••• Cinzel •••
A wide grin was plastered over my lips while watching Sky, her bright smile actually made me feel serene, a reminder that there's still a graceful rose in that vile palace.
"Cinzel, look!" She chirped.
"She is your step mother, isn't she? Why are you calling her name?" A girl beside her asked. Sky stopped and looked at me with her innocent orbs.
"Then.. Can I call you Mama?" She asked. The smile on my face faded as my heart skipped a beat.
My heart hurts to think I was using Sky to gain Prince’s trust while she was the only person I adore. Lowering my eyes in lamentation I couldn't speak.
"See! She doesn't want to be your Mama."
Another mock came and by the time Sky had become too precious to me, neglect was no longer an option.
"Sure. You can. I am after all." I grinned as she hugged me tightly. Cinzel hugged me too tightly, not letting me go.
"Thank you… Mama…"
I didn't know but it made me feel bubbly but I noticed her croaked tone and saw she was crying while hugging me.
My gaze softened remembering she had never felt a mother's love and Prince has done nothing but to spoil her. I ran my hand in her hair, kissing her head.
"Hey, you are my strong girl. Don't cry." I smiled, patting her head as we pulled away. She nodded and wiped her eyes.
Others smiled at us as I asked, "What did you draw?" I asked.
"I drew you!" She beamed showing me the majestic drawing every six year old kid draws.
I never knew I was blonde and have dark red lips. Trying not to chuckle I took the drawing and mused, "Hmm. Looks a lot like me."
"See! You're so pretty."
I giggled and we had a pleasant time while I tried to ignore the notorious looks for being the young bride of Prince Silvester.
We returned home after the day, "Hey, how was the day?" Astrid asked.
"Amazing! I even drew Mama!" Sky said excitedly, showing Astrid her masterpiece.
"Mama…?" She trailed off but I gestured to her to not make a big deal, she smiled and complimented her drawing.
"Now, why don't you clean up? Then we will have some ice cream, okay?" I suggested, her face lit up in glee, running to her room, giving me the drawing.
"She is attached to you." Astrid mumbled.
"I am her Mother." I told her sternly.
"Glad you accepted yourself as a part of the family-" She was about to be optimistic but I poured water over her talks.
"I have nothing to do from this place. Don't say it again." I said angrily and left for my room, waiting for Zaniel to come home early. When he did, we met on the patio.
"Are you alright?" I asked, tensed about what happened last time.
"That was nothing." He smiled.
"How are you, he didn't hurt you. Did he?"
When this question escaped his lips, an unwanted rush of his aching words struck my mind. No matter how much I try, I can't subdue his words.
"No." I smiled, leaning back and holding my arm.
"Someone will see us here." He said.
"Let them. I want them to." ‘So I could hear his talks more.’ I sighed, holding my arm while leaning back.
"You, who is afraid of Prince's wrath, saying this." He smirked.
"I don't care about him! Stop mentioning him." I growled. Just his mention makes my heart flutter and I hated it.
It knocked upon the closed door I would never open; I didn't need another reason to fixate my mind on him- definitely not a good one.
"I am sorry… it just makes me envious to see you two together." He said sadly, taking a seat.
"I have to win his trust." I replied coldly.
"How beautiful it would be if we got married-"
"And I never came to know about the truth, you could easily use me then." I snickered, taunting him.
"I can't deny it but I also love you so much, unlike Prince. I wouldn't expose you to danger." He said sincerely.
‘It was too late for regrets.’ I thought, looking down as we remained like this but then he spoke up.
"Prince killed James, an important messenger of ours at the party and is going to Italy for some negotiations with the Ezekiel family." He explained.
"I don't care."
"Cinzel…"
His dolorous tone alarmed me about the hanging thread of depression and desperation that was going to burst.
"I want you to be my beautiful reality."
I blinked in disbelief. His words gave me a strange feeling but not in a good way.
"What?"
"Why don't we run away?" He asked hopefully.
"Don't be stupid Zaniel, Prince would kill you and do the worst to me." I said bitterly walking away.
‘Besides, who knows when you will kill me? If I choose Prince over you.’
I went to my room and saw Prince, all the facade washed away in his presence, stiffening my bones to the ground by his mere presence overflowing with dominance.
"W-Welcome home." I called him, he stopped and turned to me, sneering.
"You call this home?"
"You didn't come yesterday." I mumbled, leaning on the wall.
"You should be glad."
"I was afraid more… who knows when you will come out of nowhere?" I muttered, looking away.
"Don't worry, I am leaving and won't be home for a week." He said casually, plugging his phone in a charger but his eyes fell upon Sky's drawing.
"Sky drew me." I told him.
"Even looks like you." He joked.
I smiled faintly, lowering my head and asked hesitantly, "Prince… what you said… that day-"
When I looked up, he was right in front of me, offering me his hand, my breath hitched, quivering by the ferocity of his intense gaze.
