Orbs of Void

Prince Ludwig moved closer, offering his assistance. I couldn't help but maintain a cautious distance, silently avoiding any contact.

Seating myself alone on a nearby chair, I carefully positioned myself to avoid brushing against him with even the slightest movement of my arms.

"I'm sorry for returning here," I began. "I was unaware of the restrictions. If you don't mind, I'll just leave—"

Before I could finish my plea, his eyes transitioned from a piercing blue to a dazzling gold, from vibrant orange then back to a cool, calming blue once more.

I couldn't help but voice the question that had been lingering in my mind.

"What's the matter with your eyes?" I blurted out, unable to contain my curiosity any longer.

I had observed his eyes change color before, but this time, the transition seemed more pronounced, more vivid.

Lily had mentioned that it signaled his anger, a warning sign of the searing heat that would soon follow.

Yet, I found myself drawn to the enigmatic depths of his gaze, unable to tear my eyes away.

His gaze softened as he settled beside me, his attention now focused on the spread of food before us.

"Eat," he commanded, his voice carrying a hint of authority that offered no argument.

It was then that I realized the sumptuous feast laid out on the table, seemingly materializing out of thin air.

I pushed aside my bewilderment and obediently reached for a mouthful.

"Thank you," I murmured, unsure of what else to say in the presence of royalty. "Lud—I mean, Prince. Prince Ludwig."

He hesitated for a moment, his expression unreadable.

Eventually, he spoke in a gentle tone that caught me off guard, like the soothing melody of a lullaby. "Ludwig," he insisted softly. "Just Ludwig."

His words seemed to bridge the gap between us, dispelling some of the tension that had lingered in the air.

"Of course," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Ludwig, but... Lily has been waiting for me, you know..."

I faltered as a sudden heat seared through the soles of my feet. It prompted me to hastily prop them up on the chair I had been sitting on.

When I dared to meet Ludwig's gaze, his eyes blazed with a fiery orange hue, signaling his simmering anger.

"Ah, yes, delicious food," I stammered, forcing a strained smile. I reached for a slice of chocolate cake, my fingers trembling slightly.

The air around us felt uncomfortably hot, intensifying the discomfort that hung between us like an invisible barrier.

Despite my attempts to appear composed, beads of sweat formed on my brow.

I hastened my eating in an attempt to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere as soon as possible. But in my haste, a piece of food lodged itself in my throat, causing me to cough uncontrollably.

Fortunately, Ludwig swiftly passed me a wavering glass of water, and I gratefully took a few gulps.

"Thanks," I managed to say between coughs. I felt the obstruction gradually dislodging itself.

Ludwig sighed heavily, and to my surprise, the heat dissipated, returning the temperature to normal.

I blinked in astonishment, wondering if this meant he wasn't angry anymore.

"Don't rush," Ludwig advised, his brows furrowing in concern. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

I discreetly scratched my head, trying to come up with a suitable explanation.

In reality, I felt nauseous in his presence. It was as if his aura could burn my very soul with his volatile mood.

However, I opted for a more harmless response.

"No," I said, denying his assumption. "Of course not. I was just really hungry." As the words left my mouth, I immediately regretted them, sensing the heat rising once more.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Why was he angry again?

"Are you not being well taken care of by Lily?" he inquired. "I instructed her to ensure you're properly fed…"

"She does," I interjected hastily, nodding. "Of course she does, and very well." I couldn't help but cringe at the annoyance that flickered across his face.

I didn't want Lily to face any consequences for her kindness toward me. "Don't worry. She feeds me plenty. Probably too much, actually. I was just hungry because I got caught up in reading. That's all."

I wasn't sure why I was divulging so much to Ludwig. But I felt a sense of relief when I sensed him relaxing after my explanation.

Ludwig and I lapsed into silence once more. He didn't say anything further but cautiously began his own meal beside me, keeping a slight distance.

I made no effort to rush my eating. Perhaps he might interpret it as my desire to end our time together sooner. Which was true, not gonna lie, but I didn't want to convey that message explicitly.

As I took a brief pause from eating, I summoned the courage to address him.

"Prince Ludwig," I began, testing the waters, "can I-"

"Ludwig," he interjected firmly, his voice leaving no room for disagreement. "Just Ludwig, as I've told you."

His eyes held mine, and in that moment of stillness, I found myself captivated by their depth. With their color remaining unchanged for now, I was granted the rare opportunity to study them closely.

They were like swirling abysses, two orbs of void suspending, longing for light.

"Okay, Ludwig," I acknowledged, breaking our gaze reluctantly. "As you wish."