Twice in the Shadows: Chapter I

~*~ Chapter I ~*~ 1

The newly swept shelves would tell no secrets. She hadn’t dusted them for a while, not to say she wasn’t a very hard worker. But the dust didn’t bother her, if it was up on those high shelves, that is. Everything lay just where she left it, quietly humming along to the song she was humming gently. The shallow racks of freshly baked bread were silent eyes to the true heart of the pastry baker.2

My Princess…You are the fairest face in all of Paraesis…3

Over the floor of dirt, the pastry baker gently glided, her arms outstretched as if in a waltz. Perhaps the rest of Musicana could not hear, but Manuel could hear the music to dance to in her mind. Spinning in place, she let out a deeply hidden laugh, for if she closed her eyes hard enough, she could see her prince right before her, feeling his hand hold her back. Few of both Earth and Musicana ever heard the young woman’s laugh, for even in the company of friends, she kept the outward temperament expected of a peasant. 4

To this world, she was a servant to all who met her. This was the fate she had been assigned by God, she reasoned. The capitol of Paraesis expected her to act this way after all, for she was not of fair faerie blood and held a low social position. That was why she was to cut her hair short (hence why she wore the draping tie around her head) and owned little but her pride and joy: the Pastry Shop. She smiled only when it was desired, spoke only when a response was necessary, and acted on what she was asked without a second thought. That was to the outside world.5

But in the haven of her pastry shoppe, once the “Closed” sign was flipped on the wooden door, her rosy lips would sing along to melodies of her inner voice, dancing the steps she had seen the royalty of Paraesis use. Her dreams were hers to touch and follow. 6

Oh, how many days she wished her fate had been reversed, that God had mercy upon her. It wasn’t that she disliked the pastry shoppe; it was her only worldly treasure. But the class, the restraints, the pain of being now and forever Manuel: the Pastry Baker, ripped her inwardly. And that was why she danced across the dirt floor of the Pastry Shoppe: to pretend that for once, she was the one blessed by fate.7

“I love you too, my Prince!” she laughed with closed eyes, her thin blonde bangs tickling her face. Through her imagination’s eyes, the room was beautiful. Diamond chandeliers hung where once dangled sparse candles, plush chairs where stools once sat, carpet where once was dirt. Above all, in her arms was a handsome prince, who slowly reached her chin, drawing his lips closer and closer…8

And then there was nothing.9

It was always when they tried to kiss! The full arms were instantly empty, and the wallpapered walls were simple white wash once more. The song was over, and here was reality. Sinking into a hard stool, the blonde let out a sigh, untying her brown hair tie. “Can dreams come true?” she asked to no one in particular. And that was how most days ended, the evening dark falling upon her shortly after.10

But this day would be different. 11

Looking up from her lap, Manuel noticed (to her utter horror and shock), that there was an eye in the window. From the door came another knock (surely she had heard the past five or so, but it did not fully process), making her jump to her feet, opening the wooden door with a wide swing. 12

“I’m sorry, but we are closed,” she automatically announced without the least drop of emotion. When she opened an eye to see whom she was looking to, she instantly took back the words. “My apologies! I did not recognize you as the Pri—King Eron at first! How great a fool I am!” Words rushed out of her mouth as she bowed as many times as she could without falling over. 13

But to her utter surprise, he only laughed. “It’s quite alright. May I come in?” Ever since the former King and Queen had taken the throne (only a few years ago, Eron believed), he had visited this pastry shop, once he had learned how this young girl had been such a help to the Royal House of Eden. She had protected the sacred names of Eden (for in these lands, if one’s true name, one’s yme, was discovered, his life was at mortal risk) on a day long ago, when the old rebellious nation of Atlantis tried to destroy Eden. She stood boldly in the face of powers that would make many grown men tremble. The more he learned of her, the more he realized how dedicated of a person she was, selfless, faithful. Very admirable characteristics. The kind fit for a queen. 14

...A queen. 15

“Oh! Of course!” Manuel had nearly lost her head in the moment. The King had visited on occasion when he was a Prince, yet she had still not adjusted to his presence. Images of dances tempted to overcome her thoughts, but she shoved them down, holding the door open for him. “Please come in!” 16

It looked as it always had. He was glad, for he would never want to see a corner of it change. It was so simple and humble, the perfect retreat away from the chaos of the royal house. The treats she baked were sweet and her company sweeter still. He hadn’t thought of it much before, but he was growing more and more grateful for her presence. 17

From her glass display, Manuel pulled out a tray of fluffy pantrals, offering the treats to Eron. Grinning, he took as many as his hands could hold. “I don’t think anyone could tire of this taste!” he said as he took a large bite out of the first pantral. 18

“I did not mean to intrude, but your dancing was lovely,” his cheeks grew slightly flushed as he pushed the words out, though it did not compare to Manuel’s stained cheeks. 19

Trying to keep herself from fainting in delight, Manuel replied, “You are much too kind…”20

“I mean it, really.” Holding his hand out to her, hesitantly at first but then more firm, “Would you care to dance now?” 21

For a moment, she was sure that those chandeliers did indeed hang from her ceiling, and that the ten stringed lyres and lutes and pipes sang from a high pedestal. Hoping to hide her sheer excitement, she bowed her head with the humble indifference, “As you wish.” 22

