CHAPTER 482: SELFISHNESS OR LOVE

Ariel was surprised, love. She never suspected it to be that deep. To her, she thought she was a quiet obsession he has at the moment.

Kaiden disappeared for close to a week; she didn’t catch a glimpse of him during that period. Ariel stayed in her room replaying the moment over and over again. Her heart ached when she remembered the look in his eyes.

She asked herself the question, Did she love him?

During this period, Kaiden was missing, and Ariel received several letters from his mother, all of which said the same thing, emphasising the importance of this marriage to Kaiden. She begged over and over again for Ariel to make sense to him.

Annette tried speaking to Kaiden, but he was too stubborn. Kaiden hoped to kill his brother; unfortunately for him, the other prince was not easy to get rid of, nor was Kaiden himself. That’s why they were the last ones alive.

Annette was desperate and attempted to get Ariel to the palace to speak to Kaiden. She was refused entry into the castle because of Ariel’s bounty; that castle’s security was very tight.

The pressure crept up on Ariel inch by inch. She didn’t want him to give up everything he had lived and fought for because of her.

B Ariel had no idea of what was going on in the court nor did she know the reason Kaiden was missing for a week was because he was fighting for his life.

Kaiden made a reckless move the day he left her in the carriage. He wandered alone to get his head off things and ended up being caught in another assassination attempt. During that week, he was under treatment by his mother’s side, who pleaded and cried for him to accept the proposal.

Kaiden’s half-brother had gotten desperate, knowing Kaiden was chosen to be the next king, and tried to kill him. It was also the reason for the failed assassination the night they arrived at Vitalis.

During this period the king was also ill and had to step down soon. This knowledge was hidden from the public’s eyes, but the royal family knew.

Everything spelt one thing: Kaiden didn’t have much of a choice but to marry Eleanor now that she was interested. The king had already named her the crown princess.

To crown everything was Ariel’s bounty. A new bounty of 50000 coins was placed on her head. Someone was using Ariel as a means to coerce him...It was unknown who exactly.

*******

Each night that passed, Ariel grew more lonely in the castle. Was this living? Her thoughts were folded with the man who appeared from nowhere and forced his way into her life.

It was past midnight, and the castle was silent. Ariel roamed the empty hallway barefoot with a crumpled letter in her hand. It was the latest letter she had from Annette.

This one was different from the rest, it wasn’t just Annette reminding her of their status difference and how beneficial the marriage was to Kaiden.

This letter was filled with a mother’s tears. She revealed Kaiden’s condition to her and explained how Kaiden kept it away from her because he didn’t want her to worry. Kaiden was injured in a failed assassination, and things might get worse from where they were; his competition wasn’t going to give up.

She finally revealed hints of the king’s condition and the new bounty on Ariel’s head.

Her letter ended with:

I am not a villain, just a mother who wants the best for her son.

Ariel was a curse on Kaiden’s life. They were never meant to meet.

A soft piano melody caught her attention. It was pretty far away from where she was but she heard it thanks to her good sense of hearing.

She followed the music until it led her to Kaiden’s study. She has never been here before, but his strong scent, which lingered around, indicated it was a room he frequented.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside, the sounds grew louder. Its soothing rhythm made her heart feel at ease as she wandered straight towards the piano and the man playing it.

Kaiden was lost, his back was against her. His attention was focused on the keys alone; he didn’t hear her come in. The last key played and the room went silent. He just stared at the keys, lost in thought.

"Kaiden," she called softly, his shoulders stiffened before he turned towards her and was immediately stunned to see her tear-stained eyes under the candlelight.

He clenched his fist, "Why are you crying? It’s late." He said despite knowing why she looked broken. He promised to protect her but was completely powerless.

Ariel didn’t say a thing and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face on his chest. "I am glad you are fine now." She mumbled holding him closer. He froze at first but slowly reached out for her back which trembled under his palm.

His eyes darkened, and a pain struck his heart. "Please don’t cry, it makes me feel more powerless." He begged unable to bear it

She shook her head, then slowly glanced up at him. Her teary eyes could bring him to his knees anytime. He reached out for her face to wipe off her tears with his thumb.

Ariel’s voice choked, "Why are you hurting yourself because of me? I.." Kaiden placed his finger on her lips. He didn’t want to hear what everyone had been telling him

His lips touched her eyelids, and it was soft, as if he was trying to kiss away her tears, before he hugged her. His hold tightened. "It’s because I am dumb enough to fall in love with someone so soon. I love you, Ariel." He admitted.

She went quiet. This was the second time he confessed, and she didn’t know what to say. "Kaiden.."

Kaiden’s heart beat slowed. "Please don’t answer. I’d rather not hear it. I prefer to live in oblivion than hear you don’t love me. " His voice cracked.

"I am sorry I failed you. I promised to protect you, but I can’t even protect myself. I must have been the curse of your life." Ariel broke the hug,

"You are not a curse..I am the curse. If I didn’t know you the bounty hunters would already have gotten me by now. I am the one who ruined everything."

.

He smiled then held her face. His palm cupped her cheeks. "You are far from a curse. Just those 2 weeks we spent together made me smile more than I ever did in all the years of my life."

Her eyes softened seeing his genuine care. Her lips trembled with tears threatening to fall again

"Growing up to see the brutality of the harem, I promised myself not to let my children suffer the same fate, but I was young and stupid...it is a fate I can’t escape..."

"I am selfish and evil, a ruthless prince indeed. I am ready to selfishly do anything to protect you, even if it means being with another woman. I’d rather do that than watch you die, Ariel." Kaiden admitted.

If he didn’t marry Eleanor, Ariel was going to die and if he let go of her, Eleanor was still going to kill her. Leaving him with one choice to be king to protect her.

"I know I am selfish, annoying and forceful. I know you might hate me but I can’t let go of you for my selfish reasons..."

"I have failed to make you my queen, but please, I am begging you to be the first ever woman I marry. At least my first marriage should be out of love. I want to be able to protect you." Tears rolled down his eyes as he desperately pleaded with her.