The Melody Of Destiny

Chapter 19

Annastasia:

The door suddenly slams open, and the room goes silent our sarcastic singing ringing through the air. One by one everyone jumps up. "What's going on?" I whisper to Ayisha a sense of unease grasps me. I can't see what's happening, but the atmosphere has shifted dramatically.

One by one, everyone starts bowing. OH, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! It's him—Mr. Royal Highness—standing there in our quarters, looking around like a headless chicken. Panic surges through me. I try to sink into my blankets, hoping to disappear, but Ayisha drags me up. I almost trip over my blankets stumbling onto my feet.

He spots me, his wide pupils swallowing his dark brown eyes as they lock with mine. My breathing halts, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. I grasp my hands tightly, my nails digging into my leg, trying to ground myself.

The room is deathly silent, the tension palpable. I can feel every pair of eyes on me, the weight of their stares pressing down. My mind races, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Why is he here? What does he want? I need to move, to curtsey, to do something, but I'm paralyzed.

His gaze is intense, unwavering, and I can't look away. My heart feels like it's going to burst out of my chest. I swallow hard, trying to find my voice, but the words stick in my throat. The world narrows down to just the two of us, and I'm acutely aware of every sensation—the heat in my cheeks, the sweat on my palms, the tightness in my chest.

I grip Ayisha's arm tightly the only thing keeping me grounded like a lifeline. My knuckles turn white from the pressure as I fight to not squeeze her too tight. I take a shaky breath, trying to steady myself, but the prince's gaze is relentless, and I feel like I'm drowning in it as he starts marching over to me.

Finally, I manage to curtsey, my movements stiff and awkward. The prince's expression softens slightly, but the intensity in his eyes remains. I can't read his thoughts, what is going on his unstable mind. What is he thinking. Is he even thinking? Am I just a game to him? His dishevelled hair, usually so meticulously styled, now falls loosely around his forehead. His shirt untucked, the top button undone. He's slightly swaying on his feet his movements erratic.

Everyone's hearded out the room. I grasp tighter onto Ayisha, but she detaches herself giving me a smirk. It feels like a betrayal, her abandoning me into her fantasy but my nightmare. I watch them leave feeling trapped, like a bird in a cage, my heart pounding in my chest until it's just me and the prince.

His voice is frantic as he calls out my name. "Anna are you alright?" he asks, his hand gripping my shoulder. I stare at him, frozen, my face feeling like it's on fire, my heart beating rapidly with anger surging inside me as if it's alive. I try to steady my breathing, but it comes out in short, shaky bursts. I force a smile, but it feels hollow. "I'm fine, Your Highness." I say the lie tasting bitter on my tongue, but I can't let him see the impact he has on me.

His eyes narrow slightly, and he takes another step closer. "Are you sure?" he asks, his voice laced with concern. He's too close, I can smell his scent, practically taste the whiskey on his breath. I try and control my face keep it neutral. I try and relax my jaw, soften my face, slightly open my lips. "I'm fine." I say trying to sound calm, collected, convincing but my voice is sharp laced with a bitter edge.

I didn't convince him. His fingers tighten slightly on my shoulder stepping closer. I try and take a step back. "Anna. Talk to me. What happened." His voice more frantic his wide eyes searching mine. The intensity becomes too much. I look away - one, two, five people – three shadows, two guards. I find Ben, but he's staring blankly, irritation barely visible on his face.