I shouldn't have married the Crown Prince

Chapter 6

As soon as we arrived home, I was told that my father wanted to speak to me. It was a very rare occasion and I didn't know how to feel about this. The Duke had never shown any warmth. He did as if Eschyle didn't exist and when he wanted something from him, he ordered in a firm voice.

This wasn't an exception. The Duke didn't even look at me and told me what he wanted to say without asking for my opinion. He didn't even tell me to sit or propose any tea. It was as if he wanted his son to disappear as soon as possible.

"A meeting will be fixed with your fiance. She is in the same high school as you.

-I understand."

And this was all. I left and learned later on that the meeting would be held in a cafe not far from school. I got ready to leave and was very richly dressed for the occasion. I had to show off the Duke's power during this meeting after all.

As I got out of my room, I found myself face to face with Cadmael. The prince looked at me with curiosity before raising an eyebrow.

"Are you going somewhere? I thought we would spare.

-I'm sorry but we have to start later. I have an appointment.

-With whom?"

I thought about my answer for a second. Cadmael should have been in love with Diana by now and I didn't want him to be jealous. Should I explain the situation and say that I didn't want this marriage? No, that would make it seem as if I was lying. I was dressed too well for someone against a marriage.

"Just someone."

Cadmael didn't say anything but looked at me for a long time. Feeling embarrassed, I took my leave and went to the café. When I arrived Diana stood up and smiled broadly. I didn't think she would be so polite to someone she didn't like so I smiled too. I didn't hate Diana and wanted us to be on good terms.

"Did you wait long?

-No, I just arrived.

-Good."

We smiled awkwardly and sat down to drink tea.

"I heard from your father that you are the head of your class."

I smiled. I definitely couldn't get used to this pride. Seeing me smile this way made Diana's cheeks go a little red. I thought that it was due to the awkwardness of the situation and didn't think too much about it.

"I didn't think that the Duke would tell you such a thing.

-Why not? This isn't something common. People are usually proud enough if they are the heads in one class. But all of them is something else entirely."

I really liked Diana. I didn't understand how the original Eschyle could have been so horrible to her. The way she smiled and complimented me was adorable.

"I quite enjoy studying. I find our subjects fascinating.

-I never heard anyone say that. Usually people complain about the heavy workload.

-Don't you like studying?"

Being the female lead, it would have only been natural for Diana to love studying and to have perfect scores at every exam. Now that I was thinking about it, Diana was probably my rival at this school. As long as I didn't get jealous of her and didn't hurt her there was no problem.

"I am just the same as you. I see more of the library than my own room.

-Me too! The school's library is huge!"

I suddenly realized that I got carried away and sat back, my cheeks turning red. However, Diana only laughed and served me tea. The atmosphere became very comfortable and we talked about our favorite subjects for hours. I really liked spending time with Diana and wasn't scared of her at all. In this book, Diana was probably the nicest and most innocent character of them all. I really wanted to get closer to her and even become friends but I was still scared that Cadmael would take it the wrong way. I could easily die if Cadmael thought that I stole his fiance. On the other hand, the Cadmael of now was unable to kill anyone. I really didn't know what to do.

I still didn't get to make any decision when I arrived home and found Cadmael waiting for me in front of my door. He seemed strange for some reason.

"I'm sorry to be home so late. I don't think we'll be able to spare today.

-Did you have fun?"

I couldn't hold back a smile.

"It was really good indeed."

What I didn't expect was Cadmael's face to turn so dark. I immediately forgot to smile and frowned instead:

"Are you okay? You don't seem fine."

Cadmael averted his eyes and I couldn't see his face anymore. Suddenly I heard sniffling and rushed to Cadmael's side. I grabbed him by the shoulders and looked at his face worried:

"What is wrong? Are you hurt somewhere? Did the bullies come back?"

I started panicking and looked everywhere on Cadmael's body for wounds but didn't find anything.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left like that. I won't leave you again."

I couldn't continue checking Cadmael's body because he suddenly grabbed my wrist:

"You promise?"

I was still very worried and didn't really know what Cadmael was asking:

"Sure."

My response made the young child very happy and he hugged me tightly.

"Promise me to never leave me again."

I was dumbfounded and found it a little hard to breathe. How could this child be so strong?

"I promise. I'll teach you how to defend yourself. You don't have to be scared anymore.

-Then can I sleep with you tonight?"

I froze.

"What?

-I'm really scared that they will come back."

My brain was in turmoil. What was I supposed to do? I didn't really want to sleep in the same bed as the person who was supposed to kill me. Especially when I spent the entire day with his first love. But this child was clinging to me with such terror that I felt really bad. It was my fault again that he got this scared. I shouldn't have left. I should have taken Cadmael with me.

I signed before returning Cadmael's hug.

"Just this once."

The next second we were in my room and Cadmael was still clinging to me. I didn't even realize that Cadmael was holding my hand and when I saw it I tensed up. When did I become so used to his presence? I slowly let go of the hand and went to my bed.

"Do you have a side that you prefer?"

Cadmael didn't respond for a second.

"Can I sleep on the bed with you?"

I frowned. I didn't even think about how weird this all looked. Two grown men sleeping on the same bed. I didn't want Cadmael to sleep on the sofa which was uncomfortable and just thought this would be okay. But thinking back about it now, I wasn't so sure anymore.

"I'm sorry. You can sleep on the bed, I'll have the sofa."

Cadmael shook his head fiercely:

"This is your room. I'll sleep on the sofa.

-But you are too big for the sofa."

We both looked at the furniture and quietly agreed that Cadmael would never have the space to lie down on it.

"I don't mind sleeping with you on the bed if you are comfortable with it."

I would have been comfortable before Cadmael asked but now I couldn't help thinking that this was strange. Seeing me hesitate, Cadmael started crying silently:

"I understand if you are uncomfortable sharing your bed with a lowlife like me. I'll sleep on the ground."

Hearing these words immediately woke me up. I straightened my back and almost yelled:

"Don't say that! Those bullies are the worst for calling you tha. No one deserves to be called that. We are all human beings and deserve the same rights. I don't mind sleeping with you!"

Cadmael didn't seem to believe me, his gaze still on the ground.

"I assure you. I don't agree with them and I would tell it to their faces. I am not ashamed of you and would love to spend time with you."

Cadmael seemed so touched that he started crying even more:

"Really?

-Don't cry! What did I say?

-Sorry... I'm just so happy. No one ever wanted to spend time with me.

-I will! I will so stop crying.

-Will we be together at school too?

-Of course. I will stay by your side.

-Can I come to the library with you?"

I was so stressed by his tears that I didn't even wonder how Cadmael knew about my whereabouts.

"You can come anytime.

-Can we eat together at noon?

-Sure. I'll protect you from the bullies and always stick to you.

-You have to promise."

Behind the curtain of tears, a strange glow was shining in Cadmael's eyes. Of course, I didn't see it, my need to help others blinding me completely. I didn't even realize that I would come to regret this decision.

"I promise. I will stay by your side."

Cadmael immediately stopped crying and jumped on the bed. He seemed so happy that I finally could breathe. I went to turn off the lights but when I laid down I could feel Cadmael staring at my back so I turned around and looked at him:

"Are you still scared?

-Just a little. Could I hold your hand?"

I laughed.

"You are really a child."

And we slept while holding hands.