The Prince's Forbidden Fruit

Chapter 1 It was then twilight; Lilly was still pacing back and forth behind the rows of pine tree in the local park of the small town in the mortal realm. She is getting more agitated every passing minute. On this day nothing really uplifts her mood, not the scenic view of sunset she just received and not even the fragrant of flowers that is now swaying all over the place and even passing and penetrating her nostrils. Standing on the edge of the cliff, she no longer appreciates the beauty of the place and the hard work of the people who keep the place in shape. The place that once felt like home now feels like the nightmare she desperately wants to wake up from. She stood there looking at the direction where the sun had disappeared in a daze as if the setting sun sucked all the hopes and dreams, she once had. “You are early………. what’s the occasion?” Said Samuel with a big smile plastered on his face as he took long strides towards Lilly. Lilly turned towards the source of the voice that sounded familiar but strange. “The occasion?” Lilly repeated Samuel’s words stressing each letter. Samuel stopped as he reached two steps away from Lilly. “Lilly, do you have something to tell me? You seem___” Said Samuel before Lilly cut him off mid-sentence saying, “It’s Your Highness to you.” Samuel raised his head fast as soon as Lilly’s response hit his ears. “Since when do I have to address you like that even if we are alone?” asked Samuel while giving Lilly a pointed look. “Its disgusting Sam, its despicable Sam, and so very low for you to act like this.” Said Lilly raising her voice. Now giving Samael a sharp look that sent shivers down his spine. In an instant Samael’s face darkened but he managed to calm himself and give Lilly a questioning look while asking, “What are you talking about Li…. Your Highness.” Lilly turned around making her back face Samuel. She struggled forcing away the tears that were threatening to fall. God knew she was hurt. Her heart was broken into thousands of pieces. She couldn’t find it in her heart to tell how betrayed she felt, so she kept quit looking down the hill where the sun has just disappeared.   Samuel felt like something was sharply piecing his heart, he had so many unanswered questions. His feet automatically moved toward Lilly; he did not have time to process his movements before he found himself reaching for Lilly’s cold hand. He used his other free hand trying to turn Lilly, so they were facing each other. Lilly violently shook him off her and took two steps away from him. “I can never know what’s bothering you unless you tell me, or do you prefer I go back to Heaven and investigate it myself?” Sam asked again trying to reach for Lilly’s hand. “Suit yourself.” Replied Lilly and teleported right after giving Samuel one more sharp glare. Samuel stood the under the shadows of the trees bewildered by all the events of the day. Everything in the park look just the way it did every other day, the fresh breeze, fragrant of flowers, lights in the village down the cliff, swaying branches of pine trees and the emptiness of the park, having no visitors past the closing hour. Only one thing was missing, his beloved women. The woman Samuel grew up with in Silver Valley and that is where they feel in love. After he was fully grown, as the son of the second in commander of the Silver Valley in Heaven he had to leave home to join forces with his father in protecting their kingdom and the people. He has just returned home a week after Lilly who is also one of the respected generals in their army. He was still trying to process what he heard when he first stepped into court when he received a telecommunication from Lilly telling him to meet her on their usual sport. He came as soon as he got the massage. Hence, he had a train of question to ask her regarding what happened in court that morning. ***************Flashback *************** That morning when Samuel passed by the stables, he asked the keeper to show him Lilly’s horse, while asking he noticed the dark cloud casted on the keeper’s always sunny face. The keeper did as he was told. The horse keeper told Samuel about the growth of the horse and the last time it was fed and all other details as usual, but he was unusually polite. Samuel ignored the suspicions on his head and progressed with his journey. When Samuel arrived at the gates of the capital, the guards on duty respectfully greeted him, something that both seemed strange and yet appropriate when considering his recent achievements in an army. Gabriel who is a chief of the guards and an old friend came forward to greet Samuel, but his eyes stayed a little while on the jade pendent attached on Samuel’s belt while they exchanged greetings. The jade pendent was the gift Lilly gave to Samuel when he first left home as a reminder of their love and almost everybody knew about it. Suddenly Gabriel asked, “Why are you still keeping this?” he was pointing at the pendent. “Should I be having a reason not to keep it? Anyway, it’s my lucky token.” Samuel replied and he look shocked by his response, but he quickly recovered. “His Majesty requested for your presence in court this morning, I guess you came in time.” Gabriel said while gesturing Samuel to head towards the castle. Samuel went on with his mind now occupied with the guesses of what might make the king request for his presence. While riding on the streets