Blinding Light (BLS Book 1)

Morning…

Opening my eyes just slightly, I see Karen dusting my room, and Midnight is no longer on my pillow.

Did I imagine him? I did have a strange dream last night, but I couldn’t recall what it was.

I roll over and rub my eyes, yawning. Karen hears and looks over, smiling, although her eyes tell a different story.

“Morning, Mademoiselle Hayes.”

“Bonjour, Karen,” I yawn.

“Did you sleep well, Mademoiselle Hayes?” I nod even though she isn’t looking. She continues to dust, somehow strange that she’s avoiding my gaze and muttering under her breath.

“Unsuccessful attempt. Memories are wiped.” I catch her say.

“Is something wrong?” I ask, more suspicious than worried. She winces and sighs, sitting down next to me.

“I think I made a terrible mistake.”

“Go on,” I try to encourage her in a soothing voice. Still, she shakes her head.

“Maybe another time, Mademoiselle Hayes.”

She never addresses me by my last name. Something’s definitely off about her today.

“If something is wrong, I’ll be here if you need to talk. It does not matter that you are my maid.” I rub her shoulders.

She nods and murmurs, “Merci, Mademoiselle Hayes.” And she leaves the room.

***

Every suitor and sponsor has been called up to the ballroom, which has been cleared up. I’m not even sure to have called it a ballroom now. Round tables now fill the ballroom—the golden decorations glimmer under the bright candlelight. They even pulled in a mini stage from somewhere, forming a podium—possibly making the speaker have his voice ring out throughout this huge room.

I take my seat with the other noblewomen; then I see Raven’s head popping over a group of men. She winks and mouths,

“Over there.” I glance in the direction she’s pointing discreetly to see Nolan. He notices me and gives me a small wave. I wave back and spot Raven again, who winks; I shake my head, smiling to myself. Chattering fills the room until the king makes his way up to the front.

“Thank you all for attending this lovely morning,” he smiles at the queen, who had just walked up to his side.

“I am delighted to announce that the Alliance Tour is beginning its start at our peach farm.” Murmurs and gasps of excitement fill the ballroom. The king puts his hand up and all quiets down immediately. “It will take place in a week. Please take the rest of your time at the castle to explore as you please.

“Diddle (gin) will be provided. May you all have a pleasant time.” King Leopold nods and makes his way off the stage. Applause sounds after him. As I depart, Raven joins my walk.

“You are happier than a giggle mug (smiling face).”

“A peach festival, and diddle (gin)! I’m buzzing with feeling!” Cheers Raven.

“It sounds fun. You would want to eat all of them though.” I nudge her in the ribs. She nudges me back, giggling.

“Obviously. Do you even know me?” She smiles naughtily, “I have a surprise for you.” I narrow my eyes and cross my arms.

“Don’t be like that!” She pouts. “Meet me at seven in the South Garden?”

“Alright, but only for a short while—nothing mischievous?”

She pouts again. I shake my head, sighing, “Take me to your mischief.” She smiles in triumph, gives me a bear hug before jogging away.

***

I make my way over to the garden, waiting for Raven. The night sky gives me comfort that I cannot find during the day. But the cool breeze brings me a shiver, so I hold the cloak tighter. Pulling out my pocket watch, the minute hand ticks by—ten, then fifteen.

Another ten goes by and I gather myself to return to my room.

“Hold your horses, Mila. It is I, Raven, brave knight, and I am here,” she bows deeply and I can’t help but laugh at her ridiculous outfit.

Probably stolen, I think, eyeing her up and down.

The underclothes are poking out from the Doublet, untidy to the worst possible way. Her surcoat is also crooked, seemingly to have missed the right buttons. Race’s hair is so messily done on her head it seems as if she just dunked her head in a bucket of water then dried it as it is.

“You are late, my brave knight. What if I had gotten kidnapped, my brave knight wouldn’t have been there to save—”

“Do not fear, but your brave knight is already here,” she cuts me off with a dismissive wave. “Now, come here.”

Rave pushes me over until I’m standing directly under the Magnolia Tree. She tugs the hood of my cloak off and brushes down my fizzed hair. Under the moonlight, I can almost see my pale reflection in her eyes, radiating under the night sky.

“How romantic,” she brushes at my shoulder.

“What’s that?”

“Don’t you focus on that,” Raven smiles. “Lady Mila shall stay here while her brave knight goes to fetch Votre—um…fetch euh…the dragon.”

I turn to face her, bewildered, “A dragon?!”

She turns me back around.

“Just stay here, Mila, and do not turn around.”

I hear her trot away in the opposite direction. Not long after, footsteps sound again.

