Curse of affection

Chapter 1

Dominic POV

Set behind the gates on almost some acres of land, a grand wraparound motor court with three entrances, surrounded by park-like lawns and groves of wine trees, provides a striking approach to thr castle. Awash in natural light of the castle, lives a dark Prince whose life is not but dark even though the whole castle is lit up with so much natural lights and life in it. Whose nightmares plague his mind as the night moon shines in the dark sky. The twinkling stars or bright moon could not keep him away from his cold , distant life which he seems to be living and the nightmares of his life keeps him awake through the night.

‘I love you’ I whispered, my breath fanning her face, moving closer I kissed her nose gently.

I wait for her to open her eyes and give me her beautiful full-blown smile which always light up my day. Wrapping my hands around her waist, placing a sweet kiss on her lips, a smile curves on my mouth as I feel her breath hitched with my closeness.

‘belle’ I say her name with my husky voice and find her twinkling eyes looking right back at me. Giving me a mischievous smile, she grazes my neck with her finger tips. I feel my body stir to life with her just single touch and breath hitching. I could see the smirk which takes on my ieza face at the obvious effect she has on me.

‘You were saying something?’ she whispers.

‘yes’ I whisper back. The wind has picked up its pace and the pressure are much as we are standing near the window of the glass house. Our new haven where we always spend time together doing gardening something which we both love.

‘I …’ I was about to ask her when my phone rings at the exact movement.

‘One sec’ saying that I move out of her embrace.

‘Will be right back’ I smile at her.

‘I will be waiting’ she says returning my smile.

With that I move out of the glass house as there is no proper network inside. I walk a few distances away from the house.

‘Yeah, tell me Mitch…’

That’s when I feel it and suddenly I was blown away with the blast that happened. My breath coming in short pants and my body aching due to the pain. I feel my head getting heavy with all the pain I am feeling.

I look back only to feel my heart drop at the sight before me. The ground beneath me slipping away as I see the sparks of fire surrounding the glass house. Everywhere there was chaos, voices could be heard.

‘No’ I shout and try to move when some guards stop me.

Gasping I wake up from my horrible dream which does not let me have a peaceful sleep even a single time. I feel the sweat and perspiration formed on my forehead as I had this nightmare. Moving the covers back I get and check the time. It’s still early and the people are still sleeping in the Campbell castle. Drinking the water which was placed on the bedside table, I feel my thirst going away.

There won’t be anymore sleeping now that I woke up from my nightmare. Even now after so many years I still see everything as it happened yesterday. It is a part of my life where I can never forget. Life is as good as it could be without your soul in it.

I am the Prince of Campbell, soon to be the king of this castle and my people. There are always people around me, working alongside me for the benefit of the people. Life could have been worse, if not for my parents and my daughter, who kept me going till now I would have been dead long back.

With my thoughts consuming my mind all the time, I see the sun has already starting to appear. The chilly morning breeze and the birds chirping in the trees is the start of the day. My valet comes in at exact seven to help me get dress once I am done with my shower. He always keeps my clothes ready when I am in the shower so that we can be on time. Once I am done wearing my blue cashmere shirt and black jacket on it. Wearing black jeans, I completed my dress. I take my wallet and my handkerchief which my valet had kept ready on the bed. Once I am done getting ready, I hear a knock. I take a look in the mirror and bid the person to enter.

My assistant walks in and gives a deep curtsy “His royal highness Prince Dominic, Her Majesty, the Queen requests your presence in the breakfast nook.” She says in her deep British accent.

Giving her a nod, I walk out of the room and soon my assistant follows behind me. The maids scurry of as I walk the long hallways of the castle Campbell. My posture held power, authority and seeks respect whenever I walk these hallways. I don’t bother to pay attention to anyone as the maids and workers curtsy as I walk, but my eyes asses everything that is going on in the castle.

As I walk down the stairs with my assistant informing my schedule for today and giving orders where there is need to be made changes. Once near the breakfast nook, my assistant gives another curtsey and walks near the office.

Entering the breakfast nook, I find Dad and Mom sitting near the breakfast table.

“Good morning Dad, Mom” I greet them with a buss on a cheek.

“Good morning son” Dad gives me a smile and so does Mom. It’s hard to see both of them giving smiles when they are in the eye of the Public. They need to be serious and always behave as Queen and King need to behave. And My mom and dad has not disappointed anyone. After them the position will be succeeded by me who will follow in their footsteps as their heir to The Throne.

I have been trained to behave and thought manners which will help me as I take my position as the King of Campbell. In order to do so I need to…

As my mind was going to o down memory lane of something which I never want to think, we are interrupted by my daughter entering the room and her nanny close by instructing her not to run.

“Princess Isabelle, don’t run” says her nanny Julia.

