In Time And Memories

Chapter Fourty-Four

I stare at Prince Pierre who's currently in a deep slumber. It's been a week since the accident happen but his wound has not completely healed. I heard that he woke up three days ago, still in excruciating pain.

The nurse said that it might take him several weeks to heal his wound. Prince Pierre's birthday will be next month.

A sigh escaped my mouth. It's my time to leave, I've been here for ten minutes and I think that's enough time to check on him. Besides, I shouldn't be here. I'm not the one who should be sitting here, caring and worrying about him.

I stood up and was about to leave but a hand suddebly wrapped around mine. My hear turned to Prince Pierre.

"Princess..."

"How are you feeling, Your highness?" I sat back down.

My eyebrows raised after seeing his stare at him. "Is there something wrong, Your highness?"

"Azelaine..." He held my hand tightly and move it closer to his lips. His tears also started to fall as he gently kissed my hand.

My heart went crazy.

I thought I got over him so why does my heart is beating faster? His stares is the same how he used to stare at me three years ago. And his hand on mine feels so warm like how it felt when the first time he held my hand.

Tears starting to build up in my eyes. This is not right, it shouldn't be like this. I retrieved my hand and stood up.

"I will call the nurse to check on you, Your highness," I said coldly and went outside without looking back.

My steps are heavy and every time I take a step away, a tear falls on my cheek. There are so many thoughts and questions invading my mind.

Does he still love me?

Why did he do that?

Do I still have some lingering feelings for him?

What is love even mean?

If he didn't abandoned me, are we still going to get married like how it's supposed to be?

I don't know. I need answers but how? How am I supposed to know the answers if I, myself, are not certain about things such as love?

For the past few days, I did everything I could to avoid him but things are not in my favor. We met several times due to gatherings the emperor requested. It is to prepare for his birthday and for his wedding with Celestia.

So I have no choice but to face him.

We didn't have much interaction since Celestia and his daughter are clinging on him while I avoided him. Prince Urus are always with me so Prince Pierre didn't have the guts to approach me.

"Your highness, this is your suggested gowns to wear on Prince Pierre's birthday," Fiona said as she pulled a trolley with my gowns.

I looked at her through the mirror. "Just choose something simple, I don't want to grab their attentions." Fiona pouted on my statement, she's probably disappointed because she wanted to dress me up prettily but I refused.

The banquet will be tomorrow and the wedding will be in a week after. I almost refused to attend but the emperor told us to come.

"You looks like in a deep thought, Your highness," Cain muttered. Where are in the Order of the Meliean knights' office to have a meeting. Every commanders, vice commanders, and even captains are here.

"It's nothing," I answered him. I shifted my gaze to entertain myself and brushed off my thoughts but I can feel Cain's stare at me.

Strands of my hair fell, blocking my face but Cain fixed it for me; his slender fingers brushed through my skin. My head abruptly turned to him. His eyes met mine and a wide smile formed on his lips but it immediately disappeared after he was hit on the head.

"Sorry, coming through!" Xiel wickedly exclaimed even though he obviously did it on purpose. Cain glared at him.

"You bastard!"

Xiel laughed at him before going to his designated seat. Then as if on cue, the door opened and Prince Urus entered the room.

The meeting started.

——

The servants gasps and made a fuss after seeing my appearance. They all looked satisfied with my look since they are the ones who did it. I told them to dress me moderately but they didn't listened.

My hair is styled in a bun with a few strands loose. It fits perfectly to my dress; a blue layered organza fabric as a skirt and a blue heart-shaped tube topped with a translucent organza fabric sewed with diamonds.

"This is not what I meant in moderately," I said. They all suddenly looked disheartened.

"Your highness! Of course, we want you to look gorgeous than any ladies out there! You are the crown princess so it should be expected that you are dressed beautifully!" Fiona scolded me.

You are the crown princess so you should be gorgeous as well. Is that what she meant? I only sigh in defeat and let them do whatever they want to do.

I'm done with impressing people with my beautiful dresses and extravangant jewels. So it doesn't matter if I'm all dolled up or not.

"You can all leave, please," I commanded them after they finished dressing me up. Fiona was about to leave too but I told her to stay. She looks confused at first. I have something to talk about her. This should have been done three years ago but I was too focused on my revenge that's why I gradually forgot about it.

"What is it, Your highness?"

"About Rina, I want to find her. Do you know where she lives?"

"That..." She fidget her fingers and averted her gaze. "I have no idea where she lives, Your highess, please forgive me..."

I sigh in relief. I thought it was something serious but I at least expected that she doesn't know where Rina lives.

"It's okay. But will you find me someone who can find her?"

She nods. "I will try my best, Your highness." I smiled at her. Later on, the butler called us and says that the banquet will begin in any minute.

Prince Urus was also waiting for me outside.

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