A Story From Zinnia

Part 15: The Masquerade

Xavier's 18th birthday is approaching, and in contrast to previous years this time the palace plans to hold a birthday party for Xavier with King Arthur's permission. The theme of this party is a masquerade party, where guests who come will wear masks until the owner of the event takes off his mask.

Invitations were also distributed to the nobles and other guests, including Xavier's friends of course.

"Have you accepted the invitation?" Xavier asked Louis.

"Of course it's a friend." Louis answered with a thumbs up.

"See you at my party then."

Just like Louis, Eveline will also come to the party that night. Eveline was preparing in her room. She chose to wear a black-and-white dress made of silk. Coupled with black lace gloves. For his hairstyle he chose the style of Halo Updo, then added some ornaments such as flowers and hairpins in the braids that he made.

"You ready? Let's get the car ready." Take Louis outside Eveline's room.

"Awhile... I'm looking for my mask." Answer Eveline.

"Hurry now!"

"Yes, this is already."

Louis himself wore a neat dark brown suit, not forgetting he also brought a gift that was actually not how much for Xavier. They are now heading to Cassania Palace in the private car of Gilbert House.

On the other hand Oliver is ready to head for the party. She wore a long white organza dress with lace on her chest. Dresses that give it a simple but elegant impression. For her hairstyle she chose to stroke her blonde hair with the Waterfall Braid hairstyle. Oliver leaves with his father in their private car. Tonight he's ready to party.

At the palace, before the guests were invited to show their invitations and perform security checks as per palace protocol. At the entrance there is also a mask for those who do not carry. The party atmosphere was very felt inside. The palace hall was already attended by the guests who were present wearing their best clothes. The hilly gifts were none other than Xavier's, a gift from the invited guests. It's incomplete if we don't talk about the banquet menu. The food provided is very different. Not to forget, of course, Xavier's favorite lemon cake is available.

Moments later the long-awaited main event begins. Xavier went down the stairs that directly connected the interior of the palace with the hall. A round of applause was given by the audience. That night Xavier wore a navy-blue morning suit-style suit with a sprig of Zinnia flowers in his suit pocket.

The event opened with King Arthur's welcome and a few words of welcome from Xavier. The party was greeted with a speech by King Arthur who invited all the invited guests to a toast,

"For happiness, health and glory, may you live long Xavier. Long live prince Xavier!" King Arthur said as he lifted his wine glass.

"Live prince Xavier!!!"

"Gentlemen and ladies, please enjoy the party!" Xavier said as he raised his glass containing wine toast. And as you know, he didn't really drink the wine because of his allergies.

Xavier was wearing the mask he was carrying. The first event was a dance party. Here invited guests can dance without having to know the identity of their dance partner.

Xavier who had been busy welcoming the noble guests present now tried to blend in with the others in the crowd of the dance. He saw the figure of a woman wearing a purple dress.

"May I dance with you, miss?” Xavier bowed and crossed one hand in front of the chest.

"certain." Reply to the woman.

With the accompaniment of the song performed by the players of the palace music they dance, dancing like a pair of petals that dance when falling in the wind. Now Xavier and the mysterious woman are the center of attention of many people. How not, the mysterious woman was the first woman who Xavier died dancing that night.

As with any party in general, there are types of people who are more interested in the food served than by following the main event, is not it? This is where Oliver is doing his culinary tour. He was busy tasting his snacks.

"You alone, miss?" A young man said to Oliver.

"Did anyone else look like I was here?' Reply Oliver cynically.

“Haha, you do love eating Oliver." Said the young man.

"How do you know my name?" Oliver asked confusedly.

“I memorize you so much Oliver. It's me, Louis." Louis chuckles.

"Sister Louis! I guess who.”

"No dancing?" Taya Louis is curious.

"Honestly, I'm not good at dancing.” Whisper Oliver

"I am too." Said Louis who then followed with laughter both.

They also ended up eating the dishes that were together accompanied by small talk both.

The music played at that time turned into soft tempo music, so it can increase the intimacy of the dance when dancing with his partner.

"You're very good at dancing, miss." Praise Xavier.

"I learned it when I was a kid." Said the woman.

“So it looks."

"It's an honor to dance with you, Your Majesty.”

"Me too, Eveline.” Apparently Xavier knew it from the beginning, which is why he invited Eveline to dance.

“Oh Xavier.. But how can?” Eveline asked who clearly felt that her disguise by wearing a mask was perfect.

"your eyes. No one else has amethyst eyes as beautiful as you, Eveline."

Believe me which girl doesn't beat her heart when praised like that. Moreover, now their distance is not even one step from each other. Real close.

Eveline was stunned, so he remembered Xavier's words the other day. Whether Xavier was just joking or serious, his words successfully made Eveline think about it for days.

"You praise me too much Your Majesty." Eveline said in embarrassment. Xavier smiled at him. Unknowingly, the song that was played had stopped. Now the dancers bow to each other saluting their dance partners.

"Why show me something interesting?" Bargain Xavier to Eveline.

“What is Your Majesty? Ask Eveline.

“Follow me.”

They both walked out of the dance floor. Xavier walking in front showed directions in the palace that were so unfamiliar to Eveline. The opening of a wooden door with many plants that spread on the side wall.

They both entered through the wall. Like a hiding place, it is very mysterious. There were many plants and a fountain and a swing. Various flowers surround the fountain, very beautiful. Across the water the tiger looked a golden-colored pavilion.

"It's my mother's secret garden." Xavier broke the silence.

"Is it okay if Your Majesty shows it to me?” Ask Eveline.

