Exiled Princess

Chapter twenty-seven

Jungkook's aura hits me like a blow to the stomach, making my breath stuck in my throat. The natural forces themselves seem to silent at his presence; the breeze holding still, the shadows squirming under the power brimming under his beauty, and the trees and leaves stopped brushing as his gaze crushes onto mine.

Oh, those eyes. They'd be the death of me. Endless pools of darkness, of infinite despair. How much I wish to explore the Devil's past, knowing what made the godly being in front of me.

I hold his darkening gaze, questioning what he's doing in my territory without being invited. Perhaps he wishes to seek me out about what happened earlier. But that thought seems oddly absurd for the king of all eight Hells.

My pulse races too much, even obvious to my ears. Adrenaline spikes in my system, ready for any unpleasant surprises.

I finally stand, pushing my knees against each other to stop them shaking.

''Your wickedness.'' I courtesy, finally having an excuse to free my eyes from his igniting glare. He seems in a very foul mood, his lips pressed into a firm line.

''For what do I owe this pleasure, my king?'' I thank whatever listening goddesses for the mercy of my not trembling voice.

The Devil doesn't answer me, instead, he slowly makes his way towards me–hands in his trouser's pocket—until only a hair separates my bowing figure and his muscular lean body. The way he awakens fear within me makes me feel paralyzingly alive, as if my heart was dormant till he flicks this fear inside of me. I, to my utter horror, like it. The Devil is very oblivious, you won't know when he looks at you like a madman means he's either going to snap your neck, or offer you the throne.

''Look at me.'' he finally speaks–demands–his eyes digging holes onto my cheekbones.

I do, my yellowish eyes meeting a black pair. I gasp at the intensity of his gaze that always troubles me. He's simply utterly divine. In addition to knowing what we have done later the other day, I can feel my pale cold cheeks turn as hot as fire.

''Your temper is in full blaze tonight, my king.'' I meant for the joke to lessen the tension that's raising goosebumps on my skin, only to hear a growl slip from his lips.

''Why did you flee the other day?'' he slowly asks, his eyes still glued onto my trembling lips. ''From the ballroom? Did you not like the ball?''

I stiffen, thinking about how hard I may have blown his dignity. True to say, I had run from the hall once things started to get out of control–my feelings were in shambles, and I felt so flustered that I grabbed my gown and fled the eighth Hell.

Indeed, till now, my feelings and emotions fail to decide which direction to choose. Nevertheless, lying right now seems like the best possible option, ''Yes.'' I gulp heavily as the Devil's eyes burn brighter. ''It was against my favor.''

Oh, what a hypocrite I am. Not months ago, when the Midnight Cat, Chanyeol, told me that our first kiss was only for a use, I was hurt deeply with disappointment.

And here I am, doing exactly the same–however, this is only for the best, even though I can feel the layer of civility me and the Devil have built is slowly crumbling into shattered pieces.

I shrug, a treachery to give an illusion of uncarness. I continue speaking, ''I'm sorry to say, but what we've done was a mistake. And I wish for you to pretend as if it has never happened. My king, I wish you goodnight.''

I bow, make a split second decision, and I strom away.

Suddenly, I feel a fist close around my wrist. I spin around, witnessing Jungkook's eyes holding a kind of desperation that makes me suck a sharp breath.

''A mistake?'' He spits, harshly releasing my arm. ''This is what it was?''

The hatred radiating from him makes me hesitate.

No, don't make the same mistake again! A voice inside of me screams, Not again, not ever, shall you trust!

I shake my head in my mind, saying, ''Definitely.'' I add, ''I'm only another ruler, another person for you to pass without looking twice, yes? So stop acting as if I'm anything to you but a tool.''

''You, a tool to me?'' His hollow chuckle makes me wince, ''Very well, Roseanne Ludetta. A mistake it shall be.''

It's the first time he's ever called me anything but 'princess'. Why am I to feel this hurt about it anyway? I have no right.

''Yes, a mistake.'' I shout, confused why tears spring from my eyes. ''It's always been like that, Jungkook. You should know by now.''

He shakes his head, looking at me without an ounce of what used to be contained in them. No amazement, no lust, no amusement. Just hollow unfeeling darkness.

It's better this way, the same voice tells me. Like a fool, I listen to it.

And just like that, the beautiful villain disappears in a puff of smoke. I know, without inspecting closely, that it's the last time the Devil will have ever looked at me as anything but another creature.

What a shame.