Yours Truly

Chapter 7 part ii

"We are almost there!" Jenavive exclaimed in joy as she made her way to the area where the carnival was held.

Of course being followed by the Prince.

She was way too energetic.

As they drew close, Matthew could hear the sound of drums beating, lutes and flutes playing. Being a person with a very picky taste in music seemed to find it quite pleasing.

"Mr. Reynard! You are too slow!" The princess called out to him, while standing next to a mascot holding flower and leaf crowns. He shook his head in amusement and walked towards her.

"Keeping up with a fire cracker is hard you know?"

Jenavive chuckled at his remark and put a leaf crown on his head before entering through the arch that represented the door.

Matthew was dazzled.

The whole place was decorated with ribbons and summer flowers that played with the vines dangling on the walls. Banners and flags waved around in the air as if welcoming everyone who stopped by. There were men who blew fire out of their mouths and women in fancy dresses dancing to the beat of the music. Stalls of different games and food enhanced the liveliness of the place.

Jenavive pulled him once again and took him to different sections of the carnival, for once in seven years Matthew finally decided to let himself loose. He danced with her to the beat of cheerful music. He participated in those childish games with her, winning little toys that they gave away to young kids that passed by and watched the acrobats and contortionist with amusement as they entertained the spectators that 'ooh-ed' and 'ahh-ed' at their every move. He tasted one of the finest foods of Cyrail in those little stalls of the carnival and every time they touched,

He felt the same spark he felt before which made him wonder if she felt it to.

She did.

She never felt such electricity ever surge through her.

Ever.

Though none of them dared to speak about it, knowing the awkwardness that would soon follow if they did.

Matthew never felt so alive, not even once he recalled about Ophelia.

Not even once.

As dusk arrived dim lights began to illuminate the streets. The atmosphere slowly changed from lively and energetic to amorous and romantic.

But not for the prince and the princess.

Hesitation and awkwardness danced around them like pixies.

"I think we shoul-"

"Friends! How can you leave without a ride on our little carriage?" A short old man wearing a tall hat cut off Matthew's words. The man had the most charming smile accompanied by the faint wrinkles on his face. Behind him stood a dainty horse carriage with an open roof, decorated with lilies and roses.

"Ah, sire we are running late." The prince looked at him, giving an  apologetic smile. The old man's face fell. Jenavive didn't like seeing her people disheartened, no matter how minor the reason was.

"One ride through the Suriva meadows." The Princess spoke up, Matthew looked at her bemused while the old man's face lit up once again.

"Gladly, young lady." The man opened the door for them and they both took their places on the opposite ends, shyly keeping a distance between each other. The old man sat on the driver's seat and drove the carriage off.

"One lovely couple you are~" The man complimented.

That just made the tension palpable between them.

Matthew cleared his throat.

"I've never danced with a commoner before-"

"Really? Well..." She shrugged "I've never danced with doofus before so I guess we are even." She smirked.

Matthew's conscience snorted, 'She knows you so well.'

The prince rolled his eyes in response.

"I enjoyed a lot though." She looked away, smiling. Her compliment made his heart flutter.

His heart fluttered at such simple words?

"And now we are passing through the Survia meadows." The man reported cheerfully.

Matthew looked around. "So what is special about Suriva meadows?"

Jenavive looked up in the sky and pointed "Look."

Matthews gaze altered towards the sky and once again he was was  awestruck.

Millions of stars spread throughout the sky like a blanket. Glittering and twinkling like small distant lamps hung to illuminate the path of those who passed through these meadows. Matthew had never seen the sky so brighter.

"Beautiful."

They both breathed out in unison and soon realisation hit upon them and they both looked away, with a tint of pink hue dusting their cheeks.

"Where would you like to go after these meadows?" The old man's voice cut through the embarrassing moment that fell upon them.

"Take us to the Palace of Celio."

Matthew's statement confused the man as he adjusted his eye glass but didn't ask further.

"Very well then, Sire."

xxxx

After a ride to a short distance they finally reached the palace. The Prince stepped down of the carriage with an intention to open the door for the lady sitting next to him, but she was already out, paying the coachman the fare.

'What a gentleman you are.' His conscience sneered.

"Patricia I could have pai-"

"You could have paid like a fine gentleman you are, yea? Well no need to say that, because you are the guest, I am doing my job as a host."

"But-"

"Good night Mr. Reynard." She waved her hand, dismissing him.

Matthew looked at her, once again bemused. No one had ever dared to dismiss him like that, not even his own father.

"Fine." Matthew replied impassively and turned to enter the palace, he could hear the cheerful chuckle of the lady behind him. It made him smile too, but one thing they both did not was,

They both were being watched.