Crowned Prince | hendery

16: Postponement

"I shall make it clear before expectations rise," Taeha takes her hand off of Hendery's as soon as they were much deeper inside the palace, "the plans to spread word of your birth, I was unable to do."

Hendery stands there and blinks at her for a few seconds that it drove the princess insane as she was unable to read whether he was disappointed or not with her.

"I shall make amends and proceed with the plans of spreading the information through castle guards." The princess continues to ramble in hopes to see that his expression would change.

"Are you afraid that I would be disappointed?"

Taeha looks at him and for a second just as it did in that room when she realized that she was infatuated with the prince, he shone. It was as if he was a diamond among rocks. He especially shone in contrast to the brick of the palace. He shone not because he smiled, but there was a certain gentleness in his expression that made her immediately lose her capability to speak.

"I am not." There was a ring of reassurance in his tone. "I have placed my trust in your capabilities to reach our goal." He leans forward and gives her a smile, nearly apologetic in nature.

"Then I shall proceed with ensuring that we meet the goal." She nods her head.

With her heart both calm and in panic, she thought that this would be a great chance for her to make an escape. After taking a step away from the prince she bows her head and walks straight into the palace, but before she could take a step further away from him he grabs her wrist.

"However," his tone in voice made the princess turn around almost immediately, "I cannot desert my position as crowned prince at the moment."

Taeha turns around and walks up to him. "What are you talking about?" They were nearly chest to chest with each other and it was rather obvious that she was in the early stages of her anger as her uneven breathing was quite obvious.

"The crowned prince in times of war is in charge of the front lines of battles, that is what is written in our law." He speaks as if she does not take classes on the laws of Hwei.

"I am aware. I am not stupid, your highness."

Her sudden bluntness shocked Hendery. "Then you are aware that I cannot suddenly transfer my duties to my brothers-"

"There is no need to further elaborate on the transfer of responsibilities, I am not a commoner unaware of how politics work." Her eyes were growing wide. "And I understand that your desire to serve your kingdom outweighs your wants. Because if I were fortunate enough to be in the same position as you are in, I would also choose to serve my kingdom rather than choose to disappear."

Hendery goes quiet once again.

"Do not take me for a selfish fool." Taeha takes a deep breath in and turns around. "I loathe in jealousy watching as you ponder between two choices that you could make for yourself."

"Taeha-" There he was again that same kind look, it was almost as if he understood her, but she knew all too well that he didn't. She should've never turned back around to turn him when he called out her name because she stopped walking.

She shakes her head.

"The wedding shall happen in a week's time."

The news that he broke out to her made her legs go weak in an instant. She leans over one of the made display shelves in the hallway they were standing in, not caring whether what was sitting on top of that shelf was of historical importance. All that mattered was that she kept herself from falling on the floor.

"I shall be departing for Maha'ali the day after."

It was as if the prince was dropping bombs one after another. She wasn't exactly the strongest soldier to keep herself standing.

"Taeha," his soft way of calling out her name as he finally takes notice of her in absolute shock, made her want to back away from him, "are you feeling unwell?"

Taeha once again shakes her head, telling him that she was okay and there was no need for him to assist her to stand up.

"The least I can do is assist you," even with her denying his help, he comes to her side. His hand moves to her waist while his other hand pulls her hand over his shoulders to carry her a bit.

"My legs have decided to give out from the shock so there is no need to concern yourself further." She tries to push him away but even her arms have gone weak, not from the shock but for a whole different reason that does not involve the noble ladies or their conversation.

"Then I shall insist that I at least get you to your bed, that would ease my mind the most." His hands grew tighter around her waist and she was oddly more aware of it given their proximity.

It wasn't just because of his hands, it was his other hand holding onto her hand making sure to keep her arms around his shoulder. It was the gentle squeezing he was giving it that made her think that he too was delighted to have her in his arms. Then there was the proximity of his chest to her shoulder and how it was much closer to her ear. She tries not to hope for too much, but at the least she would want to hear the same uneven pattern she was feeling.

"The modiste would come to the castle later in the afternoon." Hendery speaks with his chest vibrating on her shoulders. "Even the most talented modiste cannot produce a dress overnight. So, it would be best to cooperate with her for today and give your opinions as soon as possible."

"Do you have any preference?"

Hendery shakes his head. "Much rare shall the occasion arise where your opinion would be asked that would not affect others," he paused and smiled at her, "that is except for the opinions of the other nobles," he jests, "thus, it would only be appropriate for you to be the one to decide on what it is you want to wear."

"Even if it includes traces of Sui?"

Marriage, though she relentlessly hated the idea, has always been what has waited for her at the end of her youth as a lady has no other ending except marrying a good man and giving him off springs. Yet she has thought of the chances of her marriage and the hopes that it would reflect upon the culture and life that she has lived in Sui.

"There is no need to hold back." Hendery, once again, gently squeezes her hand.

It did not take long before they were standing in the hallway that headed towards their room. Yet at the end of the hall stood a shadow looming over their door thinking whether it was appropriate to knock or not.

"Illia?" Hendery calls the attention of the count.

Illia immediately lifted his head and it was clear to Taeha the quick change in expression as he took notice of the way the prince was holding onto her, or that was what she assumed. Yet he was standing so stiffly as he waited upon the two stands much closer to the door he was waiting out of.

"Then," Hendery takes his hand off her waist while Taeha takes her hand off his shoulders, "take your rest, I shall be back once the modiste arrives."

Hendery opens the door to their room and waits for her to enter, but right before he even closes the door, he makes sure to smile at her one more time. The exact same smile that made her feel a certain way.

Like he wanted it imprinted in her mind, he gives her a smile, one that was beyond gentle and could be likened to the same gentleness he was giving her when he led her back into their room.

The moment the door closed right in front of her and just like she was trying to prevent it in the hallway, she fell down on the floor after her legs decided to give out with a simple smile.