章節 3: Feast night

After coming out of marvelous befall Asana got back to reading again. She couldn't do anything before signs lead her to where she must be.

"That night of feasting got cursed by devils, my father didn't join me and I was alone between those masked people who were from royal families. The four ladies of Harem were sitting near the king's platform. I couldn't find Anahid around there. The princess hated to be here and now I know what the reason was, heavy air made by these people. The smell of grilled lambs and chickens bothered my stomach as I finished narrating my tale among all. Hardly able to gather my courage and allow my tongue to move, my throat was dry out of anxious, sigh.

If there wasn't because of reed song, playing beneath my voice I ever could boost my strength although I won't deny that I'm so confident in every situation. I finished my duty and walked down the stairs from where I was standing. My silk white dress was sweeping the ground and made me uncomfortable. I was the only one without a mask so attention and eyes were fixed on me. The sense of court hall and whispers made my heart heavy.

I had a lot of performances before, but they were all different not a crowd like that.

"Look she is Nerssi's daughter, she is a muse beside her talent", one of the men murmured to a woman in red silk.

"Not that beautiful, still a merchant girl lower than us, brother", she puffed in the air and turned her face.

On the other side, I could hear worse whispers about my body. Before I never thought there could be perverts in royal families. I couldn't shove away my offense. Father left me alone between dragons and they are showing me teeth ready to swallow me raw in a blink with those nasty eyes.

I ignored my stomach although I was starving to the bone, fresh air was the most perfect cure to heal me. I bowed on my right knee right toward king Sheed, not only my king but my father's best friend. He is the glorious king that every land had needed, strong, brave with a heart of gold. As he doesn't have a queen many greedy eyes are after him while being in his fifties still handsome, and his power another point to keep even young girls in queue.

Parthia, our land got blessed with his power. His crown was well suited to his head. His face was hidden behind that golden mask and I couldn't see his reaction towards my performance. He grabbed my bare shoulders gently and asked me to rise. Those hands were warm to rub away the chill under my skin. From the shine and wrinkles of his livid eyes, I discovered he is happy.

"You made me proud tonight Asaya, I wish your father was here to see your glory", he praised me and washed away all those dirty talks around me.

"It's my honor to serve my majesty". I said that from the bottom of my soul and when his old consult walked to us, again I bowed and left them.

It was time to run away out. I strode to reach the back yard of the castle. Passed the engraved pillars which had torches on to offer the corridor some light. As our culture and folklore bided us in the last night of spring the royal family feasting to welcome the spring. I love the costumes, but more spending time between masked normal folks outdoors in the street and Bazar where the excitement can vent you.

I love when people make wishes and release the lanterns inside the lake, while cherry blossoms give a heavenly view to each side with the assist of lights. People dance freely and the sounds of pure laughter melting your heart. My father gained that pleasure alone as I thought at the moment.

I reached where I was aiming, the beautiful small fountain was flowing down and caressing the earth and pouring to the little lake. Goldfishes were swimming and I watched them while releasing my breath to devour fresh air afterward like a giant who earned treasures.

I had my seat under the cherry tree, looking at the Alpha Centauri star, one of the brightest and twinkling ones, showing coquetry to rub attention. I smiled and closed my eyes, stretched my legs and arms at ease.

"This is amazing, heaven court saved me from there before I die!"

"The wolves inside won't let go of you if they see you like this, your body is insane", a thick warm voice interrupted my mood.

I froze and bounced up stiff, thinking that what an ominous night. I sighed, ready to serve him kick, but no one was there. I thought maybe he is hiding in the dark, "How dare you to be so rude? Come out of the dark and face me bastard", I shouted and peered to a dark corner.

"Why are you looking at the dark? I'm up here!" he was laid on a thick branch above me covered by leaves so I couldn't see him at first, leaning on the bough and his hand rested behind his neck. His golden mask scared me, it meant he was from the king's family, but who? I knew all the princes all young and under fifteen and not from the previous queen, but this one was different almost at my age or older.

"Who are you?" I asked and didn't care about his title as long as he was behaving very rudely.

"A friend of merchant Nerssi, don't worry I won't hurt you although it is hard when I saw you like that".

I blushed he dared to talk to me like he is speaking to a trollop, everyone inside the hall wore the same dress, how come my body be subjected this much?

"You are too young to be my father's friend and if you are, you may know what am I capable of?"

He jumped down and got close enough that I could feel his breath on my skin giving me disgust, his brown eyes glittered, "Do you prefer to show me yourself?" his tone so serious and used my shock and added, "You smell good, the scent of yours make me want to…" he got close to my face the much that I could swear his nose touch mine and enough to make me overaged.

I grabbed his hand and twisted his arm up passed and turned behind him, my ankle tugged his legs to disturb his balance as I finished, he knocked to the ground and I was about to release myself, but his hand reached mine and dragged me down with himself.

"Ouch, it hurts now I know more about your capabilities with many details", he chipped in brassily while pointing a gaze to my breast line. I slapped him and heaved to get up on him.

"You are very brash Mr. Weirdo", I shouted.

"Am I?" he gaped in wonder.

"I was joking with you Asaya", his tone sounded regretful, already I felt like a fifth wheel inside the hall, and then that happened in the backyard.

"I'm sorry I didn't want to hurt you, it was just a simple lesson to warn you to hide your body from those bastards that you saw in the hall, but you are too timid and innocent and make me feel guilty now". He was there and heard them all then punched them into my face the fact that I ran away from them. I was being shy.

"Get out of my face or this very timid innocent girl will tear your mouth up," I whispered the way he could hear.

"Wow, I like the braveness within you, to make peace would you like to run away from here with me?"

"What? You got to be kidding, you are so chicky I won't! I don't even know you".

He shrugged and responded, "I would go to the Bazars and spend my time between people, and I thought you may like my company much better than being here and hearing dirty talks about your body". I could guess he was sneering, but I smashed my pride and a bit curious to know who he is, "Ok Mr. Weirdo, don't forget that I'm able to kill you".

"Alright I would rather die in your arms, so wait for her I'm bringing cloaks", he didn't hesitate to move into the building."

Asana stopped that part touched her heart and looked at Asaya's face and said, "Even your name is the old version of mine, what do you want me to do?" her heart was about to pop out of her chest, punching to be released from its bony cage. "Dear heaven court don't molest me like this I assumed that I'm free, what is the next surprise", she sighed and rested her hands under her chin staring at Asaya. "I have time till morning to read all of your story Asaya, my timid innocent narrator this weirdo guy, knows already and bet he fond of you and too jealous", then grinned softly!