Chapter 68: One Way Mirror

"Okay, let me tell you as fast as I can, so we can retreat from this room"

"Sure, continue"

"This room was specifically made for distress times for crown prince. The glasses around this room are specifically made from a special ancient technique. "

"Ancient Technique?"

"Yea. It is a One-way mirror"

"A one-way mirror film can give the glass the capability to act like a one-way mirror, but it is the surrounding lighting conditions that actually dictate whether the mirror effect occurs, and the strength of the mirror."

"Standard glazing, without one-way mirror film, already produces somewhat of a one-way mirror effect. The side with the majority of the light is the side that is most reflective and difficult to see through, whereas if you're looking from the other darker side, you will be able to see through. For example, in our normal house window, when it's dark outside and you have lights on inside, passers-by can easily see in and you will just see your reflection when looking out. When it's light outside during the day, the reverse effect occurs, where you can see outside but passers-by struggle to see in."

"The key point is that the film is only part of the process, as lighting conditions play a controlling role. As a general rule, the greater the difference in light between the two sides, the stronger the one-way mirror effect will be. When fitted to an external window, outside is usually brighter during the day, and will therefore see a mirror. Of an evening, we get the reverse effect"

"However, one-way mirror film can be controlled to some extent, by artificially adjusting the lighting conditions either side of the mirror. Obviously, we are at the mercy of the sun for external windows, but internal panes offer more control. As long as one side is darker than the other, by the correct amount, the mirror will be apparent."

"For internal partitions, spotlights can be added to one side to increase brightness, and dimmer switches can be used to increase or decrease lighting either side of the mirror."

"The side with the most light will always be the side which sees the mirror effect. This means that the effect can reverse, depending on lighting conditions.

This is particularly the case on external windows, whereby during the day the mirror is seen from outside, but of an evening (when it is dark outside and the lights are on inside) the mirror is seen from the inside.

There is no way around this – as it is the lighting which dictates the strength of the mirror and the direction it works in."

Shuttttt uppppp

Severus"..."

"What?"

Desella was so much annoyed that she wanted to kill Severus.

"What the hell Severus? I simply asked for a two-line explanation not an entire essay on these glass panes. You….you...why are you so dumb? No wonder Melanie didn't choose you?"

"Hey….don't say like this. It hurts", Severus rebuked softly.

In reality, it was painful.

It was very much painful for him to see her in someone's else room, that too in grandeur like this. Although it was a quick look that can't be even said as peek but for Severus, it was enough to crush his heart.

"Ah… so now it hurts. Why does it hurt? Do you still have any feelings left for her?", Desella demanded angrily.

For some reason, she felt uncomfortable witnessing Severus reaction.

How could Severus agree to her question but at the same time he couldn't deny it. The faint flash of Melanie image was still captured in his bran. He could faintly see the outline of her slender body in her sleeping robes. That rose coloured loose gown wasn't a see-through one but it didn't help as it was hugging her at the right places. It was still okay but when she started walking, Severus clearly saw the knee-high slit of her gown. Although it was a peek, he clearly saw those milky thighs.

Ughhhhh

It was a blessing for him that DEsella quickly covered his eyes otherwise he would become a sinner for the rest of his life.

"What? Can't get over her seductive figure? Tch...all men are the same. I acknowledge the fact that I didn't think you would fall for her trap, but alas. You fell for a honey trap."

Desella said through gritted teeth.

She was helpless as she was frustrated over her feelings.

The venom clamours of a jealous woman poison more deadly than a mad dog's tooth.

Desella humphed and removed her hands from Severus' eyes and went outside of the door.

Severus"...."

He didn't know what was wrong with Desella.

Shouldn't I be the one who should be frustrated and angry? Why is she behaving as I cheated on her?

Severus blurted his thoughts.

He was confused too.

Now Desella hands weren't blocking his view and he could see a couple cuddling in bed.

Eshhhh

I should go before I really become a sinner.

With this thought, Severus left the room.

This time, he didn't felt anything towards Melanie or crown prince. It was as if he just witnessed two strangers.

Finally, I am free.

Severus too left the room.

--------------

Inside the Crown prince chamber.

The couple were cuddling in the bed.

"Aye….you smell so nice today. Isn't it rose perfume?"

The man asked huskily.

A rosy blush was spread over girls face. Her tiny fair face was all pink and in a soft gown, she totally depicted a picture of a delicate rose.

"Yes, your majesty. It's rose essence."

An extremely alluring voice of a women came.

The man on the bed stopped cuddling and a smirk crept on his face. His eyes which were beautiful glinted for a fraction of second. It was for a second and the girl on the bed failed to notice it. However, in that split second extreme anger and jealousy flashed in them.

"How many times have I told you to not address me as your majesty when we are in private? I think several times. Didn't I ?"

The girl blushed and nodded shyly.

"I loved this rose fragrance but my favourite isn't rose but lavender, My dear Melanie" The man spoke quietly.

This time there wasn't a smile on his face and his eyes stared directly at the women under him.

The girl froze and her body turned stiff. An expression of confusion and panic flashed on her face. She twisted her body uneasily on the bed and tried to sit up but the man's grip was as tight as iron grip. The grip didn't hurt her but it was like a human cage.

She felt scared.

Maverick asked quietly."What happened? Why do your expressions turn dull? Did I said anything to turn your mood off?"

The girl on the other hand shook her head hard."No, No Maverick. What are you even saying? Just your mere sight makes me feels butterflies. How could my mood be turned off."

She quickly snaked her hands around his body and finally clung at his neck.

However, the man didn't made any movements. He was still as stone.

This was not something Melannie planned.

It seemed as if time has stopped and the tension increased inside the room."Dear, Rose essence isn't my favourite but it was Savy who liked it"

Maverick broke the tension in the air but his sentence chilled Melanie to her bones.

Savy!

Severus!

This name was a taboo between two of them.

Melanie went into a daze after she heard this name.

Maverick observed her reaction.

His eyes dimmed in disappointment and he left her. He got up from the bed and adjusted his clothes.

Melanie was perplexed when Maverick left her on the bed.

"Maverick! Listen to me, please. For once. Maverick. Rose is my favourite essence. I didn't know that Savy too loved it. Maverick"

She tried explaining to him but from his reaction, it was obvious that he wasn't buying this act.

The man calmly walked towards his study table and picked up some parchment papers. He started reading it.

"You can leave Melanie"

The man ordered.

It left Melanie in shock.

His tone wasn't gentle but it wasn't harsh too. It was as if he was talking to someone unknown. Maverick was always good with manners and never insulted anybody until it was necessary.

His tone made her feel as if they were strangers and for odd reasons, she felt a pang of pain in her heart.

Her heart hurt.

Melanie played with her fingers in embarrassment and finally summoned her courage to talk back at him."Maverick. What did I do wrong? Tell me? Are you angry?'

When Maverick heard her, a vicious grin came on his lips. Without turning back he said, "Neh...you are thinking too much. This matter doesn't have anything to do with Savy. I do know that you love Rose essence too, so it's all okay. However I felt like since we are soon going to husband and wife, I need to tell you about my preferences."

Melanie nodded her head in response.

"Of course, of course, it's my fault and negligence that I didn't try to bond with you. I am sorry Maverick"

Melanie bowed her head and apologised.