The words hang in the air between us, a challenge and an invitation all at once. Xerxes' eyes widen slightly, a mix of shock and something darker flashing across his face.
Around us, the guests remain oblivious to the tension crackling like electricity. They continue to watch my performance with rapt attention, unaware of the private conversation unfolding.
"You're playing a dangerous game," Xerxes murmurs under his breath, his voice low enough for only me to hear. "Are you sure you want to go down this path?"
I smile back at him, a slow, deliberate curve of my lips. "Oh, I'm sure," I reply softly. "In fact, I insist."
With that, I turn away from him and continue my dance, moving deeper into the crowd.The songs change and without missing a beat my lyrics change too "Don't break me, don't break me, I have been burning candles waiting for you"
My voice rises and falls with the melody, each word dripping with unspoken emotion. I can feel Xerxes' gaze burning into my back as I dance, his presence a palpable force in the room.
The crowd sways along with the music, caught up in the raw vulnerability of my performance.
As the song reaches its crescendo, I spin around to face him once more. Our eyes lock across the room, and in that moment, everything else fades away."Did you mean every word of love, I should end this but it pains me " but as my eyes land on him another pair scan me, I turn to see Zaiden looking at me. His eyes have never changed
"I belong to you, from the creation of the universe, till the end of it. Tell me your waiting for me...you know I love you, but I am hurting "
As I sing the words, I can see the impact they have on Xerxes - the way his jaw clenches, the flash of guilt in his eyes. But then my gaze shifts to Zaiden, and everything changes.
Zaiden's expression remains steady, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity that seems to pierce through the haze of my anger and pain. In that moment, I remember why I fell for him in the first place - his strength, his unwavering loyalty, the way he sees me for who I truly am.
"You know I love you," I sing softly, my voice cracking slightly. "But I am hurting..."
The final note hangs in the air as I stand there, caught between two men who hold pieces of my heart. The room is silent for a moment before erupting into applause.
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The festivities continue, Esmeray sits alone with Eliza. Although her performance applauded it gave alot to talk about. Especially since the disappearance of Lady Isabella, speculations began to form.
"I heard some of the nobles talking," Eliza says hesitantly after a moment. "They were impressed by your performance. Said it was unlike anything they've ever seen."
Esmeray snorts softly, pushing her plate away. "They were impressed by the scandal," she corrects bitterly. "By the fact that their precious prince's bride sang about being hurt and alone."
Eliza bites her lip, glancing around nervously. "My Lady, perhaps it's time to retire for the evening? You've had a long day..."
But Esmeray is already standing, her eyes flashing with anger. "No," she says sharply. "I'm not going to hide away like some shameful secret."
She starts to stride away from the table, but pauses when she sees Xerxes approaching through the crowd.Not far from the opposite direction Zaiden makes his way too.
Esmeray quickly turns back to Eliza, linking her arm "Come, let's take a walk in the gardens," she says, her voice strained but determined.
Together, they weave through the crowd and out onto the balcony that overlooks the palace gardens. The cool night air is a welcome relief after the stuffy ballroom.
As they descend the stairs into the gardens, Esmeray can hear footsteps behind them. She glances back to see both Xerxes and Zaiden following at a distance, their expressions unreadable.
"Eliza," she murmurs under her breath. "Keep walking. Don't look back."
Eliza nods silently, her grip tightening on Esmeray's arm as they continue deeper into the shadows of the garden.'What do they want' she thinks to herself soon her and Eliza come to a maze, not caring Esmeray draggs Eliza inside. Its when she came out from the other side did she realize her mistake
"Eliza..where are we?" She asks
"It seems we got lost, stay here I will find the way back and call for help"
Esmeray tries to stop Eliza but she had already disappeared back into the darkness. She hears rustling behind "Eliza" she whispers but who emerges is Zaiden ,who managed to get some nobles to distract the prince while he continued to follow Esmeray.