Crazy Night

The bright volume of the mansion filled with people dancing with the orchestra's romantic rhythm but it doesn't reflect the ladies and bachelors negatively inexplicable faces. Two hours have been passed since the commotion yet all they're guards are up— vigilant to what surprises might ruin their existence.

As Caelum got inside with Sidus, he was amazed by how this people still laugh and act like nothing happened but still look at the prince behind him with the eyes no one can ever accept. They stayed at a small table where wines and little sweets can be reachable in any moment. He looked where they left Leonthera and Prince Diem, hoping he could find what's his intentions.

Pouring a wine in fine glass, Sidus wondered what kind of revenge that lady did while he's staying at the balcony with Prince Caelum she ordered like somewhat a mother. He doesn't noticed Leonthera's presence.

"Did he propose to you?", the prince beside him said, talking to someone. Sidus looked at where his attention is into. It's the princess, standing on the other side of this little table— looking elegant and as magical like any other ladies.

Leonthera smiled through her eyes then glared after a second. "More like ordered me around.", she sounded defeated yet not as irritatedly terrifying. Her right hand holding her left in front of her clutched tightly.

Caelum stared at his wine and so Sidus because the surroundings are starting to observe them. "Did he even know you?", he asked, talking about her inner devil.

The princess laughed evilly small. "Yea'! He met me when we both sat beside each other. Anyway, Sidus, go to that balcony. He wanted to ask— I mean talk to you.", she hold a glass body for Caelum to pour her a wine against his will. It is rude to reject a woman's glass when she take it empty in front of a man because it will reflect how he would treat his wife.

"Tsh! Sometimes being a woman is a blessing.", Caelum said with a smile but his tone is full of resentment while pouring her a wine.

Leonthera hide her lip with her fingers, laughing like the lady's etiquette to annoy Caelum more as he is. "Not really! It was a nightmare, actually.", she said that puzzled the prince.

When Sidus finished his wine, he was choosing between ask the princess about Prince Diem's intention or ask her what they talked about for him to ready himself for some unexpected dialogue.

"Anyway, I'll take their attention so just go there, okay?", Leonthera said and then drink her wine straight before walking straight to the dancing crowds.

Sidus was surprised that he reacted late. "Wait...", the princess didn't hear him because of the distance she already took.

"That lady didn't really do care about everything, isn't she?", Caelum behind him, sounded defeated.

They watched how Leonthera walked in the sea of partners dancing, making them move and create a path that looks like just for her. A lot of them stopped dancing just to stare in this lady wearing a red dress waving with her hips following the rhythm of her elegant walk. Caelum was almost lost by her inexplicable charisma and then realized the devil soul possessing that dreamy lady.

"Sidus!", Caelum called him as a message that everyone is too busy for him to be scared. Sidus nodded and then almost run to the balcony.

The music changed to somewhat spirited rhythm, making the surrounding lively. Caelum looked at where the orchestra revealed, Leonthera was now walking towards him from where he's looking.

"See that? 'Em that great.", the princess was bragging.

"Anyone can do that.", he said then gave her a glass. She doesn't accept it but she extend her hand.

"Dance with me, Prince Caelum."

The prince was speechless. Never in his life imagine to be asked by a lady nor a lady will ask a man. They lived in a world where woman should act almost perfect yet blamed to a little mistake while men are supposed to be worship even they live as useless creatures.

"Oi, don't just stand there and dance with me.", she said pompous making the prince back into his senses and unconsciously accept it.

"You're crazy!", he said and let him pulled towards the dance floor.

Leonthera hold his both hands. "We're gonna' dance brightly, 'kay? Remember that festive night?", she's talking about how they first met.

"Mhmm.. maybe I'll show you how great I am.", he replied with a smile.

They started dancing. Pulling and pushing each other with their hands still holding tight in each other. Caelum guiding her to twirl when the music's transition and Leonthera, doing some movements she guides the prince indecisively following the flow of the jumping beats and radiant song of a violin. Bunch of eyes are staring at them with sinful gazes but their attention were just for the two of them.

Caelum was smiling the whole dance and laughed in some moment when the princess are doing some funny movements he cannot comprehend. He doesn't know what kind of emotion he's feeling but it's different.. magical... addicting. It's far fascinating from holding a lady's body or getting something he wants, it felt too comfortable and... enchanting.

