30 Days As A Substitute Prince

Chapter 31

Chad Gastin. Zadkiel Austen:

The reunion that was bound to happen, but seemingly at the wrong time. 

Chad flinched away from Aria at the sound of Zadkiel's voice, not out of fear or embarrassment of being seen kissing and touching Aria, but out of genuine surprise. 

Zadkiel blinked a few times, trying to understand what he saw as he took a shaky step forward. His vision was purely red, and his body shook like leaves on a windy day in fury. 

It took a while for Chad to register what was happening. By the time he did, Zadkiel was already in front of him, pointing an accusing finger in his face. 

"How dare you!" he shouted, and it was then when Chad found his voice. 

"Zadkiel, please--" 

"Zadkiel?" a very confused Aria asked from behind both men. They turned in unison to meet her already teary gaze after realizing that she had been tricked. "What is happening here?" 

The truth was inevitable, but it wasn't supposed to be this way. 

With his heart racing and his mind spinning, Chad took a shaky step towards the love of his life, but seeing her take a step in the opposite direction broke his heart completely. He could see the pain in her eyes that he dreaded from the moment he fell in love with her, the confusion he wanted to prevent and the betrayal he tried to escape. 

And Zadkiel, being unknowing and oblivious to everything that had happened in the past month, wasn't making it any easier either.

"You had one job. How dare you do this? This-this selfish act!" 

Chad took a double-take at his words and raised his own accusing brow at the prince of Imperial Kingdom. 

"Selfish? I'm the selfish one? You had no idea what I've been through, just being in your shoes for this month while you were on your own trip frolicking away in paradise! Yes, I fell in love with her, and I won't apologize for doing that. What I will apologize for is the trouble I'll put you through. But I wish you'd at least try to understand what was happening here before you point an accusing finger at me. Aria is--" He paused abruptly as he mentioned the petite princess' name, realizing that she was no longer standing behind them. 

Zadkiel recognized this too, and they both began to search the area frantically, worried what she might do or say if she goes back to her parents without a logical explanation. Then again, what answer could give clarity to what she had to witness just now?

Nonetheless, the men both shared a gaze before dashing for the path that led back to the castle. Luckily, they spotted her not too far from the backyard, stomping her way through the fallen leaves--her own anger quite evident. 

"Aria!" Chad called after her as she continued moving towards her destination. He picked up speed to chase after her, with Zadkiel not too far behind. 

He was still very much pissed at his friend, but Chad's speech about what he's missed had him thinking. A lot can happen in a month indeed, and the two had obviously fallen in love in that period. Maybe it was his own jealousy that made him so furious--or the sliver of regret that he chose his own way out instead of getting to know his bride like Chad had. It was apparent that she was a wonderful person, and now maybe he will never know her. 

Chad finally caught up to Aria and grabbed hold of her hand. She swerved around and yanked her arm from his grip, sending him a glare that could've sent him six feet under if looks could kill. 

"Who are you?" she demanded, keeping an uncomfortable distance between them. 

"It's me, Aria. You know me," Chad insisted as he took a hesitant step towards her. Aria shook her head furiously as the tears she had been holding back finally spilt from her eyes.