Chapter 1
1118 Words
"M-marry you? I don't see any reason for you to marry me."
The prince whose name was Creed stood up in his tall figure as he walked steps towards where I was. He slowly bent down as he got in front of me. Catching me off guard, my face was in his grip, and his face were inches away from mine.
It felt hot. I could feel my face burning. I bet I was beet red from embarrassment and from being thrilled with how close our faces were. Who wouldn't be?
He is no other than Prince Oliveros Creed of Pevanshire. A prince who proved himself worthy, excellent at every field; sports, politics, art, war strategies, literature, as well as being an excellent fighter, a swordsman and a marksman.
Ever since I was young, I already looked up on him, and given that, I knew that my heart was beating for him. I once dreamed of marrying him, but I knew I was dreaming for something out of my reach. How come that dream is something right in front of me now? There must be a catch, I believe.
"Do you not want to?" Voice was deep, and his eyes looked sharp as he stared at my green ones. His gaze was extreme, piercing through me as if he could read the deepest depths of mine, as if he could see through my soul. It was truly intimidating.
"Pardon me, Your Highness. Again, my kingdom is small. Why would you want to marry a princess from a kingdom with low riches, low with armed men, low in... everything."
If he looked serious just seconds before, he looked the opposite right now. He was laughing as he stood straight.
His eyes were almost gone as he laughed. His laughs were still as decent as him, looking so expensive and charming, and just glorious.
And then, his laughs were gone just as how fast it appeared.
"Oh please. I'm happy to know that you knew there's always gonna be a reason behind my sudden proposal," those words left Creed's mouth as he walked back towards his chair. "You see, I am a future ruler of a great kingdom, and I cannot be one if I have no Queen by my side. As much as how much I think of it as unreasonable, I cannot ignore it for it is my kingdom's law. A King cannot be King without his Queen."
"Then why choose me?"
"I've been in a relationship with the princesses from other great kingdoms, and ended up breaking their hearts. I believe that my name is already something the princesses from those kingdoms resent. Also, a girl who is very dear to me chose to let go. Why not rub it on her face that I could always be happy without her?"
I didn't know what to exactly feel. I could have felt relieved, or happy, but then, I also felt sad and somehow... shocked. So, "Perhaps... are you using me, Your Highness?"
"Such a clever girl. Yes. You're right."
"No. I am sorry, Your Highness, but I am afraid that I would not like to accept such proposal." Not when you're using me for a girl that your heart is beating for.
"You do remember that I have mentioned violence, yes?"
I gulped.
"I..."
It was as if I've lost my vocabulary. I couldn't find the exact words to reply. Heck, I really didn't know what to say. Not when it was totally obvious that resorting to force is already a clear defeat for us. I wouldn't want that for my people.
"I can't really say no, can I?"
He just looked at me, his answer was clear in his face.
I looked down.
There was no way to get out of such agreement. If I chose to decline for my own comfort, then that would affect my people badly. I wouldn't want that, neither does my sick father. As a princess, I have to think and act for the betterment of everyone.
With a sigh,
"When do we leave?"
He smiled.
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"Jeremy, please, I'll entrust everything to you. Take care of father, okay? Can you do that for me?"
"Why does it have to be immediately now?"
"I don't know. All I know is if I don't agree, people will get hurt."
Jeremy looked at me with a sad face.
"Are you gonna come back?" He asked, his eyes look hopeful.
I don't know. "I'll make sure to come back."
"Time is running, woman," the prince who turns out to be a controlling bastard spoke.
"Let me say my farewell to my father," I said, and he just sighed heavily as his hand tells me to go on.
Taking the chance, I ran towards father's room.
The creaking floors of the hallway, the dim lights, the hue of the lighting dancing on the corridors that I usually run on when the day reaches the time before the sun sets is something I will surely miss.
"Father!" I called out as I opened the door.
There he was. Our king who has fallen ill, looking so weak in his bed.
"L-Louisiana," his voice croaked as he struggled trying to sit from his lying position.
I ran towards him as I helped him sit properly. I placed cushions behind him to support his angle.
"You were able to understand our talk earlier, right?" I said, trying my best to smile as I held his calloused hands.
"Yes. I'm just... I'm so sad to know that I can't even do anything to keep you from going. I've become such a useless father."
"No, no, no. You were never, and will never be a useless father. You're the greatest in my life. So please, take care of yourself, alright? Mother is no longer here to take care of you and scold you, and I will be away for some time. Don't push yourself beyond your limit, yes?"
My father didn't reply verbally. All I knew was I was in his embrace, and I was crying, sobbing.
"Don't worry. I will be in great hands there," hopefully... "And I will come back when the time is right. That's a promise."
"I believe you. But you too. People aren't always nice. Not everyone is nice, so you got to be the one who should be kind to yourself."
"Yes, I will be. That's another promise. Then, I believe it's time for me to go. I will be back."
I couldn't say "good bye". It felt like it was as if it will be the last time I'll see him. I didn't want to bid him my farewell.
I'm sorry...
- Writer
