chapter 41 - Under Glowing Moonlight

Damion's POV

Today is the day of the Masquerade ball, I have no interest in it. The only reason I am excited is because I might be able to see Rahua up close.

Is still morning, I still have my usual duties to fulfil, we are preparing to sentence every nobels that have conspired to betray the crown.

I as drag myself through the corridors later the day after many meetings I get a glimpse of the preparation for the ball, everyone is busy making sure everything will turn out wonderful.

I catch glimpse of familiar face with the side of my eye. There she was, Rahua, with her strikingly beautiful features and flowing hair. She effortlessly carried herself with grace and elegance. My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

But as quickly as she appeared, Rahua disappeared following the kitchen Chef, leaving me longing for more. Determined to find her, I made my way through the bustling corridors, maneuvering my way past servants and courtiers.

Finally, I caught sight of her again, this time talking animatedly with a group of maids. Her laughter filled the air, and I couldn't help but be drawn to her infectious joy. I approached cautiously, not wanting to interrupt her conversation but desperate for any chance to speak with her.

"Your Highness? " a sweet voice from behind me made retreat, " Is there anything, that I can help your Highness with? Should I call Mr. Loyd for your Highness?"

I was startled, I couldn't be walking around freely in the castle where everyone was paying attention to me. I shook my head without saying a word and I left. The maid kept her head low until I left.

Hours passed as I attended to the matters at hand, but my thoughts continued to drift back to the Masquerade ball and the possibility of seeing more of Rahua. The sun set, and the ball was about to begin, but I still hadn't found the opportunity to seek her out.

As I entered the grand hall filled with masked figures and ethereal music, my eyes scanned the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rahua's familiar face. But no matter how hard I searched, she seemed to elude me, lost in the crowd.

I need to sneak out of here, everyone is trying to put in a word with me, I just want to disappear like before.

As get talked to by nobels who keep telling about their available daughter's, I see someone who I think that can save me. I recognise his posture and presence.

I excuse myself and make my away to Cirius. He almost jumps when I grab pulling him away.

"Your Highness." He says uncharacteristicly polite without a teasing undertone, "how my I serve you tonight."

Without delays I tell him everything I need him to do. "I need you to shift into me." Cirius was taken aback by my request, clearly surprised by the task I had just proposed to him. His brows furrowed in confusion as he tried to comprehend the reason behind my sudden urgency.

"Your Highness, if I may ask... Why do you need me to shift into you?" Cirius questioned, his voice laden with curiosity.

I took a moment to compose myself before answering, my mind racing with thoughts of Rahua and the overwhelming desire to find her amidst the chaotic ball. "Cirius, I need to escape from here unnoticed. I need to be free to move around without anyone recognizing me. If you shift into me, it will create a diversion, allowing me to slip away and search for Rahua without being hindered by my royal presence."

Cirius nodded, understanding the weight of my words and the importance of the task at hand. "Very well, Your Highness. I will do as you request. But please, be mindful, that it hurts my soul that you use my amazing ability for you to go play around." he teased me, his voice filled with amusement.

I clasped Cirius' shoulder in gratitude, ignoring anything he had to say, that would not get me to my goal faster. "Thank you, my friend, now if you don't mind I need what you to undress.

I can be meeting her dressed as the royal Prince." With that said, I quickly changed clothes with Cirius, ensuring that our actions would cause minimal disruption during the his substitution.

As Cirius expertly transformed into my likeness, I watched in amazement, noticing the uncanny resemblance he had achieved. It was as if he had become an exact replica of me. After making sure that Cirius was ready, I left him with instructions on how to navigate the ball and divert any attention away from his true identity.

"I have to avoid Ceaser at all costs". Cirius said impressionating me. I chuckled at amazing resemblance.

Taking a deep breath, I slipped away from the grand hall, my heart pounding with anticipation for what awaited me in the night. The corridors were dimly lit, shadows dancing as I moved silently, eager to find Rahua and share a moment away from the constraints of my roles and responsibilities.

As I searched through the winding passageways, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The Masquerade ball had brought with it the promise of finding Rahua, but now it was up to fate to guide our paths together once more.

****

"So this is where you are hiding?? You haven't lost your habit of creep on other people's business?" I finally found her after searching everywhere for her. I could finally be face to face with her. My heart was pounding loud, I was hoping she could not hear it.

"I am not ... I am just witnessing a major event" There she goes talking about strange things like ... events.

" Ohh I am sorry, I meant... Hmm you see I was just catching some air... and.. and.." Her eyes were avoiding mine, is like she had suddenly become shy.

"I can't believe you don't recognise me." I say with a little sour after taste, but I also know how much I have changed, specially physically. I have grown taller and bigger.

" I am very sorry, I have really bad memory, you see.." I bit my lip in amusement, I have been waiting for this moment, I have reimagined this moment over and over again in my head, but her reaction is way better than i expected.