Feeling too absorbed by the moment, Leonthera didn't notice that she's enjoying the whole time— without being afraid of his touch, comfortable hands and the delightful feelings crawling to her heart. She loves festivals, fights and other things that has liveliness and interesting sequence yet why a simple dance with the prince she doesn't really like and at top of that is a man, made her realize that dancing isn't really not a bad idea.

Speaking of happiness, she remembered something. "Am' goin' to the brothel tonight! Wanna come?", she said while dancing.

"Still not satisfied?", he replied, talking about all commotions happened tonight.

"Well, tomorrow we're goin' to be busy meetin' the emperor and the empress. Tea parties or whatever shitty little pampering to each other is really a pain. Blast bein' a royal child! So, playin' fér the last time is not regrettable.", she twirled then look at him again.

Caelum notice her red hair. "Is red truly your hair?", he asked, looking at her hair attentively.

She shrugged. "There's.. a reason for it. Say, young man, you comin'?"

"What's the plan?", he smiled and so as Leonthera. "Fast! The music's gonna end, you're too slow."

"You, demanding dumbass! Okay, where's yer' mansion?", she asked looking straight at his eyes, he almost froze.

He gulped before answering. "Third mansion from here, the blue gateway."

She nodded. "You're close to mine, huh?! Just one mansion apart. Well, can ya' sneak out? Even on the back?"

He tried to remember how tall the mansion's enclosed bars. "I can.", he answered confidently.

"Great! Thought you're too soft, er'! Anyway just wait me there in front of yer' mansion.", she said and then bowed when the music ended. Caelum didn't get the chance to answer and just left the dance floor and sat to rest.

The last night of the Royal Commencement was ended and nobles are starting to get back to their residents provided by the Empire. Tomorrow and the other will be the rest for all of them yet Leonthera decided to sneaked out and treat this night her last day.

SHE'S RIDING A BLACK horse, she chose it to hide in people's eyes using the dark. Wearing a peasant man's clothes, a little mustache that looks funny yet not awkward because of her features and boots that doesn't shine— she get off to the horse and stand at the dark near Caelum's mansion. The princess also makes sure knights wouldn't notice her. A rustle from a tree behind her started that made her guards up and a man fell from it, wearing a footman clothes. It's Caelum.

"The hell with that attire, lad?", she talked like an old man with not so deep voice. The prince glared at her with disgust.

"What the hell with that attire, gal?", he mocked her by impersonating.

She fix her mustache. "It's classic, man.", she offer her hand to help him stand but when he's almost about to reach it she use it to run her fingers to her hair. "How 'bout my hair, fascinating, right?", she asked him with playfulness but he's face was too inexplicable.

"You... You cut your hair?", he's speechless. Because her white smooth and cloudy hair was now as short as man's hair. 'It looks good on her because she looks like a young and soft noble bachelor but... with that hair, she's the most beautiful.', Caelum said in his mind, making him surprised by himself and stand aggressively.

"Woah, man! Well, yes! I.. cut it because it's getting in my fake hair too difficult to wear.", her voice doesn't sound convincing. "It's gettin' late, let's go!", she's back being too excited.

"A horse?", Caelum asked and then touch it. "And a great one! Let me ride and lead!", he said full of amusement.

Leonthera laughed like a business man. "Ha-ha-ha! Young man, you want him?", she said while tapping the horse's back.

"Yes.", still hypnotized by this features.

"Buy yours!", she said in her original self after mounting the horse. "Hop in! We're getting there full speed!"

"Well, why did I even hope for!?", he sounded defeated and he did the same. Sitting behind Leonthera.

The breeze passed them with such cold air but the only thing they could felt... was the awkwardness.

"Should I hold at your waist?", he asked normally.

She nodded. "Yes. Just keep your distance but hold tight because I'll leave you if you fall."

"You know, you talk like— holy shit!", his soul almost left when she start to make a run, in full speed. Her body is bend while riding and the way she's in control was too immaculate. "What a great woman.", he whispered but she heard it and chuckled.

"Thanks.", she replied while still focus on their path.

"... possess by an evil soul.", he added that made them both laughed.

They finally reach the destination after a minute or two, it was an amazing ride for the both of them because as they dismount the horse, their hair was too messy and faces are too red because of cold that made them laughed. A bright wide and two story building was now in their eyes, the noisy crowds inside are heard even in the outside that made them both excited.

"Welcome, young men.", an old woman greeted them as they stepped inside.

"A great night...", Leonthera said while looking around.

The round tables are scattered around with close chairs and some long tables with comfortable different divans. It doesn't really have consistent decor but it's actually fits the brothel. It's full of people looking too elegant or some are peasant.

