Doppelganger

Camouflage

His grip on her was so strong that she couldn't scream or move. Her heart clenched at the possibility that she might not leave there alive.

"A young lady like you shouldn't be walking alone in the night like this, don't you think?" His deep voice rang just behind her ears making her shiver. He held her back to himself which made him unable to see her face and the place was also dark.

"Please let me go." She managed to speak.

"Sshh... it's quite dangerous around here, you do not want to die."

"I promise I won't tell anyone what I saw." She said and he smirked.

"Who cares if you do, the truth is just that you might not be alive till then." It came as a threat and she swallowed hard. At that moment, all she wanted to do was scream out her identity as the Princess but it could also bring more danger considering that she might be abducted for ransom, and the King she knew, will prefer she dies.

"Get lost and do not ever think of watching just anyone fighting on the street or your head will roll off some day." He said letting her go. Without turning back, she took to her heels running off like a lightning and he rose his eyebrows.

"Not even a thank you." he said walking out to see that the men who were following him had gone back. He knew if they had seen her, there was no way she would have left there alive. Walking to the main road he cleaned his hands with a bright clean hanky also taking off his jacket and a black Rolls Royce drove before him. The back door immediately opened automatically and he got inside sitting back on the seat while the door closed.

"Lexi, is it time already?" he asked and an automatic voice suddenly spoke.

"It's past time Mr Harris."

"Get there immediately." He ordered and a seatbelt crossed around him and the car started driving. Seeing it was still a little slow, he spoke.

"Step on it." The car increased it's gear while he relaxed on the seat closing his eyes.

The palace was filled with guests and not just ordinary guests, but those of high class. It was like a competition among the high class to see who will appear in the best dress and jewelries especially among the ladies. They also used opportunities like this to form alliances for their corporations or their children's marriage.

Meanwhile, the King and Queen walked together with their hands clinged together like the perfect couple everyone expected them to be as they exchanged pleasantries with their business partners and relatives.

"It's an honour to meet you once again King Adriel." One of the guests spoke with his wife standing beside him.

"My pleasure Mr Calian. How are you doing Mrs Lucy?" Adriel asked his wife and she smiled.

"Fantastic King Adriel. But if you don't mind me intruding, where is your second daughter? This is a chance to meet your both daughters but you've only introduced one of them." Mrs Lucy said and Adriel went silent sending thornful looks at Adeline.

"Where is your good for nothing daughter." Adriel asked in a whisper.

"You better go look for her." he added and she walked back upstairs while Adriel turned back to his intrusive guest.

"Sorry for the interruption, but it's just that our kids these days are a little shy. She's still perhaps locked up in her room." Adriel said and Mr and Mrs Calian smiled nodding.

Adline walked by the hallway only to see May already walking out of her room.

"May? Where..."

"I came from the back door seeing I didn't want to embarrass your dear husband." May interrupted and Adline

went silent only to see what May was putting on.

"May, you know you can't wear this. I placed a gown for you in your room."

"That? You know how much I dislike ball gowns mom, you can save that for Elsie."

"Please May, all the guests are downstairs."

"You know you can't keep on doing this mother, I obeyed you by being present even when it wasn't in my interest. I'm sorry, but I can't do any more favors." She said walking out while Adline hurried after her.

"May... May." Adline called but May walked straight to the stairs and everyone's gaze immediately fell on her. As she stared at every one of them, all she could pick out was how fake they appeared to be. Just like the King and Queen, they could only afford to be good and extravagant on the outside but the inside was very terrible. Elsie who was busy introducing herself to some of the royal influences felt her clench as she saw May. She knew what her sister can do and there was no stopping her. Adriel folded his hands in anger as May walked to him, he was about to lose his cool but he kept calm. He couldn't afford ruining his image.

"Your majesty." May called and bowed.

"I'm sorry for coming in so late." She added as whispers started rising from the guests.

"Hello everyone!" May exclaimed to bring an audience

"I'm sure you are all wondering who I am. To clear your quizzical thoughts, I am May. May Adriel, the second Princess of Greenville city." May introduced bringing more murmurs. Seeing this, Adline dragged May out while Adriel smiled forcefully turning to the guests.

"Do not mind her words. I apologise for her rude interruption, please do go back to whatever you were doing."

After the toast, the King went back to greeting his guests when a man walked to him.

"Damien Harris! it's an honor to meet you once again Mr Harris." Adriel complimented as they shook hands.

