Both Livi and the bulky man took the opposite sides as they started to fight. The bulky man was the one to advanced and attacked first, but Livi easily avoided it. I don't understand how different stances in swordplay works. The only thing that I understand is that Livi has a great chance of winning, for he was able to dodge every attack of his opponent. Many of the audiences commented that Livi's swordplay was polished and refined. While listening to their comments I heard a "thug" sound, the bulky man is now weaponless. Live pointed his sword to the bulky man. The bulky raised his both hands as he surrendered. Applause and cheers filled the area. It's so noisy. The noise is too much for my keen sense of hearing. I covered my ears as I approached Livi who is now with 70 silver coins. He suddenly grabbed my hand and dragged me quickly out of the crowd.

 We directly went to the stall we were before and there he bought me foods that I've never eaten before. He secured a seat for us and we eat the food. It's delicious. I looked at him while he eats his food. Astonishment from earlier doesn't leave my consciousness till now. It made me more curious about this prince. "When did you learn how to use swords?"

He looked at me when he replied. "When I was 7, my father personally taught me how to wield swords. Since then, I continued to practice my swordsmanship almost everyday". He was speechless for a while and then he continued, "I need to hone my swordsmanship to protect those who are dear to me, Ophelia". Our eyes met as he said these words. His caramel-like eyes is such a pleasant sight to watch. In an instant, there is something happening deep inside my body. I felt something I can't explain. It's the first time that I ever felt like this. My blood rushed through my veins. I felt something hot on my ears and on my cheeks. It's embarrassing. It is very evident that I am blushing because of my complexion. I quickly turn away from him to hide my red face. As I tried to stand, he held my hand. "Where are you going?" He stand and faced me once again.

"Let's go back to the palace." I demanded. He nodded as take me out of that place.

As soon as we arrive at the palace, we went to the vacant stables at the east wing of the palace and hurriedly changed back our clothing. After I get dressed, I shifted my attention to him as I watched him adjusting his collar. "Why did you take me to Marson?" He turned his attention to me. Not even surprised by the question, he replied "I know that the sudden engagement has shocked you. Almost everyone in your palace had noticed the sad look in your face. I wanted to make you happy at least, but it seems like you are not." He made a sad and disappointed face as he pouts his lips.

"No. In fact I am happy", I said with conviction to ease his disappointment. " I am happy because in the short time that we were together, I am able to explore new things and know you more." I saw how he smiled at me. Surprisingly, I did the same. I smiled at him.

"I'm glad to hear that, but I would be gladder if you will open up more about yourself the next time we meet." He said these words as he kissed my hand goodbye. Riding his horse, he turned his back to me once again and he waved farewell. I waved back at him. Hearing his words made me realize that I can't tell him everything about myself, for I am who I am.

Few days had passed by since the last time I had saw Livi. It was a sunny morning as I am sitting on my chair mixing white paint with brown paint and then I remember Livi's caramel-like eyes. I took my paint brush as I started to paint and fill the empty canvass. I recall everything that happened in these recent days and pour it to my painting. I paint the rainbow colored butterfly that I saw at the banquet. Holding the butterfly is a silhouette of a man.

I heard footsteps walking towards the painting room. Even though that the person is far from me, I know. I can sense someone is coming to me. But the footsteps suddenly stopped. That person seems to be hiding. "Who's there?" I asked as I looked at the door and waited to see who's there. After few moments, the door opened and it was Livi.

"Good morning. Am I intruding?", he asked.

Before I could utter a response, I quickly hide my painting underneath a thin black cloth. Livi might have noticed it and asked with a little hint of amusement and curiosity. "Why are you hiding your painting? Won't you let me see it?"

"No. I won't, but please take a seat." I said as I extended my hand towards an empty chair. He did as I told him but to my surprise he asked, "Was it a painting of me?" His playful tone had caught me off guard. Without thinking carefully, I replied "Of course not". As much I do not want to itch, I did. I itched my hands because I lied.

He looked at me with doubt and his eyes were filled with questions. He raised his eyebrow. His gesture is telling me that he discovered something. "Do you itch when you lie?" He asked bluntly. I don't have the time to think carefully of my reply. I quickly answered, "No." Oh no! I really can't help but to itch every time I lie. I looked at him. His face is subtlety expressing confidence in his inquisition.

