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THE soiree had begun. I stood beside Zanto as he greeted his guests. He introduced me as his clay doll, noting that, because I was a puppet, I was unable to speak.
Everyone looked at me like I was some fun new toy. The male guests in particular seemed very interested. Their unreserved stares discomfited me.
Marlena and the crown prince were the last to arrive. Zanto immediately froze up, so I gave him a little nudge to the back. Startled, he glanced at me. Using just my eyes, I told him to get a grip. He inhaled deeply, switching back into business mode. He stood before Marlena, his gaze locked on the crown prince.
“Is that a doll?” the crown prince asked, regarding me curiously.
“She’s beautiful. I want one too,” Marlena murmured.
I curtsied, smiling. I took Zanto’s arm in mine, forcing him to straighten.
“I’m afraid my clay dolls are mostly a novelty. They can’t speak, nor do they last very long,” Zanto finally replied, his gaze averted. Deciding that enough was enough, I pulled on his arm, tapping my left hand. “Time’s up, it seems. Allow me to recharge her real quick,” Zanto said as we fled the scene.
✦ ✦ ✦
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“HEE-HEE. I thought I was dead for sure.” Zanto laughed creepily as he collected his breath. “Feel free to wander about while I rest. If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, run.”
He waved goodbye, and I returned to the hall. I figured it’d be weird for both hosts to abandon their posts, not to mention I’d spied a delicious-looking tower of sweets earlier.
I’m sure no one’ll bother talking to me. Not like I can reply back.
Despite my best attempt at an inconspicuous entrance, a startling number of eyes swiveled my way. Is this what ladies have to put up with? I was accustomed to receiving looks as the Lunar Ice Knight, although those gazes weren’t really aimed at me so much as the Lunar Ice Knight as a concept. I had never really gotten stared at directly.
As I beheld the teeming confectionery display, a gentleman with a plate in hand walked up to me. “Here, have some,” he said, offering me a small, bite-sized piece of chocolate.
I bowed, then plucked the chocolate from his hands and tossed it into my mouth. A rich, sugary flavor blessed my tastebuds. I grinned. Zanto had gone to great lengths to impress Marlena.
The gentleman’s eyes caught mine, and he gulped, his face turning pink. “You like sweets?” I nodded. “In that case,” he said, grabbing me by the hand. Puzzled, I looked at him and was met with a smile. “Can’t have cake while standing, now can we?” he explained to me like one would a small child, before dragging me out to a gazebo in the courtyard.
He gestured to me to sit on the bench then plopped down next to me. I simply nodded and had started to smile—my way of thanking the man for his generosity—when suddenly he placed his hand on my thigh. I instinctively swatted it away.
“You really can’t talk, can you?”
His smirk sent a shiver racing down my spine. I tried to get up, leave, and he latched onto my arm. For a moment, I considered knocking his lights out but quickly reconsidered. I didn’t want to land Zanto in any hot water.
“Not even a squeak?” He gazed into my eyes, his hot, malodorous breath puffing against my face.
If I were in boy mode, you’d be sorry! I tried to push his face away, and he seized my other arm as well.
“What’s going on here?”
The man froze as a quiet yet imposing voice rung out. I looked up only to quickly duck my head back down when I saw Felzen standing there in his knight uniform.
What’re you doing here?! We’re on summer break, why are you on guard duty?!
I knew Zanto’s camouflage magic still disguised me, yet I couldn’t help but worry about the worst-case scenario. I hadn’t told Felzen that Zanto had discovered my true identity. Of course, I hadn’t told him about playing hostess either.
“What’s going on here?” Felzen repeated, slower.
“We’re whispering sweet nothings to each other, if you don’t mind,” the man snobbishly replied.
I shook my head in protest.
“Looks like you forgot to ask for consent, now doesn’t it?” said Felzen, noticing my reaction.
“Consent? She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t consent! Have some common sense!”
“Backing off at the first sign of discomfort is common sense. Am I wrong?” Felzen pressed.
That time the gentleman fled with his tail between his legs. I bowed, relieved Felzen hadn’t recognized me. Thank you.
Felzen turned to me, anger lingering on his face. He had the same glint in his eyes as he did whenever he was really mad. “Do not, under any circumstance, wander off somewhere with a guy you don’t know,” Felzen chastised me.
I meekly hung my head. Having never debuted as a woman, I didn’t know how to act in such situations.
“Watch out next time, okay?” He placed his hand on my head.
He’s so nice and gentlemanly, even to a stranger like me. I lifted my gaze, smiling to indicate that I would.
Felzen gasped. His hand slid down to the back of my head, while his other hand brushed against my cheek. “The one…”
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Never before had I witnessed Felzen’s expression so intense, so feverish. I turned away, unable to bear it any longer. His hand slipped to my collarbone, tracing it. Who are you? What did you do to Felzen?
Something tugged on my ribbon as I tried to escape.
“Run, and it’ll come loose.”