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"The 4th Prince has arrived!" The King's advisor interrupted. My eyes widened. Quickly, I turned around and bowed to the 4th Prince. He stood in front of me.
"Father, do not punish her, The guards were incompetent and have been replaced." He said. I pursed my lips and looked down.
I cursed at myself. A loud noise snapped me out of my thoughts.
"You! Be quiet! Who asked you to come here!" The King yelled. I bowed once more.
"Y-Your Majesty, the 4th Prince did not mean to offend you, please do not be angry with him, I will take responsibility for any damages caused or reputation lost. Please do not be angry." I frantically spoke. The 4th Prince scoffed.
"Take responsibility?? For what? Father, she has not done anything to these people! Have you forgotten who healed the Queen-"
"Be quiet!" The King stood up abruptly, Pointing directly at the 4th Prince.
"You! Do you not know how to take responsibility?! Who are you to talk nonsense?" The King yelled once more. The 4th Prince clenched his jaw. Before he could say anything else, I quickly kneeled.
"Your Majesty! Please do not be angry with the 4th Prince! I- I." I was going to continue talking when I felt my head begin to spin. I coughed slightly. "Y-Your Majesty-" I paused, taking another deep breath.
'Now is not the time to have a panic attack!' I scolded myself. After taking another breath, I continued.
"Your Majesty, The 4th Prince is generous and has no ill intent. Whatever decision
your highness decides I will fully cooperate." I said softly, still bowing. The room went quiet once more. I peaked up slightly, the 4th Prince's eyes were focused on the queen. She turned away from his gaze, but I could see the tense fear in her eyes.
What is going on?
"Mother." The 4th Prince suddenly spoke up. I groaned inwardly.
'No no no! 4th Prince, Please stop talking!'
"I am the Queen, to you." She corrected him. He went silent. I coughed slightly, trying to get his attention.
"4th Prince, Let's stop here, Do not upset the King and Queen over me. Hmm?" I softly said so only he could hear me. His clenched jaw relaxed slowly. He turned back towards the King. The hard expression on his face remained.
"I will take my leave." He finally said. I couldn't help but sigh after hearing his words. He glanced at me once more before leaving the throne room.
"You!-" The king was about to scold, but instead he sighed and rubbed his temple. Bella helped me stand. I gave her an appreciative glance before looking back towards the king.
'The King is smart. He knows these situations have been lined up in such a way that will force him to do this. I am only from the country side of the kingdom, there is no way I could have so many enemies!' I thought to myself. 'By the king taking me away, It will protect the kingdom from chaos, and will keep me alive'
I bit my lip before looking at the ground.
'But still… I havent found the 3rd Prince's Killer, I dont even know if I will have another chance to come back to the palace.'
"Miss Adedora." The King said."I will have a carriage transport you back to your hometown tomorrow evening, as for your marriage with the 4th Prince.. It shall be dismissed. I shall reward you with gold and jewels instead that you may bring with you." He paused. "That is all."
I bowed. "Understood, your Majesty." I stood up sightly, my head still tucked to hide my conflicted expression.
"I, I shall take my leave now, your Majesty." I said. I bowed curtly before turning arond. Bella and I leaving the throne room. We began walking back to our room. I walked speedily in front of her.
"Miss?" Bella spoke up. Blinking away my watery eyes, I continued walking.
"Quickly, Return to the room and pack our bags, We will need to be ready by tomorrow evening. Also, we will need to find a place for-"
"Miss!" Bella repeated. I stopped taking and turned to face her.
"You havent eaten yet, I can go and-"
"We will pack first, alright?" I said. Bella grabbed my arm before I could turn around.
"Miss! It's already evening, and you werent able to have a propper meal since after the assassin. Let me find you something to eat first." She said. I pursed my lips shut and nodded. She bowed before walking away from me. I clenched my fists and rubbed my stomach lightly.
"We have more important things to worry about, how can I get hungry right now." I muttered to myself. I heard a scoff from behind me. I turned arounded, shocked.
"You cant get hungry now? Are you serious?" The 4th Prince spoke. My face heated as I quickly bowed.
"I-I, My apologies, I did not see your highness-"
"I instructed the Physician to keep you on bed rest. Did he not tell you that? It seems like he does not like his job.."
"No! He had told me, However I was called to the throne room by his majesty, I could not remain in bed." I explained quickly. His eyes turned cold.
"You are ill, of course you could have stayed in bed." He responded harshly.
"4th Prince, I am not ill anymore, I am perfectly fine-"
"You almost passed out in there just now, How is that fine?!"
"I- I didn't! Besides, There are many other things I need to worry about right now." I retorted. He scoffed once more.
"Really? Like what?" He asked in an amusing voice. I furrowed my brows.
'Why is he being so rude!?' I thought to myself. I bit my lip and turned away from him, my arms crossed.
"That is no longer your concern, 4th Prince." I said. My voice slightly wavering at the end of my words. He remained quiet before taking a step back.
"Our engagement." He started. I continued staring away from him.
"It has been dismissed by the King."
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(Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed.)