Sincerely, yours (Completed)

Chapter 12

   The castle was busy in the past week and fuller; with the royalties here, the king had to employ more maids. The good side is that the prince is always busy and gives me free days to rest. He haven't met with anyone but watched them from the camera room or the lunch table. He didn't have to invite each girl for a private date since rumors travel quicker than lighting inside these walls, plus he didn't want to give anyone false hopes.

   I was making my way toward the prince's room but first I had to check on Jason, I haven't seen him for breakfast and he was acting weird lately.

   He was standing in a dark corridor. Not alone, I figured out. A blonde girl flung her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. I saw him go rigid.

   Push her away, I begged silently. Please push her away. For god sake step backwards.

   And for a moment, I thought he might. But then his arms closed around her, and he kissed her back.

   The bottom fell out of my stomach. It was like putting a foot wrong on a frozen creek, the crack of ice, the sudden drop, the knowledge that there was nothing beneath but dark water.

   He pulled away from her, grinning, his cheek still bloodied, and that was when his eyes met mine. His face went white.

   The girl followed his gaze and lifted a defiant brow when she saw me. I turned around, continuing my way to the prince's room. I won't let him see one tear falling from my eye on him. Why did he have to play me like that and how long did he think it will last until I figure him out?

   I heard him hurrying behind me but I couldn't face him not now, not ever. I entered the east wing and he was still following me, I hope the prince will kick him out or the king will appear miraculously in front of me.

   "Please stop," of course I didn't. "Please listen me out, I love you Olivia." Is he really saying that now? Unbelievable.

   I turned around and put my finger on his chest. "Stop lying to yourself Jason" I had to shut him, I can't stand him now, I can't hear his voice, I can't see him. "You don't love me, maybe you love the idea of being with me yes. If you truly loved me there wouldn't be another choice, SHE wouldn't be here and THAT wouldn't have happened. It's over. We're over." I confronted him, tears burning and threatening to come out. I blinked them back. I can't cry. Not here. Not now. "Stop following me or I'll tell his highness to kick you out for intruding the royal family wing." I turned around and walked to take my shift, hopefully the prince won't notice my tardiness.

   "Good morning Olivia, how are you today?" at least he's cheerful and happy today.

   "Good morning, I'm fine and you?" I'm not a good liar but I hope he won't notice my voice shivering.

   "Can you please take your armor off your face?" oh no, how I'm going to explain the disaster behind them. I'm sure my eyes are bloodshot and tears are still visible on my cheeks. I hesitated, why wouldn't he change his mind and walk to resume his day like nothing is wrong? "Now." I jumped at his tone, it sounded stricter, scarier and I never heard him use this tone with me. I let out a slow, long breath trying to take longer that he'll get bored from waiting but it he doesn't look like he's moving anytime soon. I loosened my body in defeat and did as I was demanded. "Why were you crying?" he was instantly by my side, taking me by the arm to sit on the nearby sofa.

   "I just saw Jason cheating on me with some blonde girl and I broke up with him." I began crying again, of course I would embarrass myself in front of him but he didn't care about it, instead he offered me a tissue paper and hugged me tightly until I stopped crying.

   "Come on, let's cheer you up," I wasn't in the mood but I took his hand anyways. "I remember you told me you like reading, right?" did I? I can't recall but I just nodded in response.