"Then what is it that you're hiding?" He looked at me intensely. I didn't talk again. I know that I'll itch again if I tell him a lie. I looked at the ground to avoid his gaze and think of ways on how to get rid of this conversation. While I was thinking really hard, he suddenly grab painting and took a dash away from me. He stayed beside the door. While flashing his victorious smile, he examined my painting. His victorious smile shifted to an amused one.

"Is this me?" He asked while he is pointing at the "silhouette" part of the painting.

"Of course not." God! I lied and itch my hands at the same time. Now, he figured it all out. It is visible in his face. He already knew about the "when I lie, I itch" problem.

I snatched the painting from his hand and I made sure that he saw my mad face. He suddenly made an apologetic face. He was about to say something, but I interrupted what he was going to say. "What are you doing here?" I can see in his eyes that he is really sorry, but that won't work on me again Livius von Wittgenstein. I turned my back on him as I attempted to go out from that room but he held my hand. "Ophelia." He called but I didn't look at him.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to make you mad. I'm here to visit you since I will be staying here for months." My eyes widen. For months? Someone will keep pestering me for months? "I will be staying at the west wing of the palace, but of course, I will keep visiting you for the duration of my stay here." I looked at him with my eyebrows creased. "What? Do you not want me to be here?" Something in me saddened as he said those words.

I paused a bit, thinking if l will lie or tell him the truth. I chose to tell him the truth. "Of course not." His eyes widen while I bit my lower lip because of embarrassment. We looked at each others eyes. He laid his hazel eyes to mine. We stayed like that for a moment. As I looked into his eyes, I realized that in the short amount of time that we are together, he didn't once lied to me. I feel safe when I'm with him. When I'm with Livi, I forgot what a monster I am.

As days quickly pass by, he remained faithful to his promise. He visits me everyday and we went to different places. Sometimes we ask permission from my parents, but sometimes we just sneak out.

One day, as I was waiting for Livi at the vacant stable, I sensed something coming towards my location however, the footsteps and the breathing were both heavy. I can smell a scent of blood nearby. It belonged to a human, an injured human which I concluded. As I was about to stand, I heard a "thug" sound. I quickly rushed to the location of the sounds only to find out Livi laying on the ground with wounds all around his body. "What happened Livi?", I asked as I panicked. I can sense that he is still breathing fine although heavy, there were no signs of broken ribs or damaged internal organs. There were wounds on his chest, knees, cheeks and arms. Livi touched my hand and said, "I am fine. These wounds are not that deep although I stumbled on the rock which had caused to me to fall on the ground." Livi said as I was helping him to stand. He was about to explain more but I stopped him. "Let me tend to your wounds first. We can talk about it later." Livi was about to protest but it was already late for him, for I have called royal servants who were nearby for assistance. The royal servants aid Livi to the infirmary and from there, he laid on the bed. I dismissed the servants leaving me and Livi alone. "Now you can continue explaining yourself as I prepare the disinfectants." I waited for Livi's explanation as I prepare the things needed to tend his wounds. There were silence until Livi finally talked, "As I was riding my horse along the way, I saw a bunch drunken men who were at the sidewalk. Before I passed them, they made a ruckus which caused my horse to be in hysteria and I was thrown roughly and had stumbled over and over on a rocky ground." I cannot help but to feel sorry for him. My thoughts seemed to be clearly shown on my face since Livi had shown me an apologetic face as he said, "I apologize for being reckless. I should have just taken another road. I took the risk and here I am. But do not worry, for these wounds are nothing. Just let me tend to my wounds myself." Livi's last sentence intrigues me. His pulse as he said those words were very rapid. His tone screams of urgency as well. "Why? I am here to tend your wounds. It would be difficult for you to tend your wounds yourself.", I retorted. I looked closely to Livi's face and hesitation and defeat were visible to his face. I was about to say something but...

"I need to tell you something." His eyes looked intense. I occupy the chair next to his bed as we kept our eyes locked. Hesitantly I said, "What is it? Is it more important than tending to your wounds first."

Without breaking our eye contact he replied, "Yes. For I know that sooner or later, you will have to know the truth. You are a very important person to me, and I do not want to keep hiding this from you. I do not want to lie to you in future as well."

I do not know what to feel. The tension between us keeps on rising as another second passes by. I remained silent as I wait for Livi to say what he wanted to say to me. From his bed, he sit erect as he remove his leather vest and unbutton his long-sleeved white polo shirt and then I already know what he was hiding.

"Ophelia. I am a woman."