Ragatha wasn't prepared for this.

When you fell into the circus, she didn't anticipate the pounding of her heart around you, so loud that she feared you might hear it. She didn't anticipate the flips of her stomach when you looked her way with those eyes that captivated her like nothing else.

It scared her.

She'd be entranced by you, but it would only last a moment before she'd remember her mother's disdain, the disapproval of those around her.

You were a girl. The prettiest, kindest girl she'd ever met, but you were a girl, and she couldn't let herself love you.

So, she stayed quiet. Even when her heart skipped a beat at your laugh. Even when you looked at her like she was the only one who mattered.

Because her love wasn't right.