Hellish Obsession

The morning was as precise as the waves and just as indestructible. Aveline needed a few more hours of blackness. Not to sleep, but to prepare, to pour her thoughts out onto the deepest page of her mind, reorganize, prioritize and pack them back in again.

But already she could see the chaos that was unfolding in her room, the dark ragged outline of the shiny clothes on the dresser and the tall lamp she always tripped over in the dark. Soon there will be colour and noises, the smell of the butler and cookers making breakfast.

What happened earlier? How did everything happen? How to stop them? Every question will be answered. But illogically.

Knock Knock

A knock on the door and Ave got herself up idly from her rolling chair. It was obvious that no one slept because of the incident of last night. So the timepiece will tick faster today.

Aveline didn't ask or even let out a single voice before opening the door. She took a sharp intake of breath when she saw her mother standing in front. She bowed politely. "Good Morning. Mother."

Salena's pale face portrayed her anxiety. Even her face seemed tight, like smiling just wasn't an option today. And good morning? What was so good about the morning? She sighed. "You should ask who is it before opening the door."

Ave brought in so much stamina to laugh it away. "There are guards in front of the door. And... why do I bother when I can't believe what I see and hear? Who knows? You can be someone else, not my mother."

"Was it a joke?" Salena spouted out, looking at her daughter in disbelief.

Ave nodded with a grin. "It was." But when her mother's facial expression didn't change at all, she caressed her cheek. "Don't let anxiety taken over your mind. It's pointless. You are the owner of the wheel of your mind. And you owe it to yourself to take control of the wheel." She said calmly, in a way of elders trying to make kids understand about complicated stuff.

But it didn't seem to revolve Salena. Her brain continued racing in the most unhelpful way and pace as more unusual thoughts looped around in her mind until there was no room left inside. "It happened because you have started wandering alone. Anyway, will it be okay to go out alone today? Ethy is busy with her wedding. Should I call Peter to come and..."

"He is the scariest!" Ave cut her words off and sighed exaggeratedly.

Salena nodded. "Soon, I will find a secretary for you."

"No." Ave's reply came out short.

"Then find yourself a one." Her mother said and seeing her puzzled face, her face darkened. "It will be the best for your safety. You need one. Take it as my order."

The next second Ave's face spun stern with a little melancholy, "How are you going to represent a woman with the title Future Queen in front of Qidan if she is scared over little things, how will she protect her kingdom from those supernatural beasts or whatever? From childhood till now, you have kept me under your shadow. Peter and Ethy. They are my only friends and you selected them. It's alright. I don't have any objection about it that you take all the decisions of my life. But this time... please let me fight once for myself, and for the future maybe?" Ave looked at her mother expectantly,

Salena held her gaze for while before averting her gaze finally. "Breakfast is ready. Come downstairs." With that, she turned around and walked away.

"It's a NO." Aveline let it all out in one sigh, watching it float off like smoke in the cold air as she leaned her back against the door. Discussing matters over meals are forbidden in this Castle. So it was the end of this discussion.

After finishing breakfast, Ave went to the Arts School, followed by her bodyguards. There Peter was already waiting for her in the classroom. The moment she saw him, the memory from last night started replaying in her mind.

"What are you staring at?" Hearing upon Peter's voice, Ave stiffened. The same face, the same voice was what made the colour draining from her face.

"Ave," Peter called. "Are you sick?"

She jerked her thoughts away and tried to shirk all the agonies. "No. I am fine." She finally found her voice back as she sat beside him. Moments later, Aldrick, the dance master entered the class and behind him, the assistants came holding a mini table. Above it was a medium-sized box. Inside that, there were four folded pieces of paper.

Ave didn't seem to notice that since her eyes were rummaging for something else. Actually, someone else. "Where is Mr Gay?" The question slipped from her mouth.

"You mean Mr Grey? He isn't here yet." Peter answered although his attention was altogether on the table. The box and the pieces of paper were the reasons for his thriving curiosity.

"Today is the day. After learning the basic, the first thing we need to do is to find a partner who will not only dance with you but also help you and support you." Aldrick cleared his throat and Ave snapped to attention. At least, the princess needs to be attentive. "I have written our four boys names in those pieces of papers. Girls will come and pick one. But remember, the changing partner is forbidden. I think we can start now. The first girl who will come is..." He persisted.

It seemed so obvious that he will call Ave. It had been always this way. No one would dare to make the Princess wait. That was why Ave prepared herself to stand up but stopped when she heard the name he uttered. "Harriet."

Peter who was also reliable in the case that he will call Ave first got dumbfounded. "That's so unusual." He blinked.

"That's better." Ave let out a soft sneer and sat back in her place as she rolled her eyes gradually whilst Harriet strolled to the table and picked up a piece of paper from the box. "Peter Cooper." She read it aloud after unfolding the paper.

Harriet who was stunned as well walked away to her seat, not even daring to look at Peter. Aldrick smiled and gazed at Ave. "Princess Ave, it's your time. Will you come here, please?"

Ave nodded and stood up as she made her way to the box and picked a piece of paper. With no interest, she unfolded it and as soon as she read the name silently, her eyes widened, lips curved with a grin. "Xavier." It was a great chance to make him talk to her. But the grin faded immediately realizing he wasn't here yet. "Mr Aldrick, he isn't here yet." She said.

"Let's wait for him. I think he will be here soon." He replied. Ave nodded and went back to her seat. Then one by one, Rhia, Ethy's youngest cousin got Noah, Sam's friend as her partner and Wendy, Ethy's another cousin got Dylan, Sam's family friend as her partner.

When the assistants took the table away from the dance floor, Aldrick stood in the middle. "I could have shown all of you the entire dance performance first. But I believe that perception ruins the outcome. If I don't show you it from before and start with one, you will be curious about the next. That's how it works. Now, time for practice. I will request Ave to come with her partner. Is he here?"

"It's okay. Come here. I will help you." He said after having her shake her head. Ave couldn't argue, she stepped into the dance floor and was offered to take his hand. She hesitated before holding his cold hand in hers.

Aldrick led her to the central standpoint. "So... the first step is the holding hands and walk together to this point. Then it starts...like this..." He motioned her to his opposite side and yanked her hand closer that he was holding. She rolled twice and her back pressed against his body. He placed his hands on either side of her hips as the distance between them closed. "Turn. Go." He instructed.

Ave rolled back, whirling on the floor. "Again. Try to roll away." Getting Aldrick's order, she whirled again, taking steps backwards. She gasped as a man appeared from behind and his hard body slammed against hers. He grabbed her waist and in apprehension, her eyes closed immediately. Her head was now spinning but the scent was so deep and breathtaking that she almost forgot about it.

Shortly, her eyes flipped open. Right then, discovering the unexpected person made her mouth drop open.