As Naria's head rested on Ace's lap, her body shook with silent sobs. She felt the tears well up in her eyes, and soon they began to roll down her cheeks like glistening pearls. She couldn't stop them, even if she wanted to. Her emotions were overwhelming, and she felt powerless to control them.
With a trembling voice, Naria began to speak, her words choked with tears. "I'm so sorry, Ace," she said. "I never wanted to come to the palace. I never wanted to meet the prince. I just wanted to be with you, to live my life on your terms." She paused, taking a shuddering breath. "I didn't want to meet him. I wanted to stay with you only…" Her words hung in the air, heavy with regret and sorrow. Naria closed her eyes, feeling the weight of her confession. She knew that Ace's ego was fragile, and she had just shattered it. But she had to keep pretending. She couldn't be honest, even if it meant losing everything she held dear.
As the tears continued to fall, Naria felt a sense of guilt flow through her veins. She could never speak the truth, and that was all that mattered. She didn't know what the future held for her, but she knew that she couldn't go on living a lie.
Ace watched as Naria's tears continued to fall, his face didn't have any emotions, no heaviness with guilt and regret. He knew he had been too possessive, too controlling, and he could see the pain he had caused her. But he couldn't help himself, he still loved her and wanted her to be with him forever.
As he sat there in silence, he noticed Naria's hair, tousled and unkempt. Without thinking, he reached out and began to brush it with his fingers, the soft strands slipping through his grasp. "I'm sorry, Naria," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want us to be happy, always, just you and me, forever."
Naria just kept nodding silently, her eyes downcast. She couldn't bear to look at Ace, knowing that he had hurt her so deeply. She tried to push him away, gently but firmly, hoping that he would understand.
"Ace, please," she said, her voice trembling. "I appreciate your words, and I understand what you meant, you would never hurt me on purpose." She sniffed her nose.
Ace looked hurt, but he refused to let her go. He moved closer to her, his hand still tangled in her hair. "No, Naria," he said, his voice growing more forceful. "You can't leave me. You belong to me. I won't let you go."
Naria recoiled, feeling a sudden surge of fear. She knew that Ace had always been crazy, but she had never seen him like this before. "Ace, please," she said, her voice shaking. "I only belong to you…"
But Ace refused to listen. He pulled her closer, his breath hot on her face. "You're mine, Naria," he said, his voice low and menacing. "And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you with me. Forever."
Naria knew then that she had to get away from him. She pushed him away with all her strength and fled from the room, tears streaming down her cheeks, "he's crazy!!!"
Naria ran downstairs as fast as she could, her heart racing with fear as she heard the sound of Ace breaking something in her room. But she didn't stop to see what was happening, she knew she had to escape from him.
With all her strength, she pushed her legs to run outside to the street, filled with the twinkling stars of the night sky. Water began to fill her eyes, but she didn't have time to stop and wipe them away. Her vision was blurry, but she knew she had to keep going.
Naria ran with her bare feet, feeling the cold pavement beneath her toes. She ran until she suddenly bumped into something heavy, the armor of a man with broad shoulders.
Startled and disoriented, Naria stumbled back a few steps before regaining her balance. She looked up to see a tall man standing before her, clad in armor and carrying a sword at his side. Despite her fear, she felt a glimmer of hope that this man might be able to help her.
"Please," she gasped out, "help me!"
The man nodded, his face serious. "what is going on?" He raised his eyebrows as his voice sounded stir.
Naria's body was filled with exhaustion and adrenaline as she ran through the streets, her bare feet pounding against the pavement. She hadn't eaten all day, and her stomach was growling with hunger, but she didn't have time to think about that now.
As she collided with the man with broad shoulders, he quickly caught her in his arms. Naria felt a sense of relief wash over her, but the exhaustion and adrenaline had taken their toll. Her body went limp, and she fell unconscious in the man's arms.
The man felt her weight shift in his arms, and he quickly adjusted his grip to support her fully. He looked down at her pale face and felt a pang of concern. He knew well who she was and she was the reason why he ended up here in the first place.
He shifted her weight in his arms and turned around, "prince Raiver, who's this peasant?" A soldier following him from behind asked.
As he held the unconscious Naria in his arms, he couldn't help but notice the delicate features of her face. He gazed down at her small face, taking in every detail. Her cute tiny nose, plum lips, and thin eyebrows gave her an innocent and vulnerable look. Her long eyelashes brushed against her cheeks, and her wavy blond messy hair framed her face in a disheveled yet charming way.
Despite the fear and exhaustion that had etched itself onto her features, Raiver couldn't help but smile at her beauty. He knew that she was in a vulnerable state and needed his help, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her strength and resilience.
The prince grinned, and feeling how the confidence filled his body, he replied, "your future princess, my wife."