"I thought we talked about this your majesty. Please do not insult me any further by calling me that. Damien is just fine." Damien stated and Adriel nodded beckoning on Elsie from where she stood. Seeing who was before her father, she felt her heart sink. There were so many things she had heard about Damien and one of the most important is his stunning handsomeness that fell every girl at his feet. She had waited overly for this day to come.

She walked slowly but steadily to them so she wouldn't trip out of anxiety.

"Meet my daughter, Princess Elsie. Elsie this is Damien Harris." Adriel introduced and Elsie smiled staring at him. He was as handsome as they had always said and even more. She couldn't depict if he was actually human or some extraordinary being with powers of beauty. He was tall with his dark hair relaxing down his neck. His eyes were penetrating like that of an aqualine with a red pouting lips and his teeth as white as snow. He wore a green velvet suit with a high polished designed shoe that complimented.

"I must compliment your beauty Princess Elsie, you look stunning in this dress." He praised and she grinned.

"You're no different." She replied already short of words to say.

"I'll leave you two." Adriel said leaving.

"I think we have so many introductions to do, why don't we talk at the terrace." He proposed.

"I thought you'd never ask." Elsie responded and he smiled.

"Lead the way." He said moving away to make some space for her to pass and as soon as she passed him, a grave expression plastered on his face as he walked behind her.

May sat on her bed. She couldn't believe she was being locked up like a prisoner by her own mother. She exhaled deeply pushing the rest of her worried thoughts back in. She walked slowly to her terrace staring at the beauty of the Royal Palace but she still wasn't impressed. She never wanted a life like this, she believed in her freedom and not to be monitored for the rest of her life. Immediately what happened earlier flashed on her mind, she began to wonder who the man was. Certainly he never wanted to kill her but she had to admit he was dangerous more like the devil himself and she had to avoid people like that in the future.

Putting her hand in her pants pocket, she took out the liquor and continued drinking. That was the only thing that could console her at that moment.

Suddenly her gaze turned to the hallway terrace only to see Princess Elsie together with a man on the next balcony.

"Psst... " She muttered in scorn but as she was about to turn away, she paused.

'That face, that face looks familiar ' She thought and turned only to gasp in fear realizing he was the same person who appeared as a threat to her life a while ago. Her heart clenched as she wondered what he was doing in the palace and why he stood with Elsie. She knew she had to stay clear, there was no doubt about it.

Elsie walked Damien out after the party was over. A huge smile of satisfaction plastered on her face, it was so evident that she had a nice night.

"I really hope you're comfortable with my father announcing our relationship before everyone." She stated and he smiled.

"How can I stand as an opposition to the King's decision, who is supposedly my to be father-in-law. Besides what matters is your happiness." He replied and she grinned.

"It's such a relief that you're okay with everything. My father can sometimes be a little bit pushy."

"You don't blame him. He only has his daughter's welfare at heart. Any caring father will do that." he said revealing another smile as he paused before his car that immediately opened by itself.

"If you are not busy tomorrow, we could go out and get to know each other more better."

"My apologies, but I don't think so. You don't have to worry, I'll find a spare time and then I'll let you know." he answered and she smiled.

"Have a good night then." she wished and he nodded. Entering his car, the door immediately closed and the smile he wore on his face disappeared.

"Where do you wish to go Mr Harris?" the voice asked.

"Drive home." he instructed and the car drove out speedily.

The gates opened automatically and the car ride in. Parking by the garage, the car door opened and Damien stepped out.

"Lock... " he spoke walking inside and the car immediately locked.

Getting inside his flamboyant house, he met an old woman walking towards him.

"Damien? You're late again." she said and he walked past her walking up the stairs.

"Your dinner is set." she added and he came to a halt staring over his shoulders towards her direction.

"I'm not hungry." he responded and walked inside while she exhaled deeply. Walking to the food she covered on the table, she poured it in the waste bin.

Damien walked into his room and closed the door relaxing on it. He fell on the floor helplessly as the picture of him shaking his hands with the King and all the moments he spent with every member of the royal family flashed in his mind. He laughed wickedly at the fact that he had to quench the urge to pour out his hatred to his enemy. He angrily dug his fingers into his hair in frustration and started scattering his room shouting helplessly like a little child that had been cheated of his right. Sitting on his bed, he folded his hands with his eyes pouting red.

"Adriel... You really have the mettle to propose a marriage with your daughter. You have no idea how much I want to rip you into pieces, how much I want to place a bullet in your chest. You don't have to worry, I'll make you regret this one decision of yours for the rest of your life. I'll make you and your comrades beg on your knees for death." he muttered as a deadly glint appeared in his eyes.