“I know that aunt Julia. But I need to greet Dad and Grand pa and Grand ma.” She says.

And there is my Daughter with her hair braided in two ponytails. Her eyes blues like mine and the same curve of her lips which appears whenever she is near me.

“Good morning Daddy” says my Princess. Once she has greeted her grand ma and grand pa with equal enthusiasm, she comes and seats beside me. Once she is properly seated, her nanny Julia leaves us alone.

“Did my princess sleep well?” I ask her with a soft smile on my face.

“I did daddy, thank you” she gives me a smile.

“Good” I say and then we proceed with the breakfast as the maid serves us traditional English breakfast. Being the princess, Isabelle has been thought the manners of living like a lady.

Once we are done we all move out of the breakfast nook and into the green parlor where we spend some quality time.

Dad had Isabelle in his arms and me and Mom are walking side by side.

“What does our little princess want to do today” asks dad.

“Grand pa, can we go to the gardens and play?” she asks giving him a puppy dog eyes.

Usually Isabelle plays in the gardens with her cousin but as they are on the trip she is left alone and wants her grand pa to play with her. Well who could resist her puppy dog eyes and just like that dad agrees. Mom with a smile on her face turns to me, once we have settled on the chairs.

She hesitates at first and I raise my brow at that. Because there not a single time I can remember when mom might hesitate to ask something from me when she knows I can do anything for my family. They raise me to be a good kid.

“What is it Mom?” I question. The atmosphere suddenly changed in the room with the serious expression that were etched on my Mom and Dad’s face. I had a feeling that whatever they are going to tell me, I am not going to like it. Dad has sent princess Belle with her nanny. With that it shows how serious this it.

“Is everything okay?” I question with concern in my tone thinking that there might any kind of problem with the people in the village or might be some problem in vine refineries.

“Yes, everything is fine” says Dad with a reassurance smile.

“Then” I give them both a confuse look.

Taking a deep breath, mom starts “I know that this is not the right time to speak, but I want to know what you have thought about Princess Isabelle’s upbringing?”

“I don’t follow what you mean by that Mom?” my tone had taken a hard edge to it knowing where this conversation is leading.

“I have thought you better than to use that tone with us son” says my dad in his tone which he uses as a king.

Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I reframe my question “I am sorry Mom, what do you mean by that?”

“As a princess of this castle we want our grand daughter to have everything in her life. Even though she has lost someone important from her life, she can still have it son, only if you allow it” Mom’s tone had softened at the end of it.

I look away from their hopeful expressions. I try to calm my nerves and focus on the conversation instead of driving back in the past which left me with cold less life.

“Princess Isabelle needs it.” She gets up and takes a seat beside me. Placing a hand on mine, Mom continues “More than that, you need it my son. You do know that it is one of the terms to take the position on the Throne, right?” she questions.

“My daughter wants and needs are my responsibility to look after and I don’t need anyone’s interference” I state.

“Don’t forget she is our grand daughter and Princess of this castle” says Dad in his authority in his tone.

“I know that Mom and Dad, it would be greatly appreciated if you leave it up to me” I get up and start pacing. My mind was racing and heart was pounding in my chest as I was not liking where this conversation was leading to. I knew that this day would come anytime soon but what I did not expect was for Mom and dad to be doing this to me when they knew every dark phase of my life. Everything that I went through. They have seen it with their very own eyes but still they expect something that I cannot even think about. Even think about it makes me feel as if I am betraying my very own soul, how do they expect me to go through it. Life has to be laughing at my face right now for doing this to me.

“But, I cannot go through what you are asking me to” I state in my calm voice even though there was a hint of edge to it.

This is one conversation I was like to avoid like the plague, but sometimes there is no just turning when Mom and Dad has set their mind on something.

“You have to son, for the sake of the Campbell kingdom” says Dad in his king tone.

“I can’t” I say.

“You can’t or you won’t?” asks Mom.

I look up as I see my Mom’s determined expression.

“You know the reason” I state. My expression takes on a pained look and I turn my face away.

“It’s been five long years”

“So,” I raise my brow at that.

“are you going to defy my one single request which is more like a wish to see you happy?” asks Mom with tears in her eyes.

“We never make our woman cry, Son” says dad with a shake of his head.

“I cannot do what you both are expecting from me and it is my final decision” with that I start to walk out of the room when Mom’s next words stop me

“Then know this Prince Darius, I the Queen of the Campbell, order you to go through what I have just asked you” as she continues with the next lines I feel my heart drop at that, knowing that there is no turning back now.

Turning around, I hardened my expression “Yes, Your Majesty” Bowing down, I stalk out of there.

 Prince Dominic could not understand his parents plead for him to get married and live a happy life. There were secrets in the royal family which the king and queen kept hidden from their only son. Things are going to be chaos when reality strikes. how they overcome it, only time will tell.