“What's wrong, and yes don't call me ‘Your Highness' when it's just the two of us.”

Eveline who heard that just nodded. He then took off the mask that he had been wearing to see the scene there more clearly. He was amazed by the interior of the pavilion is very magnificent and beautiful.

"Do you see anything more interesting?" Without waiting for an answer from Eveline, Xavier walked to a place where there was an electric lever. The electric lever was lowered, and instantly all the lights surrounding the flower garden and pavilion there were lit. The lights that lit up were truly beautiful, like the billions of stars in the night sky.

Xavier smiled, "This is a gift from my father to my late mother. My mom used to love flowers and things smell astronomical. I was so happy to see the stars. But since it was now very difficult to see the stars in the night sky, I finally made a place like this. This place is also a place where mothers rest and seek tranquility.” Xavier.

Eveline was stunned by Xavier's explanation, he did not expect the king's majesty was very romantic.

"The king's face is very romantic, I'm sure Her Majesty the Queen really likes this place." Eveline.

"Very.”

Under the moonlight now they both walked around the flower garden. Xavier walked one step behind the idol, leaving Eveline to look around until he was satisfied. Even just walking together like this has made Xavier very happy.

After tired of walking, the two of them rested on a long bench near the fountain.

"Evelin..." Call Xavier who is now sitting facing Eveline.

"Hm??" Eveline asked as she tilted her head slightly.

“About what I said the other day I wasn't kidding. I like you.”

Eveline didn't know what it was. His eyes were in disbelief. 'A prince likes me?' Eveline said in his mind.

“I know it's too sudden, but about my offer it's serious. You know what I mean, right?”

Just shut up between the two.

"I want you to be my queen. I chose you."

For God's sake, I don't know what kind of courage possessed Xavier that night.

Eveline was still thinking and processing everything. A prince had already expressed his feelings to her. Eveline also has feelings for Xavier, but that does not mean he can immediately say yes. Become queen? Eveline never even dreamed of it.

"I also have a taste in you, but it doesn't feel right. I never thought about becoming queen of this country." Eveline.

"But why? I mean, I'm a prince and you know I'm gonna be king. You can marry me, I understand, of course not now. In the future, you can be my queen, living comfortably as a noble. You're also the daughter of a noble family, we're a good match, aren't you?"

"I can't Xavier. If I become queen, what are my goals? I want to learn about the history of the world, go around the country, not just stand next to you and wave with a heavy dress like a stupid doll."

"Stupid? You mean being queen is stupid?"

"Not so Xavier... I just want the freedom, the freedom of my life, to choose what I will and won't do, without the despair of having to organize it every day and being the center of attention of so many."

Xavier just exhaled while lowering his head. He was actually ready to feel rejected, but it still hurts. True Eveline said, the fact that he himself did not have freedom over himself made his heart more bitter. The fact that his life path had been arranged in such a way.

Xavier nodded, “Freedom yes.... Right, I can't possibly restrain you with the ridiculous rules of this stupid palace..." Xavier shook his head slowly "You deserve to be free and achieve all your dreams. Unlike me, which looks more like a bird in a cage.”

"That's not what I mean... That's obvious... I-I can't be queen. No 'will ever.”

Xavier who heard this was silent.

“I'm sorry, Your Majesty." Eveline was embarrassed.

Xavier shook his head slowly.

Without a word Xavier went to leave Eveline who was still sitting on the long bench alone. It just takes time for itself.

"Am I wrong to say yes?” Inner Eveline.

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Xavier moved his foot quickly leaving the pavilion. In his heart he wanted to hurriedly leave that place, really. He walked through the halls of the palace to head back to the hall. His steps came to a halt when his shoulder accidentally hit a woman.

"IF YOU WALK BE CAREFUL DONG!" Said the woman.

Xavier who heard it did not bother, he only apologized in a quiet voice that was almost inaudible.

"Sorry miss."

"Wait a minute..." Said the woman.

"Xavier! Oh, I mean Your Majesty" said the woman.

Xavier, who had only looked down, raised his head and looked at the woman's face. Seen a blonde figure that was very familiar to him.

"Oliver..." Lirih.

"Oh I'm sorry for my inappropriate remarks, Your Majesty." Said Oliver, bowing a little.

"What's wrong, there's no need to apologize I was wrong for not being careful when walking-"

"Xavier-you're crying?!" Oliver's words cut out Xavier's words.

"Me?? Haha no, my eyes just glimmers just now hahaha" Xavier said a little awkwardly. He hurriedly rubbed his eyes.

"Oh that's how it is.."

"You yourself why are you here? Not in the hall? Is the party boring?" Ask Xavier.

"Oh I'm looking for a toilet." Obviously Oliver.

"Ohh, that's it. The toilet's over there." Xavier pointed his finger in the direction where the toilet was.

"Thank you." Oliver stepped up to go to the toilet to continue his business, but after a few seconds Xavier called back,

"Oliver wait!" Call Xavier.

"Yes?" Oliver turned.

"On this matter, don't tell anyone."

After saying that, Xavier left Oliver first. Oliver who heard it only fell silent in confusion. What does Xavier mean? About him meeting Xavier in the hallway looking for a toilet, or about him seeing Xavier with teary eyes?

"Eyy-what the hell does that mean, just get confused."

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Xavier returned to the palace hall. The party was still crowded at that time, because the main peak of the party had not yet begun. That is the celebration of the cake that Xavier will do.

Isn't it incomplete if the birthday party without a cake cut?

"Your Majesty, the cake is ready." Liam.

"Alright, we're starting the show's peak" Sahut Xavier said.