Kapitel 14: TREACHEROUS

[LENA]

I sneaked back to the great hall, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.

I headed to the refreshments table and downed a glass of sparkling fruit juice. I was very thirsty. I took another glass and concealed myself behind the table decorations as I scanned the room. I saw Cece dancing with a nobleman who looked like he was very taken with her. They were conversing and laughing, and, if I'm not mistaken, flirting.

The other person I was looking for — and hiding from — was nowhere in sight. Whew. That's good. I wasn't sure I could face Philippe right now. He wasn't leaving until tomorrow, so I still have time to figure out where we stand.

Regardless, at least something good happened today. Luca.

He's back! Finally, after all this time. And he wouldn't be leaving again.

His appearance came as a total surprise. He was the last person I expected, and yet, he showed up at just the right moment. How he managed to find me in that tower, especially since he just got back, boggles me.

I haven't asked him about it yet. He escorted me to the great hall, but he had to leave again to report back to the royal guard's commander. I would've wanted to spend the rest of the evening catching up with him, but there was still the party to deal with.

Luca changed. Well, he was still the same Luca I'd always remembered, but in my eyes, he had changed.

Weird, isn't it? I know I'm not making much sense.

I first noticed it when I looked at him up close. His skin was glowing, a lot more tanned compared to when I last saw him. I noticed the slightest hint of fuzz trailing down his angular jaw to his strong chin, indicating he had recently shaved. I noticed that his lower lip had a crease right in the middle. His nose was straight, apart from a tiny, barely-visible bump on the bridge. There was a small mole just below the middle of his right eye. And his eyes. The way he looked at me with those dark, piercing yet tender eyes. So familiar, yet so compelling.

I remembered Cece's question from way back, "Is he good-looking at least?"

The answer was yes.

It was like I was seeing him for the first time. Maybe it was because I'd grown up. I'm only now noticing things about him that I've never paid attention to in the past. It was so weird! Luca had never intimidated me before. Not in a frightening way, no. It was more like, being that close to him had suddenly made me self-conscious. Not to mention his strong arms that were wrapped securely around me.

So I instantly pulled away from him in embarrassment.

I was the only one having those weird feelings, though. Luca treated me the same as always. Like I was the same little girl he left two years ago. It annoyed me a little.

I was hopeful I'd see him again after the party ended, but he still wasn't there. There must be a lot of things he had to do. He just got back. Oh well, it's not like he's leaving again.

Besides, I still have to deal with a more pressing issue.

The next morning, I woke up to a vase of fresh flowers on my bedside table accompanied by a handwritten note.

My Dearest Princess Elena,

My heart breaks knowing I've unintentionally hurt you.

I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

With love,

Philippe

I sighed. I began pacing my room back and forth, sifting through my emotions, and deliberating what to do about Philippe.

Should I forgive him?

Sleep had refreshed my mind. Even the fear I felt from last night had substantially diminished. It was easier to apply some analysis to the scenario.

Maybe he wasn't entirely to blame. We both agreed to be alone together. And what do two people who like each other want to do when they're alone? He had his expectations, which I guess were slightly the same as mine. I mean, I've also wanted him to kiss me.

I just didn't think it would progress so fast.

The wine was also a factor to consider. Things might have turned out differently had he not been intoxicated. He did sober up after that, though. The flowers and his note were sent up to me last night while I was sleeping. It only proved that he was remorseful and owned up to his wrongdoing.

I know Philippe has a sweet nature. His smiling face came to my mind. His affection. His words and promises of love. I realized I still liked him.

It was just one mistake. One mistake does not define a person.

I decided to give him another chance.

It wasn't until noontime that I finally left my bedroom. The servants were still finishing up with the cleaning of the great hall from last night's celebration. I headed to the dining hall where I found Cece having lunch by herself. I joined her, and more food was instantly delivered to the table.

That was usually the case in the palace. The royal family wasn't as close-knit as you'd think. I don't always share meals together with my family except on formal occasions. On normal days, we eat at our own convenience.

"Good morning, Lena. Tired from last night?" Cece asked.

"Yeah, a bit," I lied. I didn't tell her I had been awake for hours.

"Have you seen Philippe?" I asked.

"Oh, he was here earlier," Cece responded. "Your prince seemed to have taken a liking to our wine here," she added in a whisper.

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"He was having it with his meal. At daytime! A bit peculiar, don't you think? It might be a good idea for you to have an entire keg packed for him when he leaves tonight. I think he'd like that." she said, giggling.

