THE FORBIDDEN BOOK: I never got the chance to say goodbye.

CHAPTER 6

"I'm a stepson to the current Duchess."

Basic information even I knew that.

"My mother is dead and so is my father but everything in his will was shared between the current Duchess and me."

His tone remained light.

"The remaining children were given crumbs to fend off and sent away."

"The Duchess although given a will. Her stakes were ten percent. Mine were eighty"

"I'm nearly exhausted with all their schemes both her and my father's spawns, concubines. All fighting hard to see me dead," he looked the part. "So they take everything by inheritance rights."

"Why did your mom die?" My voice melted. It sounded - soothing.

His eyes glinted. Lips trembled then it was gone. Just like that.

"She was a mistress. By misfortune. A lowly maid whom the previous Duke my father took a fancy to."

"He didn't let go. Even when it almost cost him his Duchy. And so the Duchess made a move" his expression remained non-existent. He was still back in the past, but His mind refused to acknowledge that.

"How did she die?" I pressed further.

His lips pressed into a thin line. A line that reminded me of my stakes here. Evoked sympathy.

I was here to Wax him for goodness sake. But look how cute he was. Pitiful too.

"I'm sorry for asking. I must be quite insolent, my condolences" I spoke quietly.

He ran a hand through his hair. Tugged at it. His complexion paled. But I just swooned harder.

Am I still normal?

"She was butchered, brutally" those words cause me to feel a chill so hard, vomit was almost knocked out of my guts.

"By the very maids who were supposed to protect her. Whom, although executed, did not bring her back to life."

"I was seven then and I was beaten by several kids. They left me for dead. I survived. But, my home had already gone up in flames," his dazed appearance struck my heart. His restrained gaze drew upon all the sympathy I had to spare.

I placed my hand on his. An intense gaze burned through me. But, I wasn't known for backing down.

"I'm sorry" the tears broke through like light like rain drops. I hadn't realised that I had been touched so much or that the over use of my powers were already making me emotionally sensitive. Too sensitive.

"I shouldn't have asked her death, did you ever move on? If not, you should fight for your - " my voice broke my powers shut down.

His eyes gazed at me with an absurd kind of surprise and then it happened. I felt weak, terrible. Like I almost always did. Except, this time there was warmth. I got a hug. A hug I always got from my brothers. One I yearned for from my sister. One I yearned for every time!, my powers backlsshed for over using them.

I was too drained. Tired. Feeling my senses cloud over. I could only act on instinct now. But this time,the warmth swallowed me whole. For the first time, I wished time would freeze.

"It's okay, it's in the past now," even if they were mere words I read into them way too much. "I'm dealing with the present"

My senses were clouded but the tapping on my back were all I needed.

Once, twice, thrice until my sensory nerves came back online.

A sob escaped. Not practiced. Not planned. Just raw emotions crashing down.

The best part? They came like the ocean waves and went away.

"You don't have to worry about crying, if you do I'll comfort you." I sniffed.

"Who exactly is comforting who princess" an uncontrollable laugh escaped his throat. My lips curved even as my cheeks felt hot.

I Was calm now. Clear even.

Fireworks lit up the sky one by one. They buzzed numerously - the celebration had begun.

I glanced up at him. Dazed. Breathless.

"Why did you plan to establish illegal settlements? Don't you think you are pitiful enough?" My voice was soft.

His gaze was knowing. When exactly did he know We knew?

"The Duchess is pushing me too far. I need a few settlements. To stabilise her. Or so I thought. This was all really her plan." His gaze was lost.

"What plan?" I asked. "A Duke, far from his Duchy what do you think would happen?" He looked - thoughtful.

Still, he was lost in thoughts. Thoughts I could hear clearly. I backed away from his hold and wiped the few tears at the rim of my eyes. "I could invest in your Dome" I suggested.

"Don't need it" he rose, muscles cracking and straightening.

"Stop playing hard to get. You need an investor and I need a foundation for my future investments" I gazed intently at the last firework that ascended. The view lighting up the dark world.

