With his heart racing from Sarah's words, Stephen was filled with worry and fear, not knowing what to do. After questioning Sarah a few more times and realizing he couldn't get any answers, Stephen bid her farewell and left. Just as he was about to leave, he heard footsteps again.
When Stephen turned his head, he saw Alexa looking at him with an expressionless face. He didn't want to deal with her, or even talk to her. So he tried to leave. But just as he was about to depart, Alexa stopped him by saying, "Wait! We need to talk."
By the pond, the silence and stillness of the water only increased Stephen's anxiety. Alexa's emotionless gaze intensified his nervousness. The determination in her eyes made him realize he couldn't avoid the conversation. Stephen, filled with worry and fear, stood patiently in front of Alexa.
Stephen was in such an internal turmoil that he couldn't bear to continue talking with Alexa. His eyes drifted to the calm waters of the pond, but his mind was in chaos. Alexa's cold gaze further disrupted his emotional balance.
"You are not someone I want to talk to. What could I possibly discuss with you?" he said, expressing his desire to stay emotionally distant. However, Alexa's response only increased his anxiety.
"What do you mean I am not someone to talk to? We are getting married in a few weeks. Are you aware of that?" she said, confronting him with the reality. But Stephen did not want to accept this truth.
"Married? Who cares, girl? You mean nothing to me," he tried to maintain his emotional distance. Yet Alexa's determination made it difficult for him to keep this distance.
"In a few weeks, whether you want to or not, you will have to care," she insisted, cornering Stephen. But the turmoil within him made it impossible for him to endure this situation any longer.
"Alexa, please go. I'm really not in a good mood," Stephen said, trying to push her away. However, Alexa stubbornly persisted.
"Why not?" she asked, continuing to press him. This question only heightened Stephen's sense of helplessness. As his eyes met Alexa's cold gaze, he was desperately searching for an escape.
Not wanting to have a nervous breakdown, Stephen decided to leave quickly. Ignoring Alexa's question, he walked away, but unexpectedly, Alexa grabbed his arm tightly.
When Stephen felt her holding his arm tightly, he tried to break free with a sudden reflex. However, Alexa's grip was so strong that Stephen felt a slight pain in his arm. As she squeezed, a faint expression of pain crossed Stephen's face.
Stephen couldn't understand why Alexa was forcing him like this. Her behavior only increased his tension and anxiety. Yet, he tried to keep calm and prevent the situation from escalating further.
When Stephen heard Alexa's trembling voice, he looked at her in astonishment. Her tone created even greater discomfort within him.
"I know why you're not in a good mood," said Alexa, her voice trembling. With these words, Stephen felt an emotional surge. However, the anxiety and anger within him still made it difficult to control his emotional response.
"Good. Then empathize and leave me alone," Stephen retorted, his voice still tinged with anger. However, Alexa's pressing attitude was severely fraying his nerves and fueling his conflicting emotions.
"Is all this because of a servant?" Alexa asked, this time in a calmer tone. However, this question only created more anger and fury within Stephen.
"So what if she is a servant? She is a fairy just like you and me," Stephen said harshly, his voice clearly reflecting his anger and disdain.
"What do you mean like you and me? I am a princess, and you are a prince. She is a servant. Just a poor one," Alexa replied, her voice trembling. These words only heightened Stephen's tension and completely frayed his nerves.
"I was also poor once, Alexa. What matters is the richness of the heart," Stephen said, with sadness and depth in his voice. These words made Alexa reflect deeply and created an emotional wave within her.
Stephen's words shocked Alexa and left her stunned. The signs of astonishment were clear in her eyes. Stephen's confession allowed her to better understand his story. Now she could comprehend why he was in love with Alicia. "His spirit is not noble," she thought. Seeing the kind of past he came from and the transformation he had undergone aroused deep thought within Alexa.
"You speak so philosophically. How were you ever poor?" Alexa asked curiously, wanting to learn more about Stephen's past.
"I didn't even know I was a prince. Until I learned that, I couldn't even read," Stephen explained, his voice tinged with sadness and melancholy. These confessions had a profound impact on Alexa. Stephen's difficult past and transformation made him even more valuable in her eyes.
Hearing these words, Alexa developed a deeper understanding of Stephen's past. Seeing the journey he had gone through and the transformation he had experienced lightened the emotional turmoil within her a bit. However, she still wasn't ready to give up her desire for him.
"A person gives a chance to someone they love, Alexa. I don't even have friendly feelings towards you," Stephen said with a determined tone. These words triggered Alexa's anger, and she struggled to keep herself under control.
Alexa's facial expression changed abruptly as she heard Stephen's words. At first, she felt a mix of shock and disappointment, followed by an overwhelming surge of anger. The fiery look in her eyes reflected her emotions. As she looked at Stephen, a rage built up inside her, and she found it challenging to restrain it.
When Alexa heard Stephen's last sentence, she almost had a nervous breakdown. Struggling to suppress her anger, she asked sharply, "Not even friendly, is it?" The trembling in her voice and the harshness of her tone conveyed her emotions.
"I don't understand. I really can't understand!" Alexa said, her voice clearly reflecting her confusion.
Stephen's facial expression became a whirlwind of mixed emotions upon hearing Alexa's words. At first, there was surprise, quickly followed by a slight feeling of hurt. Alexa's words had deeply affected him. For a moment, indecision flashed in his eyes, but he then took on a determined expression.
"What can't you understand? What's so hard to comprehend here?" Stephen asked, his voice tinged with slight pain.
"You're just like your father, Stephen. He went and married a mere dancer. What else could I expect from his son?!" Alexa shouted, her voice filled with anger and disappointment.
"Well, there you have it. You admitted it yourself. You can't expect anything from me. Please, let me go," Stephen said, with sadness and determination in his voice.
Alexa's face was clearly marked with anger and disappointment. The fire in her eyes rose as a reaction to Stephen's words.
"If your father chose someone poor, why aren't they letting you marry that girl?" she asked, the pain and anger barely detectable in her voice.
"Because my father is a coward. He doesn't want to fight, but if there is to be a fight, the winner is already clear," Stephen replied, with determination in his voice.
"I suggest you don't speak as if you're so certain, Stephen. You never know what might happen," Alexa said, with a warning tone.
"I suggest you stop dreaming up nonsense, Alexa. Even if I die, I will never marry you," Stephen stated firmly, his voice tinged with sadness and sharpness.
"Why do you hate me so much?"
"Hate? What hate, Alexa? I was neutral towards you until this conversation. You made me hate you."
The anger and disappointment in Alexa's eyes conveyed a feeling of explosiveness towards Stephen. Suddenly, as she began to breathe with determination, her hands filled with dark energy. She quickly approached Stephen and tried to reach out to him. However, as soon as she touched him, Stephen lost his balance and fell to the ground rapidly.
The shock and pain on Stephen's face mirrored Alexa's actions. The intensity and speed of the event had surprised both of them. As Stephen writhed in pain on the ground, the anger and ferocity on Alexa's face became more apparent. The emotions on both sides made the tension in the air palpable.