Debt

The night became warm when Leonthera held Caelum's hand for a dance. She didn't pay attention to how does he looks like nor what fabric he is using, because she was too fascinated by the feeling crawling into her body. For her to be amaze by a man is unusual and so as being comfortable. All her life, he hates them and is disgusted by every of his species, but Caelum's presence is different, he is... irresistible. Avoiding her admiration, she looked around— hoping that the feeling she has would be rob by some kind of attention, and thanking herself for doing it, she found an interesting but unexpected sequence.

Sidus is dancing with Princess Stapelia, she was known as the pickiest lady with not as such manner as Princess Folia. Her spiky and condescending attitude gave her a power to repel people's interest resulting to being feared. Looking at them, Stapelia's reaction are mixed of dubious and haughty look, sometimes she's rolling her eyes with apparent disgust or dissent. Leonthera was confused by her reaction while dancing with Sidus, looking at the prince, his face is still looks like an angel but his eyes is drowned by inexplicable sadness, then she remembered what Sidus told him when they met at the dungeon. She knows something is going on, but her not-so-good-at-comforting attitude told her to not meddle on others affair by not listening to them rather than forgetting it and hurt them unintentionally.

Not looking at Caelum, she keeps on staring at them— assuring nothing will happen and Sidus wouldn't be hurt. As they got farther from them, her instinct just move her body and lead the dance without the intention of hiding it, thankfully Caelum didn't complain nor said anything for the reason it's either he didn't notice or he doesn't care at all.

"Is there something wrong, Princess Leonthera?", he asked that took the princess attention. She was surprise because she almost forgot that she's dancing with someone— drowning in watching Sidus little affair.

Breathing a little, she answered gently just to prevent him to be suspicious. "N-Nothing." Even she focused herself to Caelum's chest covered with a luxurious fabric and a sash made by their Kingdom's greatest treasure, she can't stop looking at where Sidus is dancing until she was again leading the waltz, getting closer to Sidus.

After a minute, she fell in love to herself for doing a swift snatch of Sidus waist whilst using her foot to trip Stapelia. The footman got tripped and fell down, making the wine spill in the floor with juices and crack glasses. Everything happened too fast, that no one attempts to react exaggerated.

She realize that her hand was filled with a man's shoulder and a man's waist, how thoughtless of her. As she breath for relieved of Sidus danger from wicked nobles ridiculousness, she immediately glared at the one who tripped the man. The lady's eyes are shaky, looking for a place where she could hide her fear of Leonthera. No one attempts to talk because of a sudden happenings but everyone looked up after hearing a clap full of amusement.

"Great reflexes.", someone said above the stairs while clapping his hands— wearing the blinding fabric with such embroidery and sashes with different gems from every Kingdoms. The man has a pearl little forehead lace with black diamonds parted with such measurements. His body is well built and the way he move was assiduous.

It was the emperor.

Everyone was in panic to bow at him for showing respect and admiring the grace. Leonthera let go of Sidus waist with gentleness and so Caelum's shoulder. She face the direction where the emperor is standing but doesn't even bother to look at him because she immediately bow and ask Sidus well-being.

"The emperor?"

"Goodness Gracious!"

"He's here!"

The crowds are starting to make noise as their confusion and surprise was combined because of the tonight's happenings yet Leonthera doesn't even pay attention to what honour she's receiving at the moment.

"Oi, you okay?", she said impolitely, whispering. "That crazy bitch is really hittin' her death, ay?", she look her head up but her eyes is still on the floor, waiting for the prince to answer.

Sidus smiled feebly, appreciating Leonthera's care. "I am. Thank you.", he whispered after bowing, just enough for the maiden to hear.

She look at Stapelia standing with the help of some nobles. "This people really sucks, ain't they? Especially that girl, what's with that pristine face but demon like expression?", her voice is full of hatred and distraught. Whispering like a demon in Sidus right side.

The prince laughed silently, afraid that some people will notice it. "I think.... she's... just like that.", sounding so uncertain.