He had done this a thousand times before and more. Every time before it had been a chore, a call of duty as the prince or king of Eden. He had led many a nameless faceless girl across the floor, but this time he led a dear friend, perhaps someone more, and out of his own wish instead of the wishes of Paraesis. 23

His wish. The idea made him grin inside. Even though he was king, he realized how few decisions were based off of his own desire, his own impulse. Everything had to fall under the law, under the code of conduct, under the ideals of Eden. Now, no eyes could watch him dance with a peasant, and no one could criticize his behavior. He could be who he truly was. 24

“You are a good dancer,” he noted with a smile of satisfaction, his eyes far off. 25

She could hardly believe her ears. Nearly ad verbatim what she had heard in her dreams. Could it be—no. Surely the King did not return her humble feelings. “You flatter me, my King. I only mimic and hope to appear that I know what I am doing!” 26

To that, he stopped moving, looking her straight in the eyes. “No; truly you are a fine dancer. Few in the Grand Hall of Paraesis can dance so well. One day, I promise, you shall dance in there.” 27

She too stopped, waiting for his eyes to show that he was jesting. But then never did. “You have always been far too generous to your servant.” 28

“That is because you deserve more than being a peasant…I would never consider you a servant, or in any way beneath me.” His words came out so smoothly that Manuel turned sanguine, though he did notice her smile. With a daring hand, he brushed aside a few stray hairs from her face. The moment felt like an eternity, a beautiful wonderful eternity, as if the Wielder of Time had come and paused the minute himself. 29

Catching himself, Eron retracted the hand with a bit of embarrassment. “My apologies, Miss Manuel. I lost myself for a moment…” 30

Of course those sort of beautiful moments would not last. But Manuel hid her disappointment with her usual courteous smile. “There is nothing that you need to apologise for.”31

A thought was beginning to form in Eron’s mind. Why hadn’t he thought of it before? They were dancing, were they not? And what was it that was approaching so soon: the Ball of the Spring Equinox, perhaps? Servius had warned him that he should find a partner before the day. Who would be a better partner than Manuel? He had many good reasons to hide his attraction to her, including his duty as a King to find a partner and his need to repay her for her loyalty to Eden’s royalty in the past. “Perhaps that day shall come rather soon…” he mused aloud, catching Manuel’s attention. 32

“I beg your pardon?” she asked, wondering if he truly meant what it sounded like he meant. 33

“About dancing in Paraesis, I mean. It is not long before the Ball of the Equinox comes, and I have yet to find a partner. Would you do me the honor?” 34

So he truly meant it! Inwardly, Manuel beamed as if she had just been invited into Heaven’s gates. The Ball of the Equinox…Surely King Eron knew the folklore behind the dance, and it’s implications? It was said that whomever one danced with that night would be the one he would wed. But he could not possibly be thinking of that! Oh, the very notion! Why, she was a worthless peasant! The fact that he spent any time in her presence was an honor in and of itself, one that she would give her life to hold onto. She could never ask for any more; goodness no. 35

When she said nothing, he grew worried. “Does she know the implications behind this dance and wishes to not be a part of that?” He mentally cried, letting go of her hands. “No matter; I would not wish to bind you to the date and commitment if you have other plans—” And with that, he turned to leave, only to hear Manuel kneel to the floor. 36

“To be invited to the Ball is more than I could ever dare ask for, even in a careless wish upon a star. Surely I mishear your commands, for I can’t deserve your kindness upon me!” 37

No matter how often Manuel acted in this way, always giving herself to be a servant, never daring to think about her own wishes, Eron could still not adjust to it. It always amazed him how she would speak so formally, so humbly, no matter how many times he established them as friends. Seeing her now, kneeling on the floor, he hardly knew how to react. So he took her hand and pulled her up. 38

“It is the least I can do to thank you for your many services to the Royal House. Why must you act so formally and traditionally in my presence?” He said it in a jesting tone, but he was completely serious.39

“It is my duty, naturally,” Manuel bowed her head quickly. 40

“Well, forget your duty then,” Eron shrugged, turning towards the door. “The Ball is the night of the twenty seventh. Do not worry about getting there, for you shall be escorted and given a fine gown. I await seeing you then.”41

No matter how hard Manuel tried, she could not hide her smile of excitement. “Oh, I am eternally grateful to you for your generosity, my king!” 42

With one last bow of the head, he closed the door behind him, letting the small bell tinker above, the only sound in the room save Manuel’s racing heart. Once she was sure he was far away, she let out a hidden squeal of delight, spinning around the room with outstretched arms. “Can it be true? Can it be true? It is too lovely to hold! I’m afraid its no more than a rainbow in a puddle, and will fall away when I go about my day! But the King is a man of his word, and he has invited me to the Ball of the Equinox!” She forgot where she was, or what day it was, and everything else around her. All that filled her thoughts was Eron, the two of them dancing across the glossy floor of the Grand Hall. 43

What was the Hall truly like? They said it glowed with the fire of thousands of pixies, and that the music was the finest of the city. Surely the floors would be lovely as well, and easy to glide across. And he said she would be given a gown…what would it look like? Knowing the laws of conduct for Eden and the fact that she was a peasant, it would surely be rather simple, but certainly lovelier than anything she had ever owned. She let out a real laugh, the kind that danced through the air, the kind that so few people actually ever got to hear. The future could not look more beautiful, and she could not wait until the twenty-seventh arrived. 44