like never before and his behavior was indeed noble like. Maybe he is the son of a duke.

But one thing I couldn't resist about him was his aura that screamed of deep perplexity and so many mysteries that could keep one in never-ending suspense.

And I don't even know his name at all and he danced with me. It felt like I was in cloud nine and I didn't want to leave him at all. I'll make sure I meet him in some way or somehow. At least, I can remember his handsome features so I can recognize them from near and far and even his sweet voice sounded like idyllic dewdrops that shrouded me in bottomless trances as I listened attentively to it. It was so hypnotic as well as magnetic and it pleased my heart listening to him.

Just adoring and thinking about his features made me redden uncontrollably and I didn't realize that till some badmouthed girls started swarming around me. This is what I hate the most! All these unpleasant silver-tongued coquettes trying to curry favor with me in one way or another. They can be so nice on the outer shell but they are way deadly and lethal on the inside so befriending them is like entering the dragon's den without prior preparations. Only a fool would do that. I haven't drunken the sweetest wine to forget my identity as the one and only princess of Ohreja.

After some time, I felt like the ballroom was becoming stuffy and I didn't want to pass out so I went outside for fresh air and possibly for a walk too.

The silver moonlight made me glimmer and shimmer in all dimensions casted. I looked like a perfect doll and that made me very cute as my ash blonde swanned gracefully in the air and my violet eyes sparkled like the twinkling stars in the sky. I could feel the admirable gazes from the nobles that were outside for a chat or fresh air or maybe both and more.

Feeling the gentle breeze touching my skin, I felt invigorated. I gazed at the starry sky and I sensed happiness just looking at them.

'I wish I was a star so that people would look up to me just like I am doing now.' I muttered to myself as I smiled. 'I wonder how it feels like to be a star.'

Just as I was gazing at the stars, I felt a sharp tingling in my head and soon I could also hear screams and agonizing cries ringing so loud in my head. I looked around to see if there was anyone near me and unluckily, there was not a soul around me. The cries and screams became louder and louder that I could not bear it any longer. I held my heavy head with my hands and my weary eyes flew open in a flash. I couldn't stand or walk properly so I staggered. Unknowingly, I plopped to the ground and that stained my ball gown.

"Aargh~! Aargh~!" I heard another set of loud screeches. It was so familiar, as if I've heard the voice somewhere but I could not pinpoint where exactly I heard it. My head ached so badly until one name popped in my head.

KHLOÉ! Who on earth is Khloé? I've never heard of such name before.

Gory! I saw three girls tied up around three different tall poles and one other girl lying unconsciously on a shabby mat. She had smooth ash blonde hair like me and fair skin like me. She looked exactly like me. Is she my lookalike?

My thoughts were disrupted when I saw a frail girl from another angle with tousled shatush hair and misty jade green eyes that held untold emotions. She was wounded all over her body and she was crying seriously as her skin stung with deep pains. I couldn't hold control of myself when I saw fresh red blood flowing freely from her injuries.

And I saw a good-looking girl with bluish-ombré hair and cute hazel eyes. She was smiling and pleased seeing the bloody scene in front of her. Her face was smeared with blood splashes from the wounded girl. She was twisting a whip that lingered of fresh blood and her hands were also smeared with blood from the wounded girl's injuries.

I felt hot anger stirring up in me but I suppressed it. After calming myself down, my gaze averted to a brunette that had lightly ginger brown hair and it was messier than the wounded girl's own. Her skin was scarred and scalded. The anger I suppressed brewed up again when the girl with hazel eyes banged the brunette's head on the bloody floor. I held my eyes so tightly when the brunette wailed. Hot tears dripped from my eyes and my face distorted with anger and other unvoiced emotions.

Two pretty girls were squatting by the door giggling like eerie vultures and the beaten girls shuddered when the two pretty girls laughed maniacally. But I was elated when a brave girl with pale skin spoke up but my elation dropped down when she was slapped by one of the two girls.

The brave girl's jet black hair was tousled and her amber–hued eyes were stirred with anger and hunger. Seeing this spiteful sight made me angry and I felt like beating the girl with hazel eyes to death but I couldn't.

It was like I was seeing a vision and it felt so real that every torture given to them sent jolts to my spine. I could not take it any longer and I felt that uncontrollable power overwhelming me again. This has never happened before but I had that hunch that this wasn't good at all and I will flare-up any moment from now.