The Unread Message (Part II)

6] Maybe the first time will always be a bad one

"All right. Then I'll see you right to it. I think he's talking to the guests at the front of the room.. I'll see you tomorrow for our lesson madam." I nod and she says goodbye as she exits the ballroom quietly, leaving me all alone.

I face back towards the ballroom before me and the guests have now dispersed. I think they're grabbing some food---as what I see them by the food aisle. I look around, approaching slowly, getting nervous that I'm not finding him anywhere. Or that I am never going to find him. 

I'm not having any luck so I go further to the front of the ballroom. My eyes happen to catch Barrbattos, stopping in my tracks when I see his long, black hair. Vibrant, silky, being rude... Unlike mine..

I immediately hide behind the pillar. Four gigantic pillars are set by the corners of the venue, so it's the best hiding spot to exist. By the front left corner, he is comfortably chatting with three other older people surrounding him. I can only see as he chatters about moving fluently, inaudibly---where comes a blonde, handsome young man who looks younger-- around the same age as Barrbatos.

I think he's even more good-looking than Barrbatos. 

I think I slouch for too long so I get out from my hideout and approach him slowly, regretting my decision as Archer turns his head to me as the blonde, foreigner man noticing me as well. I gulp feeling nervous.. "Barrbattos, I finally found you.." Does that sound awkward? 

"Berlin--"

Well, that's the first time he calls my name that friendly.. "You're here.." He looks at the blonde man as if to check on him before looking at me.

"This is Alucar." 

I glance at him-- or rather glaringly into a see his greenish-blue eyes. Which is the rarest color I've ever seen. I know I'm not supposed to feel this way. Heartbeat, don't give any other reaction!

I smile nervously, "Oh-- hello. I'm Berlin." I immediately take his offering handshake.

"Ah, yes, I've hears rumors about you since Barrbattos has returned." He smiles softly.

I am about to reply when Barrbatos turns my way and ushers me as he puts a domineering hand on my back. "Excuse me, but we're just going to grab some wine." He smiles as Alucar nods with a smile on his face before he turns to another guest approaching him.

"Berlin, you're kind of late you know that?"

"You should've come and taken me to the ball yourself." I hiss at him.

"I have guests to greet." He smiles as if mocking me. He is never sincere with me. 

"Yeah... I know you have to arrive early." I mutter, glancing away annoyingly at him. I still feel two pair of eyes staring at me ---his golden eyes looking into my soul. He's probably already staring at me for a while now. Now what? Does he want to exile me or something like in those historical movies? We don't say nothing as we stand at the sides of the ballroom where most of the guests are either chattering or laughing about amongst themselves.

It's awkward how he doesn't say anything else to me. Barrbatos looks away, with a frown on his face as he gazes at the sea of guests. 

I look away as well and my eyes are wandering about. But weirdly so, each time they can't help but linger, making a stop at Alucar who keeps smiling at the guests as he's chattering about with many fancy-looking people. They look really 'loaded', and He looks super famous.

"Is Alucar super famous?" I ask suddenly, not taking my eyes off him.

"He's of the royal court. Serves the queen of his own kingdom."

"Is.. he human like me?" I'm curious if he's a demon too....

"He's a snake."

"A - what?" I turn to him as if I'd just lost my brain. 

"A Jormungandr. He's a giant snake who's able to transform into any size that he likes. He can turn into a Titan if he wanted to." He mumbles towards the end.

"Oh." I reply quietly. Well, that's interesting. I remember the first time I watched a python movie. It was horrifically... snake-ish.. I hate snakes.

His eyes sparkle when he speaks. He has a big smile as he chatters with the guests most of the time, and I'm jealous at how fluent he is at talking.. He probably dates a lot of girls when he's a teenager. 

If I get to speak to him it's  either I trip on my own words or stumble on my small heels. And they didn't even have any laces on.

Oh, who's that lady approaching him?

Are they actually dating?

I feel a pair of staring eyes -- really sharply and I turn to see Barrbattos, his two pair of dead, demonic amber eyes are looking at me. "You know he's engaged, right?"

"What?"

Oh. That's.. disappointing. 

I nod, "Oh, of  course. I mean, of course. Who wouldn't know that?" My heart sinks to my stomach and I feel so much jealousy in my soul as Alucar puts a hand on the blue-eyed woman and kisses her cheek before they turn to walk away. He looks really sweet.. Unlike Barrbattos. I take a quick, short glance at him.

She's blonde, like him and I seem to remember how her dark blue eyes sparkle like the shining, jewelled sea as he says something to her, nodding with a pleasant smile just before they turn their back to me. 

I wish I can find a guy like that...

"We're engaged, remember?" Barrbattos suddenly says, breaking my train of thought.

He might be the best man that I will never have. And that's that.

"I know that." I say a matter of fact.

I feel a contortion ache in my chest. Am I jealous? "It seems to me that you might be staring at Alucar a little too long than necessarry,"

"What? No! That's ridiculous. He just looks my age." I say, but it sounds more like a lie to me. Why can't he console me and make me feel better from this bitter jealousy?

"Hmm." He hums in response, "And you're wearing the same dress from this morning as well."

"I don't know what else to wear." I reply quickly.

Can't he control his words towards me? 

"Wait--- I thought you said I looked pretty this morning! I don't see what the problem is."

"That was my first impression of that dress on you. Since you wore a T-shirt and all back in your apartment." He sips on his liquid punch enjoyably. I don't reply. Suddenly wishing that he doesn't say anything else to me.

"And don't forget to attend your lessons tomorrow." Anticipating tomorrow makes me regret coming here in the first place. "Be sure to wake up early.."

"Yeah, sure.." I roll my eyes to the side.

"What?" He turns so quickly I swear he has a third eye.

"Nothing." I quickly say. I wish I didn't fall for him the first time around. I wouldn't be here in the first place.