"Indeed.", the prince answered lost in his thought when he saw a woman wearing revealing coat— making her bosoms almost out.

They gave a money for the table and chose the ladies they want. The money will determine what kind of woman they will give you, the more gold coins, the better woman you can be accompanied. Leonthera chose the pampering ones and Caelum chose the aggressive ones and because of ther differences, they chose to ignore each other and used different tables.

Leonthera sat like a man— her arms are leaning in the divan and she crossed her legs waiting for her ladies. She bought four of them just to hang out with her or play with them. When they arrived, they brought a glass of hard drink, and some sort of oils and comb. The two lady sat beside her both sides and hold her arms like a child while the other was in front of her, sitting on the table pouring her a drink and the last lady was in her head, playing with her hair.

'This is heaven.', she said and laughed at a lady's humor.

The other started to tell a story while playing at her arms and she attentively listening.

On the other side of the table, four tables far from where Leonthera is, the prince is playing with his ladies. His hands are everywhere in their bodies, making the ladies too lost and pleasured by the young man's enchanting touches. He can heard their moans but he can't felt the same desire as before, it's just felt... normal. The third lady in his lap, kissed him with hungriness and he respond yet not as great as she's feeling. No, he doesn't want to accept it. Why can't he felt the greed he always wanted? Where's the hungriness in his sinful soul? How can be this happening?

"Oh, a kiss is too magical isn't it, young man?", the lady behind her ask while still soothing her hair.

"Mhm.. is it?", she asked them back, and then drink a glass of a strong alcohol. She's used to this beer.

"It is. The soft lips, sweet taste and a heart pounding moment where everything looks perfect.", the lady on her left replied.

"Do you always feel like that?", she asked personally but still using her deep convincing voice. For someone who do not had her first kiss and only witnessed one, she doesn't know.

"Yes, it's enchanting."

"Romantic."

They answered, blushing that made her laughed a little and teased them for her own entertainment.

WHEN HER BOTTLE rans out and the old lady rang the bell in front of her, the ladies said their farewells and go back to their place— in the second floor. She first stretch her hand before standing and get out of the place. Caelum greeted her with a frowned.

"You're too damn late!", he sounded irritated and aggressively eat a sweet cake using a fork.

She laughed. "What's with you? Didn't you enjoy it?", she asked with teasing tone then ready her horse.

"The only thing I enjoyed was their sweets.", he said honestly while still eating. He was irritated by how his body didn't respond on any of his flirtatious crimes. And he also stopped halfway because of boredom but thankfully, he saw they also sell sweets like bread or a cake that's why he bought five pieces and eat them outside.

"Poor man! Not popular?", she mount the horse and waited for him. "Oi! I'll leave you, you damn slow punk!"

Caelum didn't move or even stand on a wood he's sitting. "Oh, shut up! Let me eat in peace.", he replied, frowning.

"Are you sulking?", she continues to tease him.

"Tsk! You're recommendations are worst."

"Yet you're enjoying the sweets from my recommendations."

"Not really. It taste like an ordinary from the town."

"Mmm... really? Let me taste it!"

"Oh? Do you like it?"

"I want it! It looks delicious."

"Buy yours!", he immitate her rejection about the horse earlier tonight.

"Blast you!", she said with irritation yet laughed after. "You got me there, ay!"

After he ate, he immediately get on the horse at Leonthera's back. They again, run full speed but now he's prepared and enjoyed the whole ride. He's a fan of horses but riding one with him as a passenger at most of all lead by a woman is an extreme moment that he will never forget. The wild air, shiny stars and blurry surroundings made him calmed and made him love the night.

"We're here, prince!", Leonthera said and stopped at where she picked him up.

He get off the looked at her, they doesn't really have that far distance because of his height. "What do you want in return?", he asked casually.

She tilted her head, confused by his question. "Thought you want to hang out? So, no need for that!"

"That's true. How about a gem? Just a way of saying thanks?"

"You're gratefulness are so damn expensive.", she laughed by what she said. "Well, then I have a favor."

"What is it?", he said with grimace, afraid by this woman's craziness.

"Hold this.", she gave him the horse lead and a bag filled with her dress. She secured that Caelum's hands are occupied.

Caelum was too confuse by her actions. He's thinking that she's plotting something worse. The darkness of the night and breeze coming from the mountains and everything surrounding him disappeared when Leonthera grab him from his collar and gently hold his head followed by a soft yet deep kiss he didn't see coming.

"Mhm... that's why..", she whispered when their lips parted.