The Dragonfly and the Prince

During that evening, Prince Demetrjusz decided to take a walk. Roald had insisted on accompanying him, and Kenechukwa followed at a distance. During the brisk walk that Demetrjusz took, he had tried to lose himself in the city. There were several shops open, and he looked idly into the windows, until he saw a flash of silver. Pausing, Demetrjusz looked a little closer into a shop window.

With surprise, Demetrjusz saw a tiny woman standing before a display of brightly colored fabric. Her hair was white with a frame of black. Only one other person the prince had ever seen had that unique color pattern or diminutive stature--that of the figure skater from the previous charity performance. The prince's sensitive ears picked up every syllable that the tiny beauty said. "Stefanie, if you could use this in the costume you are sewing for me. I have to get back before my curfew is up."

Stefanie said, "Domino, you can stay in my spare room. You don't have to stay at the institute anymore. You will be twenty-one in a couple of days."

Demetrjusz sucked in a deep breath. This was Domino, the woman that had plagued his thoughts all day. The prince continued to listen as Domino said, "Dominique, please call me Dominique. I can't today. I have another event for the institute tomorrow night, and then I will be unemployed."

Demetrjusz was in too deep of thought to notice that the woman that had infatuated him all day was saying her goodbyes. Dominique rushed out the door and straight into the immovable body of the prince. Demetrjusz gently steadied her little body with his hands, holding Dominique a little too long. Dominique looked up at Demetrjusz, her Kelly green eyes snapping their disapproval as she said, "Excuse me, sir."

Dominique felt extremely annoyed at the tall, very handsome stranger who was holding her. Dominique raised her eyebrow at him when he did not release her and moved to the side.

Prince Demetrjusz realized that he was breaking a cultural norm and apologized. Reluctantly, he released the little performer. And before Demetrjusz could stop Dominique, she had hopped on a public bus and was gone. Demetrjusz could still smell Dominique's intoxicating fragrance of peppermint and lavender as he watched the public transportation carry away the elusive female.

Roald and Kenechukwa walked up to the prince. Roald inquired, "Did you know that young woman, Your Highness?"

Demetrjusz answered as he stared at the bus driving away, "No, but I will." Turning to his friends, he said, "Most definitely, I will." The other two men looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.