31st December, XXXX
The anticipated Night Market has arrived. When we arrived at the entrance on a carriage, Sally and I put on our masks.
The masks were lighter than the ones we had during the ball. They were made of laces and other light materials.
We flew from one stall to another. Paper birds that sang in their paper cages. Artworks that talked to passerby. Paper flowers that never withered but forever fragrant…
We entered a magical yet beautiful world.
When we were waiting for our snacks, we encountered the girl who I met in the masquerade ball.
“What a coincidence,” she exclaimed.
“Are you waiting for your friend again?” I asked. She was alone again like that time at the ball.
“I am waiting for my lady,” she replied politely with a smile.
If she was a servant, then her lady must be very rich. She was wearing a silk dress and pearls were used as decoration in her hair. A pearl necklace hung on her neck. Sally must have realized that as well.
“May I be honored to know your lady’s name? I might know her,” Sally asked curiously.
“My lady is from a foreign country.” She smiled mysteriously.
“A foreign country. I am currently considering where I should next travel to. May I know the name of the country?” I joined in.
“It’s rather far away. Really far.” Again she smiled mysteriously. “But it’s such fate we meet again. Oh! What’s more is that I saw that gentleman you danced with over there!”
I froze. “Are you sure?”
“Quite sure. He is wearing the same mask.”
Why is he here?
No matter if he was Sebastian or not, I have decided to treat him like a stranger, haven’t I? So why am I anxious?
“I see, what a coincidence.” I smiled.
“Ah… someone is calling me.” I did not hear anything.
“I have to go. Bye!” Then she was gone like a wind.
“A guy? Who is he? Do I know him?” Sally demanded.
“Just someone who offered me a dance, no one important. Let’s finish eating and continue looking at the stalls!”
“You’re hiding something.” Sally glared at me. I kept my mouth shut.
She sighed and said, “Alright, let’s continue.”
After wandering in the Night Market for a few hours. Our stomachs were full, our purses were empty and our maids’ hands were occupied. We declared ourselves satisfied.
We were walking towards our carriage when a group of people walked in the opposite direction. Something that typically happens to heroines in novels happened to me as well. I was separated from my friend and maid. A guy in mask found me instead.
I just wanted to heave a sigh for having such a dramatic life.
I thought I would not meet him. Surprisingly, that mysterious guy spoke to me.
“Liana. It seems like you have an entertaining day.”
“Sebastian.” So it’s him in the end. “So you finally decided not to play hide and seek with me. What made you decide not to pretend to be a Zehan noble this time?”
He looked genuinely confused for a second. “You mean you… I thought you realized I was me when I approached you in the ball. You thought I was a stranger?”
“Then why didn’t you speak to me? Wasn’t that a way to avoid revealing who you were?
“I told you I had a sore throat.”
“What?” I felt shocked. He really had a sore throat?
So that meant for some reason Sebastian was in Zehan, so he thought to just drop by and greet me. Meanwhile, I thought it’s a total conspiracy. I still thought it’s more believable if everything was a conspiracy.
“I thought you knew. I was your husband for 2 years.”
He meant ‘Shouldn’t you recognize your husband of two years?’ What a legit question.
“Well…”
I thought it’s a trick of my mind at first and then decided it’s a conspiracy from Sebastian.
“It’s my honor to meet you, your majesty.”
I curtsied, but before I could perform a full curtsy, he pulled me up.
“… Why are you in Zehan, your majesty?”
He took a box from his pocket. One pretty similar to the last one he pushed into my hand in the masquerade ball.
“To woo you.” He placed the box in my hand.
“Pardon… pardon me?” I nearly shrieked.
“To wo…”
“Wait… wait… You promised to break off our engagement. Our engagement has ended!”
Had Sebastian been hit on the head?
“That’s not contradictory.”
“What…”
“Liana! Here you are! Oh… who…” Sally came to rescue me!
“I am leaving Zehan tomorrow. See you next time.” Sebastian gave me a nod and began to walk away.
I had to stop him. And why did he know where I was? Was it mother?
“There is no next time! Don’t you dare follow me. That’s stalking.”
“I did not stalk you, it’s just logical deduction. Lady Cain was seen using a brand new hat from Zehan. And your aunt is living here.”
It was Mother!!! Even though she did not plan to betray me, her souvenirs betrayed her!
“See you next time, Liana.” He walked away.
“Liana! Who is that guy? He seems pretty familiar with you!”
I sighed. What’s happening? What did he want? I felt like fainting.
“Liana!”
“That guy is His majesty, King Sebastian. My former fiance. My supposed mysterious suitor.”
Just what did he want? Was betraying me not enough?
As I said, Princes (and Kings) were weird.
