STORY: EVERLASTING PART II

Both Prince Geoffrey and Princess Guinevere agreed to come to the ball. At the masquerade ball, all the guests had to wear a mask. At dawn, all the princes and princesses had arrived except Prince Geoffrey. He was running late because he had to attend a court assembly with the lords. By the time he arrived, the ball had already begun and all the guests had paired up to dance. In just one-millionth second, he immediately sighted a young lady, standing near an epic window which is made with a crystal-clear glass and coiled golden frame. The moonlight shone through the window and glimmered her beautiful facial features; her shoulder and her sparkling gown. He was mesmerized by that view. He thought that she was a goddess coming from the heaven. Then Geoffrey approached her and Guinevere realized someone was approaching her. When their eyes met, Geoffrey and Guinevere experienced something wonderful. Geoffrey was charmed by her round and glowing eyes. He was drowned into the deepness of her eyes and sighted something familiar, as if they have known each other for a long time. On the contrary, Guinevere was startled. Geoffrey stopped a few steps away from her and at that moment, Guinevere could feel her blood rushing to her head. Both of them fell in love at the first sight.

With full of respect, Geoffrey bowed and said, “May I have this dance, dear Princess?” while holding out his hand. Guinevere nodded and reached out for Geoffrey’s hand. Afterward, the two-in-love couple joined the dancing crowd. They danced and danced until the clock struck twelve but then none of them had introduced themselves. They just let the time flew as they enjoyed the moment. After that, Geoffrey asked her to join him for a stroll near the royal garden.

“Would you join me for a stroll, Your Highness?”

“Please, call me Guinevere. And of course, I would love to.” Guinevere replied bashfully.  

“Guinevere, what a stunning name. I’m impressed. By the way, I’m Geoffrey.”

“Pleased to meet you, Geoffrey.”

                Guinevere smiled her sweetest smile; a kind of smile that would make any man in the world fell for her. Fortunately, Geoffrey was one of them. He was stunned by Guinevere’s smile. For a second, he felt gentle wind brushed all over his body and penetrated through his heart. He felt something, something comfortable. 

At that moment, they had a wonderful and meaningful conversation, trying to know each other deeper. They chattered while walked through the royal garden. Suddenly, Guinevere stopped and looked up. Geoffrey kept on talking until he realized Guinevere was nowhere to be found.

“So, would you prefer to join a fancy banquet or an adventure to the Calisto Forest?”

No answer from Guinevere.

“Guinevere?”

Geoffrey turned around and sought for Guinevere’s existence. He caught a view, the most gorgeous view he had ever seen, again. Guinevere was looking up to the dark and clear sky, directly to the full moon. He must admit that the moon was fascinating. Moreover, the sky was clear and the full moon monopolized the sky to show its own beauty. Her eyes sparkled and she smiled when she saw the moon. He wondered if he was the only one to notice that. She was even more beautiful than the first time he caught her looking to the window then.

“Guinevere?” Geoffrey called her again.

“Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Geoffrey. I didn’t hear you calling me.” She was startled and her startled face made Geoffrey chuckled.

“It’s okay, princess. You seemed to enjoy the panorama of the full moon. I should be the one who apologized, princess, to ruin your moment.”

She shrugged.

“No, please don’t. I’m fine. It’s just the sky, especially the moon, it’s so beautiful. Don’t you think so?”

“Yes, it is. Would you tell me what’s so fascinating about the moon tonight?”

“My pleasure” Guinevere answered with delight. Geoffrey could see that in her eyes. Oh my God, what is this feeling? How can a human being as beautiful as she is even existed in this world? As Guinevere explained it all to Geoffrey, he didn’t pay attention to what Guinevere said. She’s intelligent too.

“…So, the full moon is believed to be the time when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. But that’s what my ancestors believed in…”

Instead, he focused on Guinevere’s beauty, the way she smiled, the way she talked and the way she laughed. Time did flow very fast that day. Dusk was about to arrive soon. It showed the time for them to leave. Geoffrey escorted the princess he hardly knew. He didn’t know the kingdom she was from as she wouldn’t tell him. By the time they reached the river, she laid a hand in his chest and smiled.