In Time And Memories

Chapter Fifteen

A few days have passed and yet I'm all left alone. Staring at the window, there's nothing to see but the clear blue sky. To think that I've been imprisoned in my own room, felt worse than a prisoner in cell.

But none of that actually matters to me- Not when my mind kept repeating Prince Pierre's eyes on me that day.

His distant and indifferent eyes while I'm desperately asking for his help. The way he looked at me hurts more than the fact that Prince Urus chose me as his future consort.

I kept thinking and asking myself... Was our relationship even true? Where are the feelings we shared together? It was as if all of that are non-existing by the way he looked at me.

My heart torned into pieces when he turned his back on me and disappeared. And I guess, that was the sign that he's giving up our relationship, he has abandoned me.

It hurts so much...

A loud knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I just glanced at it and let them open the door. There's a new maid serving me ever since Rina left- That's what they told me.

They said that Rina left our household since that night as she can't serve me anymore. I don't want to believe them because I know that Rina is loyal to me. Just because I'm the crown prince's fiancèe won't be enough reason for her to leave.

"Lady Azelaine, the duke is waiting for you in the dining room," the maid announced.

I squinted my eyes on her. Their atittude towards me changed in such a short span of time that it's making me feel suspiscious. However, I can't think of other reason for them to act like this towards me aside from being the crown prince's fiancèe.

Every step I take towards the dining room feels heavy. After not letting me go out of my room- Now they're calling for me? I want to laugh.

"Your excellency, Lady Azelaine has arrived," the butler announced.

"Leave us." All of the maids and butler went out of the dining room after serving the dishes. My eyes went to my father who feels so distant.

My father who used to treat me with kindness and gentleness is now nothing but like a stranger to me.

"What did you call me for?"

He cleared his throat and settled his utensils before clasping his hand together then stared at me intently. "Your sister will marry Prince Pierre," he spoke.

There was like a bomb suddenly exploded inside me after he said that.

"W-What did you say?" I wanted to make sure that what I heard is wrong because there's no way my father just said that. No. I refuse.

"Celestia will marry Prince Pierre."

"Why?!" I burst out. Just how many times do I have to get hurt? Why am I suddenly experiencing such misfortunes? Tears flowed on my cheek but the man in front of me remained indifferent.

"The queen chose Celestia to be his future consort and their marriage will happen on his coming of age ceremony."

"I refuse."

"You have no right to refuse the queen's words," he said through gritted teeth.

Seriously? Is this the only reason why he called for me? To hurt me more? To make me feel more miserable? To show just how much Celestia stealing everything away from me? Is that it?

I feel so exhausted. No matter what I do, nothing will go in my way.

"Do you not care for me anymore, father?" A weak and low voice came out of my lips. "I feel so betrayed and miserable, father."

I became the crown prince's fiancèe even though I never wanted to. My lover, who's also a prince, didn't bother to help me and just gave up on our relationship. My father is treating me coldly and an adopted sister who's taking everything away from me.

I'm breaking apart and yet no one is there for me. All of them turned their backs on me. Those people who used to adore me.

"Are still my father who used to love me?" My voice came out miserably.

I stared at his eyes, waiting for an answer but what caught my attention is how slowly his face lightened up. My mouth gaped. His eyes trembled and his expression seems so confused.

"Azie..."

Azie?

My eyebrows furrowed as I feel something weird is going on. It's been a while since the last time I heard him called me with my nickname that was given by him. After months of being cold and distant to me, his voice sounds calm and soft.

"Father?"

"Azie, my daughter, I'm so-" His words were cutted off when the door swung open just to reveal Celestia.

It looks like she's panicking but when she saw me, she immediately changed her posture. A wide smile and timid bow was given to me as a greeting. I don't know what is going on but there's definitely something wrong here.

"Father! I received a letter from the palace," she announced happily.

My eyes went to my father and to my surprise, his eyes went back from being cold and distant. But the way he looks at Celestia is very different. It's filled with gentleness and softness.

"That is good. We should immediately discuss your engagement with the second prince," my father said to her.

I stood there as if they're unaware of my presence, like a ghost. My brain is still processing of what happened earlier. Father's sudden change of attitude and Celestia's engagement with Prince Pierre.

It really felt like I'm left alone, huh?

I have to do something. I won't let Celestia have her way and I refuse to be abandoned like this. All my life, I've been working hard to be that perfect woman for the royal society.

I'm going to the palace, I have no choice but to share a conversation with Prince Urus.

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