"Then I shall say I can now tell you the reason why you're here," he said as he leaned on the back of his chair. Both his elbows rested on the side of the chair the other hand resting on his lap and the other touching his cheek. "I am in desperate need of a fiance, right now," he said straightforwardly. "A fake one to be exact,"
I knew there was something wrong about this sudden meeting but I never thought it would be this twisted. A fake fiance?
He stopped to look at me. He must be trying to see my reaction. 'I would like to hear everything, your highness.' I said to make him continue.
"You knew what happened that night, the plan was to hold the party just as my father had ordered and make another person entertain our guests to keep myself away from a terrible situation. You see, there are things I don't like about women,"
What? Their whole existence?
"But I was forced by the King's orders that I had to lie in front of everyone. But it seems like I wasn't that successful to hide it from everybody," he said pertaining to how I managed to find out he wasn't the man behind the curtain. "Back to the plan, we wanted to send an immediate letter to the King that we didn't find the right bride for that party. And then, we thought we could get away with it." he chuckled slightly. "But we were wrong."
For a prince to be so open about his lies, he must have a lot of courage. But this man doesn't seem to be embarrassed about it at all. What he did may be unacceptable to others, but if I was him, I would also do the same.
If lying was the only choice I have to save myself from something, then call me a Liar.
But I felt amazed by how the Prince was talking so lightly about what happened. He seemed calm, he sounds calm, and comfortable, which was far from what I had expected in this audience. Considering that I am a woman, I expected a larger table and a furious bull. I expect him to make me feel uncomfortable with disgusted glances and orders not to touch anything at the table.
Maybe I got lucky that he also wanted something from me.
"Just yesterday morning, the King sent us a letter. He wants to see the bride that I chose. And it was an order that was backed up by a threat. I could've taken it lightly," he glanced towards my back where I knew where I left Anton earlier. "But Anton wanted to make sure the threat isn't going to happen,"
'What exactly do you want, your highness?'
"You said they are keeping something of yours at the moment?" he asked even though I am pretty sure he has never forgotten this as I have only told him this a few minutes ago.
'Yes,'
"I can help you get that back if you'd help me by showing up in the main palace with me tomorrow," he went straight to the point. I was taken aback even though I saw it coming. I knew he was going to ask me to come with him. But I've got questions.
'But if I am not mistaken, you mentioned something about a fake fiancee earlier, your highness.'
He chuckled once more. "Yes,"
'How am I supposed to get my part if my side doesn't fall on your schemes?'
"They are after the fortune aren't they?"
I fell silent upon realizing he must've thought about this thoroughly as he could answer my questions immediately. Just how much longer can he dive just to rebel against his father? "I'll be keeping you in my Palace for as long as you want if you are willing to pretend as my wife."
'You are a good liar, your Highness,' I couldn't help but say. I saw the corner of his lips rise as he pretended to take it as a compliment. 'How certain are you that this is going to work?' I asked him.
"Trust me," his eyes glowed upon saying those words.
The words struck me like a bolt of lightning for no particular reason. It gave me a reaction I did not expect. I've never been told something like this by someone from outside the forest. After being told something like this, agreeing to participate in this scheme would mean I am to trust someone.
'I may have to think about it, Your Highness.'
"We will be leaving tomorrow, you might want to think about it fast, Lady."
There is more to this scheme that I don't know. There are still mysterious things about this Prince that I have been wondering about. His curse, his illness, the reason for his rebellion against the King. And there are a lot more.
I have only met this man the other day. We did nothing but exchange glances and nothing more. But yet I am tempted to give him my trust. The trust I knew I shouldn't be giving to anyone. And yet, here I am tempted to make a choice even though I simply should decline.
I've repeated this so many times. I have already accepted my death. There is no longer a need for me to fight for my life and fight to take the necklace back. It would only add more to this excruciating pain called living.
But some part of me wants to know what's behind the walls of the Mistress' Manor. I've been fascinated by magic and the abilities of other creatures. I have always loved to come to the poor and yet lively corners of the market. A part of me believes there is more to life that I still haven't discovered.
I've been avoiding these lingering thoughts in my head these past few days. It affects my decision on whether to die or continue living. And the Prince sitting in front of me, staring at me this whole time has offered me another home, which means another life to live. A lot of experience to discover.
And a chance to fulfill my Mother's last words.
Should I take the risk?
I will be taking my stone and living in this huge castle wearing the image of a Princess, the Prince's wife. What else would go wrong if I trusted him?
"You seem to look like you have decided," he said, sounding certain that I have already come up with a decision.
'One question before anything else, your highness." I said copying what he told me earlier. He slightly bowed his head to keep me going. 'Why did you choose me?'
I have come up with a decision and I am certain that he knew what the decision was. All that I want to do is to ask him the lingering question in my mind ever since I left the laundry this morning.
"It's because the voice is what I hate the most about women," he answered me. He answered it so easily but I knew there was something about it he didn't want to tell me. Because he stopped himself from adding something to his answer.
I knew what it was and I was tempted to ask him Why. But I never did. I didn't want to pry on his past just as much as I didn't want others to pry on mine.
"Well then, I'll be seeing you tomorrow,"
I was just about to think that we were all done when I remembered that I had forgotten to ask him something, 'One last question, your Highness.'
"What is it?"
'Can I ask for your name?'
I heard and saw him chuckle in response. I almost thought he wasn't going to give it but then, he said... "I am Kairus Mikael, the first legitimate Prince of the Valor Kingdom, it is a pleasure to meet you, Celeste."
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Alliyah left a few moments after Prince Kairus stated his name. Anton sent her back to the carriage where she was sent home to deliver the news to her mistress and ran back into the Prince's palace to ask Prince Kairus about what they had talked about.
"Your highness, how was it?" he asked Prince Kairus as he walks back to his room after coming out of the garden.
"Give the money to the Count's wife and prepare a carriage for a trip to the Main Palace tomorrow morning," the Prince said as he took off his shirt in front of Anton and wore his favorite robe.
"Does this mean she has agreed?" Anton asked anticipatingly.
"She didn't give me her answer," said Prince Kairus in response. He just realized Alliyah never confirmed it to him.
"What if she doesn't show up tomorrow morning, Your Majesty?" Asked Anton as he follows his Master as he walks towards the study room a few doors away from his room. Prince Kairus didn't answer him right away. He opened the study room and sat at his table as he grabs a book and opens it on the right page.
"She will," he told him calmly with a slight smirk as if he was so sure that the Lady will show up in the morning.
Anton didn't fail to notice the flicker of red from His Majesty's eyes. A phenomenon that has happened too long ago he had forgotten his eyes does that. The glow of light in his eyes that no one knows the reasons behind.
What strange eyes,
He thought.