"So says a princess that hasn't come of age" he remarked.

"Let's wait and see," I rose. "Let's go get a few more snacks and go to the celebration ground.

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The Duke and I took the horses to a shed. After wandering and buying snacks, we went to an open play.

(A theatre but outside)

The play had been on for a while. So we slipped into the back seat. With a higher, clearer view. When I saw what was been acted out I lost interest.

My mother wrote this story. One time Uncle Maxwell even hinted that it was true - A twisted love story. It came across to me a exciting when my mum first introduced it. Now, it was just so.

"You don't look interested" the Duke was starting to notice little details about me. Not good.

"What happens when you're ahead of others in the storyline " I bit into a cake.

"Don't you think it's stupid that just one night and the king fell in love" I rubbed my sore chest.

'No, it wasn't stupid at all'

"And the monarch. His did she ever gain the resources to build a kingdom. It really flourished." At least he was invested.

The scene where the king went crazy for the monarch and made love to her, While the queen stood in front of the door weeping.

'The jerk was heartless alright'

"If you guess well, the father of the king had a love affair with her mother. The first named Dreamstress. But the queen that time also killed her. Now she's foolishly repeating her mother's mistakes." I bit into an Apple.

If this story was true the foolish monarch should be like - my great grandma?

"Bummer" I said as the monarch and king were getting married while the ex-queen was in jail for charges of crime and intent- to-murder.

After A while," are you seriously interested in this?" I sighed, the kingdom was attacked on my mom's birthday.

"Are you seriously not? The ex-queen rose to power." He spoke so seriously.

"I'm going to get some air"

"Wait" the Duke places his eyes and mine and I looked into his eyes.

"Where to?" He asked focusing back on the stage. The king new king who had conquered the kingdom was forcing himself on my the pale blonde girl. Supposedly acting out the role of my mum.

'Unbelievable' My tongue clicked.

"The hill on the West, I want to watch the moonrise" stars had already started peeking out.

"You owe me a story" he stood. Pulled me up and we walked away, hand in hand. Away from all the drama and merriment to the dark, shining hills.

Not so high we reached the top in two strides. The grass was wonderful. The mosquitoes were profound in the darkness. So we stayed away from the grass.

We sat upon a huge rock. The fireflies lit up the atmosphere.

And internal laugh escaped. Maybe it was all that romance I had been reading lately. It all felt so - romantic.

"The drama was so interesting" we gazed at the skies waiting patiently.

"You can head back with it" first it was a feeling.

"I'd rather be here with you. It's comforting. The scenery I mean" I saw the red creep up his neck and disappear but too lazy I ignored him. Or rather, too disturbed.

I squinted without looking behind me.

"Is there something the princess finds uneasy in the play?" He asked. my head lifted in surprise,"you don't know the tale of the Dreamstress?"

"Am I supposed to?" He gazed back at me, skeptically.

"Strange, everyone knows the tale. Or at least I thought so. Maybe it's only in the capital"

Then I heard it. A slow click in the dark. Faint. Unclear. But, I heard it.

"Let's head back to the Empire on the horses. I'll return them tomorrow" rose quickly turning full on to scan the forest with my gaze.

"Already, the moon isn't out yet"

"f**k the moon. I'll owe you the scenery" I kept my voice even.

"What about the car?"

'Yeesh. He's so thorough. Another quality big I rolled my eyes mentally.

"It's already at the Empire, if I'm not mistaken. Right now we need to get home safely." Tension crept into my voice.

I jumped down from the rock.

"The Princess is right" a woman came out of hiding alongside her, three other men. I could feel many others in the darkness.

The moon cast it's soft glow upon the hill.

'About time it showed up.' I thought

The Duke jumped down and stood in front of me.

"What do you guys want?" He asked his tone hid an underlying danger.

"It would be a real shame shame to get into trouble before getting home" her voice a soft purr.

They all wore black. Perfect for blending into the dark.

"Wonderful first impression. Who do I have the honour of thankingbfor this" my eyes glinted