"I, Heather Angelina of Vondale, the Southern Empire Azro Crown Princess, give greetings to Your Majesty, Emperor Atticus, the God Son of War."
Axel's gaze was filled with longing and affection for Heather, but it was all wiped away by hatred.
"It's good to see you again, Crown Prince Axel. It's been a while-–" Heather stated while staring at Axel. Her brown eyes shone like pearls in the brightest light of the burning sun. Absent-mindedly, making him stare at her eyes as if he's possessed.
"Do you know them?" Mateo asked.
"Oh no, not really." Heather replied with a smile.
"I despise you, but I also strongly yearn for you, and I can't bear it." Axel pondered in the back of his head.
"I want to be an empress of the empire. I intend to change this empire. You, of all people, should know."
The face of the little girl flickered in his eyes.
The same innocent little girl was right in front of Axel.
≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾
"Oh, suddenly I'm ill? Are you a doctor now, Your Highness?" Lila replied as Axel took her from the dining table, leaving everyone concerned.
Axel whispered mischievously, "Well, darling, I do have a knack for improvisation. A little getaway never hurt anyone."
Even though Lila despised this man, she was glad he pulled her from that suffocating atmosphere.
'Is it just me or is Axel's gaze fixed on Heather?' Lila pondered.
"How long are you going to hold my hand, Your Highness?" Lila asked.
"Oh– I apologize." Axel said as he let go of her hand.
"I couldn't take another minute of small talk with those unwelcome guests," Axel said while turning his head away.
Lila answered, raising her eyebrow, "Oh, so now, the royal etiquette is getting to you? I thought you were born for this."
"Born for it, yes. Enjoying it? That's another story entirely. Besides, I had to rescue you from the clutches of boredom," Axel replied, smirking.
"Oh, how gallant of you, Your Highness," Lila sarcastically said.
"It's a burden, really, being so noble and selfless." Axel's chuckles echoed throughout the entire long massive hallway.
"I can see the weight of the huge crown pressing down on you, Your Highness. Truly, it's a wonder you can stand at all. But, honestly, couldn't you have a better excuse than my nonexistent illness?" Lila asked.
"Well, I could say that you're suffering from acute ennui, but that would raise a lot of eyebrows," Axel playfully said.
Lila rolled her eyes once more, "You're impossible," she murmured.
Axel tensed slightly as she muttered, "That woman, Heather..."
As Axel kept his gaze from the door, his change in demeanor was evident.
"Something on your mind, Your Highness?" Lila asked out of genuine concern.
Axel turned to her, his expression guarded, and said, "That doesn't concern you."
Lila was taken aback by his attitude. The moment she mentioned that woman's name, he suddenly got bothered. "I didn't realize that my genuine concern was such an inconvenience," she said.
Axel sighed then said, "Look, Lila, some things are better left unsaid."
Axel paused, his tone serious, "Lila, I—" He rolled his eyes then said, "You know what, forget I said anything. I have to get out of here before I lose what little sanity I have left."
"Suit yourself, Your Highness," Lila said.
As Axel walked away, she let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head, and turned on her heels to find her way back to her room. With a mix of annoyance and curiosity, she wondered what had happened between Axel and Heather.
As Lila opened the door, she found herself in the presence of the royal maid, Margaret. Margaret was known for being a loyal royal maid, who had served in the palace for many years. Lila approached her as she was putting flowers on the balcony. She paced back and forth, debating whether she should delve further into the matter or simply let it go. If she were a cat, she would be killed with curiosity.
"Could you give a minute of your time, Margaret?" Lila kindly inquired.
Margaret turned her head and asked, "Of course, Your Highness. What can I do for you?"
"Do you perhaps know about the Crown Princess of Azro, Heather Angelina of Vondale? It seems that Axel knew her," Lila said as she sat down at the empty seat.
Margaret paused in her task, her expression conflicted. Turning somber, she said, "Your Highness, I do not know if I could say this. I think it is better if the Crown Prince talks about this himself."
"Well, his lips are tightly shut. You can talk to me about it," Lila insisted.
"Well, ah—, Your Highness, Heather and Crown Prince Axel were childhood friends. Talking behind closed doors about the royal family's business is not my place. Let us just state, nevertheless, that there was betrayal involved, and the wounds are still not healed," Margaret carefully said.
Lila's curiosity was piqued. "A betrayal? What could have possibly driven them apart like this?"
The uneasiness that pervaded the atmosphere persisted. Lila's mind was consumed with the secrecy of Axel and Heather's past, and she was caught between wanting to discover the truth and being afraid of what she might find.
"All I can tell you is that Heather's presence here brings back past memories that Axel would rather forget, Your Highness," Margaret replied.
Lila bit her lips, lost in thought. "Thank you, Margaret."
Margaret nodded and then said, "If you don't need anything else, then I'll be leaving the room and let you rest, Your Highness."
Lila offered a small smile and said, "I don't need anything else. You can leave, Margaret. Thank you."
Margaret nodded and left the room, leaving Lila to sink back into the chair, conflicted. "What have I gotten myself into?"
≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾
Axel found himself pacing the corridors, his heart heart with unease. Opening the door to his room, laying into his massive bed, with his hands covering his face.
Axel's eyes softened as he recalled a memory.
Axel and Theo wandered through the palace gardens, their laughter mingling with rust of leaves. They were inseparable, like twins, bound by blood and brotherhood.
Axel's childhood had been one of solitude and coldness, but Theo's warmth thawed his cold heart. Yet, there was another who had left an indelible mark on Axel's heart— Heather.
Heather said, her eyes gleaming with sincerity, "I'll never leave you."
Axel had believed her, with every fiber of his being. He believed her.
"What a fucking lie."