“Rave, is that you?” I ask, remaining still—I’ve always been a strict rule follower, although it’s probably not the best idea at times.

“If this is a prank, it isn’t funny.”

“But it’s romantic,” a voice says and my curiosity gets the better side of me. I turn to become face-to-face with a masked man. Even with the green mask, I still recognize him right away—the only person with those hazel-amber eyes.

“…Nolan?”

He shushes me, bringing one finger to my lips.

“I am the dragon…it’s my job to take you somewhere,” he whispers.

“Hopefully, somewhere where Rav—the brave knight will not find.” Nolan winks and holds out an arm. I chuckle under my breath but take his arm anyways.

“Shall we?”

Nolan takes me straight through the garden right in front of a tall bush.

“Why have we stopped, my dear dragon,” I giggle. Nolan doesn’t even try to hide his smile.

“We are not yet there.” He pushes aside branches to reveal a secret passageway into the woods. I lower my head and gasp. The sight is stunning.

Inside the passageway, a colorful blanket lays neatly on the grass. Small red candles are holding each side of the blanket down.

I drop his hand and walk over to see a basket of food lying next to my feet. Above us, the trees don’t attempt to cover the sky, and the stars and full moon stares right down at me. Magnolia flowers are spread all over the grass, making little speckles of light pink in the dark, green grass. The contrasting flowers remind me of Mother’s painting.

“The wild dragon has taken me to a midnight picnic?”

Nolan enters after me and removed his mask, his blonde hair gleaming in the moonlight.

“The dragon has been shown kindness from this nice lady,” he extends a hand, “He only wants to repay the Lady.”

I giggle and take his hand. He helps me lie down, both of us glancing up at the sky.

“Do you like the view, Mademoiselle?”

“How did you know I love stars?” I turn to face him, my face inches from his. I gasp and flinch back. He chuckles at my clumsiness.

“That seems to happen too often now,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat in embarrassment.

“I may have had a little…tiny help from the brave knight,” he says, and I roll my eyes, switching my attention back to the black and white colors above.

“She planned this, didn’t she?”

Nolan nods, laughing before becoming serious again.

“You know, Lady Mila, I would’ve chosen you as my queen if it weren’t for the Suitor’s Campaign.” He says, propping himself up on his elbow.

Woah, speaking of coming from out of nowhere!

“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Votre Altesse?” I sit up but I don’t make eye contact.

“Why wouldn’t it?” Nolan brushes my arm with his hand, his fingertips leaving a hot trail down and emptiness when skin-to-skin contact breaks. I pull my arm away and hug myself.

“You came here for the sake of your family, didn’t you?”

That grabs my attention, making me look back at him, “How did you know?” He merely shakes his head.

“You didn’t come here for popularity. You came because you are truly noble.” Prince Nolan sighs and runs a hand through his hair, sitting up.

“Merci, Votre Altesse. But I must deny that I’m noble, if not at all.”

“Nonsense,” Nolan replies, not a second too late. “I envy you, Mila.”

It’s the first time he used my name informally. I meet his gaze again,

“Envy me, Votre Altesse?”

He nods, “Correct. I envy you. You willingly sacrificed your happiness over your house—something I could never do. I’m too far in, stuck in my selfishness.” He smiles sadly, taking my hands in his.

“You are very special, Lady Mila.”

“So special, Mila.”

“You care about others you’ve never met before, show them your way of lighting dark paths. And that’s why I believe that you’ll make a wonderful queen.” I gawk in awe and my cheek flames. Even if every single fiber of my being wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t somehow. My past still haunts me to this day.

“Merci, Votre Altesse, you flatter me so.”

My response was delighted, but my heart rests un-beating. I suddenly feel uncomfortable with the prince for being so close and open to me. It’s like being forced to eat with a total stranger. And that’s when I realize that he is a stranger. I couldn’t have known him for more than a measly couple of days.

“I think I have to be getting back, Votre Altesse. It’s getting late,” I say, dropping my hands.

“Of course.”

***

Nolan walks me back to the garden, pulling me away from the branches the zillionth time. At this point, I’m more poked up (embarrassed) than anything.

“I must sneak back into the castle. It was hard, even with Mademoiselle Song’s help,” he smiles, takes a step back, and a big inhale. “Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow. That I shall say good night till it be ’morrow.”

“Did you just quote Shakespeare?”

He bows, “How’d I do?”

I roll my eyes, “Goodnight, Votre Altesse.”

He narrows his eyes. “Prince Nolan,” he corrects me. I don’t answer him. I only give him a small wave before returning to my room, the smile never leaving my face.

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Thanks, with lots of smiles

☆•Yiona•☆