The Melody Of Destiny

Chapter 25

Prince Allexander the 57th:

"Kalani, has she answered?" I snap shifting on the balls of my feet as the butler fusses over the final adjustments to my outfit.

"No, Your Imperial Highness." she responds curtly.

I glare at her: "You didn't even check."

She barely glances at her tablet. "No new notifications since two minutes and thirty-seven seconds ago, Your Imperial Highness."

"Message her again." I command, yanking my arm away from the inept butler. "Let me do it." I mutter, adjusting my cufflink.

"Your Imperial Highness we have sent ninety-eight messages."

"Send another." I snap.

"Your Imperial Highness it's not advisable to-"

"Are you dense? Send another!" I command. I begin to pace, my hands clenching and unclenching next to my pocketless trousers. She stares at me silently, that I-pad in her hand, waiting. Waiting like I'm a petulant little child. No one is calling Anna. No one is checking if she is okay. She would not ignore me like this. I don't want to be here. The walls seem to glare at me taunting me – I'm a trapped bird and I will sing. Sing for the good of the Kingdom. A pretty little puppet.

My jaw tightens, the muscles in my neck straining. Kalani doesn't blink – just stares at me. I run my hand through my hair tugging at it. I am going to mess this up, I think. Like I always do. And they will scowl with their eyes and the fake smiles and pretend it was the plan all along. Hurt my kingdom, that's all I'm good at. Someone approaches with a comb "Stop, just stop," I snap, shoving them away without a second thought. What can't they understand? I don't need this - I want Anna.

I can feel my breath coming in short, ragged bursts, like I can't catch it. This is all a waste of time. A circus I'm trapped in. I want a normal life – is that too much to ask? I feel suffocated, like I'm drowning. Every eye in the room is on me, and I can't breathe.

"I want Anna." I mutter under my breath almost pleading with the universe, but no one hears me. No one understands. I need her. I need to feel something again. Something real.

I spin on my heel, turning away from them all. "Stop staring at me." I snap. They look away except Kalani. She doesn't flinch. She holds my gaze. She's not looking at me, - but staring into my soul. Her calmness, her silence. It is infuriating. Like I'm the one who's out of control.

"I'll get her myself." I exclaim marching towards the door.

Kalani quickly steps in front of me: "Your Imperial Highness, with all due respect that will only worsen matters."

I stop almost knocking right into her, narrowing my eyes: "And you think you can stop me? Kalani."

Kalani's eyes bore into mine: "Your Imperial Highness you are at a charity event are we truly going to risk a repeat of the last charity scandal?"

I sigh exasperated, "Not this again." I mutter, crossing my arms across my chest. I am the crown prince! I should be able to make my own choices."

She just nods: "Of course, your Imperial Highness. However, I must advise a choice that will steer us away from escalating the war."

"And staring at children's paintings is going to sway the war?" I scoff.

"Princess Lavanya has personally organised this event, your Imperial Highness." She says her voice steady.

"Not with the northern territories again." I snap. "And stop calling me Imperial Highness" I groan.

"We rely on their support, Your Imperial Highness -" She begins.