BEROYALED

THE COMPENSATION

At least he's trying to communicate. That's what came into my mind first. Also, now I know his name which is just another mystery unlocked. But I'm no easy girl—I can't be swayed just like that—it wasn't even that romantic at all. And I had no plans of replying if there was any way I could.

There wasn't.

I wasn't looking forward to keeping in touch with him anyway. He could just hide himself away all he wanted because I wished he'd never come out. Frankly, other than Simon, if I have wanted some more mystery in my life I'd rather read Sherlock Holmes than read letters from Lucas. I mean, what was I supposed to do then? Should I have just sat there and wait until Jane and Maria whacked my hair into a tight bun and fit me into a tight dress then will I only see him at the other end of the aisle? When will that be?

I'm not implying that I wanted to get married right away. I mean—never mind. It was just so frustrating I ripped the letter into shreds. What's the point of his hiding, really? What's the point of all of it? The pact is a pact so why go through all the nonsense? The least they could've done or he could've done was to properly court me.

I did not even realize the patient beside me was already awake—and choking.

"Why on earth are you loitering in a hospital, lady? One of them got stuck in my throat!" He said, wheezing.

"It's not my fault if you sleep with your mouth open."

"Don't you?" He snorted. "What is this anyway? A letter? Who's this—yours truly, Lucas—from Lucas? Who's Lucas?"

I snatched the ripped piece of paper from his hand telling him, "It's none of your business."

And he said, "Alright. I have no intentions of meddling with any of your business but one." He looked at me with a wide annoying grin on his face. "Go out on a date with me. Maybe this weekend? We could totally go now if you say yes."

"May I remind you that not too long ago, you fainted. How could you even go out in your state, let alone ask a girl out on a date."

"I'll take that as a yes for this weekend then! So should I pick you up or not? I suppose you'll be escorted by your guards. I don't mind having a chaperone on a da-"

"Are you out of your mind!? Are you even serious right now?"

"Do... I... look like I'm not?"

"I am the Princess." I emphasized it to him so his slow brain could catch up.

But he only tipped his head. "So?"

"So? Listen, Jeremy. I have three things to tell you. One, I am not going out on a date with you because you are a creep. Two, I could have you arrested right at this moment or better yet, have you deported back to where you came from,foreigner. And three, congratulations you'll be one of the first ones to know: I am engaged."

He fell silent. And I was so outraged I could only hear me huffing and puffing. There was no point of talking to this person. I should have known. He's from a liberated country for the love of America. What does he know of our customs and culture? It totally would not make any difference no matter how much I explain things to him. Then he started asking questions before it even occurred to me to leave.

Questions that struck me like, "Have you already really accepted it? I don't see a ring."

I looked at my hand and indeed I wasn't wearing the ring. This time it was my turn to fell silent. Why does he always make me struggle to find words to strike back?