Sprinkling Glitter across the Skies

I saw that Kevin tossed the whole bouquet of dried, wilted blossoms on the ground and stomped on it.  Gulping, I walked forward one step at a time, while looking away from him. My hand reached for his shoulder, but I drew it back at once.

What did I do this time? At least I get to see him again. It's been forever.

Upon seeing his glistening eyes, I couldn't help but grin. I held my fist to my chest and felt my heartbeat pace faster.

The poor guy has been waiting for me for so long. He must have missed me for so long.

The pavement was now covered in petals. The gentle breeze caused the trees to dance, and it carried the brown petals along with it.

I must face him eventually.

“Kevin, there you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” I said.

Smiling, I rushed and embraced him tightly in my arms.

“Oh. Janessa.”

I let go of him and giggled, moving his hair out of his face.

Still, his brown hair covered most of his face, along with his narrow glasses, and his usual, toothy smile was missing. He didn’t look into my eyes, but rather behind me.

Is he alright? He doesn't seem like it.

“Kevin, what’s the matter? You don't look happy to see me. Have you been hiding from me?” I asked, giggling.

I put my arms behind my back and turned side to side.

“I should be asking you that question!”

I shuddered, slouched, and my smile disappeared, and I looked into his eyes. Yes, those eyes that resembled those of a stale fish in the grocery store. He kept brushing off petals that were on his unironed navy blue t-shirt.

I placed my hand on his arm, and we made eye contact at last.

“Huh? Now, don’t say something so silly. I’m really sorry that I couldn’t meet you until now. I’ll make it up to you, somehow,” I said.

Kevin stifled a sigh and looked at my shoes that stepped on those white and brown flowers. He looked back at me and held my hand. Then, he kissed my hand and let go of it.  He spoke once again while looking at a tree in the distance.

“Alright. Promise that you’ll be with me forever.”

My heart stopped beating, and my face went numb at once. I stared at my fumbling hands and could scarcely hear what Kevin was saying.

It’s already been 3 years with a control freak like Kevin! I’m not so sure. Maybe I should leave him!

Joggers were passing us with haste. One of them nearly bumped into Kevin, who tilted to one side.

“Well? Will you do it?” he said.

“I thought we talked about this already! Please give me some time.”

“Time? It’s been 3 long years. Oh, right, you don’t even remember our 3rd anniversary, do you?” said Kevin.

“Of course I do! It was 4th June.”

“And where were you on 4th June?” he asked.

“Kevin, I already pre-celebrated with you, remember? There was a cosplay contest on that day!” I yelled.

I clenched my teeth and unlocked my phone. He stared away from me and looked at the sky, then at the ground. We stared into each other's eyes.

“Janessa, do you even feel the slightest remorse?” he stammered.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

I don't want to stay here a moment longer.

“You went to the con just to have some sleezy men stare at you. Even the pre-celebration only lasted for thirty minutes before you had to help a friend put on a damn wig.”

I stomped my foot on the ground, crossed my arms, and said, "Hmph! Kevin, they are my fans. I know I should’ve spent more time with you…”

"Enough."

He grabbed my hand, and the two of us walked around the park. I held onto his sweaty hand tightly.

“Look, I know you’re mad at me. I’m tired of this,” I said.

“Heh! You think you’re the tired one. You don’t know how long I’ve been planning today,” said Kevin.

His eyes watered a little as he wiped his face with his sleeve.

“Really? Do you have a surprise?” I asked.

"Well, yes."

I grinned with all of my teeth and moved his hand up and down.

"I can't wait!" I said.

We hopped onto the bridge, hand in hand, where the water reflected the trees. We looked at each other's reflections and back at each other. Then, I looked at his reflection while clinging to his arm.

“Janessa! I used to think you were the spawn of the devil, toying with my feelings like this.”

How dare he? I've been nothing but loyal.

“Huh? Well, I think you’re an overdramatic, good-for-nothing…”

“Never mind, it looks like I was right. You are the spawn of the devil himself. Remember that I will always be the one who has loved you the most. Goodbye, my demon who resembles an angel. I have gone through hell, and I will go through it again for your sake,” he said.

“Is this goodbye?! I’ve always respected you, Kevin…”

All of a sudden, he pushed me with a strong force, right off the bridge! I screeched and splashed into the dark trenches of the lake.

"No, come back!"

Kevin?! How could you? This isn’t real.

“Help!” I yelled, dragged down by the water.

Several people screamed as they gathered at the bridge.

