Running From The Prince

Chapter Eleven

Alex was frozen

She couldn't force herself to react even as she watched Rachel's still body at the bottom of the stairs. She had seen blood before, too many times for it to still make her feel nauseous. But the red painting of Rachel's delicate face made her stomach feel very upset. She felt like throwing up at the moment

Someone rushed passed her to go downstairs to help Rachel. There were loud whispers from the spectators, she didn't need to look to know they were all flashing her accusing looks. But it wasn't her fault! She would never purposely hurt another human being. But would anybody believe her?

At the bottom of the stairs, Albert was leaning down and holding Rachel. His eyes looked up suddenly and they made eye contact. She wasn't sure if he had seen what had happened but judging from the hateful look in his eyes he must have the same mind saith everyone else here. He also thought she had pushed Rachel...

Alexandra ran out of that place as fast as her legs could carry her, she pushed through the crowd of spectators that all gave her judging looks. When she made It out of the school building and was able to get some fresh air into her lungs, she could finally breathe freely and it didn't feel like she was suffocating anymore

She placed a hand on her heart that was beating rather rapidly and thought back on what had happened. This..did she somehow get herself involved in a plot? Who would have known that Rachel was that kind of person?

But somehow she felt that the events of today were going to have a major impact on her

* * *

Maria Alexandra Silva had pushed her love rival down the stairs in a fit of jealousy

Her instincts had been right. It turns out that the story had become the latest gossip in the whole kingdom even before evening. It was a major scandal and nobody was left out in professing their view on what a nasty person she was

" This was a perfect example of the rich bullying the poor. Lady Alexandra would even stoop to such a low extent to get the attention of the prince. It is a Shame that the Silva family has raised such an undisciplined and cruel young lady. Who knows what else she could be capable of when she becomes queen "

When she saw what was written on the papers that evening, Alex couldn't say she was surprised. Rachel had put on so much effort behind that little scheme of her's anyways and she would be even more surprised if people didn't fall for it. She wondered why someone was willing to put himself in danger just for something like this, just to win the sympathy of a man. But she supposed the case would be different since said man was a prince. But still, Alex couldn't imagine herself ever doing the same thing

Rachel deserves a trophy for her efforts. Alex was more impressed with her determination than anything. If Rachel was in the army she would make a very good soldier. I mean the girl had ended up with broken ribs and an arm due to her little stunt, she deserved some praise, right?

" My Lady! Is this situation funny to you!?" Emilia shrieked and she only realized then that she had been smiling unconsciously while reading the papers. Her Nanny gave her a very disappointed look but didn't stop in her actions of bandaging her wrist where Rachel had injured her. " Honestly, what were you thinking? You could have killed the poor girl"

" Haven't you listened to anything I said earlier? I didn't push her"

" There is no need to pretend in front of me, you seem to forget that I've known you since you were a baby"

" What is that supposed to mean?"

Emilia stops bandaging her wrist and places a warm palm on her cheeks, she looks at her with deep concern in her eyes. " Alexandra, you are an incredibly bright lady. You have both good looks and a good family backing, I don't want you wasting your life on a man that doesn't love you. There are dozens of Princes out there that would fight for your hand, there is no need to tarnish your image like this. Think about the damage your actions could do to your family, do they deserve this from you?"

Alex was taken aback by the old woman's words. It was the first time she had heard Emilia speak to her in such a motherly fashion, she couldn't also forget that Emilia had addressed her by her name. She doesn't know what to say, Clearly the old woman doesn't expect a response because she goes back to bandaging her wrist like she hadn't said anything

But Alex had been telling the truth. She has no emotions for that rotten prince, even if she did before it was all gone now. Seeing what Rachel had done for his sake she didn't want to be caught anywhere around him. She completely gives up

The moment of silence is interrupted between them when the door opens and a female servant makes her way into the room. She bows respectively to her and delivers her message

" Lord Edwin request your presence in the dining chambers"

At the mention of her older brother's name, Alex felt cold all over. She knew it wasn't time for dinner yet and this meeting must have an agenda. It seems the moment she has been dreading was finally here.

