As I sat in the dining room, I couldn't help but feel a knot in my stomach at the sight of Philip. He had returned with Uncle Hugo, the queen's brother, after 12 long years.
He was in Erast all this while , a camp where future kings and dukes ,counts ,viscount were trained.
The memories of his condescending behavior towards me as children still lingered, and I doubted anything had changed.
I hastily finished my meal, eager to escape the tension. Just as I was about to rise from my seat, Philip's voice cut through the air.
"What do we have here?"
he said, his proud aura radiating as he approached me.
The queen's instructions to the guards to escort Philip to his room were a welcome distraction. But before I could breathe a sigh of relief, Ophelia picked up my book and began flipping through its pages roughly .
"Don't you know her?"
she asked Philip, her tone dripping with malice.
Philip's gaze scanned my face, his eyes narrowing as he took in every detail. I had to admit, he had changed since his departure. He looked more handsome and masculine, but his proud demeanor remained the same. He regards himself as the most handsome man in the whole kingdom.
As children, he would order me around, making me address him as the future king and forcing me to clean his shoes whenever they got dusty. He even made me kiss his knuckles in front of his friends, humiliating me in the process.
He even threatened to kill my cat if don't carry him on my back and crawl round the castle. His friends and sisters would laugh at me.
The memories still stung, and I wondered if Philip's return would bring more of them.
Before I could devise a plan to evade Philip's intrusive questions, Odessa snatched the book from Ophelia's hands and hurled it into the fireplace. I pushed Odessa aside making her land on her butt and rushed towards the hearth, desperate to rescue my book.
However, Ophelia restrained me, forcing me to watch in horror as the flames consumed my precious book.
What will the Mr Orlo , the Castle librarian think of me. I remember how reluctant he was when I took the book.
The book was a rare, limited edition, and I knew it would be nearly impossible to replace unless I could somehow manage to meet the author himself.
Odessa has always been mean towards me. She has always been the one coming up with all the mischiefs and lies I go through every single day. The thought of this made my blood boil.
Rage coursed through my veins as I lunged at Odessa, my long nails clawing at her face. "Why are you so evil?" I shrieked, pummeling her face with my fists. She retaliated by yanking my hair, sending searing pain through my scalp. I screamed, but my anger only intensified.
"Elodie stop!!
Ophelia attempted to intervene, but I turned on her, biting her ear with all my might.
"aaahhhh"
Her ear-piercing shriek filled the air. Just as I thought I'd lost control completely, a strong hand grasped my waist, restraining me.
"Easy there, tiger shark," Philip's voice whispered in my ear, his grip unyielding. I struggled to break free, but he held firm.
"Let go of me!"
I screamed, kicking out wildly, but Philip's strength overpowered mine.
Ophelia, still clutching her injured ear, begged Philip,
"She's crazy, throw her away!"
The queen's timely entrance, accompanied by her guards, brought a halt to the chaos. "What's going on here?" she demanded.
Philip smoothly intervened,
"Nothing serious, Mother. Let me handle this." My heart skipped a beat at his words. I dreaded the thought of facing punishment at Philip's hands – he was my worst nightmare.
Ophelia quickly seized the opportunity to tattle,
"Mother, see what Elodie did!"
She displayed her injured ear, and Odessa, who lay motionless on the floor, seemed to be evidence of my alleged brutality.
The queen glared at me with anger shooting invincible daggers at me.
She look so scary her evil aura exuding from her.
"Ophelia you and your sister should meet me in my quarters". She said and was about to leave through the door…
"Elodie prepare for today's occasion the king wishes to see you". The Queen left the scene while Ophelia and Odessa walked slowly behind her.
"Now for your punishment"
That was when I noticed I was still on Philip shoulder like a bag of potatoes.
"Pls put me down this is completely unacceptable and inappropriate ". I tried to sound polite as possible but he Paid deaf ear to my plea.
He continued walking down the hallway exhibiting his physical strength, using me as his weight. As we walk through the hallway, the maids and servant stared at me in disgust while others look rather confused the likes of Madam Veronica. Others where surprised maybe because they weren't expecting Philip presence while some look scared maybe because Philip is back with all his Shenanigans.
He walk down to his usual punishment spot and threw me on the floor making me whimper in pain.
He sat on the stone bench with his leg crossed and stared at me from under his lashes. I felt like smashing his head with a rock.
This place use to be my favorite spot in the castle, it used to be a beautiful garden with different flowers and butterflies and there was a well at the middle.
"Things have really changed around here since I left"
Yes, and that's because you stole my spot. I said in my head. I just sat down there before him, staring at my palm waiting for his next instruction.
"I admire your fearlessness young lady".
His voice did change, I just stare at his feet unable to say a word.
"Look at me Elodie"
He spoke rather too soft, I wasn't fooled though- I knew he was just pretending to be calm for awhile then unleash his dark plans he has in store for me when I'm least expecting.
He placed his hand on my chin and lifted my face up to meet his gaze.
That when I noticed the scar I inflicted on him when we where little. I couldn't hold eye contact with him.
Why???
"I'm surprised you turn out so beautiful". He said his voice husky and his breath fan my face. I look down unable to hold eye contact with him. The disgust I felt for him disappeared.
No!! Not my disgust pls come back to me.
I felt my cheek turn red. That was when I finally admitted the fact that I had a crush on Philip.
I've always let him insult me and punish me even though I had a choice to escape or hide. I always find myself going back to him and even after he left, these feelings still lingered.
"Look at your future King"
He commanded with an authoritative voice he had always mimic. I shifted my gaze back at him a little bit scared but curious.
A loud guffaw laughter escape his lips. I was confused is this a good thing or a bad thing, I just chuckled along side with him counting my doom. He looks so different, his usually proud aura was nowhere to be found.
He stood up and headed for the well.
"Walk with me mi lady". What has come over him. I rather not question his actions so I quietly walk behind him.
"I love what you did back there". He paused and then continue
"I never knew you could stand up for yourself"
He added walking majestically like the king he is.
"Well thank you". He stopped and turned to look at me
"Are you still scared of me?"
Of course I'm scared, what am I, the king.
"Pls look at me when I'm speaking to you"
I raised my head and stare directly at him
" Yes I'm scared of you, your mother and this castle". I blurted out.
"Want to go somewhere else??