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The cup in my hand fell fast to the ground, shattering into many pieces.
Shocked, I backed away. Bella ran over to my side, pulling me further back from the broken mess, but I barely recovered from what she had told me.
"Is that certain? He asked the king- to leave the palace?"
"The king himself declared it, Miss…" Bella's voice got soft.
I couldn't believe it. But this time, I knew It had to be the truth. Yet, in my head was a clouded understanding of what was going on.
"But why… why would he-"
Was he angry at me again? That I left for the festival without him? Was it because of before? When I tried to leave him? Is this his long-awaited form of revenge?
Bella pulled me back further, shaking my shoulders.
"Miss! Miss!"
I turned to look at Bella, unmoving. For these months, we both have experienced it all together. And when I lashed out at her that day, her words before leaving,
Bella was right. He-
"The 4th Prince truly did betray me."
Bella winced, as if she herself was hurt by this fact.
"Miss…"
I pushed her away, nearly stumbling to the floor.
'What is this?? What type of, sick change in the plot is this?!?'
The sudden series of strange events made my stomach turn with discomfort. No. Was this actually happening?
And if it was- was I expected to just sit around and allow it?
"Bella. Take me to the 4th Prince's manor."
"M-Miss!"
"I don't care!" I trembled. "I…I have to I have to see it for myself."
Bella blinked with saddened brows before nodding.
"Yes… miss."
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I was in my office, finalizing an array of office documents before my departure.
My quill stopped writing as I thought deeply.
'Leaving like this.. what would Eva think?'
It didn't matter. At least, if I truly wanted to keep her safe. She would realize sooner or later why I left. But even then…
"….." I continued to write. As I did so, there were yells from outside my study.
"M-Miss! Miss Adedora you can't possibly!! Wait-"
The door opened abruptly and loudly. In walked a familiar face.
"4th Prince!" The voice of Eva was screaming at me.
"M-Miss!!"
Eva's handmaiden quickly kneeled behind her, and Bo quickly bowed.
Both of them tried to explain and apologize at the same time. I only looked back down at my work.
"4th prince!!" Eva repeated. And yet, I didn't look up.
"Belle. Bo. Leave us!" she said firmlyz
"M-Miss-"
"That is an order from the Reincarnation of the Black Jade! You are both dismissed!!"
"….."
They were both shocked and quickly shuffled out of the room, closing the door.
Despite the loud events taking place, I still didn't look up.
"Hey. Look at me," Eva asked, her tone soft but still angry.
"….."
"Are you really running away like this? Huh?"
"…" I continued writing. A scoff left her lips.
"Are you serious right now?"
She dropped formalities quickly, walked up to my desk, and slammed her hands onto it.
My quill pathway broke, leaving a jagged trail of ink across my words.
"Look at me you!!-"
When I looked at her, she stopped talking. She was crying. Her cheeks were sunken.
I ripped my gaze away from her, and my eyes hardened.
"Theu will see this as a sign of weakness if you leave. So- Why are you running away from me?!?"
"That is not why I'm leaving."
"Bullsh*t!!"
Her sudden curse surprised me, and yet her eyes didn't cower from the documents I was faced with.
"Then? What do you want me to say?" I clenched my jaw while looking at her. "You caused such a scene, coming here-"
"Alastair!"
I stopped, looking at her.
"What did you just call me?"
She only blinked, a couple more tears running down her face.
Eva cleared her throat.
"Alastair." She said stronger.
I quickly stood, and she backed away from the table.
"When did you hear that name?"
"…" She only stared.
"Explain yourself, Eva!"
She still didn't say a word, only gulping as her back hit the wall.
"Eva!" My hand hit the wall near her head. She didn't flinch.
"I said, explain yourself. That is an order." I demanded one last time. She opened her mouth, briefly breaking her gaze.
"Tell me.. what must I do to make you stay?"
"Excuse me?"
"What is it you are asking of me?"
"I'm not asking you anything-"
"-You expect me to just watch as you leave?!?" Her eyes were wild with anger.
I sighed, turning away from them.
Eva grabbed my arm.
"Listen to me. Whatever you think will happen by you leaving, you are wrong."
I furrowed my brows.
"What?"
"If you leave, it will only make things worse."
"How do you know this Eva? What are you trying to tell me?"
"Listen to me." She moved closer, still holding my arm, a determined glint in her eyes, despite the tears falling.
"I am doing this, to keep you safe-"
"-it was you that saved me when I was kidnapped?"
"You saved yourself."
"How would you know if you weren't there, huh?" She blinked. "Answer me, Alastair."
"How do you know that name?" My eyes narrowed.
"It was you?" She retorted.
"Answer my question."
"You answer mine."
"…." I didn't answer her question. But I couldn't lie to her.
Her tears resumed.
"Every time we are apart, do you not see how much the other goes through?"
I looked at her, this time, processing her words.
"There's nothing I can do now." The words left my mouth, leaving a bitter taste.
Her lip quivered.
"That's not true."
"I have already told my father. The carriage is ready and-"
"-Don't, go."
Her hand gripped my sleeve harder, she was begging me to stay. How was I expected to respond?
"Eva."
"Please. This one request, just listen to my one request!" She was crying again.
I pulled my arm away from hers, walking towards my desk.
"…..please."
I grabbed something, turning around to face her.
"Calm down." I returned with a handkerchief, using one hand to lift her chin, the other rubbing her tears away.
"You," she sniffled. "Then, you will stay?"
"….."
"4th prince!" She looked at me in disbelief.
Slowly, I allowed a smile to bloom on my face.
"Forgive me."
She choked on another flood of tears, crying in relief.
"You… what is with you?!?"
In the next second, she wrapped her arms around my waist, tightly hugging me.
"Thank you. Thank you for staying."
I stiffened, unsure of what to do.
"…I'm sorry for deceiving you, but, you will still have to explain yourself, Eva."
"I will! I promise!" She hugged me tighter. I suppressed a second smile.
A budding warmth lit up my chest. For a moment, I had been blinded by the comfort she provided me, completely basking in its warmth.
"I have work to do now, Eva."
"Can I stay while you work?"
"Excuse me?"
She looked up to face me. I quickly sighed.
"You must be quiet then."
"I promise."
As I walked to my desk, she followed, as I sat down, she stood to stare at me.
After a moment passed, I looked up at her.
"Should I have Bo bring another chair for you?"
"….no. I have a better idea."
"What is it?"
"Excuse me, 4th prince."
She respectfully bowed before walking around the desk and towards me. Before I could open my mouth and ask what she was doing, she sat down on my lap.
"!!!"
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(Author here! Thank you for reading this chapter! I hope you enjoyed!)