How it Feels to be Forgotten

 [OF COURSE he will not remember me. It has been ten years. So much has changed. I don't even recognize myself most of the time. And I didn't tell him my name. Though, even if I told him, I don't think he will remember me.]

 Temari looked calm and collected on the outside but thoughts have been running inside her mind too fast that she almost got dizzy. She followed Crown Prince Rhys with her eyes and was aware that everyone in the ballroom was doing the same too. Everyone was admiring him and the women were trying to get his attention.

 Temari knew at that moment that the stories in Mowsland's history books were not just made up by people who were in power to make their country seems unreachable and mysterious. As she looked at Rhys now that he has grown into a man, she was convinced that the royal family really has fairy blood. No pure human can look the way Rhys looks. It was hard to forget him and it was easy to recognize him.

 [Unlike a commoner like me.] Temari shook her head. There is no reason to be bitter. She knew she was not the unforgettable type. Even back in the orphanage, the adults tend to forget her unless she did something to be punished about. When she turned sixteen, Zak taught her how to use her 'forgettable' presence to her advantage. It was one of the reasons why she became the best thief in Mowsland. She should be thankful and not bitter.

 "Lady Temari, do you want to have something to drink?" the lady's maid asked her.

 She took her eyes away from the Crown Prince to look at the woman beside her. "What is your name?"

 The lady's maid looked surprised. She lowered her gaze and answered, "Emma."

 "Emma," Temari repeated.

 "Yes, my lady?"

 She smiled slightly. "Go and have two drinks for us."

 Emma smiled back and bowed. She walked away and Temari followed her with her eyes for a few seconds. Then she glanced around and saw that some of the ladies were already holding a drink while looking toward the direction of the Crown Prince. She followed their gazes.

Lennox was introducing the princesses of the neighboring countries to Rhys. She watched as each of the beautiful women with extravagant dresses bowed to him. Then Temari stared at his face. He was expressionless, almost cold and bored. He doesn't even nod his head when the old man mentions the name of the woman in front of him.

Eventually, the princesses reluctantly walked away after the introductions. Then Lennox whispered something to the Crown Prince but his expression still didn't change as he talked back. Temari was trying to read his lips but she still wasn't able to make out what he told the old man next to him.

Emma came back to her with glasses of drinks when the butler who was announcing the name of the guests earlier went to the orchestra on the corner of the ballroom. He said something to the chief conductor who nodded and faced the orchestra. After a while, the music changed and it became louder than before.

Temari didn't know much about music but she knew the one currently playing since she practiced it for this mission. It was a waltz. Suddenly the atmosphere in the ballroom became excited and hopeful. All the women turned to the direction of the Crown Prince. Lennox whispered to him again before he moved. Everyone followed him as he approached one of the princesses introduced to him moments ago.

"Do you know who she is, Emma?" Temari asked her lady's maid.

"She is Princess Miya of Ufrad, my lady."

Ufrad. One of Mowsland's strong allies based on what she heard from the regulars in Blackgrove Tavern. That country was said to have advanced weaponry and strong military force. Is the Crown Prince planning to make this princess his queen?

"Don't worry, Lady Temari. I believe that the Crown Prince will dance with all the princesses and ladies in attendance tonight. He hasn't chosen someone yet," Emma whispers on her side.

She glanced at the lady's maid and smiled at her show of loyalty to her. Too bad Temari doesn't deserve it.

The Crown Prince and the Princess of Ufrad went to the middle of the ballroom and began to dance the waltz. Despite his unsmiling face, Rhys danced perfectly. His steps were smooth and confident and he was able to guide the princess well. They moved in sync and they looked beautiful every time they turn around and the skirts of her dress float ever so lightly.

Temari couldn't take her eyes off them even when the gentlemen began to ask the ladies for a dance. Soon, the ballroom was half-filled with dancing couples. An hour later, Temari was still standing at the corner, drinking her second glass of wine while the Crown Prince has already danced with dozens of women and almost all the ladies have already danced at least once. She could feel Emma's worry because the lady's maid has been glancing at her every time a waltz ended to be replaced by a new one.

Eventually she sighed and turned to Emma. "Will you stop fidgeting? I am fine. I don't really like dancing." Besides, she preferred not to catch anyone's interest so no one will try to ask her about her background.

"If you are too worried that I am being a wallflower, I will just go out to the balcony and get some fresh air, okay?" Temari told Emma. She should just try to walk around the castle while everyone was busy partying in the ballroom.

Emma looked like she was about to say something but then her eyes went past her shoulders. Her eyes widened. Temari frowned. "What's wrong?"

Her lady's maid didn't have to answer because just then, she felt a familiar presence approaching her. Temari stood straighter. Her body tensed as she slowly looked behind her. Rhys Mospick, Crown Prince of Mowsland stopped in front of her and offered his hand. She looked at it blankly before lifting her gaze until their eyes met.

"W-what?" Temari uttered.

"Dance," he said simply. It didn't sound like a request but a command.