Time had seemed to still in that moment.
Everything around me seemed to have frozen in place, except for Prince Killian and me. I could feel the heat of his gaze on my skin, and I couldn't help but blush as I met his dark, intense eyes. I could see the passion in those eyes as they stared back at me.
Princess Amelia had taught me that a proper princess should always be – elegant, poised, and composed. But at this moment, with Prince Killian staring at me with such intensity, I couldn't help but feel flustered. His strong arms were wrapped around my waist, and for the first time, I realized just how strong a man's arms can be.
I felt safe and protected in Prince Killian's embrace. It's a feeling I have never experienced before, and it's both exhilarating and terrifying. But then something clicked in my mind. This was the same feeling I had last night when I fell down the cliff, and a pair of arms had wrapped itself around my waist and prevented me from crashing down.
Without realizing it, I blurted out, "It was you, wasn't it? You were the one who saved me last night?"
The surprise was evident on Prince Killian's face, but then he quickly composed himself and gave me a strange look. "Princess, what are you saying? Did something happen last night?"
I pressed my lips and stared at him for a second. Was he lying? Or was I merely imagining things? Since I had no proof that it was him, I decided to let it go.
Frustrated, I shook my head. "Nevermind. It must have been my imagination," I said.
He didn't react and stared at me with a strange look. As his eyes bore into mine, I felt my heart flutter again, and there were weird sensations all over my body. Realizing that I was still in his arms, I blushed slightly and straightened up. I thanked him for saving me.
He returned the smile. "It was my pleasure, Princess Amelia."
After guiding me through the stunning royal garden, he led me to various places within the palace. I endeavored to memorize each location and route to become as familiar with my surroundings as possible.
"How about I take you to my favorite place in the palace?" he asked.
I nodded.
And then, to my surprise, he took me to hsi favorite place, which was — the royal library, which was also my destination for the next task. As we approached the entrance, the doors opened automatically, revealing a vast expanse of shelves filled with books of all shapes and sizes.
I gasped in awe, my eyes widening at the sight before me.
The grand library was unlike anything I had ever seen. The entire place was grand and big, with towering walls adorned with intricate paintings and ceilings adorned with stunning chandeliers. The air was filled with the smell of old books, a smell that I had come to love over the years. My heart raced with excitement as I took it all in.
Back in my Master's home, there was a library, too, but servants were never allowed to touch those books. It was a place of knowledge reserved only for the elite, and I could only dream of setting foot inside it. But here, in the royal palace of Arathorn, being the imposter princess, I was being given the chance to explore this magical place.
Prince Killian led me down one aisle after another, his stride confident and sure. I followed eagerly, my eyes darting from one shelf to another, trying to take in every title and every author. There were books on history, literature, philosophy, magic, law, and so much more. I couldn't believe that I had access to all of this now.
And then, we came across a section that caught my attention — a section dedicated to fairytales. My heart skipped a beat as I saw familiar titles, ones that I had only heard in stories. I couldn't resist the temptation and reached out to touch one of the books, feeling its soft leather cover beneath my fingertips.
Prince Killian observed the delight on my face and remarked, "Princess, you appear to cherish this place."
"Who wouldn't?" I responded.
He laughed softly, shaking his head. "You are welcome to visit this library whenever you wish and choose any book you desire."
"Really?" I inquired, my eyes sparkling with anticipation.
He nodded, his lips curving into a subtle smile. "Indeed."
"Thank you so much, Prince Killian. I am extremely happy to be here," I expressed with elation.
Suddenly, I noticed a change in his demeanor. His gaze intensified, and a frown creased his forehead. He bit his lip, seemingly trying to withstand some inner turmoil. Pain was etched across his features.
Concerned, I inquired at once, "Prince Killian, are you alright?"
He gave a slow nod and said through clenched teeth, "I am fine."
Yet, it was evident he wasn't being truthful. Something was amiss. Despite his efforts to hide it, the agony in his eyes betrayed a silent battle within. His hands gripped the shelf tightly as if struggling to maintain composure.
Without hesitation, I stepped closer and reached out to him. "Prince Killian, are you —"
"STAY BACK!" he yelled.
His sudden outburst caught me off guard. For a moment, I stood frozen in shock, unsure of how to respond. But then, Prince Killian's expression softened immediately, and he looked at me with eyes filled with guilt and regret.
"I'm sorry, Princess Amelia," he said. "I didn't mean to raise my voice. Please, forgive me."
I nodded. "It's alright, Prince Killian. Are you alright?"
He nodded back. "I just need a moment to myself. You stay here with the books, and I'll return shortly."
"Okay."
Watching his retreating figure, I frowned slightly, pondering what could be troubling the Prince. What did that look on his face mean? Why did he seem to be wrestling with something internally?