My hair covered my face, and I couldn’t see anything as my breath stopped. The water pulled me under. I would do anything to get my breath back.

I should’ve never told him I can’t swim. I’ll be saved… I must be saved.

Someone dragged my body away as it went numb, and all I could hear was an unsettling melody.

I wonder what life after death is like. It must be awful, even if I end up in heaven! I won’t see my family, my friends…

All I could see was darkness. Looking back, I used to think I had everything. My good friends and parents gave me anything I ever wanted. Come to think of it, my friends had warned about Kevin, not once, but several times.

I can’t believe I wasted my life chasing after a minimum of 50 likes on each of my cosplay photos. Please, if I do end up in hell, at least have some good-looking devils. I bet none of them are as bad as Kevin. No one is ever as bad as him.

I continued to descend from the brink of the water.

I must be dead by now. Just what is this? The pond isn't so deep, I feel like I've been falling for a long time.

The darkness soon turned to a pool of light. I could only watch in silence. However, soon, glittery sparks soared from my body while I was covered in glossy ribbons.

 How pretty. Ah, it looks like I’m bound to go to heaven! Heehee, I beat the system!

Landing on a soft cloud, I breathed a sigh of relief. My clothes and hair had dried already.

The ribbons soon turned to a heavy petticoat and a sky-blue ball gown, bearing layers, beads, and a black ribbon rose.

These costume pieces were such a pain to make! I remember it like it was yesterday.

However, their mere weight made me fall once again, and I screamed louder than ever.

I’m still falling? It must be hell!

Shutting my eyes tightly, I landed, not on the ground, but on something else. There was a thud, and I heard a masculine groan.

Falling again, a sweet scent filled the air as I opened my eyes.

“My goodness! Are you alright?” said a deep voice.

“No, no, nothing is alright…” I said.

I shook my fists and sighed heavily.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I found myself not in a crowned man’s arms, but rather his lap.

What’s going on?! A guy cosplaying as a prince? That’s it, I’ve been resurrected! I have a chance to fix my life. Step one should be to avoid untrustworthy… Wait, I’m still in this guy’s lap!!

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness!” I yelled.

My face heated up as I left his embrace and nearly tripped on the grass with my boots.

Why am I treating this cosplayer like a prince? He does look like the real deal…

His wavy purple hair, soft grin, and slightly reddened face nearly made me giggle. His features were quite feminine, with long eyelashes. His coat, pants, and vest were black, with intricate silver embroidery that complemented his silver crown.

Ah, he seems to be the opposite of Kevin! Surely, this is the universe’s way of making amends.

“No need to worry about it. It was my fault my arms could not carry you,” he said.

He blushed slightly and looked the other way.

Now, the question is how I can return to his lap without making it awkward.

“I’m not that heavy, am I? The dress weighs a ton, though…” I thought aloud.

“Ah, is it the dress’s fault, then? How about we change that?” he said.

“I mean…”

I know I thought I would never trust another man, but at least this one is handsome.

My face burned, and I knew I had gone red.

“Worry not! I will preserve your honor, milady. I will fetch one of the castle maids.”

Castle maids?! He's a real-life prince! Aww man! Why does he want to preserve my honor?

“Your Highness, where are we, exactly?” I asked, looking about.

The fresh air and rolling hills shaped the horizon. Trees with rich green foliage and thick blades of grass covered the area. In front of us, there lay a huge golden monument. The sound of my long skirt flapping in the wind was all I could hear.

“Why, in front of the Royal Prayer Room, of course! This is where I prayed day and night. To be honest, I feel like I am still dreaming.”

I stifled my giggle.

“Me too, honestly.”

A soft breeze blew through my reddish strands and made my long skirt rustle.

I wonder what it was that he was praying for.

“So, when will you introduce yourself to my presence?” he said.

“Oh! I’m so sorry. I should have done that ages ago…”

He smiled, and his teeth glistened in the sunshine, and his gray irises lit up with joy.

“I’m Janessa.”

“God has answered my prayer. I cannot believe it! That would explain why you fell out of the sky. Yes, come away with me, and we shall dine together at this very moment.”

“Sure, Your Highness!"

I grinned ear to ear.

“I am Prince Cassius of Saphyre. It is an utmost pleasure to meet you!”

“Same here!”

“May I have your hand? This land is rather unsuitable for young ladies such as yourself,” said Prince Cassius.

“Maybe if I wore pants…” I mumbled.

“Come again?”

“It is nothing. I am just thinking of the women of our time.”

“Splendid!”

