••• Zaniel •••
“Are you sure it’s just acting?” It’s not.
Father’s assistant asked, skeptical about my behavior towards Cinzel.
“It is.” I lied with a sigh.
“I don’t think so, clearly you are in love with her.” He said sternly.
Rolling my eyes, I replied, “Love is a glib. I develop obsessions.”
He gasped, “That’s even more dangerous.” He reasoned.
It was true, Love surely makes you insane but the madness of obsessions was more deadly.
“I don’t care, she is the obsession destined to be mine, with or without the throne.” Enunciating and staggering him.
“You’re-”
He was about to say something but stopped, looking over my shoulder. I turned and saw Cinzel coming to me.
“Cinzel..” I motioned him to leave us alone and turned to her.
Closing her arms at her chest, she chuckled hollowly, “Look where life left me. I am still where we started.”
She grabbed my collar, I was astonished to comprehend her actions.
“W-What are you saying?” Pressing me against the wall, she nuzzled close to my face.
“I want you to help me to get out of this hell.” My heart clenched to see her like this.
“I am here for you…” I replied, putting my hand over her cheeks.
“Prince Sir won’t let me run away. He will drag me back, that's why…”
Trailing off, she continued in my ears, “You help me claim my throne and in return I will give you Prince's corpse.”
I was taken aback at her bluntness, not knowing what to say.
“He is over possessive, Zaniel, he would never let me run away.”
A tear rolled down her cheek, putting her head on my chest. She was asking me to provoke a sleeping lion but for her, why not?
“Shh.. it’s okay. I am here for you. I will help you.” I said, kissing the back of her palm.
“Please.” When she was close to tangling my breaths with hers.
“Hey, hey, don’t cry. I am here.”
“What do we have to do?” She asked, pulling away and wiping her tears.
“First, you have to convince Prince himself to start this and make your identity known.” I explained.
I couldn’t be much grateful, I could have her and even do what I was supposed to. “I see..”
“Then after you will start leading, It wouldn’t be much of a problem.” I smiled, taking her hand but she quickly pulled away.
“Sir… will be angry.” She said, I narrowed my eyes, hoping to do something for her.
“I have to go. I just want to know whether you are still here for me or not.”
“I am here and always will.” Smiling, I moved away.
Passing a weak smile, she ran away but took a part of my soul with her retreating steps, capturing my heart unknowingly in her world.
••• Cinzel•••
‘Do you truly want to kill Prince Sir?’
My mind asked and I chuckled at the thought.
‘Of course not. I understood the moment when he saved me from Zaniel that if I treasure my breaths, I need him.’
I only told this to Zaniel, knowing he couldn’t even lay a finger on him and my hollow words would give him hope to expect a better future for us-
‘Which crumbled the day he pointed a gun at me to kill me.’
It was no secret that Zaniel would kill me if I could no longer benefit him.
I still couldn’t apprehend what makes Prince Sir so attached to me to the extent of being infuriated if Zaniel dares to close the gap between us.
What about me he couldn’t resist?
Shaking my head to let out all these stupid thoughts, I walked back.
What Prince Sir did to me was beyond my comprehension, I just couldn’t control my fear.
“Where were you?” One of my Jailer Lenny asked.
“I was lost. I still need to learn ways.” I sighed. She nodded and we went back.
After observing things around here, it was clear Prince Sir controls everything and I need power to stand against- Can you stand against him?
I could never but I need power to become firm. Being pathetic like this will only bring me destruction.
At night, I was terrified and it was out of my reach to act unaffected when literally his one glare could snap my senses in ultimate despondency.
“Sir-”
The way he lifted his unflinching eyes over my petite form made me shudder.
“I-I mean Prince.”
“Hmm?”
“You need to pay attention at Sky…” I mumbled nervously, turning to him, sitting on the bed across from him.
Putting his phone down, he gave me his full attention, “What are you trying to say?”
“A-Anyone.. Could easily induce.. Hatred in her heart.” I trailed off, looking away.
Knitting his brows together, lifting my chin with his index finger he asked direly, “Speak up.”
Shutting my eyes, I blurted out, “When Amanda could afflict her mind that step-mothers are bad then why not her own Father?”
My voice came frightened, hurried, unable to bear his response. His eyes narrowed, trying to observe my words.
I couldn’t meet his eyes but he only sighed, moving his hand down to my hands, sensing the convulsions of my body by his wild yet plain touch.
“It must be Penny, don’t mind her.” He said softly, my heart skipped a beat. Nodding, I pulled my hand away from his and tried to get away but his grip tightened, pausing my breaths by the intimidation.
“You are scared.. Like always.” He whispered, moving closer.
“What… Do you.. Expect?” I asked nervously, pulling my dress with the other hand.
“Why? I haven’t done anything. Yet.” He asked seriously and this question might be earnest, to me, it was a mock to my overwhelm after trying to be intimate, horrifying me, threatening me, this monster was asking this!?
I didn’t reply, the woe creeping upon my face supplied him with the answer, letting out a sigh of disappointment, he let me go.
“Can… I ask you something?” I asked innocently.
He hummed, motioning me to continue, “Why did you marry me? There were many ways to stop Zaniel.”
The menacing and unfathomable expression invoked over his handsome features left me dazed about what’s going on in his malicious mind.
“I find this befitting the most.” He replied after a prolonged deadly silence.
“Why?”
“Because…” He moved closer and whispered in my ears, “You are most secured in my presence.”
What does he mean by secured? What is he trying to protect? The legacy which was already shattered and no one could claim it or me?
Just me?
“Why can’t I claim that position?” I asked swiftly, looking at him to get a furious reaction but he sighed.
“Because you weren’t taught how and it will only bring troubles. You have no idea what powerful people are present.”
"More powerful than you?" I asked innocently and it made him chuckle dryly.
"Much more powerful than me. The top five Aces of the underworld. I am just a pillar. Secondary to an ace." He smirked emptily and my heart skipped a beat.
Everyone had heard about the five aces; The Vicious Leaders, but no one had no idea how they looked, what were their names even.
Only the fact that they were… deadly. And he was secondary to them… Oh Lord. How powerful he must be. He must be a top criminal.
"Who are those?” I asked, shivering to think about it.
"You don't need to know." He scoffed.
“Why are you protecting me? If Alroy is much of a drag then kill me and end this matter.” I asked in a tender tone.
Shivering slightly but still daring to bear his indubitable dominance by my weakness because I knew I had to learn even speaking in his presence if I want to survive.
A strange look of a melodious deterioration, a glint of hope and desperation I was flabbergasted to see glistening beautifully in his eyes.
“Why…?”
Lips parted to speak something but before I could dive in the ocean, his flawless façade came back, giving me another murky reply.
“You don’t know your worth.”
Not wanting to explore his derisive words, I quickly laid down and covered myself with the sheets, shutting my eyes, drifting off to sleep as my only source to earn solace.