Chương 3: I'm not going anywhere, you know?

Felix was stunned.

He had never imagined that he would be given such an opportunity. He would get to atone for his sins by protecting the crown princess. This was an opportunity he would never miss.

"I swear!" He said. "I swear to abide by the nation and protect you through thick and thin even if it kills me. No matter what, I will not let any harm come to you." He swore and Astin nodded.

She smiled at him which gave him an assurance that all this was not a dream but was all real. The crown princess, Astin Von Luggard, had rid him from his shackles and the title of traitor. She had given him a chance to atone for his sins.

"That's all there is." Astin said and he bowed his head.

"Thank you."

"At least you know how to be grateful." She said and turned to leave. "Get him cleaned up and provided for." She ordered and they all bowed.

"Yes,your highness."

Astin caught Jude's calm yet angry expression. She sneered before heading out of the dungeon.

'This is just the beginning. Watch as I ruin you before you start to hatch even a single plan. I'll rid you of your life.' she walked through the doors and into the light. 'A person like you doesn't deserve to live. Not at all.'

It was time for breakfast. Fedrick Von Luggard, Astin's grandfather, was already seated at the far end of the long dining table.

Usually, Astin would sit at the other end and they would have little to no conversation and interaction. She loved him a lot but that was just how she was.

But this morning, the joy of seeing him whole and healthy after such a long time filled her and she ran towards him. She hugged his neck causing him to choke on his food.

She immediately let go and he coughed.

"I'm sorry, grandfather." She said, handing him a napkin to clean his mouth with.

All the maids stood still, recovering from the shock of what they just saw. They had never seen the princess act in such a childish manner. Even as a child, she never did this.

"What's gotten into you, child? You're extremely lively." Her grandfather asked, cleaning his mouth with the napkin she got him.

"I guess I just missed you too much." She said, smiling happily.

"Hm, what do you mean you missed me too much? We saw each other last night." He pointed out and dropped the napkin on the table.

Astin made a hand gesture and the maids brought her chair from the other end of the table in a flash. She sat comfortably and turned to him.

"I had a really crazy and scary dream last night. It was torture." She began. "You weren't there, grandfather. You were never there when I called out to you or when I needed you to console me. It was like you disappeared from my life for good and I... I was all alone."

Her sad expression got him.

"I was so scared and wished it were all but a dream and then I woke up." She smiled. "I was extremely happy that it was all a dream and that I can still see you again."

Fedrick stared at her in shock.

"Child." He reached out to her and swiped off the teardrop hanging at the corner of her eye. And thanks to this, he read a lot of meaning to her words.

But it was all a dream so they should be thankful for that.

"I'm not going anywhere, you know." he said. "I am only seventy years old and I'm still very strong. It's not that easy to get rid of me." He boasted and winked.

"I know and that's why I'm so glad." She said and he cleared his throat.

"I was beginning to wonder why your maids looked so petrified that they had seen a ghost. It turns out it was because of you." He proceeded to continue eating his meal.

"Oh that? Just don't mind them." She said and watched as the maids dropped the dishes in front of her.

"Ahem, back to the topic of your engagement." He said and she looked up in shock.

"My what?"

How could she have forgotten such a huge event in her life? She gulped.

Her reaction made her grandfather think she was still against it and he sighed.

"I know you love Jude and would want to marry him but for the good of our nation, you will have to marry the prince of Asia." He explained.

"I completely understand." She calmly responded.

"Please, don't try to avoid this.... " He paused. What did she just say? "Did you just say you understand? As in, will you marry the prince?" He asked in a completely astonished tone.

"Yes, grandfather. As you said, it is for the good of the nation." She said and ate her food peacefully.

Her grandfather was still in shock but was glad she had finally come to her senses.

"Oh and... " She leaned in to whisper in his ear. "... Do a thorough check on Jude. I feel he's hiding a lot of things." She moved back to her position.

This was unexpected.

"Didn't you say you loved him? How come...?" She suddenly placed her index finger across his mouth.

"Grandfather, strike while the iron is hot." She winked and continued eating.

Though Fedrick could not tell what that was all about, he decided to trust her.

"So you really will marry the prince?" He asked once more and she nodded. 'I am so glad that she is finally reasoning with me. She's grown up so much in just one night. Perhaps that dream taught her a lot.' he smiled in delight.

Whereas, Astin watched her grandfather smile like a dummy and thought, 'I will marry the prince. That is if I am still in the palace by then.' she smirked. 'The life of royalty is too dangerous. I'll make sure to clean up the mess all around especially with Jude and then flee this place.' she snickered, catching Fedrick's attention.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

"Nothing but the thrill of being alive." She responded and kept eating.