"Can I tell you a secret?" He asked. Nodding, I gave him my hand.
He kissed my knuckles as usual and whispered, "I am trying."
Uncontrollably numbed by the yearning his words held, I was left flabbergasted yet fascinated at myself of how he was trying but this fear was just so stubborn.
Knowing it all that Prince was the one who saved my life, who kept me secure yet I couldn't relax in his presence even after knowing he was protecting me.
"I don't want to be afraid of you anymore." I whispered, coming closer.
Sensing my body tensing up by the deficiency of distance, gulping, quivering.
"We can't halt it, Cinzel." He told me softly.
"Why?!"
"Very soon- when worldly allures shall blind you- This fright would be your only tamer." He told me calmly, taking my hand.
"I am not like this, Prince." I tried to tell him but he stopped and passed me the most beautiful, charming smile I have ever seen.
Blinding me in allure instantly, left wondering where it was lost all this time, pacifying my heart for the first time.
"Every human is a worshiper of desires and we are no different, Cinzel."
Not even like in Highschool but something even precisely exquisite flickered in his eyes. I couldn't argue knowing he was right and we didn't know which emotion could change when.
"Anyways, why do you love being with your ex-fiance so much? He pointed a gun at you if you remember." He sighed with a frown as we walked down the corridor.
The protective grip of Prince's hand on mine filled the crack, surprisingly dispelling some of my affright, maybe he was truly trying to make it better piece by piece.
"Cinzel, I am talking to you." He called, snapping his finger to get my attention.
"Huh? So What? He still loves me, it just happened subconsciously." I responded, rolling my eyes.
We reached the staircase, he stopped and turned to me, "Are you dumb?" He asked.
"No, actually you are."
"What? No, I am not." I argued.
"Yes, you are otherwise why would you stay quiet with a loser lover, still daydreaming." He retorted, smirking, mocking my vulnerability.
"What else do you want me to do huh? Plot something against you knowing it's futile." I accidentally spoke the truth.
"Try it." He laughed a little as we walked down.
"Yeah, it's the same as fighting Boss at level one." I scoffed.
"Hack the game then," He shrugged.
"Where are you taking me anyways?" I asked.
Everyone looked at us weirdly but ignoring it, he said, "You are going to stay at Alice and Jay. Can't afford you running away with him, can I?" Prince smirked.
Looking at Zaniel who was almost burning with fury to see us like this. Honestly, even I am surprised at my display of bravery.
"Whatever." I muttered as we left.
"I will pick you up after coming back. Besides, there's something I want to show you when I will come back." He smiled a little.
"What?"
"A dream." He whispered, taking my hand.
Blinking, my mind tried to register when he was saying but before I could explore and hold onto the affection dripping from his every inch, he dropped me off and left.
Pouting a little at his behavior, I went home but all my worries vanished when I came home, resting all my weight in the air and melting into the moment of meeting my parents after such a long time.
"God, I missed you so much!" I breathed out, hugging them tightly, not wanting to let them go ever again.
"We too. Glad to see you are okay." Mama grinned, kissing my forehead.
"I hope you have forgiven us." Papa said sadly.
"What are you saying, Papa? You guys protected me and I am your child, how can I stay angry at you?" I beamed as he hugged me.
"Oh, I am so glad."
We all sat down, talked for a while. Time passed in the blink of an eye, things went pleasant. I feel at home, as if nothing could harm me.
The next day, Papa went to work, me and Mama were talking about trivial stuff, she asked me about my life, I explained the complications to her and mostly about Sky.
"I am scared of Prince." I sighed.
"Did he hurt you?"
"Physically? Other than intimate intimidation- no but mentally yes. He is torturing me, destroying me until I submit to him." I sighed.
"How?"
"Who the hell told him to become an ideal Prince Charming now when I am terrified of him? Talking sweetly, vaguely, acting but not telling or showing and his threats not to mention. He threatened to kill me- even if it was a lie, Mama but it scared me to no extent." I told her distress about the catastrophic situation I am stuck in.
"Don't worry, my love. It shall pass."
She smiled and pulled me in a hug but our moment was broken when the bell rang.
"Oh, I will get it." I smiled, getting up. She nodded and went to the kitchen. I opened the door.
“Yes?”
A guy with stone-cold green eyes and long brown hair was there.
He was wearing an owl mask so nothing else was visible but seemingly an evil aristocratic man. Wearing black shirt and gray waistcoat, sleeves rolled to the elbow.
I thought he was some dude sent by Prince to watch over me.
Raising a brow, I asked, "Hmm? Who are you?" I asked casually.
A tear fell from his eyes upon seeing me, “What?”
At his weird behavior, I was about to close the door but he grabbed my collar and roughly pulled my Alroy locket.
"What the-"
Before I could react, he knocked me out as darkness consumed me, unaware of who he was and what just happened...