Oh, no.

"Really? Do you know where he went?" I asked. It was a bad sign.

Cece took a sip of her tea. "I'm not sure, but he was mumbling about going to the gardens. Something about smelling the flowers while enjoying the wine." She giggled again. "I'm actually surprised. I thought you'd be with him by now, knowing he wouldn't be here for long."

I winced inwardly. I hadn't told Cece about last night, and I thought it best to keep her oblivious about it.

"I'll find him later. Did he seem, you know, drunk?" I asked casually. "Like he's not himself?"

"Well, he was his cheerfully loud self, even louder than usual. But that seems about it."

I headed to the gardens with Cece after finishing our meal. We followed the path around the expansive palace gardens but I couldn't find Philippe. He wasn't at the pavilion either.

Where is he?

"Maybe he's taking a nap, Lena," Cece suggested once we'd made a second lap around the gardens.

"Yeah. I guess you're right. I'll try again later," I answered, disappointed.

"Why don't you join me in the solar room?" she said. "A new shipment of silk threads just arrived. We can spend the afternoon embroidering. Perhaps you can make a little token for your prince?"

"No thanks, I'll pass," I replied. I was never good at needlework. I always prick my fingers by accident.

Cece laughed. "Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me."

With my afternoon free, I had no idea what to do. Might as well go back to my room while waiting for Philippe to wake up.

However, I spotted one of his attendants on my way back.

"Excuse me," I called. "Is Prince Philippe awake?"

The attendant jumped when he saw me. "Your Highness! Awake? N–no. I mean yes! I'm sorry. He… His Highness is at the library," he squeaked. He sounded nervous, maybe even terrified.

I smiled to reassure him. "Thank you," I said kindly. "Carry on."

So he wasn't sleeping after all.

I changed course.

To my surprise, Alexandre was leaving the library just as I turned the corner. His mouth was pursed and he looked annoyed. I stopped, wanting to retrace my steps and flee out of embarrassment from last night, but it was too late for that. He'd see me in a second.

"Prince Alexandre," I greeted stiffly.

He looked surprised when he saw me. "Princess Lena," he responded, quickly shutting the door behind him. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for Philippe," I admitted in a quiet, almost guilty voice. "I heard he's in the library."

Alexandre's lip twitched scornfully. "He's there alright. But you don't want to go in there. Trust me," he muttered.

"Why not?" I demanded. "Look, about last night—"

"Your relationship is none of my business," he interrupted flatly. "But it's best you turn back now. For your own sake."

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "Let me through, Alexandre."

He tried to block me, but I pushed past him and opened the door to the library.

The library was two floors tall, encompassing an entire wing of the palace. It was filled with books, poetry, scrolls, and other literary works from floor to ceiling, lining the walls and on standing shelves. Some were placed inside glass cases for preservation purposes. A wide lofty window on one side provided bright, natural lighting to the tables and chairs beneath it. Two small staircases were built on opposite sides.

I walked around the stacks of shelves, looking for Philippe. He wasn't in the reading area either. Strange.

Suddenly, I heard sounds coming from upstairs. Like hushed voices.

The carpeted staircase drowned out the sounds of my footsteps as I made my way up. The voices grew louder. No. They were voices, alright, but they weren't actual speech. More like moaning and heavy breathing.

And then I saw Philippe.

There was no mistaking the back of his blonde curls. I found him between a row of bookshelves near the top of the stairs, but he wasn't alone.

His limbs were entangled with another body. A woman. A woman dressed like one of the palace maids. I could be wrong; she was almost naked. They both were. He had her pinned against the shelf, his arms wrapped around her body, his lips locked on hers. It seemed to be fully consented this time. They were clearly enjoying themselves. They didn't even notice me.

The maid saw me first. Her eyes widened in terror, and she quickly pushed the treacherous prince away, pulling up her sleeves and pushing down the skirt that had hiked up to her thighs. "Y-Your H-Highness," she stammered.

Philippe turned around, looking equally shocked as he fumbled to fix his own clothing. I noticed that his eyes were clear and aware, not like last night. He wasn't drunk this time.

"Lena," he whispered. "It's not what you think—"

I turned around and ran without waiting for him to finish. I've seen enough.

"Lena! Come back!" he called out to me, but I kept on running.

I burst out of the library doors and saw Alexandre standing in the corridor outside. He was leaning against the wall with his arms folded on his chest. My eyes met his pitying gaze for a second before I continued down the corridor.

I kept on running.

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