The Miangcok

After what seemed to be an embarrassing introduction, Crescent found herself seated in the chair, already dressed and tongue-tied. The prince was seated in front of her, crossed-legged and with the most sophisticated posture she had ever seen in her entire life. Between the mess earlier and her little misdeeds, a cup of tea was the only apology she can afford.

"I..I..I..apologize really…for what happened earlier," She said stuttering. For once her overconfident self had gone lost in space and she was really glad Georgi and Apple were not there to witness such a shameless downfall. The two, together with Mr. Long was waiting outside while she and the prince fixed whatever issues they have with each other—or business rather.

The prince did not say a word but just rather looked at her. Perhaps it was only Crescent's imagination but the prince seemed to be looking at her rather cautiously as if there was something worthy about her physical features. The fact only made Crescent more uncomfortable and self-conscious.

"If this visit is about my dream catcher, I already told your subordinate that I will not be selling it," She continued hoping the man in front of him would just say a word rather than just gave her just a meaningless stare. Or perhaps they were not meaningless, she does not know what it means.

"I want to know if you are really the one who made the dream catcher," The prince spoke for the very first time and God, Crescent just want to die in his presence!

The man—all dressed in white and very neat—looked like an angel but rather with wings on, he had a half-mask that only add mystery to his personality. He was perfect in every way. He had the right kind of complexion, sculpted muscles in perfect places, and a very towering height that only people with Nephilim blood could probably have. Even his demeanor, the way he sits, the way he spoke, and even the way he moved his hands to drink his tea was like giving Crescent a glimpse of how royalties lived. He moved in such a gentle clean and a precise pattern that made the girl wish she should have enrolled in a personality development class because she looked way too messed up in his presence

"Of course, it is me," If this question was asked by another person, Crescent would not hesitate to play sarcastic. It was obvious he was doubting her legitimacy but she sure refused to raise such objection. Perhaps with another person but not with this one. She had to be very careful with him. Only a fool would mess up with the prince.

"Well then…how can you explain the Miangcok?" The prince's voice contained no hint of what was running on his head, not a single expression but just a neutral sophisticated tone.

"Miangcok? I do not understand," Certainly Crescent had a hard time understanding the question. The word was new to her but it sounded familiar though as if she heard it a long time ago, in a time when only a daze of her memory could reach.

It was then that the Diamond prince gave her a suspicious look. "The design…the phoenix with a rainbow tail," Huzey gave her some explanation hoping she could give him a good answer this time "That's a Miangcok"

"I certainly do not know what you are talking about," Crescent was surprised to learn that her design has a name. She never really thought about it not even an ounce of an idea that it might resemble something else "But my designs are authentic, so are my dreamcatchers. If it does look like something else, it is purely coincidental"

"The Miangcok, however, is not something you can just copy Miss Garza," The Diamond prince was outrightly telling her he did not believe anything she said and this sponsored a big gulp on Crescent's side. She was very aware of how powerful the man before her was and to offend him was one of the things he wished never to do.

"What…. what do you mean?" She stuttered again, nervous about what lies behind the prince's confrontation.

"That art is owned by the Manggan Tribe. I being the ambassador for cultural affairs on the island informs you that you are in trouble," His voice contained a threat even though it escaped his lips so casually. "We reserve the copyright for such design,"

The Manggan Tribe?

Crescent crossed check her mind wondering how far her knowledge of the forbidden island. Yet, everything about the island was sealed by the Lagdameo's, and the government was very keen on keeping them protected.

"How am I supposed to know it was owned by the Manngan Tribe," She reasoned. Of course, she had no idea, already she admits that she was intrigued by then. How could her designs resemble an art that was owned by some tribes she had no connection with whatsoever "I have never been there and my designs….I just made them,"

"That's exactly why I am asking you," The man returned her question. "It's impossible for someone who isn't from the Manggan Island to know about it. So mind telling me where you copied it?"

"I did not!" Crescent retorted back fiercely. Of course, she can't stand being accused of something she did not do. However in split second, she thought she had raised her voice unreasonably and so she tried to redeem herself, fervently hoping that the prince would somehow show consideration, "I mean...I do not know that it was a Miangcok and that it was owned by the tribe,"

"Not very convincing," He squinted.

"Really, I am not lying,"

"Miss Garza, you are in one great trouble,"

"I did not mean it, I swear. I was purely coincidence," Crescent was almost teary. For some reason, though the tears forming in her eyes had nothing to do with the accusation whatsoever. It is just that, for very complicated reasons she too cannot tell, something in her heart was boiling with the way the Prince was looking at her. His eyes—that ocean blue deep seemed to have a connection with her—something that makes her sad, gloomy, and painful.

Yes, painful.

'What is happening with you Crescent?' Was she not supposed to worry about the man's threat then? Why was she feeling totally different from what she was supposed to feel then?

How odd was this feeling?

"You cannot say that in court," The prince continued his instigation and Crescent hoped he saw nothing through her eyes. He must not see beyond what he already sees, "You have to give me something believable,"

"But I am not lying," Crescent swallowed a cry.

The prince gave her one hard look before he decided that such a conversation was going nowhere. Without a word, he took his last sip and stood from his seat ready to leave.

He was at the door when Crescent managed to open her mouth again.

"The designs," She said as she heaved a deep breath as if her feelings swallowed all her words before it jumps right out of her mouth "Would you believe if I say they came from my dreams?"