TRAPPED

BROKEN HEARTS

SHALOM.

"babe, look at me.. "

It seemed like what I had told Eric had left him in shock and I completely understood how he was feeling, I too had been stunned when I first found out, then I became angry and then came the sobbing until finally I just accepted the facts, crying wasn't going to change anything.

"Tell me you're joking "he said in a choked up voice and a single tear fell down his face, being aware of the broken glasses, I knelt down before Eric and took his head in my hands, making him look into my eyes.

"I know it's tough baby, I was also stunned when I found out but we have to find a way to get past this"I said to him.

No matter what had happened and what information had been revealed I still loved Eric very much and couldn't stop loving him even if I tried.

"You're.. We.. You're my.. "

Eric mumbled then abruptly stood up and started pacing back and forth as he rubbed the back of his neck.
I knew I had to give him some time to process everything and then make a decision just like I had done. If he decided to end our relationship I wouldn't hold it against him and I wouldn't even stop him but personally I didn't want to lose what we had, we were as good as strangers and from the story my mother had told me no one even knew that my father was related to the late King, not even the late king himself.

"I need some fresh air.. "Said Eric and before I could say anything he rushed out of the room.

I called to the maids to clean up the mess left behind then went back to my room. Mum had told me the truth in secret, dad didn't want anyone knowing the truth because he knew that once they found out he wasn't the rightful heir all hell would break loose and he really loved the kingdom, it was his home, where he grew up, it was my home, and so I had promised to keep the secret and yet I couldn't help it, I knew I had to tell Eric.

I never saw Eric again that evening and it made me sad as I wondered if he was out there rehearsing how he would break my heart. The following day they had their meeting and my father agreed to call a seize fire and promised not to attack first, just like Eric promised too. I thought Eric would perhaps ask to see me before leaving but he didn't and it broke me, if things were over between us the least he could have done is tell me to my face.

The next few days were really stressful for me and I felt like just going up to his palace and confronting him but I knew I couldn't, I had told him what he needed to know and now it was up to him to make a decision. Maybe he was still processing and just needed some time.

Two weeks went by and they felt like two years, I couldn't take it anymore, I felt suffocated and I was missing Eric terribly, why wasn't he reaching out? Didn't he love me enough?? Didn't he love me anymore?? Was he disgusted by me? By our relationship?? All these thoughts kept on torturing me until one day I decided to go out for a walk, I really needed to clear my head and try to see what the future was for me.
My guard walked with me until we reached a river, I had told my maid to remain behind.
"I want to swim "I told him

"Princess I was instructed to keep watch of you at all times " he tried to argue

"Do you wish to see my nakedness? "I asked him with a raised eyebrow and he quickly shook his head

"No princess, I'll be just nearby, call me if you need anything ".he said and walked away .

I waited for him to get out of sight then ran off as quiet as possible ,I jumped into the river and swam to the other side then ran as fast as I could until I was sure the guard wasn't anywhere nearby. Taking a deep breath I started walking further and further until the woods grew thicker and thicker, but I kept on walking and walking, I didn't even care about the sun starting to set. I continued walking until the trees started getting fewer until I started seeing houses and other infrastructures. I smiled then started running again but the more I ran the more exhausted and weak I became, maybe I was even dehydrated. I started feeling light-headed and my knees weakened then I just collapsed on the ground and past out.

When I opened my eyes I was in a room, it was a familiar room and I had been there before, I was in the palace.
"What the hell were you thinking? "I heard him scold me before I could even turn my head to see who was in the room.
I tried to sit upright but Eric rushed to my side.

"Just lay down, some food and water will be here shortly ".he told me and made me lay back down.

"Am fine "I tried to argue.

"You passed out, the doctor checked you out while you were unconscious and he said you were a bit dehydrated and perhaps starving"

"Am not starving, I was just tired because of running for miles ".

"And what the hell made you do that?? Do you know the distance you covered?! "He was still scolding me and I became angry.

"Stop yelling at me, if you hadn't gone cold on me I wouldn't have come all this way! "I snapped and quickly got up then felt a sharp pain on my forehead and screamed in pain.

"Come on, you need to lay down ".said Eric as he held me in his arms and led me back to the bed.

"I wanna go home, my parents must be worried ".I said and tried to get up again but he pinned me down.

"I've already sent word that you're here and you're safe "he told me and I closed my eyes then started taking deep calming breaths. "Shalom, look at me ".I heard Eric say and I slowly opened my eyes.

"What?" I asked him

"I should have gotten in touch, I should have talked to you but I couldn't, I didn't know what to say to you ".he told me and I rolled to the side, giving him my back.

"Do you still love me? ".I asked and tried not to get emotional.

"You know I do shalom, I'll always love you ".he told me and a tear fell down my face.

"You can't even call me babe anymore, you're.. You don't wanna see me, you don't wanna love me anymore "I said and started crying softly.

This was really hard but maybe he was the better person. He had switched off whatever was making him love me the moment I told him that we were cousins, but I couldn't, I still loved him and it really hurt, I just wanted to die and make it all go away.