Withering Petals

Chapter 12: Revelation

"Truth is never determined by majority opinion, but by divine revelation."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a voice came from behind you. You yelped in surprise and whirled around, losing your balance and nearly falling in the process. Thankfully, you caught yourself at the last second. The crown prince stood before you, his poise elegant and regal.

"Your Highness! I didn't see you there," you stuttered out frantically. Ugh, why here, of all times? Especially after he basically threatened you with your life. The Gods really hated you, didn't they? That would explain why nothing ever seemed to go the way you wanted it to.

"Of course you didn't. You were trying to jump off the balcony," he mused.

"I-I...I was just having fun!" you stammered, wringing your hands. Ciaran briefly glanced at the blankets that you had tied to the railings of the balcony, before glancing back at you just in time to see you grimace.

"Is that so? To me, it looked more like you were trying to escape. I might have been a little harsh on you tonight, but I don't think that is a reasonable excuse for you to attempt to leave," he commented, amused. You visibly paled.

"Escape? N-no, of course not! I used to tie blankets together in order to slide down the balconies when I was younger, I really did! You can ask Father if you don't believe me," you insist, schooling your expression into one that you hoped was offended. You even wrinkled your nose for added effect.

It was a lie; you didn't even have a balcony back then. Hopefully he won't notice it though. Anyway, you doubted he would actually ask your father.

"Yeah, and I'll tell him just what you were doing," he casually replied. The underlying threat was enough to give you chills. You wondered what your father would do if he knew. Especially after being the supposed reason for the fight that broke out earlier. Especially if you were caught by none other than the crown prince.

You couldn't let that happen, so you said the first thing that came to your mind.

"I-if you tell other people, then I'll tell everyone that...that you like me!" you blurted. Immediately after, you grimaced. Well, there was nothing you could do about it now.

Judging by the raise in his brows, and the shocked expression that took over his usually composed face, he heard what you said, and obviously didn't expected it.

"And...why would anyone believe you? I just embarrassed you and tore your dignity to shreds in front of the other nobles. Who would believe you?" he asked smoothly, after recollecting himself. You winced a little at the mention of the incident. Oh no, what should I say? Suddenly, a thought crossed your mind. You hoped that it would be enough to convince him.

"Well, why wouldn't they?" You question, taking a daring step forward until you came face to face with him.

"What would they think, if you told them that you tried to stop me from 'escaping'? They would think, 'what was the prince doing in the lady's room?'" You held his gaze, your eyes blazing, although on the inside, you were cowering in fear.

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Ciaran was taken aback by your defiance, your resolve. When was the last time someone dared to stand up to him? He couldn't remember. He didn't think anyone did. But, here you were, talking to him as if the two of you were equals, that you had nothing to fear, that you were talking to him, as him, and not as the crown prince. You piqued his curiosity, in a way that no one ever had. He didn't realize it before, and he didn't realize it now, but in his heart, you were the only one apart from his family that he could possibly see as an equal.