The Prince loves Me
~
The Central Halls of the Imperial Castle,
Capital City of Tronder,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair Morning,
The Ninth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
There was a sudden burst and Charlene Walterus saw Duke Cryspus Lemiron angrily flouncing into the Central Halls, calling, "How dare you spread profane rumours about me among the people? Have you no respect for my family?"
Something about seeing the man she had once given her heart to looking outraged at her, while defending his wife made her heart feel like it was dying. "Wh-what?" she took a step back, feeling defeated.
"That I'm seeing you in the dark of society? That I do not love Lucia but I'm hungry for you? Do you really believe these awful things you are spreading, you witch? How do you think she would feel because you are ruining things for me out of your bitterness?" the scarlet haired man raged, making her feel like her soul was crushed.
"I never spread any of those things", she screamed. "I do not know what you are talking about!" she called back, feeling the need to resist.
Behind him, the damsel noticed Prince Rayzenn striding in, tensed and frustrated with the ruckus.
"Oh, so you're lying about your lies now", Duke Cryspus Lemiron was heated.
Charlene knew that at that moment, she only needed to capture Rayzenn's attention. And so, she immediately turned her tense feelings to emotions and began shedding tears, like she was crying from the impact. "Why would I do that to you?" she whimpered.
"Well, I know you've been jealous ever since the break of our betrothal. I cannot imagine another soul meaning this harm to my family", the Duke barked.
Just then, Prince Rayzenn stepped into the fiasco and said, "Stop brandishing words against a lady. Bear in mind that you were the one who left first, not her. Carry your grudges elsewhere, don't taint the castle's ambience."
Duke Cryspus looked most defeated as he huffed, glaring at her before turning to the Prince and bowing, saying, "I greatly apologise for my misbehaviour in your courts, Sire. But do be careful."
With that, the man walked away, not sparing a glance to anything behind him.
Charlene could not believe how smoothly Prince Rayzenn had subjected Duke Cryspus with his admonishment. She slowly wiped her tears and one of her maidens offered her a hand kerchief.
"I- I don't know what I would have done had you not stepped in to save me, Your Majesty", she said, recovering her voice.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that, my Lady", the man of dark long hair smiled formally.
There were fluttery feelings coiling in Charlene's stomach, like she was falling in love. She could not wait to go tell her father and all her acquaintances of how kind the Prince was, defending her and taking care of her the way he did.
But the damsel needed to let him know about her while she had the chance. And so she said, "This must be the first time I felt so slighted. Usually, I am strong enough to fight back, when I'm accused of things that I never did." The damsel of golden hair finished with a sniff.
"It's alright to be vulnerable once a while", the tall man of royal race replied, pocketing his hands.
"Indeed, I am glad you think so. For no one in my life has ever excused my weakness before. So I have always needed to build myself up and stay strong. And now, it is who I am and I am proud of myself for it", the damsel beamed at the man.
"That is very commendable", the Prince nodded, with a smile.
"I cannot believe Cryspus would so harshly confront me for something I never spread, despite his relentless persuasion of me. I do not know how to redeem myself, your Majesty. I am so sorry that I am having to tell you this, but it breaks my heart that I am constantly viewed as the bad person, despite my efforts to keep matters to myself and be strong", Charlene said, looking like she was afflicted.
There was a pensive frown of concern on the dark haired man's face before he nodded, "How unfortunate, miss. I dearly hope the situation eases."
"Thank you, your Highness. I did not expect to encounter him. Had I known I would have prepared. I was frightened if he was about to approach me again the same way here, but it seems he had heard some rumours of it escape and had decided to pretend he never did the things he did", she sniffed long and hard.
"So he did pursue you?" the Crown Prince asked, seeming concerned.
"Of course I never surrendered to his urges, but yes he did. I knew he was in love with me before he married, but what can I do now? It's so far from anywhere. After all, he is married and I am not willing to break that", Charlene replied, holding her head high.
"I understand", the tall man nodded. "Did you inform his wife of what you were experiencing?"
The damsel recoiled in shock at the thought of Lucia Lemiron, for she would never wish to even see her. But Charlene could understand that if she truly had been approached by a married man, the safest thing to do would be to have his wife know.
And she needed to make herself appear as a kind soul. So she replied, "Of course not, Your Majesty. I simply told him to be away and never pursue me like that, because I did not want to tell Lucia and have their family break. It would hurt her a lot."
"I see", the crown prince nodded.
"It's alright though. It's not new for me that these men behave the way they do. I have had many such encounters. But my prime goal is to ensure that I stay chaste and safe from scandals, harming no lives", Charlene said, with a sad smile.
"I admire that", the Prince gave her a soft smile.
The damsel felt various emotions churn in her stomach. He felt unreachable and yet so close. She wanted him desperately, and she wanted him to desire her like a man in a desert thirsting for water.
~