Help from the OtherSide

55. On Your Marks

I'd never meant for it to escalate to this level. The moment those words left my mouth, a massive wall of shame hit my chest. My eyes welled up with fresh hot tears all ready to spill.

He regarded me with steely cold gaze; my tears held no effect on him. While the Deccan from a day ago  would have rushed to my side full of concern.

I couldn't bear it anymore so I ran to my room before I made a mess of myself. 
Reaching the threshold of my room I glanced  behind for the last time to see him rooted in the same spot at the corridor, watching me expressionlessly.

I slammed the door shut and sank to the floor with my back against it. For the first time ever, my mind was muddled with a variety of emotions I was unable to differentiate between. 

I clutched my head in my palms and released the barrier of tears that I held in. The man I begrudgingly called my best friend all these days, due to my coward self unwilling to confess my real feelings, would now rethink thrice before even acknowledging me in front of others.

The fight took a mental toll on me. Tired, I laid on my bed taking in the silence of the night so eerie; even the birds seemed to have abandoned the area. High probability of other palace guests hearing our fight added to my trouble.

I strained my ears for any voices from the corridor but it was quiet, as if none of it ever occurred.  Losing the track of time, I decided to ask someone.

Softly closing the door, I scanned the corridor. The spot Deccan previously stood was now empty. The door to his room  that was usually ajar, was now dark and bolted shut.

The light orbs dimmed with time as if they were aware of the seconds that passed. With minimal brightness, I quickly jogged down the staircase and into the familiar Library. The Library was empty too-- except for the dull candle light coming from the secluded corner. 

I tiptoed  to the alcove, peeked from behind a shelf and found someone already seated with bundles of half opened scrolls around them.

"Lord Ciaran?" I whispered.

The person tensed and squinted cautiously.
 Ciaran let out a sigh on seeing me.

"Miss Lin. Yes, join me." He waved his hand towards a tiny three legged stool on which books were stacked. I placed the books on my lap and sat on the stool, waiting patiently for him.

"Alas, I may have forgotten. What did you want to know?" He scribbled on the fresh parchment sheets without looking at me.

"About Kill-- His Highness. You told me that he wasn't always the way he is now. What changed?"  I rested my elbows on the hardbound book.

He dropped the quill and rubbed his eyes. "Many, many years ago, the aftermath of the fight for the throne resulted in some unrequited love."

"King Glorian and his first wife. Killian's mom." I mumbled.

He raised his brows studying my face. "You know about it? "

I pursed my lips and nodded softly.

"Anyway, the poor boy already snatched from his mother's care at an early age then resented his father for forgetting his mother so soon.
 After Her Majesty Imara ascended the throne, their relations were rocky. For the sake of the young prince, the King had to appear unhappy with his new Queen." Ciaran leaned back on the chair and laced his fingers behind his head.