The Red

CHAPTER-16

Stella's P.O.V

I touched my lips that could still remember the short kiss. What was even happening to me? I tried to make sense of his action but couldn't go past the kiss.

"Get your sense together," I patted my cheeks and laid on my bed. I sighed over my stupidity. Why couldn't I do anything? I should have screamed. I should have gotten mad at him. No, instead I stood there staring at his mesmerizing face. 

"Awwww, my head!!" I squealed out of embarrassment. 

"Aren't you an interesting one?" 

I got up quickly wondering who it was. It was the girl who wouldn't leave the prince's side. Her face was flaming with jealousy. I could tell from the start, she didn't like what was between us. I was sure this time, she didn't like what she saw either.

"Pardon," I responded, pointing out her rudeness.

"Hah," she choked "You are a naive one. We are pure blood. Think of it,  you don't match to his ambitions. So better stop here!"

I couldn't understand what she was saying. First thing, her words choice were too complicated. Second thing, she had a strong eastern accent. And the last, her saying made no sense.

"I know he is ambitious, what's so wrong about that?" I didn't want to get into her eerie mind.

It happened so quick, I couldn't interpret her action. When I realized, she had her dagger in my throat. I rolled my eyes but couldn't move my body. The dagger was sharp. I could feel it slightly piercing through my skin. I had started to sweat out of fear. But I couldn't help but swallow this fear. I needed to be strong.

"Move it when I am nice" I spoke in spite of my quivering voice.

"Acting strong?" She sniggered.

This woman is crazy. I thought. I stayed stiff for a while. Maybe she realized I was scared, she laughed. She whispered at the same time, "I didn't know you were so coward".

I took the chance when she loosens her hand and bent it toward her. In a few seconds, the dagger was in her throat.

"I may be scared but I haven't given up," I breathed in relief. My hands were still shaking. Therefore, I deliberately didn't take the dagger too close to her throat. Otherwise, it would scratch her neck. I didn't want anyone to feel the same pain as I did. I never wanted anyone to have those scars. 

I looked at her red big eyes and I could tell, she didn't fear death. Indeed, it reminded me of someone. Erwin, how could they have such a similar look on their eyes? It shook me. It was useless to scare her with a dagger. So I just moved it away from her and threw it out of a window.

"Too bad, I am not as barbaric as you are." I tried to maintain my dignity and moved away from her. I didn't want to get into another trap.

"I am warning you. If you believe what his majesty did was his true feelings, you need to wake up." She gave me a mocking laugh. She hadn't flinch even a little. She really was fierce. I could see why Erwin was fond of her. On the other hand, I lived my entire life fearing people. Why did he even bother to take me as his fiancee?

Still, I was his fiancee. No matter the reason, we were knotted together. 

"Why are you so insecure? It's not like you are his fiancee." I replied her with the same sarcastic tone. My head, however, was telling me the different thing. Of course, those feelings weren't real. But I won't lose to you.

"You low insect can never compete with what I have with him," she scoffed "And these books, I believe they are here for reasons, witch."

I had no words left because of her unimaginable rudeness. She made me realize, outer appearance means nothing when you have a heart of filth. She looked at my speechless face and finally declared her victory. I let her believe it. That was the only way to keep me away from her evil actions.

I watched her curved body like of snake move elegantly, and she was finally out of the room. I, however, stood there for another few minutes. Her every action was unpredictable like of Prince Erwin. She was arrogant like him and she made no sense with her action. 

"Just like him.." I mumbled.

Why are you two so similar? Why do you remind me of Erwin? What are you two? My head circled around these questions.

The cold wind started to blow from the window. It had me shivering up to my toe. Hence, I arose from my deep thoughts and moved toward the window. 

We had traveled so long and we had arrived so far. Yet we couldn't escape the white snow. 

I looked out of the window. My arms were folded, it was a mere attempt to keep myself warm from that blowing wind. 

"It's cold," I mumbled. 

I eyed from the right to the left. I looked toward every possible corner my eyes could fathom. Everything was covered with blinding white. 

After such a long time, I came to resent this white land. The calming white land was slowly changing into an agonizing trap. The cold land felt heart numbing and I realized, I had once again forgotten to live. 

The truth was misleading. I thought I finally could be happy. However, even in this peaceful land, I couldn't find the life I sought. 

I unfolded my arms and resisted the cold blowing wind. Now, I knew what I should do. I forwarded my hands toward the windows and pulled it to close. I should have done it from the start. 

I regretted unlocking my heart to such a shallow person. He, who cared for power, could never get happy with me.

"I knew it from the start," I rested my weight on that icy wall and slid down. Tears traveled through my cheeks as soon as I sat on the floor. 

"Please, don't get fooled. You aren't supposed to be happy" I convinced myself for the last time.