The Red

CHAPTER-14

Stella's P.o.v.

She was staring at me like a growling tigress that was calming her property. Her eyes were on me as if I had stepped on her territory.

She had beautiful white hair like every other royalty that was flowing up to her waist. Her gown was emphasizing her beautiful curve and her every step were proving the amount of royal blood that was flowing in her veins.

"Welcome my Erwin, how have you been?" She said, going straight to his arms.

It was a big, big castle. The grin on Prince Erwin's face was bigger, though. I had never seen him gleaming with such big bright smile. There were many people to welcome Prince Erwin, and they had surrounded us. His hands were busy holding the girl's waist while his eyes and lips were busy on smiling and talking.

In this small lively meeting, I, somehow, got lost. It felt like he could only see those people around him and the girl in his arms.

The thing that scared me more was the way he acted in front of his people. It completely broke my heart when he showed no interest in introducing me as his fiancee. I stood by his side all the time with the bitter expression. Many of them mistook as his maid. He just chuckled when they mentioned of me.

It was a common tradition for royalties to have many wives. I, however, always wished that I would never have to share my husband. When has my wish come true?

He told me that he had tons of admirer in that aloof castle. I never thought an admirer had a meaning of a woman. He shouldn't have lied to me. It would have been better if he had told me by himself. Now that I had to evident with my own eyes, I found it more painful. More like, he didn't care less to mention such an important part of his life.

The moment I stepped my feet on the castle, I could sense the uncomfortable gaze of the people. I wonder if it was because of my hair or they simply didn't like me. I tried to ignore them since I had seen this coming. But when I stood in front of this gorgeous woman, I couldn't tie control over my jumbled heart.

Her appearance couldn't be compared to mine. Even the clothes we wore, were marking our difference. The matter of those bruises that were on my skin was way worst to talk about.

I now became aware of my place. There was no more to expect. All I wanted then was to shut myself and cry my heart out. I couldn't believe how weak I had become after I met Erwin. His presence had weakened me. I had started to rely on him too much that now I would often get disappointed over his action. However, this time, what I felt was more than just a mere disappointment. It was a heartbreak. It was too hard to see those arms that held me, holding someone else.

We were finally heading inside. His lively little meeting took a long time to finish. Everyone had now scattered on their works. The only people left was me, Erwin and the girl. We walked through the large shiny hallway that had those full majestic ceiling. This castle wasn't as big as the royal castle. The loneliness I felt was deeper, though.

Both of them were talking as if they longed to see each other. I didn't seem to fit in any part of their conversation. The most I could do was follow them. Still, with a heavy heart, it felt so hard to match my feet with their royal steps.

"Your Majesty, I wish to rest," I said.

I hadn't spoke for a while. Hence, the words barely came up from my throat. I doubted if he heard it. Thankfully, he replied,"Yeah sure. The maids will guide you."

I bowed to pay him respect as he finished his words. After all, we were in the castle, and he was no more my Erwin. He had already become someone else. The Erwin that stood in front of me wasn't someone I knew.

I parted my lips to bed a farewell. But again close them, thinking it wasn't necessary when he was so occupied. I took a step back and turned around to the maid who was well dressed than I was. I quietly followed the maid's back and silently matched her steps. The maid didn't say a thing neither did she bothered to look at me. I was glad that she didn't. The clothes that were wrapped around my body wasn't worth eyeing neither was my red hair.

The moment I reached the chamber, I shut the door and locked it. I wanted some time alone. I needed to maintain peace on my failing heart. I needed to save it with some good cries.

There's no person born to love you.

The memory of my step sisters mocking me resounded in my head, making me more wrecked than I already was. Indeed, with this red hair flowing from my head, I would never be loved. I was cursed after all. He was the first who gave me hope to find love. The cruelty of this world, he preferred those white haired beauty over me. Or was it me that was about to come in between them?

I sniffed as the thought crossed my mind. My hands were in my mouth, trying my best to conceal the sound. The suffocation I felt while crying was quite similar to the suffocation that my heart felt. I was on the floor, my back clinging on the door. I didn't even have enough energy to go further into the room. I had fixed myself on the door as I cried.

I cried for hours. It still didn't felt enough to wash away the pains, though. It did drain my energy.

I laid on the floor and curled up my body. My knees were leveling my chest, and my arms were wrapped around it. Continuous hiccups accompanied me while the tears had already dried out for a while, leaving behind my sore eyes. I heaved a sigh as I uplift myself. You were never this weak. You can't be this weak either. You are your own savior, Stella. My thought hadn't come to an end. Just then, I heard a knock.

"My lady, the bath is ready," I could hear the maid giving a call.

I was tried. I needed some time by myself. I needed to separate myself from the crowd that had affection only for normal beings. More than that, I didn't wish to respond. So, I just stay quiet.

All I wanted then was a peaceful sleep. I heard the maid knock the door for some time. Pretty soon, she gave up and left. The maid reminded me of my little chirping maid though my maid wouldn't give up so easily.

"I miss you, Merry," I whispered as I embraced the darkness that my close eyelids brought upon my swollen eyes.