CHAPTER 666: CHAPTER 666

I was shocked to hear it. No thought came to my mind as my heart ached feeling as if... no, knowing that in the end it was all a lie. Us. The prince and I.

I was thankful to Alis Abyssi that was hiding my presence so thoroughly and I stood up as soon as I heard his breathing calm down in apparent sleep to flee the place... but...

’Sick of it?... I’m also sick of it... Why do I have to leave and later act like I know nothing??’ — I thought, annoyed to feel this humiliation and only escape the place without ending his and my torture. I turned back, watching the man I had fallen for was lying so peacefully in his nice mattress while I had been doing stupid sh*t hoping to fix something that never even existed. — ’Tsk! F*ck it! I’m ending things now!! F*cking a*shole! Think you can play with me?!’

In my pyjamas, enraged, I stomped my way to stand next to his bed. Seeing how his arm covered his face that had yet to notice me annoyed me even further... and guided by rage that won over the sadness, I gritted my teeth.

’I hate you.’ — I told him in my head, reigning myself in so that at least the tears I felt welling up would not emerge as I faced him. — "... How regrettable for you to endure such torture, your highness." — I said, eventually.

"?! Wh-... Marianne?"

"Being around me must have been a terrible agony." — I told him, grateful for the dark in his chambers as I saw him stand at my words. — "Do not worry... I have come to put an end to all of this circus."

*******

Zeleskiaz overcame the surprise only to feel ecstatic. Most of what she had told was not understood by the exhausted man and what is more... the short time of silence in which Marianne had decided to confront him felt like a moment in which he fell to slumber... Therefore...

’It’s one of those dreams... in which I finally can indulge in happiness.’ — Elated, with a fool’s smile, Zeleskiaz watched the woman he loved stand enraged before him, in his chambers... beautiful and desirable. Exposing the fierceness that charmed him from the very beginning in light gowns.

Tired indeed he was for agreement with his father had been made and he was thoroughly carrying it out.

— Be nice to Lady Karina, otherwise, not only will I send the cute child back but I will also break the courtship you worked so hard for. Either you cooperate with the Empire’s matters or say farewell to this love you even threaten your father’s life with. —

Against his will, Zeleskiaz complied with the request. Karina’s presence was backed by Latrishk’s prince whose ambition and presence in the Frotschter Empire was known to have a hidden purpose as his kingdom had been informed of malicious schemes to ruin the Empire’s stability. His aim was the Ninth. The one Zeleskiaz loved with insanity and had recently become warm towards Niccolò... at least such had Zeleskiaz’s eyes interpreted with the playful flirting they displayed before him lately.

’We barely talk... at first I avoided her touch for I would want more and knew I would not be able to stop... her being the Ninth and the one I’m in courtship makes this even more important to restrain my love and lust... but later... at some point she became the one avoiding and ignoring me...’ — He had been thinking all day. Hurting deeply for they separated without exchanging words as they once did so easily and not even looking at each other as if both were terrified of saying the first word for a conversation they did not know how to follow.

The agreement to be nice towards the woman he despised made his misery heavier. Every time, the woman would do something so she would gain some kind of touch from him. Thoughts of cutting his own hands came to mind at the contempt she provoked. He wanted to kill Karina. To eliminate every speck of her being from this world so nothing could get in his way...

’If I cut these hands I won’t be able to caress my love’s strands... her visage, her figure... Despicable woman, waste of air she is... because of her I cannot dare to even graze my love’s surroundings for I would dirty her loveliness... I want to kill her so this hell is over!’

Never did he forget the strong wish to make his beloved happy, and he was ignorant of many matters the women kept hidden... even resorting to his sister for advice when desperate for answers.

—... You say she wanted to rest because her mood seemed tricky? Those were her words? —

— Yes... However, it does not feel like that was the real issue... that woman might have done something to her and my lady does not want to share it with me. —

—... Perhaps she is not lying. —

—? However, saying one’s mood is tricky... I do not think my lady would say something like that without hoping to hide something. —

— We women are complex, dear brother Zeleskiaz... It might be that... she is bleeding. —

— What?! Why?! Is she injured?! —

— Idiotic brute! Lower your voice! I did not mean it because of an injury! Sigh... We women bleed every month... it is an upsetting and sensitive time for us. Lady Marianne may be experiencing such natural hazards. Which may be the reason behind what she said. —

— Natural bleeding... If so, what should I do so she will not feel as much hazard? —

— What? —

— How can I lessen her burden? —

Surprised by the care her brother dedicated to his beloved, Jasmine told the obvious and her brother did as advised.

— Be attentive and comprehensive. Even if she breaks into anger, simply be there and support her the best you can without making her mood worse. —

’I did as told... it appeared like she needed time alone and when we were together it was peaceful but awkward... now I wonder if what I did was the right thing.’

Such kind of worries were drowning the man’s mind day and night. The restraint he had pulled was inhumane. But as much as he desired to love her, kiss her, own her everything... to be able to have all of that legitimately, he needed to maintain the restraint even as he felt like dying in the process.