Veiled Love

5

Louis

I chuckled to myself as I finished the last page of the book, sinking into the worn chair in the old library tower. Ever since I discovered this place, it's been my sanctuary. Living in the castle can be exhausting sometimes, especially as the duke's son, I have duties and expectations to uphold...But I am not complaining. At least I don't fall asleep in the gardens with my maid because the king doesn't think I'm fit for political duties...Ahem.. The princess. At least she does her job at looking pretty.

I flinch as as giggles bounced around the library...It was late, and I hadn't seen a soul when I snuck in. Setting my book down, I crept towards the sound. Peeking around a bookshelf, I spotted two girls under a table, whispering secrets and bursting into fits of laughter...Relief washed over me. It was just the princess, yapping away non stop, not even letting the other girl get a word in.

Rosetta wasn't like this usually. At least, not that I'd ever seen. I didn't bump into her much, only catching glimpses as she'd walk the castle grounds, chatting with the guards. Every time, my heart would do a little flip.  She was breathtaking, like something out of a storybook. It felt like a miracle to even be living in the same castle as she does.

I always wanted to say hi, to maybe get to know her, but... well, she's a princess, and I'm just the duke's son. I doubt she even knows I'm alive.

Maybe it was fear, the fear of her laugh turning cold, of her eyes looking right through me. Or maybe it was bigger than that. We were worlds apart, and any tiny spark between us could explode into a mess of trouble. The King wouldn't be happy, to say the least.

I tore myself away and slowly exited the library without making too much noise, making my way towards my mother's chambers to wish her a goodnight before heading to mine. As I stood at her door, I knocked a couple of times, but there was no response. Maybe she was asleep already? I opened the door slowly, thinking I could give her a small kiss and go on my way. The candles flickered in her room, casting eerie shadows. My eyes widened frozen in my spot.

My eyes widened, and I froze in my spot. My entire world crashed down in an instant. Everything grew dark, a loud piercing sound ringing in my ears from the shouts behind me.

There, my mother lay on the floor. Her beautiful hair spread around her, her hands resting limp over her abdomen instead of covering the multiple wounds above her chest. The floor was stained in a disgusting color, a mix of crimson and darkness. The room reeked with a stench that instantly assaulted my senses, making my stomach churn. Suddenly, hands began grabbing me, pulling me away.

- -

This.

Who.. Who did this. Why? Why, her?

No.

Why me.

"Please, my lord," I was forced onto my knees in front of the throne, my eyes wide open, unable to process what was happening as my father pleaded with the king. "I am sure it was just an accident." My gaze darted to the King, searching for answers. His eyes, cold and calculating, met mine. A cruel twist of his lips hinted at amusement he barely contained. My blood ran cold. What did I do?

"Please, show mercy," my father continued, his voice breaking with desperation.

It was not me.

I did not do it.

"You have brought shame, not only to yourself but to this kingdom." The king finally stood up. "I should have you executed... But..." He smiled then, but it was not a warm, forgiving smile. It was something else. My brows furrowed. No, something was not right. I turned to look at my father, who stood still, looking at me with disgust. He couldn't...He doesn't believe it was me, right? My own father believes I killed my mother?

"I hereby banish you from this kingdom." The king's words echoed in my mind. "If you are spotted, you will be killed. Do you understand?"

At that moment, something inside me cracked, and I felt it...Both mentally and physically.

- -

It's frustrating. After five years of laying low in the slums, living as a commoner, they've finally discovered my hiding place. Yesterday, I had to kill those two fools, and now guards scour the slums in search of me. Everyone here is keeping indoors, making it tough for me to blend in with the empty streets and no place to shelter. Since morning, I've been doing my utmost to not get caught.

Damn it...I had suspected she might be of royal blood, but I never expected to come face to face with the princess herself in the slums. She nearly got us both killed. I cursed under my breath, locking eyes with her emerald gaze, slightly puffy as if she had spent the day in tears. She stood before me, uncertain whether she should run or stay.

"Please," she pleaded softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "don't."

I stood there, gripped by a sudden urge to end her life then and there. I should. I should kill her....The anger surged within me like a storm. I couldn't say for certain who had killed my mother, but the mere idea of just strangling any royal connected to the king to death seemed almost satisfying. I chuckled bitterly. Did she even recognize me, or know anything about me at all?

"Please what?" I sneered, my voice dripping with contempt. I took a step closer, my gaze never leaving hers. "You don't belong here, Princess," I spat the title like it was venom. "These streets are off limits to you... so why are you here again?"

She stood there, gazing back at me with uncertainty for a moment, weighing whether to trust me with what she was about to say. "I'm..." She paused, then sighed and gave in. "I know I shouldn't be here, but... I have a friend, and she's amazing. I've been coming here every day for the past five years just to see her. Today has been terrible, and I just really needed to... to see Livia," she rushed out, her words tumbling out like a champagne bottle uncorked.

"Whoa, whoa, okay..." I gestured with my hands for her to calm down, my brows furrowing in puzzlement as I watched her.

She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry," she murmured softly, a gentle apology escaping her lips.

I held up my hand. "Hold on a second... did you say Livia?" Where had I heard that name before?

"Did I say Livia?" She chuckled softly, letting out a gentle pfft. "No..."

I sighed, running my hand through my hair. "Seriously..."

"Okay, I said Livia," she admitted, her voice animated. "You know!" She playfully patted my shoulder before continuing, "I caught her trying to steal from the castle. It was hilarious. We both hid in the old library, and oh gosh, it was like a dream." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a smile lingering on her lips as she continued chatting away. I didn't know whether to be amazed at how freely she was opening up or annoyed, but I felt a warmth in my chest. It had been ages since I'd had a proper conversation, and this strange feeling washed over me. Softness? Relief? No. I shook my head. The library... My eyes darkened slightly as I recalled that day vividly. Right, I wasn't here to make friends.

"Dude, why is he so damn heavy?" I froze, realizing too late that the guards had returned. "Hold on, did you hear that?"

I took a deep breath and instinctively grabbed her shoulder firmly. Her eyes widened slightly at my roughness, and I quickly relaxed my grip. "Shut up," I interrupted sharply, my tone slicing through her bubbly chatter. We both fell silent again as I strained to listen. The air grew tense. They must have heard her talking. "Shit," I cursed under my breath as footsteps approached us. What had I gotten myself into? I should just leave her here. If I get caught, especially with the princess... Wait...

I swiftly wrapped my hands around her waist beneath her cloak, feeling her let out a soft gasp as I hoisted her over my shoulder forcefully, her body snug against mine. I wasn't sure what I was doing, but she'd slow us down on foot. Gripping her thighs tightly, I ran as fast as I could toward who knows where. Her small hands clung tightly to the fabric of my vest, afraid I might drop her.

As I ran, the shouts of the guards echoed behind us. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, driving me forward. This cursed place...Almost impossible to hide in, especially with the snow leaving clear footprints with every step. What should I do? I glanced anxiously left and right.

Damn it. I needed to find a way to lose them.