CHAPTER 17
1156 Words
Luciana's POV
"Princess Luciana, are you sure nothing hurts anymore?" the healer asked gently.
I only shook my head again, wiping away the tears that kept falling from my eyes. I stared blankly at the door, waiting... hoping someone would come.
Nothing in my body hurts anymore... but my mind and my heart do.
My head aches from overthinking all the nonsense Annika said, while my heart hurts because a part of me believes her. I don't even know what to think anymore. The images in my head are tearing me apart...
What if it's true that they don't care?
Is it true that Caleb doesn't love me?
How can he just stand there and watch me get hurt?
My thoughts were cut off when the door suddenly opened, revealing Kuya Lumino and Ate Lean. With teary eyes, they ran toward me and immediately pulled me into a tight embrace.
I broke down between them.
I missed them... so much.
"Shhh... it's okay now. We won't let anyone hurt you again," Ate Lean comforted me.
I nodded repeatedly.
"I'm sorry, Princess... I-I'm so useless... I couldn't save you right away. I'm sorry... please forg-"
"It's okay, Kuya. It's not your fault... I just let my emotions get the best of me," I said honestly, hugging them tighter around the waist.
They gently patted my head and back, trying to calm me, but my tears wouldn't stop.
I feel so sad... so lost. I don't even know how to face the royalties now that doubt has crept into my heart.
Yes... a part of me believes Annika.
Because... I don't think she could lie.
I snapped back to reality when I felt Kuya suddenly tighten his hold on us. Ate and I both looked at him in confusion. His brows were furrowed as he stared into nothingness, deep in thought.
"Kuya?" we called.
He looked at us and gave a sad smile.
"...Don't trust the royalties."
His words shocked us completely.
Kuya Lumino... he loves the royalties-especially Wraise. So why does it suddenly feel like everything has changed? Did something happen while we were unconscious?
"W-why, Kuya?" Ate Lean asked, her voice trembling with worry.
I felt the same.
I had doubts... but not like this.
What happened?
"Have you forgotten what they did to us eight years ago?" he asked.
Of course, I remember. They used to bully us-well, bully Kuya. Ate and I always defended him.
But that was a long time ago...
"Why? What about it?" I asked.
"I just realized... they only became friends with us because we're royalties," he answered blankly.
We froze.
What...?
"What do you mean, Kuya? What happened?" Lean asked, her voice rising with irritation.
"We come from a royal family. Our power is one of the main elements of this world. Without us, the elements wouldn't be complete... and they wouldn't be strong," he explained.
His expression told me he was serious.
"Are you out of your mind?! After everything we've been through with them, you're doubting-"
"After everything we've been through, did they ever treat me right?!" he cut her off angrily. "They always made fun of me-like I was the clown, the joke! You probably didn't notice because they treated you well... especially you, Luci."
My tears fell again.
I think... I understand.
"...They became friends with me because they needed you! They knew that if I didn't join, you wouldn't either! So to make you join, they let me in!" he continued, wiping his tears.
"Didn't you ever wonder why they suddenly became our friends? It's because they needed power-the Water element!"
Ate Lean started crying too.
"I'm so hurt... I can't even think about how you feel right now. Why did it take me so long to realize? Why didn't I see that they never took me seriously?"
We both stepped closer and hugged him tightly.
"We're so sorry, Kuya... we didn't notice. If only we realized sooner... maybe your wounds would've healed long ago," Lean cried.
I buried my face in his shoulder.
"You don't have to worry about us anymore, Kuya. Think about yourself for once. We're not little kids anymore."
We stayed like that for a few minutes... until suddenly, the royalties appeared before us.
The warmth on our faces disappeared instantly, replaced by darkness.
But we said nothing.
For now... we'll just go with the flow.
Third Person POV
Even though Caleb noticed Luciana's sudden change in mood, he didn't stop himself from hugging her tightly-as if he never wanted to let go again.
He truly loves Luciana... and he would do anything to protect her.
"I... I really missed you, my Lucy..." he said softly, his voice filled with longing.
But she didn't respond.
He pulled away slightly and looked at her face.
"Hey, Lucy? What's wrong?"
She shook her head.
"Nothing. I'm fine... just tired."
"Tired? You've been doing nothing but sleeping for two days," Dianne joked.
The royalties laughed.
But Luciana and her siblings remained expressionless.
Luciana replied coldly, "Oh really? Why don't you try staying in a hospital bed and sleeping that long, then tell me how it feels."
Dianne raised a brow, clearly offended. "I was just joking. Don't you know what a joke is?"
"Then learn when to use it properly. Don't disturb me with your senseless jokes," Luciana snapped before lying back down.
Dianne was about to reply, but Vleen stepped in.
"Relax, ladies. You're both too hot-headed," he laughed awkwardly.
"We already have enough problems."
They all sat on the couch, completely ignoring Lean and Lumino by the door-which only made Luciana angrier.
"About the problem..." Vleen started.
Before Vleen could even finish his sentence, Luciana snapped.
"My siblings are here. Are you blind?" Luciana cut in sharply. " Are you even planning on including them to whatever your conversation is?"
The royalties glanced at the siblings by the door. They looked like guards.
Gloom smirked. "Why are you even standing there? You look like bodyguards."
Laughter echoed again.
That was it.
Lean suddenly summoned a crystal-water sword and pointed it at Gloom.
Everyone froze.
"What the h*ll, Lean?!" - Josiah
"Whoa, she snapped already! Must be because I'm handsome!" - Davis(jeez this is so random 🤣)
"Hey! Why are you pointing that at me?!" - Gloom
"Put that down!" - Light
"What's wrong with you?!" - Dianne
Lean's voice was cold with anger.
"We are the Prince and Princesses of the Water Kingdom, Ezclovoix. Make a joke out of us again, and we won't hesitate to sever the bond between our kingdoms."
Silence fell.
"What's wrong with you? Did you hit your head or something-"
"SHUT UP!" Wraise suddenly shouted, her voice echoing through the room.
"We are here to discuss the recent killing... and the traitor! Not to meddle with whatever your drama is!"
Everyone fell silent.
Caleb's jaw clenched at Wraise's commanding tone... but he chose not to speak
- Writer