Leonthera rolled her eyes. "Defending 'er? You almost got sick out of a wine, or worst hurt by a glass, and still saying that? Thought you look like an angel but didn't know you're an actual one.", she said, provoking.

"She didn't do anything wrong. It's just... Good thing I didn't ask you.", Sidus said, changing the course of the conversation to avoid any further conflicts. The princess was caught by his tricked that made him easy.

"Yea'! You... You are defending her yet you... you betrayed me! Thought I could dance for once or twice with a limited minute because it's going to be you! Good gracious, my body still keeps up with this murderer fabrics and sandalion.", she almost told it loudly but Sidus warned her, thankfully.

He laughed gracefully— having the back of his hand closer to his mouth. "Then, how did you move that smoothly?"

In retrospect, she saw the obvious wickedness of people watching Sidus and Stapelia dancing. It is a natural reflexes of a noble to do something unacceptable just for their own satisfaction. She doesn't know the reason for their devilish intentions but observing everyone around him makes her decide a plan in case of unexpected situation— just like what happened.

"I saw that noble laughing with 'er friends and when she looked everywhere and found that footman near her, she said somethin' that makes him go in this direction, then that noble bitch tripped him to the hope of hurtin' you or whatever.", she grunted.

Sidus didn't respond because he saw that the Emperor is going to say something but he knows his heart is full and warm by the kindness the woman beside him showed with everyone else watching them.

"The Royal Commencement end after this amazing night. A presence of me looks like a surprise for everyone. I apologise for the sudden visit...", he said. "yet I don't regret even a bit of guilt.", that made everyone confuse except Leonthera who's not listening and Caelum who wants to find out the lady's identity— he dance with. "Witnessing a very rare chaos made me remember what happened before I became an Emperor. Anyway, I saw it all but I want to ask the lady, Princess Leonthera, is there something in your mind?", he said with a smile— looking like watching a magician doing extraordinary things.

As soon as the princess heard her name, she looked at the Emperor who has a playful but feebly smile. She get it. Bowing makes the whole thing confusing and everyone is watching her paying respect for the second time.

"Sidus.", with authorization, she called this prince who was also surprise by the emperor's reaction. "Go to the nearest balcony.", her face was inexplicable but the superiority on her voice gave Sidus the shiver. Still bewildered, he followed her without removing his gaze to the princess.

When Leonthera secured that Sidus is now on a safe place, she ordered Caelum to do the same thing. "Prince Cealum. Can you please take care of Sidus for a bit?", she said gently with calm manner. She decided to say it indirectly for him to not ask any further explanation. He nodded and then followed Sidus.

Everyone is staring at Leonthera, waiting for her movements or her response to the Emperor's statement. She walk slowly towards the footman who's holding a wine he save rather than himself. The footman was wet by wine and got some little cuts from broken glasses that made Leonthera grimace. He thought Leonthera will slap him when she lifted her arm towards him, making the footman close his eyes, but he was taken aback when she held the bottle in his arms.

"Can I take it?", the princess asked politely. Giving him a choice to immediately nod and left her the wine. "Thank you."

Her eyes became brighter, everyone was mesmerized, but the look of it... it's... terrifying— full of wickedness, exuding bloodlust and reflecting death— giving shudders to the people around her.

She opened the bottle barehand, with a swift movement that made the bachelors amazed.

The crowd where Sidus dance, near them, got startled when this red-eyed princess look at them. They we're panicking yet they cannot move because of the fear they do not know where is coming. Walking slowly, Leonthera got a little wine glass and pour it while walking towards these people. In their mind, they wanted to run or scream for help but their bodies felt like chained by something they can't see or they can call fear.

"Goodness!", a noble scream.

Leonthera splashed the wine with such force to the nobles infront of her, making them wet by it. And she didn't stop there, she also hurled the wine inside the glass she was holding to the lady who tripped the footman.

"How was it?", she whispered derisively. "You may be wealthy as everyone can't be, but you can't be beautiful by the coins your father's illegal indulgence.", walking like nothing happened, Leonthera put down the bottle of a wine before going back to her place.

