"Love can be more dangerous than poison."
That's what they say, of course. You won't believe it until it slowly kills you.
"Who… are you?"
Viktor asked, shielding his eyes from the blinding light and the sparkling golden dust surrounding her, twinkling like stars in the dull sky.
"Is that a question for me or for you? Who are you?!"
Ophelia scorned, confusion etched on her face as she stared at him from below.
Her voice was like a melody—a sweet lullaby that could lull anyone to sleep.
"Hmmm…"
She then placed her fingertip on his chin and smiled, noticing how Viktor was at a loss for words.
"Never mind, let's just play!"
She suddenly blurted, as her eyes sparkled before she heard his stomach rumble like thunder. It was when Ophelia helped him to his feet, pulling him up like pulling weeds from the lawn.
Viktor's face then flushed.
"I… I'm sorry!"
He stammered, embarrassed, covering his face with his hands as Ophelia smiled in response....
And in the blink of an eye, Viktor found himself seated on the temple floor, surrounded by a lavish feast laid out on a jade table.
The spread featured an array of meats and vegetables, a cuisine he had only seen in his dreams, far removed from the hard bread and beans he was used to eat.
"Are you really that hungry?"
She asked, causing Viktor to freeze in his seat as a realization hit him like a cold wave.
'I can't believe I'm eating the offering meant for her...'
He thought, struggling to swallow the food in his mouth.
"By… by the way, don't you want to eat?"
He asked, but it only made her laugh lightly.
"Do you really think a Goddess would eat?"
His head tilted in confusion. He had always believed the food offered to the Goddess was consumed by her, unaware that the pope had been deceived by a trickster.
'If… if the goddess didn't touch the food, then who?-'
Suddenly, footsteps echoed nearby, approaching their direction.
Panic surged through him, as he swiftly stood on his sit like a wind, with his heart racing and eyeballs shaking.
"Oh no, someone's coming! I need to hide!"
Gripping the wrist of the Goddess, both of them quickly ducked behind a gigantic statue as a group of boy who bullies him approached, accompanied by his lackeys.
"Wait, someone's here."
One of them stated, glancing in their direction, which made Viktor's heart sank as he recognized John who bullies him all the time was the one who behind it all.
Just then, one of John's lackeys noticed a shadow behind the statue.
But as he slowly peek from behind they immediately both vanished, teleporting to a garden before they could be caught.
"Can we play now?"
Ophelia suddenly asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement, while Viktor remained in shock, tightly holding onto his chest, chasing after his breath.
"Wait… when did we— I…"
His knees dropped to the ground, feeling utterly drained from the shocked of the situation.
"Do you always stutter when someone talks to you?"
Viktor then paused, before he replied, looking deeply into her eyes.
"No, I—"
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart that felt like had run a marathon.
"Do...do you think they'll find out what happened today?"
He nervously gulped his saliva before he continue to speak.
"Father will surely punish me if he discovers I ate the offering meant for you!"
He spoke in a panic.
"Are you really worried about that? When those people eat every year right in front of me?!"
She stated, rolling her eyes in disbelief.
"Wait, are you telling me…"
"Why? do you think I'm lying?!"
Viktor stood up loosened his grip on his chest, before he spoke with voice tinged with despair, a desperate plea laced in his words.
"No, it's just that… they will surely blame me, even though I was the one who really ate the food!"
"Are you afraid of them?"
The expression on his face gloom.
"Of course I am. They could throw me back into the slums… I can't let that happen…"
He mumbled, but it was enough for Ophelia to hear.
"Haist..."
She sighed, as if it weren't a big deal to her, but it weighed heavily on Viktor.
"If I help you, will you play with me?"
He looked at her with uncertainty.
"I…"
"I only accept 'yes' as an answer."
He didn't respond verbally but nodded his head, thinking twice about his decision.
"Then… let's play, as long as you help me..."
Seeing Viktor's droopy face, Ophelia smiled and gently patted his head, leaving him flustered.
"Don't worry about that; it's already been settled."
She happily stated, that although Viktor didn't fully understand the meaning behind those words. Just seeing her genuine smile carved on his lips eased his mind for a moment.
And to his surprise, they suddenly began to float on the wind, laughing as he chased after her through the clouds.
For the first time, he felt carefree. Instead of just merely surviving, Viktor felt he was living for the first time.