The Moment Of Truth
1810 Words
I turned to leave, but his gentle voice halted me.
"Lavender," he whispered.
Unwillingly, I faced him.
Our faces inches apart, vulnerability washed over me. I stepped back, losing balance.
His sturdy hand grasped my waist, steadying me.
Our eyes locked. I stared, yet remained aware.
My gaze drifted to his tied-back hair. Something stirred within me.
Without thinking, my fingers unraveled his hair, letting it cascade down his shoulders.
The soft strands framed his face, accentuating piercing eyes.
Time suspended as our gazes held.
The air thickened with unspoken tension.
What secrets lay hidden behind those captivating eyes?
His eyes, slightly red-rimmed, belied his calm demeanor.
"Do you like it this way?" he asked, his voice low.
I pulled away from his grasp, standing upright. I can't even see your face but it's manageable," I replied, my gaze wandering around the lavishly decorated room though it was dimly litted.
"You sent for me. What's the reason?" I inquired.
He raised an eyebrow. "Derek didn't inform you, or do you want confirmation?"
I remained silent.
His eyes narrowed. "You're not denying it, so you know why you're here."
I met his gaze briefly before shifting my attention to the dimly candlelit room. Soft flames danced across the walls.
I stepped off the crimson rug, its edges flickering with candlelight.
The prince's eyes followed me, his expression unreadable.
The air thickened with tension.
Would he reveal his intentions?
I turned away, but his gentle voice halted me.
"Lavender," he whispered softly, and I turned to give him a stare.
Time suspended as our gazes held. The air thickened with unspoken tension.
His expression remained impassive, shrouding me in uncertainty. Darkness enveloped us.
Suddenly, a hand grasped my waist. In an instant, we were on the bed. A strong pressure weighed upon my chest.
"Wait!" I exclaimed, my palm pressing against his chest.
"Why do you want this?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice. "I don't want to do this."
I struggled to push him away, but he remained immovable.
The room illuminated, and our faces drew closer. My heart racing, our gazes locked.
He leaned in, his grip on my waist tightening. Our breaths mingled, warmth spreading.
I couldn't speak, transfixed by his gaze.
Overwhelmed, I pushed against him, but he remained unyielding, his expression impassive.
Abruptly, he turned away, releasing me. He collapsed onto the bed, while I gasped for air.
My hands cradled my head, as if holding my thoughts together. His gaze lingered, but I ignored it.
"Rest," he said, standing.
The curtain linens cascaded down, veiling the room in soft shadows.
I lingered in his bed for a while before emerging. He stood by the window, lost in thought, gazing at the crescent moon.
"Do you spend all your time watching the moon?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
"I could do it all night," he replied, his eyes flicking toward me briefly.
"Sleep in your bed; I'll sleep in my room," I said, approaching the door.
He remained silent.
The door refused to budge. I turned, seeking his assistance.
His gaze bypassed mine, his expression unreadable.
Undeterred, I walked toward him at the window, where he now sat.
I admired his elegant posture by the window, his chiseled abs illuminated by moonlight.
"I could sleep here," he said, breaking the silence.
"If you don't want me to touch you, leave," he added, his tone low and menacing, his gaze piercing.
I scoffed, defiance etched on my face.
"It's dark; I don't sleep in dark places," I declared.
"Will you sleep here?" he asked.
"Do you want me to fall off?" I retorted.
Silence.
"Will you allow me to sleep with you?" he asked, his eyes locking onto mine.
I stared, my response suspended.
"I could kill you," I said, testing boundaries.
"Okay," he replied, nonchalantly.
In an instant, we were on his bed. Lamps flickered to life, illuminating his features.
I lay beside him, studying his profile. Curiosity got the better of me. I sat up, gazing at his face.
Our eyes met. He stared, expressionless.
Time passed.
He turned onto his side. "Are you shy?" I asked, my voice laced with curiosity.
He glanced at me, giving me no response.Turning immediately, he drew me close, our bodies inches apart. My hand rested on his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. I swiftly withdrew it.
"Tell me about yourself," he whispered.
I gazed up, meeting his eyes. "You tell me about yourself."
His lips curved slightly. "Should I tell you about yourself?"
Our eyes locked. He closed his, silence enveloping us.
Time passed. I remained still, lost in thought.
Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I drifted off to sleep.
A knock at the door jolted me awake. Disoriented, I struggled to recognize my surroundings. Memories flooded back – I was in the mysterious prince's room.
I glanced around, shocked to find myself lying on his chest. Panic set in; I sat up abruptly, letting out a startled scream.
The prince's eyes opened lazily.
"Derek," a familiar voice announced, entering the room.
"What is it, Derek?" the prince asked, rising from the bed, his movements fluid behind the linen curtains.
"I thought there was something you'd need me to attend to, My Lord," Derek replied.
I glared at Derek through the linen curtain, sensing he'd come to see me, but I couldn't muster the courage to face him. Instead, I turned my attention to the prince, elegantly tying back his hair as he gazed out the window.
