Jacob drifted off to sleep on the way home, and I had to carry him to his bedroom upstairs in my arms.
I mean, he's 10, what does he think I am? A bodybuilder who lifts 40 kg weights every day? And specially climbs stairs with it?
Well, guess what? I had to do it, even though I'm no weightlifter.
After depositing Jacob in his bed, I made my way back to the kitchen.
I needed to check if Mother had taken her dinner while we were out.
Seeing the dirty plates in the basin, I let out a breath of relief. So, Mother had eaten. I cleaned the dishes and the rest of the kitchen, my mind still reeling from the events at the palace.
Even after that traumatic day, I still had some energy left. I wasn't feeling tired enough to just jump into bed and drift off to sleep immediately, so I made my way to the balcony.
The full moon cast a soft, golden light over the sky. It was a peaceful night.
The entire city was deep in sleep, silent and still. Only my eyes were open, making me feel like I was the only one awake, like I was different.
Maybe I didn't belong here.
Maybe I was different from them.
**********
The next day, Jacob woke me up, saying I was late for breakfast. Well, of course, I was. I hadn't gotten a good night's sleep, too busy staring at the moon on the balcony.
"Ah, yes, yes... Well, the gala made me tired, you know. I'm not used to going to those types of parties," I replied, flipping an egg in the pan.
Jacob giggled between bites, a spark of mischief shining in his eyes. "Well, of course, you'll be tired... after you know... having a dance with that handsome boy."
I rolled my eyes. "Jacob... Eat your food." I said, without turning to look at him.
What a lucky day today was? My brother mentions the same mistake from yesterday that I want to forget more than that slap.
"And don't tell Mother," I added.
Jacob looked up at me, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Mmmmm, but why not? She'll be happy to see her dream come true. Why do you want to hide it from Mother?" He kicked his legs against the table, making me sigh.
"Let's just say...," I began, walking towards the door, "he's not that guy from the dreams."
I knew this wouldn't work on Jacob, but I wasn't there to explain why and with whom I wanted to settle. He could just think I didn't like that guy from earlier.
I went to my mother's room, knocking on the door as I always do before entering. "Good morning, Mother," I said, placing the tray of food on the table and opening the curtains.
"Good morning, my dear. How was your sleep?" I found my mother praying in bed, her eyes opening slightly as a gentle smile spread across her weak face.
"It was good," I replied simply, making my way to her bed. I sat down beside her. "How are you feeling today, Mother?" I asked gently.
"I'm fine, dear... I'm sorry, after taking my pills, sleep made my eyes heavy, and I drifted off. Otherwise, I was hoping to wait for you both until you arrived," Mother said worriedly, holding my hand in hers. "How was your journey back? Did everything go well?"
I sighed, trying to downplay the drama that had unfolded. "You don't have to do that, Mother. Your health is more important. And yes... yes, we were fine."
As these words came out of my mouth, I realized it was a massive understatement. Fine? Are you kidding me?
Fine to get slapped in front of the whole crowd? Or fine to dance with that stupid guy whose name I didn't even know? I mean, what's fine about that?
*******
"My prince..... Are you serious about this?" Marco rise his eyebrows as he heard the order, he can't believe in his ears for what he just had heard.
"I am deadly serious Marco..... I want every detail, every information about her." Sebastian spoke as he walk towards the window.
Marco hesitate to Sebastian words, "but my prince, the king will not like it...."
"The king opinion doesn't matter, you hear that? I want you to do it Marco..... That's my orders, the king have not to be informed about this until I announce it myself....." Prince Sebastian turn around, facing Marco again as he take steps closer to him, his steps hard to the floor as commanding as with serious face Sebastian spoke "Do what I said understood?"
Marco nobbed hesitatingly, bowing to him. "As you wish your highness."
Sebastian nobbed feeling a little waight have lift from his shoulders as he spoke "good."