As she looked at the Emperor, he smiled and nodded— as if he was satisfied. "Servants and guards, clean the mess and help the nobles. It happened and we can't do anything about it.", he raised his wine glass. "Cheers for this night. I apologize for what happened and didn't expect it sooner. I hope everyone realized something tonight, and witnessing it really helps to maintain the peace.", he finished talking, drank all of his wine and bow before turning his back from the audience.

When he completely disappeared, people are started to look at Leonthera but to their surprised, her presence was completely vanished.

WHEN CAELUM catched up with Sidus and now standing together in the cold-high balcony, far from people and the noise inside, he immediately asked him about Leonthera.

"Prince Sidus, do you know Princess Leonthera? Personally?", he asked while staring at a tree down from the wide garden labyrinth.

Sidus didn't looked surprised by his question because he remembered how Leonthera told him how she met this young prince.

"Why did you ask, Prince Caelum?", playing safe and wanting his intentions of knowing the princess.

"Enough with the prince. Just call me by my given name. She...", Caelum was hesitant to his reason. He can't just say that he fooled around the previous night and met a woman with the name sounds like the princess. He can't be careless to spill his nonsense. "Because she... she's treating you like someone she really cares about. Yes. Right!"

Sidus laughed because the other prince looked flustered, as if he doesn't use to talk about romantic things. "Why do you say so? Her reason can be because of her title."

The prince can't accept his answer. "That's... not right! Her attention was in you the whole time we're dancing.", he said while staring at the floor, remembering how Leonthera lead their waltz.

"I... I promise her I'll be her first dance but... things aren't always going as we planned.", he said with such disappointment on his tone. "I think, I made her mad that's why she wanted to talk here."

"And I think you're wrong. She told me to follow you just in case. Maybe she's planning something?", Caelum said and then tried to peek inside the ballroom.

Sidus laughed graciously. Again, with his angelic manner. "You're too selfless, Caelum."

"Mhm? What do you mean?", the prince looked at this man who have such serene visage.

Sidus became pensive. "I am well aware that you witnessed the shame I had the other night. As a royal child, seeing you with me might hurt your title."

Caelum smiled. "I actually the one who destroyed the wires connecting to every lamp and the chandelier.", he confessed that made Sidus looked at him with a great surprise.

"You.. Why? I... T-Thank... you.", he was speechless. Knowing that this man in front of him, almost hated by Leonthera, was actually save him from the embarrassment he can barely sleep.

"Oh, don't thank me! There was just this man who uses some kind of mirror to catched my attention and make me follow it to the wires. I really don't know what's goin' on but seeing the throng of nobles gathering about something made me shot it with some sword I got from this mansion's walls.", and he made it go out in town from that disturbance. He can't say it but he smiled by the thought of it. "Can I know what really happened? If it's okay for you to... talk about it."

Sidus smiled, just a smidge, because of Caelum's understanding and evident comfort

Remembering the night that became his worst nightmare, Sidus clench his fist before telling him everything. "When the ball started, I was really nervous because it is the second day where I need to dance with others. I am worst in communicating with others and when this lady held my arms while I am getting some sweet in the long table, I got startled and almost dirty her gown, but thankfully, someone pulled me backwards making the sweet fall inch before this lady. When I looked at my back, it was a man, I got flustered... my face was too hot... not because of something romantic but because I am uncomfortable from his touch and this nobles stare. They misundertood it and thought... I was attractive... to.. men.", his voice became lower and lower.

Caelum didn't respond for a minute. "With pale colored face and petite body you have for a prince, no wonder blushing and falling was too easy to see it through you.", he replied.

"Mhmm.. sometimes I hate myself for being like this.", he got closer to the railing and stare below. "But... When that man help me to hide...", he's whispering, forgetting the limits because of his memory about what happened last night.

"Can you repeat it? I.. didn't quite hear it.", Caelum said and got closer to Sidus, enough just for a talk.

