Fear of loosing him
859 Words
*Karolina*
As the heavy doors close with a resounding thud behind us, I take a moment to gather my thoughts. The opulence of this room is overwhelming… gold-gilded furniture, silken drapes, and a massive four-poster bed that looks more suited for royalty than someone like me. The walls are adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of battle and feasts, and the polished marble floor gleams under the soft glow of ornate chandeliers. It feels surreal, like stepping into a dream that I can’t quite wake up from.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Holly’s voice breaks through my reverie, her eyes sparkling as she surveys the room. But I can’t muster the enthusiasm to agree. My heart feels heavy, and my thoughts are a tangled web of confusion and hurt. I nod absently, my gaze drifting to the window, where the faint silhouette of the castle gardens can be seen, vibrant and alive, just outside our reach.
“Karolina?” Holly’s voice is suddenly serious, pulling me back from my spiraling thoughts. “We need to figure out what’s going on. This isn’t just about a lavish room and royal treatment. You saw how the king looked at Ryan. Something is brewing here, and we can’t just sit back and let it happen.”
I turn to her, finally meeting her fierce gaze. “But what do we do? He’s… he’s going to marry someone else. I can’t…” My voice breaks, and I feel the heat of tears threatening to spill over. The thought of Ryan, the man who took me from my life, the man I’ve grown to care for deeply, being bound to another woman feels like a dagger twisting in my chest.
Holly steps closer, her expression softening. “We don’t know that for sure. This could all be a part of some twisted game. You know how men like the king are. We need to stay sharp and find a way to get out of here. Together.”
Before I can respond, a gentle knock interrupts us, and two servants glide into the room. They bow deeply, their expressions neutral, as if they’ve been trained not to show any emotion. They carry luxurious robes and a silver tray laden with fresh fruits and delicate pastries, both of which I have no appetite to touch.
“My ladies, we are here to assist you,” one of the servants says, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please allow us to prepare you for the evening’s festivities.”
I exchange a glance with Holly, whose brow is furrowed in thought. The idea of being pampered feels utterly absurd right now, yet a small part of me longs for the comfort of a warm bath, for the chance to wash away the exhaustion and turmoil swirling inside me.
With a resigned sigh, I nod, and the servants spring into action. They lead me to a lavishly appointed dressing area, filled with mirrors and fragrant oils. As I sink into the deep, claw-foot tub filled with steaming water, I can’t help but feel the weight of my circumstances. I close my eyes, allowing the warmth to envelop me, but Ryan’s face keeps intruding… the way he looked at me, the spark of something real that we shared, now tainted by the royal demands looming over him.
“Karolina,” Holly’s voice calls, snapping me back to the present, “we need to make a plan. If Ryan is really caught up in this mess, we can’t let him face it alone. I’ll find a way to distract the guards, and you can slip away. We’ll meet up with Sebastian and figure out our next move.”
I shake my head, still submerged in the tub. “But what if he doesn’t want to leave? What if he chooses this life?” The thought churns in my stomach like a storm. “I mean who wouldn’t want to marry a beautiful princess?”
“Don’t say that,” Holly implores, her eyes narrowing. “You know him better than that. He’s fighting for something bigger than himself. You can’t let fear cloud your judgment. We have to believe in him.”
I take a deep breath, steeling myself against the torrent of emotions. Holly is right; I can’t give in to despair. But as the servants wash and pamper me, I can’t shake the feeling that I am being prepped for a royal display, a pageant of a life I never wanted. What if Ryan is unknowingly stepping into a trap, one that I may never be able to pull him out of?
As I slip into the soft, flowing gown the servants have laid out for me, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The reflection staring back is a stranger, clad in silk and lace, like an exotic princess in a gilded cage. But beneath the delicate fabric, my heart beats with a fire that refuses to be extinguished.
“Let’s do this,” I finally say, determination rising within me like a phoenix. “Lets go see what the king has to say.”
- Writer