" I understand" With a sigh, she exchanges a look with Emilia, the woman gives her a sympathetic glance as she rises to her feet. Alexandra followed behind the servant feeling much like a sacrificial lamb being led to the altar. Her heart thuds when she enters the dining room and all eyes turned to her. Two pairs of scarlet eyes were particularly fierce this evening

Both her father and two brothers were sited on one side of the table, and prince Albert and an older man who had a keening resemblance were sited on the other side. She knew immediately that this must be Albert's father and the king of Fyn. Oh boy, if the king was here then that meant the matter was really serious

" I offer my greetings" She gave a small bow as a way of showing courtesy to those present. She was picking up on the many rules that governed this world

" Alexandra dear, please come take a sit" It was the king that had acknowledged her with a warm smile. Even her family members wouldn't look at her. Alex forced out a smile and settled on the seat beside Ryan

No one spoke from then on. The only sound that could be heard was the clinking of tableware. Alex was uncomfortable with both the glare that Albert was sending her way and the fact that she was having difficulty eating. Eventually, she sighs and was the first to break the silence

" Is this about what happened before?" Finally, it seemed that nobody wanted to ignore the topic anymore

" I want to call off our engagement "

" Albert" The king rested a head against his temple and showed a tired expression. " Please don't forget your manners"

" I mean no disrespect to the prime minister nor his family, but I do not intend to drag the matter any longer" He stares directly at her, piercing red eyes against brown ones. " I do not have feelings for lady Silva and I do not intend to marry her. No matter what she does"

" I do not blame you" The look Edwin gives her while saying this sends shivers down her spine. This was why he was the least favorite of her family members to her. " What Alexandra did was beyond disgraceful. We humbly accept your alienation"

" I also request an apology on behalf of Rachel"

" Very well" Edwin gives her an expectant look. " Go on Maria"

" I...I am not apologizing "

" Alexandra" her father gives her a pleading look, despite how much she didn't want to cause any more trouble for him than needed she couldn't bring herself to apologize for something that wasn't her fault

" It wasn't me who pushed her so why should I apologize? "

" That is a lot of guts coming from you," Albert says with clear anger in his voice. " It is only out of respect for the Silva name that I hadn't pressed charges against you for attempted murder. Rachel is laying helplessly in the hospital with broken bones, do you think even your apology is enough to compensate for her pain"

" Very good Albert, Preach to me just how much pain she is in. it seems you are even more stupid than I thought you were"

" That is Enough Maria!"

" Why do you keep calling me that?" She turns to Edwin " It's enough that you don't believe what I say but you shouldn't look at me with such a disappointed expression. If I am not disappointed in myself then you shouldn't either"

" It seems that you have grown too comfortable over the years, that must be why you feel you can get away with whatever you do. From this moment you won't have that freedom anymore!"

" I had suspected it earlier but now I realize that my thoughts were right. The reason you look at me with such harsh and bitter eyes is not that you wish to discipline me but you feel it is only fair to get back at me for Mom's death!"

Her words seemed to have struck a nerve, oh, and what a big nerve it was. Not only Edwin but everyone else was staring at her speechlessly in disbelief. She had just said whatever she did on a whim, Edwin was annoying the hell out of her and she wanted to say something that would get him to shut his mouth up. She got her wishes

She finally turns her full attention to the Prince and says something she should have from the beginning

" I didn't push Rachel but I know you wouldn't believe what I say. But I want you to believe me when I say this. Whatever feelings I had for you in the past are over now. Everything we were in the past or would have been having no meaning, from this moment we have no relationship. Prince Albert, I Alexandra Silva accept your request. In this life, I won't love you anymore" She gets up from the table after saying this and walks out of the room

She ignores the prodding eyes of the servants and walks directly to her room. She shuts the door and makes sure that no one would be able to gain access inside. Finally after doing this could breathe in relief

" Phew, glad that's over with"

Honestly, if she had to deal with that Albert guy any longer then she might just end up punching him in the face. Ignorant men like that were the absolute worse. It was obvious that Alexandra was the villain in some cliché fairytale world

And she didn't even want to deal with her own family any longer. It didn't seem like she would return to her world anytime soon, maybe she should run away from this place. Or at least find other methods to help herself

Alex yawns and cuddles further into her bed. She would think about the rest tomorrow morning, after breakfast that is