"No- Nothing! I said... I—", panicking, he can't think about any excuse or just lie saying he forgot, but he was interrupted by an atrocious laughed coming towards them.

"Oh-hoy! Sidus.", Leonthera greeted him with inexplicable enthusiasm. She's smoothing her shoulder, boasting about something they didn't witnessed.

Caelum's face crumpled when he heard how she talked. He didn't say anything but just stare at this pristine red gal walking towards them, not even paying attention to his presence.

"Eh—! Oi, man! I got discovered.", as she saw Caelum's confused visage, she looked unconvincingly flabbergasted. "Surprise, man, I'mma princess."

The prince took a deep breath, recovered by the revelations he expect but not manifest. "Yeah? I almost asked you out. Bet destiny say you doesn't deserve me.", Caelum said with haughtiness.

The princess nodded slowly, unconvinced. "You think? Maybe the destiny yer' talkin' about was about me?"

"If so, destiny really had a bad taste!?", he tilt his head, waiting for her response.

"And so to you!", their faces became fierce and the tension is rising that made Sidus step between them just to avoid chaos.

"Both of you, stop.", with a gentle tone, they both unexpectedly looked on other directions— avoiding each other's gaze.

"Ehem! Anyway, I got some revenge, Sidus. Specially the one who made fun of you.", she said, not limiting her words or using a right phrase.

Sidus was befuddled. "What... What do.. you mean?"

"That emperor is too cool, 'er! See how he asked me? Got that and know what he wants rather than punish her. I splash some wine to 'em and got some words to that lady who tripped the footman.", she told them head high while having some movement like what she did.

"Wh—"

As the prince saw Sidus face becoming red because of he think— embarrassment, he immediately put some wood to a fire. "That's great, man!", Caelum commented making Sidus surprised.

"Right? Bein' higher than them have goods, ay!", the cheerfulness didn't left her tone.

"Did someone fight back?", the prince asked, as if he's talking about some kind of forfeit.

"Sad to say young man, not all satisfying are enjoyable, some are boring. They'll just starin' at me like some kind of crazy.", she said then punch the air like preparing for some fight. "Ouch! This fucking corset is really killin' me."

Caelum laughed. "You looked awesome, that's a fair trade."

She frowned. "Not y'all wanting to look awesome than comfortable. Oh, hold on! You ain't gonna asked why I am not surprised?"

"For what? Knowing me? Well, seeing you here as a princess, no wonder why you know all of us."

"Oh-ay! Didn't know you're a great bastard who loves women. I know a lots of brothel! Want some name?", she really never hesitated.

"What the—! How could... Well, that would be a lifetime debt."

"No need. I'mma go this whatever time, wanna come?"

Caelum was startled by her offer. "You? A woman? In.. a brothel?"

She mischievously smiled. "Oh, man! You think yer' the only one who can experience heaven?"

"No way—! You—! You're—"

"Ep! Em' not doing disgusting things with them. I just wanted their care, scents, touch and voices like... why am I even telling you this?"

"You forgot I'm here." Sidus said that made them looked at him. "Such vulgar manner are too different from your attires." , he laughed a little before he takes a two step back. The twain in front of him got startled when he bowed. "Thank you for saving me! Please take it as a debt and not a favor than I can give back someday.", he said while staring at the floor.

"Ehhhh... Please don't do that again, 'kay? It doesn't look good bowing to me. We're friends and that's normal.", Leonthera said with a flush cheeks when Sidus lifted his head— embarrassed by his gesture she's not used to receive. Caelum just nodded and smiled. "By the way, what did you do?", the princess asked this young man beside him.

"Too great for you to know.", Caelum said without looking at her.

"Tsk! Bet not as great as me."

Their little argument continue that made Sidus laughed. When Leonthera notice that Sidus was feeling cold, she immediately asked to go inside and she first turn to walk but she was stop by a man holding his luxurious blazer.

"Can I have a favor, Princess Leonthera?", he asked with a serious face, far from the playful man he met earlier.