A Strange Feeling

15| Realization

Chapter 15: Realization (Erik's POV)

While Ana was in the center, I did some work with Cassian and then we both went to the gym. We have a fully equipped gym in the palace and I think that's the best idea me and Cassian ever had. We were too lazy to travel everyday just to hit the gym and we persuaded our parents to make one of the halls a gym. The palace has a lot of halls anyways.

"So are you really going to marry Ana?" Cassian turned to me.

"Yes. Don't tell me you have a problem with that" I gave him a confused look.

"No, no. I'm just afraid the history will repeat itself" he explained while lifting some weights.

"What history?"

"You don't know?" he looked surprised.

"No"

"You should have spent more time in the library" he came closer to me, looking around making sure no one entered the gym in the meantime "Our grandfather wasn't in love with our grandmother. He was forced to marry her, after our grand-grandparents killed the love of his life. Her name was Sofie and she was an ordinary girl. Actually, Sofie wasn't the first victim of our royal ancestors. There were many young women and men killed just because the royals didn't want them."

What's wrong with my family?

"I won't let that happen to Ana" I hissed.

"I'm sure you protect her at all costs. But please be careful"

"Thanks for informing me. But, I think we underestimate Ana. I think she can protect herself more than me or anyone else can. She is devious and very clever."

"Indeed, she is" he nodded.

"By the way, when are you going to marry? Shouldn't the older one marry first?"

"I will when I find my Ana, or Sofie" he smiled.

"Or Eliza" I winked.

"Oh my God, STOP" he made a disgusting look.

When we finished our workout, our father called us in his study.

"The date for our traditional masquerade is approaching. I want you to help me organize it" he turned to me "Erik, I want you to find a person or an organization that now needs money the most, take Ana and either search the internet or go and search in person. I want this year's charity to be focused on one thing only" then he turned to Cassian "You are responsible to find the decoration. Either find a good company that works on decorations or make a plan yourself" he opened his laptop "I want this to be prepared in two weeks".

We nodded and left the room. Cassian went in his bedroom and I went in my room. When I entered, I found Ana unpacking a bag of Chanel.

"That's a bomb-ass suit" I nodded.

"I know right. I will try it on so you can see me" she smiled going to the bathroom.

"You don't have to go to the bathroom to change" I giggled, "You can't see me before I put every piece on!" she yelled

I laughed. Two minutes later she stepped out of the bathroom and I gasped. I raised my eyebrows and my jaw almost touched the floor. The bell-bottoms pants made her legs long and pointed out her butt. The blazer was like glued to her figure, "Damn".

She giggled. I grabbed her arms and spun her in circles, then I pulled her closer and kissed her gently.

"Two weeks from now we're hosting a masquerade. My father ordered me to find a person or an organization that need money right now. Do you want to help me?"

"Of course" she smiled.

I took a step back and looked at her, "Ana" I cleared my throat "Do you feel threated by anyone in the palace?"

"No. Why? Should I be afraid?" she narrowed her eyes.

"Um-not exactly, but I'm not sure if everybody is okay with our relationship. But I promise, you are safe here, I'll protect you" I held her face with my both hands.

"I think you are over-reacting" she giggled.

"I will feel better if I know that you are safe" I pecked her lips, "Ana" I looked at her.

"Yes"

"I think that-that I" I hesitated to say the words, she giggled "I love you too Erik".

I raised my eyebrows in surprise "Really?"

"Yes" she laughed tickling me.

I watched her with a big smile on my face. A month ago I was worrying if I'm going to be wed to my cousin and now I'm happy and peaceful with the love of my life in my hands. How things change in just a month. I wasn't sure about Ana, but I was the happiest I've ever been in my whole life. Suddenly everything was easy for me, life was easy. Knowing that I will hug her after a long day and fall asleep with her scrunched next to me, made my days much lighter.

I guess people were right with their sayings about soulmates. When you meet your soulmate, an immediate connection will be felt between the two souls, a connection that cannot be explained, only felt. Meeting them is not an accident, it's a pre-decided time and date by God or the Universe, and you meet them either when you need a big awakening in life, or you completed toxic cycles and now you are ready for the real thing.

For me it was like an awakening. She awoke the sparks in my body for which I was so certain that they will stay stone cold forever.

"Do you have an idea what to wear in the masquerade?" I asked her.

"Yes, I will show you but first let me take a shower" she giggled and went into the bathroom.

A few moments later her phone started ringing I glanced at it and saw that Petar was video calling her. I walked over the phone with a smile on my face and answered the call "Hey there" I waved at him.

He blinked twice at me "You again?"

"Well, I guess it will be me for the rest of eternity" I smirked.

"Where's Ana? I need to talk to her" he demanded.

"Oh, she is in the bathroom, taking a shower" I turned the camera towards the bathroom door "Do you hear the water running?"

"Yeah. Um-where are you?" he asked confused.

"Oh, we are in my palace, look, this is our royal room" I moved the camera around the room Oh, I'm enjoying tis so much.

"So, Toni wasn't lying to me, you really are the prince and Ana indeed is with you" he paused "I understand now, I won't bother you again" he said and ended the call. I smiled to myself and was proud for kicking him out of our lives.

Ana once told me the story about them. They used to be madly in love as teenagers but through the years their love turned into obsession and toxicity. They were going on and off for years because they had a false impression of what true love really is. Instead of loving each other they used hurt each other many times, instead of having trust they had doubts all the time. Ana wanted to end the relationships couple of times, but he was stubborn and couldn't let go, eventually she crossed the line and ended it for good.

She got out of the shower "Did my phone rang?"

"Yes, it was Petar" I paused "I answered, I hope that's not a problem"

She shook her head "Not at all, at least now he will be off my ass"

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I feel a little bad about Petar :')