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Chapter 4
I was directly opposite this scary man that only I could see.
My heart raced and my chest tightened as we stared at each other. I knew that running away would do no good so it's high time I stopped running and faced my battle.
Uneasiness rocked through my whole being as I shifted on my seat with discomfort, gaining side stares from everyone.
I could not eat comfortably under the criticizing eyes of my mystery man and knowing that only I could see him, I tried as much as possible not to stare at him because if I did, it would become obvious and in the eyes of others I'd be staring at no one.
"Ria" I heard my name and looked up at mother who gave me a worried look.
"I am fine mother, I am just not as hungry as I should be, and also the food is not so delicious to me" I lied to cover up my suspicious acts
"Really? Would you like something else?"
"No, it's okay. I'll manage " I gave a reassuring smile before concentrating on my food and when I sneaked a glance at the man, he wasn't there anymore. I let out a sigh of relief.
**
After dinner I sat in my room thinking hard about this mysterious man. What did he want from me? Perhaps he really needed my help? Does he follow me everywhere? And was he right here with me now?
"H.. hello?" I called softly with increased senses, waiting for him to appear or make any sound or do anything but there was nothing.
"Hello? Are you here? What do you want from me?" I said but got no response.
A sigh escaped my throat as I relaxed into my bed, so many thoughts swirling in my head
Slowly I got so lost in my thoughts and I didn't know when I fell asleep but I had already started to dream.
I found myself walking amidst darkness, I could not see anything and there was no atom of light. The darkness seemed to be draining life out of me as I felt this void growing from within me, seizing up my breath that I started panting for air.
I hastened my steps, running further into the darkness looking for help but there was no one. Time was very fast and all the oxygen had been knocked out of me. I stopped running and slowly fell to the ground, hoping for a saviour to help me out of this torture.
A light shone from afar and I managed to look up, there was a man. Tall and well built in stature. His steps were graceful and elegant as he approached me.
His long black hair flowed freely behind him as he strode closer, I looked up at his face and was awestruck by his divine features, he was very beautiful and perfect. Who could he be?
Standing before me, he stretched out his hand towards me and I did not hesitate to give him my hand but the moment I blinked my eyes, I was very shocked. His once beautiful face had turned dry and boney, his perfect skin became chapped and pale..
"My goodness, what happened to you?" I asked in shock as he took my hand and pulled me up to my feet, my breath had returned back to me and I could now breath properly.
That wasn't even part of my concern anymore as I was now more concerned about what happened to the young man in front of me. Moments ago he was very handsome and perfect but the next second, he became dry and boney.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
"Moriah"
He called my name with some form of familiarity and fondness
"I need your help" he said to me.
That was the last thing I heard before waking up to the bright morning sun, beads of sweat rolled down the sides of my forehead and my clothes were soaked with sweat too as the words echoed in my head.
He needed my help.
But what help did he need? What did he want me to do for him? I still needed more information.
Slowly the pictures returned back to my memory, the beautiful perfect face and the horrific face.
Does that mean he was as beautiful as that before? So what then happened to him?
The beauty of that man I saw first was so unreal. How could a man look so... so perfect?
Could it be that... A spell had been casted on him perhaps...? How sad that would be, loosing your beautiful looks because of a spell casted on you. I'm sure he would be so sad or even angry.
What do I do to help him?
I felt pity for him. If it was possible to restore his looks I would have done it immediately because no one deserved to be stripped of their looks especially when their looks were as handsome and beautiful and perrrrrfect! as the one I saw in my dream.
I was not very sure if it was a spell as he did not say so and according to Mr Green, only him could tell me what he wanted so I still would ask him what he wanted instead of jumping into conclusion.
Later in the afternoon, Jude and I were taken to a royal fashionista who would be designing our wedding outfits.
My wedding day was around the corner, very soon I would become Mrs Eddington and would no longer stay with my parents and siblings, I would stay in the Eddington's palace with the Eddingtons as I would now become an Eddington. Why did that sound weird?
The carriage came to a stop and we alighted, Jude being so gentle to hold my hand and help me get down from the carriage.
Honestly, Jude was a very gentle man, getting married to him would not be so bad after all. He loved me so much and he showed me that he loved me and he's also good looking...
We both went into the huge building and allowed the tailors to take our measurements. It only took a few minutes and they were done.
I went out to meet Jude so that we could go home but it seemed like there was a little issue with the coachmen as he scolded them seriously.
"I have warned you times without number, haven't I?"
"You have sir"
"And yet you still deliberately disobey me! How audacious of you?!"
"My prince, it was not a deliberate act, I swear..."
Before the poor man could complete his speech, a hard slap met his face and I was very surprised by this.
"Jude? " I called and stepped closer to prevent him from hurting the man further.
"I think it is enough, he's hurt"
"No!, they are servants and you have to put them in their place! Else, they will slowly begin to ride on your goodness" he looked the men over with downgrading eyes before taking my hand.
"Do not mind them, let us go my princess" he helped me into the carriage and came in after me. I was still very shocked at his outburst earlier, I didn't know he could be so harsh because his behavior towards me was always very sweet and caring.
This got me thinking and hoping that he was not been pulling off a facade all along just to gain my love and trust.
I stared at him with the sides of my eyes and noticed his worked up expression.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"I am okay, my love. I m just pissed off" he took my hand and intertwined it with his, placing soft kiss on the back of my palm.
I won't deny the butterfly I got in my stomach because of his sweet gesture but still, there was an uneasy feeling in my heart as I hoped that it was not all a facade.
A fake act of chivalry...
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TO BE CONTINUED...