Bab 20: 20:He's gone
~Laith~
I traced my fingers over the silk fabric. The material was selected to make clothes for Princess Zakishi, for her engagement to the second prince. I felt a sting in my eye as I gazed down upon the fabrics.
The queen sent them over to the holy house to be blessed. A form of initiative to show the king her support for the alliance. An idea I planted in her head in a moment of weakness.
The idea was coming back to bite me. I chewed more than I could swallow with that bargain. Throwing the fabrics on the bed, I made my way to the bathing chamber to take a bath.
I stripped down to nothing and set my clothes on a stool. I stepped into the pool of hot bathing water covered in coral-red petals. The water had a magical aroma meant to calm, heal, and restore a troubled mind.
Sinking my body into the pool of water. I leaned back to the edge of the pool. Closing my eyes and letting the heat cleanse my body.
My mind raced between the two men in my life. Prince Caelan and Prince Zephirin. I was torn between where my heart lies. Was it with my first love Caelan or with the dangerously alluring prince of darkness?
On one hand, Prince Caelan confuses me with where I stand in his life, and on the other hand, Zephirin makes me feel alive like no one else does.
Loving two people at the same time was unheard of to me. Until this moment when my heart was beating two rhythms at one go.
To the right, I was holding on to the feelings I had for Caelan. Scared to let go in case he changes his mind and decides to come back to me. To the left, my heart was beating so loud for my enemy. Who had decided for me and excited my life.
It didn't seem like I had much of a choice between the two men. Both of them had a choice to make and none of them chose me. Unfortunately, both will claim that the selection they made is for my well-being.
"I have bad news, " Rhon hesitantly made his way into the room.
"Tell me."
Rhon shifted on his feet. Debating whether to drop the news he had to me or to let it go. His hesitation was understandable, especially with everything he had to witness over the last few days.
"I'll find out eventually. It's best if you tell me now, " I argued.
"Promise not to go all dark one on me."
I raised my hand. Summoned the dark energy in my core to make a flame. A flicker appeared on my palm for a second and dimmed out.
"Prince Zephirin took most of the dark energy in me. The little that's left is too small to be of any use, " I explained to put Rhon at ease. "I can't tap into any dark energy, " I rested my hand back in the water.
"Prince Zephirin left the palace," he fessed up the bad news. A sharp ringing resonated in my ear as his words echoed over and over again. "He left a letter behind informing the king and queen of his departure."
Rhon held his breath waiting for me to break. He scrutinized my reaction and movement waiting for me to explode.
"He is important to you and I thought you should know, " Rhon strode to the pool and bent down to meet my gaze. "I'm here if you want to let anything off your chest. It must hurt to lose him. "
I inhaled and exhaled deeply. The news of Zephirin leaving the palace broke my heart. It hurt to know that he left but the discomfort mainly came from the fact that he left without me.
"Prepare my sleeping gown," after everything that's gone down. All I wanted to do was fall asleep and never wake up again. To shut my eyes permanently from the events playing out in my life. "I don't want to be disturbed today. I won't see anyone, " I informed Rhon.
"There is a holy ceremony in the palace today. You'll need to lead the prayer part of the ceremony, " Rhon notified me. My eyes cast up to the ceiling. A massive headache threatening to claim my head.
"The Saint is present. Tell her to do it, I won't be seeing anyone today, " I insisted. I don't care if the king himself orders me to conduct the ceremony. My mind was made up to take a day to rest and heal.
"You are under a lot of heat after the scene you created at the party last night. Perhaps you shouldn't give people reasons to question your loyalty and stance in the war to come, " Rhon advised. He picked up a jar and filled it with water. He streamed the water down my shoulders.
All I did was raise a few questions at the party. There was no reason for alarms to be raised. As for my loyalty, Liradia had nothing to earn it. Ordering me around like a slave without a heart or soul puts them at the bottom of the list of priorities.
Unfortunately for Liradia, they plan to go to war with the evil one. Someone who learned I had feelings for a few hours back. Feelings that will hinder any plans of me taking him on a battlefield.
"I am not seeing anyone today, " I remained firm in my stance. The heartbeating in my body needed a break from the outside world. A moment of peace to reflect on everything I've been through sounded like the right move to make.
I wasn't up to giving an audience to the royal family especially the second prince and his fiancee. Rhon sighed. Surprised by my stubbornness.
"I can't believe he's gone, " I whispered. Prince Zephirin's compassion touched every corner of my heart. In a matter of days, he had become an important figure in my life. There was a void in my soul where his presence grazed.
Hadiah
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