" You need to look at me to recognise me" I hold her chin up so she can look at me. She finally meets my eyes.

"Wha... Wha... You.. you.. can't..." Ohh she is blushing I will finally have my revenge, I could feel her melting in my arms.

"You strange girl!!" I give my best mischievous smile.

Rahua's eyes widened as if she finally recognised me, as she met my gaze. Her breath hitched, and a mixture of surprise and realization washed over her face.

"Damion?" she whispered, her voice filled with awe and disbelief. "Is it really you?"

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, relief flooding through me. "Yes, Rahua, it's me," I confirmed, my voice filled with tenderness. "I've missed you, missed seeing your face without the barrier of the mirror."

Tears welled up in her eyes as a wave of emotions washed over her. "I've missed you too," she admitted, her voice filled with longing, she finally corresponding my embrace.

In that moment, the world around us seemed to fade away, the noise and chaos of the Masquerade ball disappearing into the background. The only thing that mattered was that we were finally in each other's presence, free to express the any emotions that had been building between us.

"I was so scared that something had happened to you, when I didn't see you at knights arrival parade. I was so scared. " She held tightly to me. "Is it really you... I am so happy to see you again. You have grown... Wow you have grown so much, you look ...like a ...man..." I come closer to her again with my forehead in her forehead.

"Do you see me now?" She suddenly blushes and pushes me away.

"What are you suddenly doing... Don't do something like that." She says breathing heavily. She turns her back at me I couldn't stop smiling.

I hear voices approaching, I really don't want to interrupt this... I grab her hand and I run away from the garden taking her with me.

"Wait.. what are you doing... The lady.... And the lord Ce.. I ..??" She keeps looking back.

"Shhhh just trust me." I pull her with me, I take her to my favourite part of this place. Even though I hate this Palace, there's this one place where I loved more than anything, that rarely is anyone there.

I brush some leaves a side to make a way through an old door.

We arrived to an old part of the garden, is still like a had left, almost no one comes here. This part of the Palace still has the traces of the old kingdom, where the mages, the magic culture and knowledge ruled.

"Wooww what is this place? " She looked amazed, her eyes widened in awe as we entered the hidden part of the Palace garden. The aura of history and magic permeated the air around us, reminding us of neglected past. It was a tranquil haven, untouched by many many years.

"Wow," Rahua breathed, her gaze sweeping across the overgrown foliage and the remnants of ancient statues. "I never knew this place existed. It feels like stepping back in time.

She turned to face me, her eyes shimmering with gratitude and curiosity. "Thank you, Damion. But how do you know such place in the royal Palace?

"This is an old garden, you want to explore it?"

"Are you sure we can?" I couldn't help but to smile, she was seriously surprised. In the past she was the one always amazing me, and surprising me with her knowledge and actions at every chance.

"Of course, let's go." Taking her hand in mine, I led her deeper into the concealed garden, we went through all the experiences in the garden, how the moon shine was glowing through the glasses making beautiful light effects.

Water reflection illusions. When my Grandfather was still alive he used to bring me here, to play and learn about the mages, the magic and Illusions.

He thought me a few spells, to protect me even if I didn't possessed magic powers he doted me the ability to use a little of magic.

I really love this place.

"Damion...how do you know where to go...??"

Maybe she will now know who I am, she is always so perceptive. "Are you perhaps ... A knight here?"

"..." I am speechless. Is she pretending not to notice or she is dense? After exploring through the garden, laughing and running around, we were exhausted. Choosing a spot beneath a tall, ancient tree. We sat down, the soft grass beneath us cushioning our bodies. The moon cast its gentle light upon us, creating an ethereal ambience.

As we sat together in the hidden garden, we shared stories, dreams, and aspirations. Our laughter floated through the air, filling the space around us with an undeniable connection that grew stronger with each passing moment.

Time seemed to stand still as we were in each other's presence, the weight of duty and expectations lifted from my shoulders. In this forgotten part of the Palace, we were just two souls enjoying the freedom we both had.

As the night drew to a close to an end, I was desperate to stay by her side, not wanting to let go of the moment we had created. But reality beckoned, and I knew that we would need to part ways, at least for now.

Promising to meet again, leaving the hidden garden towards the ball, we shared one last embrace. As our eyes met I wanted to claim her right there and then. With our heads leaned to the side as our lips yearned to touch.

But just as our lips were about to meet, the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the moment. We pulled away, our breaths heavy with anticipation and longing, but knowing that we couldn't risk being discovered in such a vulnerable position.

Reluctantly, we composed ourselves, our hearts still pounding with the intensity of our connection. We exchanged a bittersweet smile, silently conveying our mutual desire to continue.

"It's not goodbye, Rahua," I whispered, in her hear. "But I shall go now." With a heavy heart I left her.

As I retreated into the shadows, a sense of loss filled my being. I would do whatever it took to ensure that she would remain in my life, even if I had to fight the king himself.