In Time And Memories

Chapter Nineteen

My mind was blank as I walked through the hallways of the Ezckellian Palace. It's still a mystery to me; How did the emperor knew about me and Prince Pierre? Our relationship has been kept private and I doubt that the emperor has time to know such mundane thing.

Well, it does not matter now. I should think of some ways on how to break this engagement before my sixteenth birthday.

I also have to talk to Prince Pierre.

"Butler," I called the man behind me.

"Yes, My Lady?"

"Is the second prince in the palace?"

"Yes, My Lady. The second prince has not left the palace yet."

"Yet?"

The butler nods. "The second prince was supposed to leave the palace today. In fact, his destination is to the Laurenze manor," he answered with simple but respectful tone.

Palace's servants treats me more respectfully than the servants in our manor. There's a bitterness in my mouth as I remember how they used to treat me with kindness.

I asked the butler to take me to the second prince but we met him on the entrance. It seems like he is going to meet the emperor.

I kept my blank expression as I such my respect to the prince. "Greetings to the magisterial prince of Meliean Empire," I greeted him.

There's this feeling that I can not pinpoint but it's giving my heart a hard time.

My eyes went to him when he didn't speak. His face is also blank but there's a hidden emotion reflecting on his eyes; it's giving me hope. I'm hoping that those emotion are meant for me.

"Greetings, Lady Laurenze," he greeted after a few seconds. I gave him a small smile.

"I heard that you are going to the Laurenze manor. Would you mind giving me a ride?"

He stared at me again, as if he is trying to decipher my thoughts. And after a while, he nodded. "I would like to, My Lady." His eyes went to back, calling for his servant. "Escort Lady Laurenze to the carriage while I am meeting the emperor."

And then back to me. "If you'll excuse me, My Lady. I have to meet the emperor first before I leave. Well, then." After that, he turned his back on us and entered the Ezckellian Palace.

The butler called for my attention and guided me to the carriage. I waited there while taking a glance on the surrounding.

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Silence filled the carriage, only the loud galloping of the horse can be heard. Ever since the prince came to carriage, no one dared to speak a word between us. This is a good chance to talk but I was hesitant on striking a conversation. A part of me is aware that I might not get the answers I wanted to hear from him if I won't speak now.

My eyes slowly went to him and my heart started to pound inside my chest. He still has this effect on me and I doubt that it will be easy to forget.

Thinking about the emperor's words makes me want to run away. Away from this engagement, away from that manor, and away from the crown prince. However, I know that I can not do that. My eyes remained on the prince.

Just one word from you, tell me and I will run away with you. But I want to ask you first...

"Why?"

Prince Pierre looked at me with a confused expression.

"Why did you abandoned me?" His face hardened and looked away. There is pain striked in my heart which made me smiled bitterly. "Perhaps His Highness did not really love me."

"That's..." I was cutted off when he suddenly trailed off and he abruptly looked at me.

"Then, why? Tell me, Your Highness."

I can see how hesitant he is to tell me. There is a part me saying that it was not his intention, that the queen told him to abandon me if I was chosen as the crown prince's fiancee. But I would like to hear the answer from him; whatever it is, I am willing to accept it.

"I have no rights to oppose, My Lady."

My mouth gaped. No rights? As far as I know, he can oppose the selection especially if the candidate is his girlfriend. There is no way that his excuse is plausible.

"What a lame excuse, Your Highness," I breathe sharply.

A bitter smile showed on his lips then he looked down, on the floor of the carriage. I can't see the expression on his face and it's quite hard to predict his thoughts.

"Is it, My Lady?"

"Yes. That is simple cowardice, Prince Pierre." My words are quite harsh but he only scoffed again. I looked away. I think this conversation is going somewhere.

"All of it are for political purposes, My Lady. Our relationship started all because of that, and now that my brother has chosen you... You have no use to me anymore," he coldly said.

It felt like my heart exploded after my brain processed what he just said to me. A single tear flowed to my cheeks. I wanted to laugh, I want to destroy everything.

So this is what it felt like after being used.

"Is that why you chose Celestia now? For political purposes?" I harshly wiped the tear off my cheek and look straight through his eyes. "You started it, then you should have used me until the end." Is this love or am I simply being stupid?

The carriage stopped and I heard the coachman shouted that we have arrived in our manor; but none of use went out of the carriage yet.

Prince Pierre shooked his head. "I don't want to be someone who stole his brother's fiancee. Besides, if he is going to fight me with the Lady of house Laurenze, might as well as do the same." I can't believe this.

Is fighting for the throne more important to him than the fact that he hurted my feelings?

The prince stood up from his seat and stopped at the door of the carriage. "Just do what the emperor asked you to. Cut your ties with me and do your duty as the future crown princess," he said before finally stepping out of the carriage.

I was left here, dumbfounded with a broken heart.

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