Those Damned Eyes Again

Aine’s birthday was like the previous ones, with Lady Odette once again making a big fuss over the most minute details, like the color of candles to be placed on the cake. At least her parents respected the fact that she did not like huge parties, and they allowed her to celebrate in the most subdued way possible—a hundred guests maximum.

Having grown tired of rejecting young men asking her to dance and other young ladies trying to chat her about boys, baking, and embroidery, Aine escaped the main hall and ran to her comfort place…her workshop. Also, just in case…

It was not like she was anticipating anything. But in case he’d come, the workshop might be the first place he’d go to. They had been meeting there recently, so if by chance…Again, she was not anticipating anything. She removed the paper with magic circle at the foot of the door, and she had unbolted three locks already. She was not anticipating at all.

She paused, deliberating whether to unbolt the fourth lock, too. But before she could come to a decision, he appeared, standing at the other side of the glass door.

“Are you planning to escape on your own birthday party?” he asked, and he flashed his cheeky smile that she had now grown accustomed to.

Aine unbolted the last two locks, and as she pulled open the door, she said, “I want to eat the ham and cheese bread from my favorite bakeshop in the business district. You know that place I’m sure. You’ve followed me there before.”

“Demanding something again?”

“It’s my birthday.”

“I recall I already gave you your birthday present last week.”

“I don’t recall asking for just one present.”

Lief breathed. “You sure are something.”

“You knew I would ask for another gift. Otherwise, why would you come here?”

“Don’t make hasty assumptions. The Book summoned me.”

“Then perfect. Let’s give you something to write about again. I want the ham and cheese bread.”

Aine reached out her hand, and with a sigh, Lief held his arm. Aine linked her arm to his as Lief clapped his hands. The hearts appeared and fluttered around them.

***

It was already eight in the evening. Naturally, the bakeshop was closed.

“So I guess no ham and cheese,” Lief said, staring at the ‘Sorry We’re Closed’ signage of the bakeshop. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know they were already closed by this time?”

Aine shrugged. “I forgot, I guess.”

Aine was fully aware. She merely wanted an excuse to leave the manor. Or rather, she needed an excuse to ask Lief to take her somewhere else. She enjoyed watching him use his magic. Of course, that was it. That was all there was to it.

“So now what?” Lief asked. “You should probably head back.”

Then, the door of the bakeshop suddenly opened, and a red-haired man with a slightly arched back came out.

“Oh, is that you Miss Darien?” the man spoke.

“Sir Cedric, good evening,” Aine greeted.

“Why are you here?” Cedric asked. “We had closed hours ago.”

“I know, but I’m really craving for ham and cheese bread right now.”

***

“I don’t understand why you even like this,” Lief said as he took another bite from the cold bread. It was so tough. He had difficulty biting a piece off.

They were lucky to run into Cedric, the owner of the bakeshop, who gave them the leftover ham and cheese bread. The two then went to the nearby park to eat.

“It’s because it’s already cold,” Aine said. “It tastes way better when it’s hot.”

“Really?” Lief tapped the bread on the cement ground. “It looks like brick.”

“Don’t exaggerate.” Aine tore a piece from the bread and popped the piece into her mouth. It was really too hard and difficult to chew. She eventually spit it out. Sir Cedric must have been in a horrible mood when he was baking again.

“You should probably head home,” Lief said.

“I don’t like the party.”

“It will pass. Just a few hours more and it will be over.”

“I like it here,” Aine said softly.

“You like this park?”

Aine laughed. “Hey...” Aine stood. “Dance with me.”

Lief looked at her incredulously.

“My last gift for my birthday,” Aine said.

“Not going to happen.”

Aine pulled Lief’s arms, trying to make him stand. “Come on. I’ll be brewing a new draught of love potion soon. So just go along with me this one time.”

Lief sighed and stood. He held her right hand and placed his other hand on her waist.

Aine giggled as they began to dance a slow waltz. Aine looked up to his eyes, which now appeared dark brown in the night. So they don’t look that striking in the dark. Lief raised her hand, and she twirled. Once she was back in place, she looked at his eyes again. He was staring back at her. But I still like his eyes. She flushed. Yes, I like those damned eyes. 

***

She suddenly asked to dance. It was preposterous, yet he agreed anyway. He pulled her hand upward and watched her turn. Her long hair, along with the hem of her white dress, glided with the wind. The dress suited her. The half bun in her hair suited her as well. She did not need the hair ornaments though. The make up, too. She was fine as she was.

Once she had finished her turn, she looked up at him. He stared back at those bright green eyes. Those damned eyes again.

Was it because of them? That’s why he was randomly dancing waltz in the middle of a random park? Was it because of them that he forced himself to eat a very hard bread? Was it because of them that he went to see her on the night of her birthday? Was it because of them that he lied that he was summoned by the Book?

Again, the same question resounded in his head, but this time louder. What the hell am I doing?