We trudged through the grass and were met with a graceful, black, shining horse and a white open carriage.

“A horse!” I cried.

“Yes, lovely, is he not? He belonged to the late queen!” said Prince Cassius.

I saw his eyes glisten a little as he squinted.

“You look concerned with your grave face. Worry not. I will meet her in the afterlife,” he said.

The afterlife? I’m already in it.

I stared at the ground and then at the sky again. It was the same tint of blue as the lake from before.

“Janessa, worry no more.”

“I’m trying.”

How can I trust another man?

A man with greying hair and wrinkles appeared in a frock coat, pointed at me, and said, “Prince Cassius, who is this impostor?”

Before I could open my mouth, he said, “She is Lady Janessa…”

“Enough! The King will be furious. I have guarded every woman away from the prayer room. You have been praying like a maniac for months for a wife! How did this one enter?”

So that's what he was praying for?

“She fell out of the sky, Peter! You should have seen how the heavens sparkled and the flowers bloomed as she descended!” said the Prince.

“Save your jokes for later, Your Highness. She may look beautiful, but she can never outwit Lady Edith!”

I pouted at once, clenched my fist, and looked the other way.

“Hmph…”

There’s another woman? Yikes! I'd better make my escape somehow. I never should’ve trusted this guy.

“I am not jesting, Peter! The Kingdom will be overfilled with magic once again.”

The prince blushed, placed one hand on his chest, and looked at the ground.

“Learn to use magic yourself, Your Highness. It will be a great help,” remarked Peter.

“Enough! Janessa?”

My face went blank as I looked at the ground.

“If there’s someone else out there, you’d better marry them. You don’t even know me…” I said.

“Such an uncouth way of speaking!” said Peter.

“Quiet, Peter! Quiet. Janessa, give me time, I will make you my Queen!”

I smiled and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

“Your Highness, did you forget you have an elder brother and an elder sister?” scoffed Peter.

“Silence! I will not hear any of this.”

“Fine, let us take this woman to your father and see what he has to say about this!” he said.

“Well said,” said Prince Cassius.

Peter flung the carriage door open, Cassius entered, and gave me his hand as I stepped on the footrest.

I can’t believe it! I’ll have a carriage ride with a real prince. This is it, I'd better make this world my own. A new life, a brand new chance!

The Prince covered the windows with blinds on both sides with a small gap.

“The view, your highness…” I said.

“I must keep you out of harm’s way. I apologize for Peter’s behavior; he has known me since I was born.”

“It’s fine.”

“Is that so?” he said.

I must learn the art of formal language.

The inside of the carriage was dark as it rattled across the hilly land.

“Your Highness, what made you want a wife?” I asked.

“I cannot disclose this in front of a lady such as yourself.”

I get the feeling that he simply means he has filthy feelings. I mean, so do I… Marrying someone I met is just silly. What if there’s a hot commoner around? Sounds much easier, too.

A few minutes passed as I dozed off on the side of the carriage.

Kevin, how could you? This is all a dream. When I wake up, I’ll break up with you.

“Lady Janessa!” yelled Cassius.

“Yes?”

I opened my eyes and rubbed them.

“Careful, there is a snake!”

I screamed and jumped up as my head hit the ceiling.

“Snake, where?!” I said, gasping.

Death, why do you keep following me around?

“I jest, Lady Janessa.”

“Really… That was awful,” I said, wrinkling my nose.

Argh, what’s up with this guy?

Prince Cassius laughed while crossing his arms over his stomach. 

"I must say, it was a great delight to tease you," he said.

"It wasn't a delight on my end."

He smiled, placed his arm on the rest, and looked through the gap in the window. After that, I closed my eyes for a few minutes.

The carriage stopped to a halt.

“Lady Janessa, we have arrived.”

I smiled and straightened myself.

Well, this is it! I need to show this world what I’m made of.

Cassius got down from the carriage and gave me his hand. I gripped it and jumped down, and smiled at the guards who were all watching my every move. The Prince let go, and I followed with big steps and a perfectly arched back.

That’s right, behold! This dress took three months to make because of the structure and all the beading.

The castle had champagne-gold colored walls with silvery conical roofs and turrets. There was a flag bearing a silver wolf in front of a purple background. The guards were all dressed in suits of armor.

I kept swallowing, but my throat was dry.

I’ll be fine. The unspoken demands of my heart will soon be met!

“Follow me,” said Cassius.

As we entered through the colossal gate, I still couldn’t shake off one thought.

The King won’t kick me out, right?!