I am Reborn through Revenge

Lured him

I found Brady in the dinner hall. I called him. I told him that there was something special I had for him. He joyfully smiled and followed me. I told him I had a present I wanted to give him at the Queen’s birthday party. I had fun watching him revealing all his teeth.

“Sir! Can you just tell me what it is you have for me? I can’t wait!” he asked. He was excited. He was losing his cool. His eyes were dazzling around.

“Don’t be an impatient dog, Brad. Once we get to my quarters you will see what I have for you,” I said, smiling. I wanted to lure him out. We had already passed my mother’s favourite garden and the next turn would be the passageway that leads to my quarters.

“But Sir, I can't remember the last time you surprised me with anything good.” He laughed hysterically like he wasn’t truly expecting anything from me.

“What? What did you just say, Brad?” I asked as I turned around.

He didn't answer the question, still laughing. It was a mocking laugh and I wasn’t surprised. I could see all his teeth and mouth wide open. His chin propped up and his eyes dimmed.

“Oh. Oh. You are mocking me, Brad?” I asked. I wasn’t laughing. I placed my hand on his ear and dragged it along with me. “We are heading to my room,” I ordered.

“Aww! Aww! Sir. Wait, just let go of my ears, I will follow you, sir. Please,” he begged.

“You won’t Brad, you are a loud-mouthed parrot.” I didn’t want to release him. I even tightened the grip on his ears. But for a moment, I felt guilty. Not guilty because I was holding his ear but because of what he said to me. Apart from clothes, I couldn't remember the last time I gifted Brady anything vital. To me, Brady deserved anything I could afford. He was like a brother and had served me like a slave than a servant. If three words exist in the world that would be used to define Brady, I would simply say he is “good, decent, and nice.”

Brady was good to me, but I still needed to punish him, I thought. I dragged his ear until we came inside my room.

“Brad, I want you to tell me something. Where exactly did you bring the dress you gave the girl from?” I asked.

He frowned like he didn’t understand the question. There was a short silence for a while.

“Hmm!” he mumbled. He didn’t say anything I could hear.

“I asked you a question. Where exactly did you get the dress you gave to the girl from?” I reiterated.

“Believe me, sir, I didn’t intend to steal it.”

“What? What is that supposed to mean?”

“I never wanted to steal the dress.”

“You have not answered my question?”

“I got it from here...in the palace. When you told me to find a dress for the girl, I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t want to disappoint you so what I did was, I snuck inside the laundry and stole a dress from there. I handed it over to her and she changed into it. What would I have done Sir?” he asked, raising his two shoulders.

I was surprised at what he said. That girl Marie would have been in deep trouble if the Princess had continued with the tough questions she was asking her. I wanted to blame Brady but I had my share of the blame too.

I knew what the Princess was capable of doing. If she had found out that Brady stole a dress from the laundry, she would have punished him severely. There will be nothing I could do to help him.

“I’m sorry!” I heard myself say.

“You are sorry for. . . sorry for what if I may ask?” he seemed surprised that I mentioned those words.

“I am sorry for putting your life on the line Brad.”

What?” he shrugged. “You are a Prince, you shouldn’t be apologizing to me for any reason.” He cautioned.

“You don’t need to remind me of who I am Brad," I told him. "Neither do I need you to tell me what I should do or what I should not do. Okay?” I warned.

I hate being reminded of my position and also told what to do. It makes me sick. It makes me feel weak.

Yea, I was aware that when it comes to tradition, I was a bad practitioner. According to our laws, it was forbidden for any royal blood: Kings, Queens, Prince and Princesses to apologize to a servant and was even taboo for them to apologize to a slave. But all those years with Brad have shaped me into a simple person, a different kind of royalty.

After all those years in Livinas where both of us were subjected to work like servants thought me a big lesson, it thought me about how tough the work could be and above all, I think it made me humble. Veronica's sister made sure she made my life a living hell while I was there. She would sometimes make me work all day on the farm, sometimes in the field feeding the cows or collecting their milk. In most cases, I won’t be given anything to eat, hoping I would starve to death. Winter would come and go, summer would come and go but I stayed alive regardless.

Lucky right? I wasn't sure how I did that.

At first, I hated everything about my life, I hated everyone around me, even the ones close to me, I hated them. I had wanted to commit suicide before but I never had the gut to do it. If the guts were there, I would have done that a long time ago.

Livinas was a living hell for me but yet I found a way to survive. It was only when I began to learn that staying alive should be paramount that I learned that staying strong was also the key to ultimate survival. That was when I began to regain my strength. I was working like a slave but yet I found happiness and joy as one. I let go of my title and choose to become an ordinary person. I began to understand the plight of every slave, every servant. They too had a life, they deserve some respect. Despite all these, Brady had always been there, comforted me when I cried and when I feel lonely or when I missed my mum, he had always paid me good company. So how would I possibly forget the sacrifice of this gentleman? How can I forget someone who stole food just for my sake? But I just didn’t like it when I am constantly being reminded of who I should be. I rather choose to be who I am.

“Okay. I’m sorry your Highness!” his voice was soft and calm.

It seemed like he read my expression and he had this unique way of making my anger douse down.

He gawked at me, it seemed like there was something he wanted to say. I wondered what that might be. “What is it?” I asked.

“Who is that girl to you anyway?” he folded his hands. His looked at me with a questioning face. I knew exactly what he was expecting to hear but I wasn’t going to tell him.

I didn’t waste time. “She is someone I just met today Brad” I responded simply.

“Just today?”

“Yes! Just today! Good Night Brad!” I dismissed him. I placed my hands on my hips.

“But…”

“No buts. Good night!” I gestured with my hand to the exit door.

As he was walking away from my room, a question suddenly popped up into my mind. I didn’t know if it was right to ask him the question but there was no one else I could ask such a question.

“Brad!” I called him, he turned around immediately. He looked at me with an excited face. Maybe he wanted the conversation to continue, I thought. “I want to ask you something!”

“It's my pleasure, my Prince! What is it that you want to ask me?” He asked and smiled.

“Have you, have you ever—" I paused. I felt like I shouldn’t say it. It felt like it wasn’t right. I was confused.

“Have I ever done what exactly?”

He came closer to me. He looked like he was eager to hear me out. I decided to say it anyway.

“Have you ever kissed before?”

The look in Brady’s eyes scared me. He looked at me like I stole something valuable from him. I regretted asking the question that instant. I felt like he shouldn’t have. What was I even thinking? Huh?

'You must be insane Anon,' I reprimanded myself.