Chapter 7
We had been walking for a good five minutes, into hallways. My mind blank from what just happened. I must have seriously lost my mind in that situation to have stood up for myself. My past life must have sapped the fear of death out of me. I could not understand the marquis family. Was I really that much of a bother. I hardly ever appeared before them, unless I was called for. So, this hatred must have been going on for quite a long and I was just too naïve to see it.
"Oof,"
It felt as though my nose was going to break as I slammed into the prince's hard back. Just what was there? Rocks? My annoyance surfaced as I held my nose, making sure I was alright. Why had he abruptly stopped? I looked up to see him facing me, his eyes scouring my body, as though looking for something.
"he opened the door we were in front of before gesturing me to enter,
"Well then, excuse me," I said as I stepped inside.
"Allen, please bring in the first aid kit and some refreshments." The prince said to the man that stood inside the office.
The man bowed, looking uncomfortable, making his way out of the office closing the door behind him. The prince walked in front of me, to a corner of the wide office, removing his coat hanging it.
"Please have a seat, lady Monroe." He said while handing me a towel, to clean some of the blood of my hand and dress.
What was going on? I could not understand why the prince was doing this. Was he looking for a reason to kill me whilst treating my wound? It did not suit his character.
Ummm, your majesty…?"
"…"
"Is there a reason, why you have brought me thus far?" I questioned worriedly.
His expressionless face distorted into a smile. I felt my face redden at the sight of his bright smile. Indeed, it was blinding. he was eye-candy, but sadly only for the eyes, because his status and the rumours surrounding him kept people away from him. What a shame.
"you just seem to have a knack for getting yourself into trouble. What better way to save you than to take you with me? "he said.
This was very unfamiliar. The prince the empire knew to be ruthless and heartless, was standing here before me, with a genuine smile and kind tone. Something definitely does not add up at all. A light knock echoed as the door opened revealing, Allen.
"I have brought what you requested, your highness." He said with a slight bow, bringing in the tray with the teapot and snacks, and handing the medicinal kit to Prince Zachary. Zachary came towards me, bending down, taking my hand in his as he slowly removed the pieces of glass that were still pieced in my skin. I felt a stinging pain as he poured some disinfectant o it, making me wince.
"Sorry," he apologized sensing my discomfort. "it's almost done."
Wrapping my hand up properly in a bandage, he looked up at me again, giving me a slight smile. I awkwardly smiled back, drawing my hand away. Something felt completely off in this situation. He stepped back moving towards the couch opposite me. A steaming cup of tea was placed before me.
"Have something, then you can leave," he said monotonously.
I looked at him as though he had grown two heads. The prince, sitting before me was actually showing hospitality to a bastard child like myself. Picking up the cup I looked at it, my face reflecting. Curiosity was biting me, and I itched to ask if there was something wrong with him.
I remember the past rumours circulating around prince Zachary were quite infamous. He was known for being a man that did not give or care for sympathy. After the war, which is right at this moment, in a month's time he would have married a woman of humble backgrounds and the emperor would have fallen ill and passed on four months after the wedding. When Zachary becomes emperor, Anthony becomes depressed about his loss of the right to the throne. Well, nothing would be more satisfying than seeing his depressed now.
Maybe, his highness would help…? No, no, what am I thinking. There is no way, he would lend a helping hand to someone like me. But thinking about it, he is the only person in the empire with enough power who could help me in changing my fate and with an added bonus give back to those who wronged me. He seemed nice, but then again, I have learnt through the past, no to judge appearance and compare it with character. And the prince seemed like one of those people who were not what they seemed
"The tea is going to get cold as you stare at it." He said looking at me with apparent emotion in his eyes.
"Yes? Yes." I fumbled.
There was something definitely off about his entire demeanor. The atmosphere felt stifling and poked with knives. I needed an answer and I needed it now. Shifting in my seat for a bit I cleared my throat getting his attention.
"Your majesty, pardon me as I mean no offence, but knowing you through the rumours, there must be a reason as to why you are being quite kind to me," I said carefully looking at his face directly.
There was no way a person that was described to detail in the rumours would be the complete opposite. He burst out into laughter after hearing my words. What was so funny? I furrowed my laughter as he let out a sigh as though he had heard the best joke. I squirmed at the sudden play out. Was he crazy? Did the war do something to his head? But I remember him being clearly sane. Allen shifted on his feet in fear and discomfort. what was happening?
"You never fail to surprise me, Winter azalea Vera le Monroe." He spat out poisonously sweet with a sinister smile.
What?