บท 14: The Dance of Shadows and Light
After having a shower, I put on some nice clothing, no matter how uncomfortable it made me. I would have killed for a baggy T-shirt and some sweats, but that was not in style. Instead, I was forced to wear layers of elegantly embroidered tunics over fitted breeches, accompanied by a slightly weighty, ornamental cape, the Vienerstien crest –a winged silver lion, stitched finely at the back.
The noble outfit was completed with polished knee-high boots, reserved for the most formal events. Although I just planned to meet Marcella for our daily 'playtime', I just didn't want her to complain about my 'horrible' or 'non-prince-like' fashion sense.
Donned in attire that, albeit, did look rather princely, I began my walk towards Marcella. The stone corridors seemed colder, the portraits of the past decorating the walls as I passed. The place was too gaudy for my tastes, but I wasn't sure if the king would like my taste in art.
I was an otaku at heart, and no amount of dying and rebirth would change that about me. Still, I had to hold that back and let the princess learn the better parts of me, if there were any. In my past life, I had been a good-looking guy, but I never put much effort into myself. Whether that was from my ADHD or something else, I wasn't sure.
All I knew was that I had always been a different fish, but the princess seemed to be normal, whatever that meant. It wasn't like I didn't know how to hide my crazy, I had for 8 years, but for some reason, this place made me feel free.
I hardly noticed how I ended up standing in front of the Princess's chamber. Drawing a deep breath and smoothing down the creases of my clothes, I knocked on the wooden door. I could hear a soft rustling from inside before the door opened, revealing Marcella.
She blinked at me, visibly surprised. "Oh! Gideon, you're here…"
"Is that disappointment I sense in your voice?" I joked, leaning against the door frame. "Or are you just upset that I'm dressed more finely than you are?"
Marcella rolled her eyes but didn't comment. Instead, she invited me in with a sweep of her arm. Her room was airy and comfortable, filled with soft cushions and shelves of various books. It was warm and well-lit, the oft-practiced orderliness a stark contrast to my explosion-of-a-workshop back in the forge.
It was really just as I had imagined a princess's room would look like - and yet, it felt surprisingly ordinary. Like Marcella.
Glancing around the room, I noticed a couple of paintings here and there, showcasing Marcella's artistic side. A small vanity mirror decorated with trinkets was against one of the walls. Glancing at it, I noticed my well-dressed reflection and smiled.
It was strangely ironic, I thought. How I, who would've been more than happy in worn-out jeans and oversized shirts, was now strolling around in royal finery. It was almost like living a double life; the simple man from my past life is now a prince.
Shaking off the nostalgia, I turned back to Marcella. She was watching me from her seat, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"What're you smirking at?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing," she quickly averted her eyes, cheeks slightly pink. "I just realized, you don't look half as bad as you think in these noble clothes."
Her compliment had an unexpected warmth to it, making something in my chest flutter. I brushed off the feeling with a smirk. "Maybe I'm starting to grow into this noble skin after all," I quipped, taking a step into the room and feeling the soft rug underneath my polished boots.
We settled comfortably at a small, ornate table by a tall window overlooking the vibrant gardens. The setup was intended for our 'get-to-know-each-other sessions', a thinly veiled guise for what was essentially a politically arranged marriage bonding activity. Yet, the pretense had started to lose its awkward edge as days passed by.
"So, what noble thing are we learning today?" I asked, teasingly picking up a delicate pastry from the plate between us.
"We could start with courtly dancing?" Marcella suggested before adding with a playful glint in her eyes, "Unless you're afraid of stepping on my toes?"
"Dancing, huh?" I echoed, a somewhat confident grin spreading across my face. "Challenge accepted, Princess."
The dance went surprisingly well. Marcella was graceful, and apparently, I was not the clumsy oaf I had pegged myself for. As we moved to the music that flowed from a small magical box on the corner table, my mind couldn't help but drift to what I would do this evening.
Once the dance ended, Marcella and I both laughed, a bit out of breath. It was in that strange, surreal moment, filled with the echo of our mirth, that I realized how much I looked forward to these encounters. It was a fragment of normalcy in this bizarre new life.
As the chuckles subsided, she looked at me with an earnest expression, "You know, you're not half-bad at this."
"Neither are you," I returned the compliment, deciding not to ruin the moment with a jibe. I adjusted the sleeves of my tunic and glanced out the window into the darkening sky.
"I should probably head back to my quarters. I have some... planning to do," I mused, the remainder of my night venture prickling at the back of my mind.
"Planning? Anything I can help with?" Her offer was made with an innocent curiosity, not even a hint of suspicion as to what I truly meant.
"No, it's... personal research," I deflected. I couldn't drag her into the murky waters I was about to wade into.
Marcella's response was a quiet nod, though I could tell she was a tad disappointed. But she respected my privacy and didn't inquire further. She was considerate like that.
"Alright then. See you tomorrow, Gideon," she said, standing to see me off.
"Until tomorrow, princess," I replied, my lips curling into an amiable smile. As I walked away, I felt her gaze on my back.
Once inside my own room, I couldn't help the smile that lingered on my lips. I grabbed the shadowmetal mask from its hiding spot, feeling its smooth, cool texture against my skin - a stark contrast to the warmth of my encounter with Marcella.
I'd play the gregarious prince by day and become a shadow by night. It was definitely going to be an interesting balance to maintain. But for some reason, I felt a thrill at the prospect.
Clutching the mask, my resolve cemented further. I'll protect the princess and this kingdom in my own unique way, treading carefully between the light and the dark.
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