Derek, still bowed, raised his head, astonished to see his prince without his hood. His eyes widened, scanning the prince's features from head to toe.
"I don't think I need anything, Derek," the prince said dismissively.
Derek nodded, his gaze flicking to the bed, then back to his prince, before bowing deeply and departing.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood. The prince turned, our heads colliding.
We recoiled, rubbing our sore heads.
The room plunged into darkness, except for slender rays of light peeking through. "Ouch!" I groaned, clutching my throbbing head.
"Where are you rushing to?" he asked, his voice low.
"My room, of course," I replied sarcastically. "Or am I not allowed?"
Silence.
He vanished into the shadows of his bed. I stared, sensing his gaze."I'm leaving," I said ,walking towards the door.
I turned to give him a stare, grasped the door handle, and found it unexpectedly open. Glancing back, I couldn't see him, but his piercing stare lingered.
I closed the door behind me and headed towards my room.
I entered my room to find Derek waiting, anticipation etched on his face.
"Why were you in his bed?" Derek asked, voice low and urgent, the moment I closed the door. "Why did you scream? Did you see his face? Did he touch you?"
I shot him a glare, striding toward my bed.
Derek's gaze traced my figure, his eyes following my every step. I shook my head.
"You've fallen for him," Derek stated.
I scoffed. "Love? I don't love him."
"Can you swear?" Derek pressed.
I rose, approaching him. "Why do you care? Do you have feelings for him?"
Derek's eyes flashed desperation. "No," I replied.
He grasped my waist. I pushed him away. "Stop."
Derek leaned in, lips inches from mine. The door burst open.
The prince stood in the entrance, piercing eyes fixed on us.
I pushed Derek away, and he swiftly bowed, acknowledging the prince's presence. His expression remained inscrutable, but his actions suggested a desire to interrupt.
The prince's gaze lingered before he turned, disappearing into darkness. Derek followed.
Alone, I bathed, brushed my hair, and dressed for a stroll.
In the shadows, a low voice spoke. "Do you like her?"
Derek remained silent.
"You do," the voice pressed. "You can't deny it anymore."
"I want to utilize her," the mysterious voice continued. "Wait patiently, and she'll be yours."
"My Lord, can you promise?" Derek begged, desperation seeping into his voice.
The prince smirked. "You don't trust me?"
"My Lord, I do, but I need confirmation," Derek replied.
"Forget it. I owe you no explanations," the prince snapped.
"Bring Lavender to me," he ordered, dismissing Derek.
Derek hesitated.
"Leave!" the prince thundered.
Derek bowed and departed.
Lavender strolled through the woods, lost in thought, when Derek approached, his face etched with despair. He forced a smile.
Reaching her, he enveloped her in a tight hug. "I don't want to lose you," he whispered.
Lavender remained silent.
"Derek, I can barely breathe," she protested.
Undeterred, Derek held her closer.
"He has sent for you again," Derek said, his eyes locked intensely on Lavender's.
"Now?" Lavender asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Derek nodded.
"I don't believe in love," Lavender confessed, her gaze drifting. "I've been betrayed repeatedly."
"Are you insinuating you feel nothing for me?" Derek asked, vulnerability creeping into his voice.
"No, I care for you," Lavender clarified, her eyes reconnecting with Derek's. "But as a friend."
Derek's face fell, as if betrayed.
"What about His Highness?" Derek inquired, his tone laced with unease. "Do you consider him a friend too?"
Lavender's silence was deafening.
"You can't love him, okay?" Derek asserted, grasping Lavender's hand. "Even if you're at the end of the world, I'll always be there for you."
"Derek, stop," Lavender pleaded, her voice firm. "I want you as a friend, nothing more."
"I waited once for someone I loved, but they never came," she continued, pain etched on her face. "They betrayed me. My own parents betrayed me, Lavender said her voice laced with sorrow. "I've been betrayed; you're no exception."
"Please, be my friend," Lavender implored, bowing slightly. "Expect nothing more."
Lavender turned to leave.
"I love you, Lavender," Derek whispered intensely.
Lavender halted, her back still turned. She shook her head and continued walking away.
I marched directly to his room, Derek's words echoing in my mind: "I love you." He knows nothing about love.
I hesitated at the door, unsure whether to enter. The door swung open, and I stepped inside. It closed abruptly behind me.
He stood by the window, with his back facing me, my gaze fixed on him, wondering what captivated him.
Silence filled the room. He didn't speak; neither did I, adhering to my self-imposed vow of silence.
My irritation grew, but I remained still.
He turned, his gaze drifting back to the window before settling on me. "Are you a servant?" he asked.
I remained silent.
"I wanted to keep you company," he said.
His statement sparked laughter from me.
"Was what I said amusing?" he inquired.
I shook my head.
"What would you like to discuss?" I asked.
He shook his head.
"I doubt you'd find it entertaining," he said, his piercing stare igniting curiosity within me.
"What is it?" I pressed, intrigued.
He scoffed.
- Writer