leading towards the castle, Samuel noticed people looking at him as if he suddenly grew seven heads. Still, he ignored the feeling. Samuel passed by the florist he used to pass by and buy spirit purple roses to buy the roses. The woman’s face was not as lively as usual, and she avoided eye contact. Samuel nonchalantly bought the flowers and carried on with his trip. It was a norm for him to buy flowers for Lilly whenever he returned home. He especially bought spirit purple roses because they presented forbidden happiness, and so was the happiness he received from the relationship with the Princess while he was just a son of the commander. Their relationship needed some sort of a miracle to have a bright future. When Samuel reached the castle, he saw the ministers already on their way to the court. He followed the lead. The inside of the castle court was as grand as usually, with the walls painted white covered with red curtain and touches of gold. All the furniture was made of delicate wood and decorated with golden threads. There at the end of the room stood the golden throne for both the king and queen of Silver Valley Angel’s clan, Hakim and Donna Forrester. In less than two minutes after Samuel settled down the king came in, a solemn expression plastered on his face. “You may be sited………. His Majesty summoned you, so to announce the progress of his peace negotiations with the Clear Waters clan’s king, King Theodore Marvel.” Said the general minister as he took the edict from the king. At that very same moment Princes Lilly entered the court, looking drained. She walked and stopped in front of the few steeps before the king’s chair. She kneeled, bowed he her head and said, “Father” in a low soft voice, more like a whisper. The general minister proceeded to reading the edict after receiving a hint from his Majesty. “Princess Lilly of Silver Valley clan is a calm, beautiful and intelligent young woman, admired by not only her clans’ man but by the entire immortal realms. She is not only the obedient and filial daughter to her parents but also a good protector of the Silver Valley clan. She will continue playing her fated role of protecting her clan by maintaining peace between the angels and demons by marrying Raphael Marvel, son of Hakim Marvel the king of Clear Waters.” The General Minister finished reading and raised his eyes to look at Princess Lilly who was kneeling in front of his Majesty. “I receive.” Princess Lilly replied with a forced smile after what seemed like forever. Her action of not immediately receiving his Majesty’s edict seemed like she did not want to receive the edict at all and while she kept quiet it seemed like she was waiting for a savior. For Samuel everything stopped after hearing Lilly’s response. He did not even get time to congratulate the king for his success.  Leaving the hall after finishing dining with the king Samuel had nowhere to go, for Lilly was his home and now she belonged to someone else. While he was still walking aimlessly, he received a telecommunication from Lilly. *************End of Flash back***************** Samuel was still standing there in a park recalling and trying to process all the events of the day. He then understood why everyone was acting strange in the morning, the horse keeper, Gabriel, the florist woman and all the people who looked at him weirdly along his way towards the castle. He felt that now that he already lost Lilly, he had nothing more to live for. He was still lost in thought when he received a teleported massage from his mother telling him to come home for supper. ***************** Arriving home Samuel was welcomed by the fresh aroma of his mother’s mouth-watering meal. His mother Sofia Esteban was a great cook, the woman loved spending her days looking after her family. She was not like any other lady from the higher-ranking families. Sofia heard Sam’s footsteps as soon as he set foot on their yard. “Sammy love, over here!!!!” shouted Sofia as she waved her hand gesturing her son to come to her embrace. She had her usually sunny face like she knew nothing about the events of Samuel’s day while she knew it all. “Hi, mom.” said Sam in a low voice. “Hey... Sam you just came back from your training. Where is my kiss?” Sofia continued staring at Samuel with a questioning gaze. “Here” said Samuel as he pecked his mother’s cheeks. “Take a sit while I finish preparing dinner, your father will be here in a minute. Once he arrives, we will eat and catch up after dinner. Do you like the sound of that or you prefer taking an early nap?” Sofia kept going on and on speaking and asking questions to her son who was now sitting in the lounge. “I miss chatting with both you and dad, so I will stay for a catch up.” replied Sam without even looking at his mom. His mind was still occupied by his unexpected break up. It was hard for him to believe that it was over. It did not take long for Samuel’s father, Robert Esteban to get home. Mrs. Esteban served dinner soon after her husband’s arrival. The family enjoyed the good meal accompanied with heartfelt laughter. They talked about what they were doing at home while Sam was on his training, the noisy neighbor's recent tactics of getting the hottest scope, the scandals in the local market and Sam talked about his experiences on his training after his father returned home. Little did the trio know that this was their last happy meal they will ever have as a family.