Ophelia has always had trust issues. But it all started when her father, the person who was supposed to love and care for her mother and her for the rest of his life, allowed the excuse of an empire called the Yerpen to kill her mother, his own wife...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Today was the day I would be abdicating my throne. The day I would be giving up my throne for the love of my life. For Narelle.
I turned around and looked at my room one last time. Once I abdicated, this would no longer be my room, since I wouldn't be Crown Prince anymore. The room would go to the second in line—my brother, Faustus. He'd be glad to finally get the throne.
Memories started to fill my head as I looked at it. Memories of sleepless nights with Narelle, memories of deep talks with Narelle, memories of Narelle crying her heart out as I held her, memories of me crying my heart out as she held me together.
God, I could only think about Narelle. The moment Narelle had walked into my life, she had consumed me whole, and if there was one thing I knew for sure in this world, it was that I loved Narelle, and that she loved me.
I touched my hand to the door and took in a deep breath before pulling it away, revealing the crystalline halls of the palace.
My feet were the only sound as I walked the small distance to my father's chambers, and my heart pounded in my chest in a staccato rhythm. It felt so loud that I was sure it echoed through the empty hallway.
For Narelle.
The hall was empty and silent, and no one, save for me, was in it. Normally, at least a few people would be walking by, whether they were servants, noblemen, noblewomen, one of my mother's ladies-in-waiting or any of my siblings.
No one stood in front of my father's doors, the posts empty. My father was always in his room, and notified me every time he went out of it for a meeting or meal. Why was no one at the door?
Or, why didn't he tell me he was leaving?
I shook my head. Maybe the guards had taken a small break, and he was inside. Surely he wouldn't go anywhere without telling me, it wasn't custom. I was supposed to protect him, after all. I was supposed to put my life on the line before he put his, as Crown Prince.
My muscles shifted as I pushed the doors apart. "Father?" I called into the foyer.
No response.
"Father?" I called out again, voicing the word louder this time.
Again, no response.
Instead, the door to his bedroom chambers opened, and a sweating butler stumbled out.
I stopped the servant from leaving, and asked. "Where is His Majesty?"
The servant flicked his eyes to the right before answering. "His Majesty is in the right wing courtyard, Your Highness."
"Thank you." Was all I said before I walked out the doors.
I needed to find my father. Quickly. Otherwise my fear would grow, and I wouldn't get the courage to abdicate. Already, thoughts were swarming my head about it.