"Can I ask why my majesty wants to know about her?" Marco hesitatingly asked, seeing Sebastian deadly serious face he glup. "I mean, all the princess from that Gala was waiting for you to dance with them but you choice that lady which was just a civilian.....may I know why?..... I hope you'll be aware of the rules the palace rules my majesty."
Sebastian sighed, his fingers raking through his hair in frustration as he paced around the office. "I don't know, Marco... I don't know... She is just... different."
"Different?" Marco repeated, his curiosity piqued.
Sebastian nodded, his eyes clouding over with a mix of emotions. "Yes... She is different from all the other girls I met at the party. Her eyes... her voice..." His gaze locked onto Marco's, his hands grasping Marco's shoulders as if willing him to understand. "It is her, Marco. She is the one... I want her. And that's my final decision."
Sebastian's words were laced with a commanding tone, yet beneath the surface, Marco detected a hint of desperation, a need that bordered on obsession. The prince's eyes seemed to bore into his soul, as if the very thought of not possessing this mysterious woman was unbearable.
Marco beheld the unbridled passion, the all-consuming obsession in Sebastian's eyes, a sight he had never witnessed before.
The last time he recalled seeing such desperation was when Sebastian's beloved grandmother had to depart early from the palace, as his daughter-in-law was in labor. Sebastian had been inconsolable, refusing to let his grandmother leave, for she only visited once a year on his birthday. Yet, now this fervent obsession was directed towards an outsider, a woman he had merely met once, and now he was resolute in his pursuit to see her again.
Marco let out a resigned sigh, aware that this was a perilous decision, fraught with risk. He knew that if this secret were to be exposed, the king would be displeased, to say the least, at the prospect of his son seeking a bride outside the noble caste. Nevertheless, Marco was duty-bound to comply, for it was an order from his prince.
Sebastian exhaled a sigh of relief. "Good... You may take your leave now."
As Marco departed the room, Sebastian sank into his chair, his eyes fixed on some distant point. "I want you..." he whispered, his heart racing with anticipation.
Despite his reputation as the most ruthless and formidable prince in his family, Sebastian couldn't shake off the fear of reputational damage and the weight of his royal responsibilities. Yet, he clung to the hope of reuniting with the mysterious woman, Elara. His fingers drummed a staccato beat on the wooden table in front of him as he became lost in thought.
"I must find you, Elara," he muttered to himself, "and I am willing to brave all risks to make that a reality."
*******************************
As the night wore on, Marco arrived at Sebastian's chambers, his breathing heavy and labored. Despite the late hour, Marco knocked on the door with a sense of urgency.
Sebastian, seated in his chair, bade Marco enter with a gruff "Come in." Marco steeled himself for the encounter, knowing that Sebastian was not one to be disturbed at this hour.
Upon entering the room, Marco found Sebastian receiving a massage from a servant. The soft glow of candles cast a warm ambiance, but Marco's focus remained fixed on the task at hand.
Sebastian, his eyes still closed, inquired, "What brings you here at this hour, Marco?" Marco took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the papers he held.
"I have obtained the information, my prince," Marco announced, his voice steady. Sebastian dismissed the servant with a wave of his hand, and the man promptly gathered his belongings and departed.
With the servant gone, Sebastian opened his eyes, fixing Marco with a piercing gaze. "Show me," he commanded, his voice low and even.
Marco approached Sebastian, handing him the papers. As Sebastian began to read, Marco provided additional context, explaining, "Her mother is an ill patient, unable to walk on her own... her father travels..." Sebastian's expression remained intent, his eyes scanning the papers.
After a few moments, Sebastian's face lit up with a visible smirk. "Didn't know she came from such a problematic family," he murmured, his voice dripping with intrigue.
Marco continued to explain, but Sebastian cut him off with a wave of his hand, silencing him. Sebastian then rose from his chair, walked to a nearby table, and placed the papers under a heavy book.
With a sly smile, Sebastian whispered to himself, "Easy prey." As Marco departed, Sebastian prepared for bed, his mind racing with thoughts of Elara and her family.
___________