"It's so much fun to be human! But, it feels a bit itchy in these clothes, especially in the butt, don't you think?"
"What the hell are you saying, Tristan? You're such a pig!"
While we were on our way to the palace, I couldn't help but shake my head. Tristan was delighting in his new human form, while Elton was getting annoyed. The two of them were sitting at the front of the carriage, making a ruckus on the road.
Hades, on the other hand, was by my side since he would assist me when we got to the palace. He was the quiet and reasonable one of the three. If he had been human, he might have been a rival to Prince Ashton.
"Take care there," Hades reprimanded the two and gave me a sidelong glance.
I smiled. Even now that he was human, he maintained his old demeanor – gentle and silent.
I scanned the road leading to the palace. Apart from us, there were no other carriages on the road. I understood it because the festivities had started a while ago, and I knew everyone would be looking at me when I entered the palace.
The dense forest made it look like I was going to a cemetery instead of a palace. I forced a laugh, but I couldn't deny the anxiety building up as we approached the palace.
"We're here," Hades said, bringing me back to reality. I focused on the road and took his hand, which he offered.
I descended the carriage. My heart felt like it was racing, especially when I approached the palace. What would happen later on? Maybe I'll find answers to my questions, or something beyond my expectations?
I swallowed as the palace guards quickly took notice of me, and my heart felt like it was doing a drumroll in my chest. Although they seemed to recognize me at first, it was just my imagination. Soon enough, they blushed, opening the gate to let me in.
As expected, people stared at me as soon as I entered.
"Who's she? She's so beautiful!"
"I wonder which family she belongs to."
"Looking like that, I won't be surprised if she catches the prince's eye."
I decided to ignore them, even though I felt quite uncomfortable. I immediately cast my gaze about to look for the prince. I didn't have any intention of socializing with anyone else, and especially no intention of becoming his wife.
But where was he? This was his event, and I couldn't see him.
"Oh, damn it," I cursed under my breath when suddenly a woman walked in front of me, causing me to step back and bump into a man.
"Sorry—"
I didn't get to finish my sentence when I looked back and saw who I'd bumped into. It was none other than the beloved prince.
While I remained unrecognized by everyone, including Elizabeth, Dasha, and Anastasia who were watching from a distance, the prince was a different story. It seemed like he recognized me at first glance.
AFTER A few minutes, the unexpected happened. I'm not a princess. To be honest, my attire seems closer to that of a witch compared to theirs. And I'm definitely not skilled in dancing!
But here I am, dancing with the prince in the middle of the palace while everyone's eyes are on us.
"Don't mind them," he said, gently caressing my waist. "You're the most beautiful person here tonight. I almost didn't recognize you if it weren't for your eyes."
Lies. That wasn't why he recognized me.
I didn't reply to him. I didn't know what to say, so we continued dancing.
But I couldn't help but sigh when I saw the coldness in his eyes, especially when I felt his playful fingers pinching me.
"Don't be afraid of them," he assured, trying to comfort me. "Just look at me."
I wasn't afraid of them. I'm more afraid of you, my dear prince.
I tried to keep up with his movements. He told me to just follow my body, and I accidentally stepped on his foot. He just laughed when I did that.
"It's the first time someone danced with me," I admitted.
I thought he'd laugh at me, but he just smiled. "That's a good thing. Because I'm the first man who got this close to you."
I just smiled and continued dancing. I looked up to the upper part of the palace because I felt like someone was watching me.
And I wasn't wrong, because from above, I saw a strange gaze from the king. Why was that? Why does he look at me as if I've done something wrong?
In an instant, my head began to throb, and my chest tightened. Prince Ashton immediately noticed and approached me.
"Is something wrong?" he asked in concern.
"I-I need to get away from here..."
I was grateful that he didn't ask any further questions. He became alert and, holding my hand, led me out of the palace. The abrupt stop in the music and the hushed conversations of the people around us didn't help at all. My heart was pounding even harder as if it would burst out of my chest.
"Block them. Make sure no one else follows us," he ordered his guards.
We didn't stay outside the palace for long, and he took me to a resting place there. He immediately had me sit down while he stood beside me.
"What's happening? Are you in pain?" he asked, but I couldn't bring myself to answer.
I still felt weak, and after a while, I felt a sharp pain in my foot. I glanced at it and almost screamed when I saw blood flowing from a wound on my foot. I didn't know where it came from, and it sent shivers down my spine.
"Help me." I almost froze when I heard a whisper in my ear.
It was my mom's voice. . . that was my mom's voice.
"Ahhh!" 
My eyes widened, and I placed my hands on my ears. It felt like I was about to explode. I felt like I could hear my mom everywhere, and it was terrifying.
"Sshh. . . Take deep breaths," the prince said before sitting beside me. He took my hands away from my ears and held them. "I'm here. I won't leave you."
My heart started racing again, but this time, not out of fear. When I looked at Prince Ashton's face, my feelings suddenly changed.
I couldn't see the man who's been trying to kill me in my dreams. . . because now, his eyes were full of concern.
In the next few minutes, I followed his orders. I took deep breaths until I gradually felt calmer. When I looked at my feet again, there was no more blood.
I can't say I'm comfortable with the prince, but I'm very thankful for his help.
"Thank you—" I didn't finish my sentence when I glanced at the wall clock outside. "Oh shit!"
I need to leave! It's already twelve o'clock!
"Wait—"
I didn't let him finish speaking and quickly ran out of the palace. I didn't care if I looked like a beggar. I needed to get away from here immediately!
I was in such a hurry that I didn't realize there were people in front of me, and I accidentally bumped into someone. I was looking down and running so I didn't see his face right away.
"What's wrong with you? Are you blind?!" she shouted at me.
Wait, that voice. . .