Scam Me, My Princess

E L E V E N

"Do not keep me waiting Aurora" He groaned, his eyes still closed, floating his hands around the brim on which the water stood. My nose scrunched up in disgust as I watched him.

Maybe if I step into that water and just drown him, manifesting evil thoughts. I mean it will save me the trouble.

"Aurora... Are you still there?" Sebastian asked, immediately opening his eyes in panic at the thought that I might have left. I smiled, waving my hands, "Why are you still over there? I said you should join me" Sebastian said with a frown.

"I am sorry Your Highness but I would rather stay dry," I said in response.

"Aurora... I did not stutter when I said you should join me and it wasn't a request but an order. As long you fall under my command, you are inclined to do whatever I say you should" Sebastian spoke sternly. "Don't let me repeat myself" he warned.

All that he said, fell back into the water he was in because there was no way it was heading for my ears. I wasn't his puppet and won't act like one either, regardless of what he wants.

I stood still where I was without even flinching or feeling scared of the inevitable. He called me again but this time he asked for his towel. I took it off from the basket brought in by the maids earlier as I went ahead to give him.

I stretched forth my hand so he would take it from me but he was unwilling, making me suffer, vexed at his behavior, I climbed on the wooden tub to give him, and this time he brought his hands to receive it.

There was something odd about his willingness, and I was familiar with his game. Rather than grab onto the towel, Sebastian preferred to hold my hand instead, using all of his might to pull me into the water but I didn't budge, like I said I was familiar with his game.

I dropped the towel in the water as I tore away from his hold, jerking back from the stairs of the tub, almost losing balance. I held still as I returned to my position a little angry.

He thinks he is smart, such a fool.

Someone who can't see with his eyes those around him plotting to have his head on the platter is so annoying.

He irks the soul out of me.

I turned away immediately he drew himself out of the water naked and went ahead to pick another dry towel close to me and wrapped it around his waist before storming out of the bathhouse leaving me behind.

Sebastian's rage was a good thing because at least now he didn't dare bother me, I have never slept so much like I have today. Days before, I would have been at the Royal court with him, watching him tend to matters of his Kingdom but I was here, feeling free as a bird though still at the four walls of the Palace.

While resting in my room, I heard hasty steps stomping on the ground, they moved back and forth as someone yelled, "The King has collapsed!", On hearing this I quickly got up and opened the door to see what was going on.

Sebastian's body was being brought in, I stared at him with fright, he was convulsing and vomiting white foam from his mouth. I quickly wore my sandals to follow those who were carrying him but as I saw Queen Mother coming in, I retreated.

"This is the fifth time the King has fallen ill and now on a day such as this, the court members will begin to question the King's health, we shall need someone to make the pronouncement, Your Majesty" I heard Wilson say.

I was unsure who he was speaking to until Queen Mother responded, "Prince Caspian shall do it, he has stood on the King's place twice, he can do it again, here he comes..."

"Mother, I just heard Sebastian has collapsed again" Caspian spoke in a hurry.

"Wilson, leave us," Queen Mother said, as I heard footsteps depart from the floorboards. When sure Wilson was far gone, Queen Mother spoke, "Son this is your chance to prove to the royal court that you are indeed a much better option than the King, seize it!"

"Mother, I am NOT interested in my brother's right as King, so stop putting me above him," Caspian said.

"Reduce your voice, son, someone might hear... Do you know if you become King, I shall finally stop being seen as a concubine that birth the Late King a Prince, I will now become the real King's mother" Queen Mother said with her voice breaking, almost like she wanted to cry.

"Mother please do not start," Caspian said with a bored tone as if he was tired of this blackmail. "Sebastian is King today because of the King's star"

"Not that stupid prophecy again, there is no such thing as the bloody King's star. If Sebastian supposedly dies..."

"Mother! Don't say such a thing" Caspian yell falls into silence as he continued quietly, "Sebastian is still very strong, the Royal Physician said he is getting better, I am sure he is just stressed"

"My lovely son, this is why you couldn't snatch the throne from him because of this pure heart of yours but it is well, Sebastian will barely make it through to the next season at this rate, let's see if you won't take over," Queen Mother said as I heard footsteps pass and another followed.

The hallway had become silent as no one said anything, I opened and looked around, but there was no one as they all flock to the King's room.

For days, Sebastian had been on the bed, doing my best to avoid being seen by either Queen Mother or the Crown Princess, I made sure the only time I got out of my room was late at night and by then most were asleep, so I just sneak into the kitchen get what I could and return into hiding.

I only ever heard that he had regained consciousness from some of the maids who were passing by.

My heart relaxed at the good news. I decided to go see him, thankfully the crown princess was no longer there neither was Queen Mother or Princess Nadia.

"So you finally came" Wilson raised his brows, "The King has been sick for the past six days and you are only showing your face now" he stopped me from being let in.

I didn't even bother trying to force myself in, regardless of the time I came to see the King, it just doesn't matter.

"Aurora"

"Prince Caspian, Good evening" I took a bow at him.

"Where you about to..."

"Wilson said that the King doesn't want that I am let in. I was returning to my room" I said, sure he was about to ask that.

"The King is resting, he doesn't want anybody in," Wilson thought to speak again. He didn't even tell me this.

Prince Caspian nodded his head, "I shall come back later. Aurora if you aren't too busy, might we go for a walk?"

"Sure" I agreed to his request, following closely behind him.