between us | klaroline (book 1)

Chapter 20: Please Don't

"Alissa and the queen have requested for you and prince Damien to go have tea with them this afternoon." One of my daily maids told me while she flattened my hair with a straightening iron. My hair is naturally wavy-straight but for a change she suggested that I straighten it today. It seemed like a great idea.

I looked up at her, watching how she bit her bottom lip while she concentrated on flattening the ends of my hair that were being stubborn. "Okay. I must say, your very beautiful." I blurted out. She stopped straightening and looked at me with awe in her face. "Thank you princess!" She said, trying to contain her happiness. It made me so happy to make others happy. The feeling is marvellous.

I nodded at her while she continued to finish up my hair. I looked at the types of lipsticks in front of me, trying to remember what colour mother said was appropriate for tea. I shook my head, forgetting and decided on the pink one. My nurse helped me do my makeup and put on some new jewelry i'd got for my birthday.

"Thank you." I thanked my maid who'd helped me out for the day.

"You're very welcome princess. Could I ask you a question?" She asked. She clearly thought it was perfectly okay to talk to me as a normal person other than a royal. That's true. She could talk to me as a normal person. In fact, i'd appreciate that.

"Yes, what's the matter?" I asked her back, closing my doors. She stood by my bed, folding my nightgown and placing it on my pillow.

The gorgeous girl looked up at me. "Which one do you like the most? Sorry if i'm overstepping. I never talk to any of the maids about boys and children and family. They all just talk about work and properness. I'd like to think there's more to life than that."

I smiled at her. We thought the same way and I liked that. "I think I like Charlie better than Damien. We have a stronger connection. A very strong connection." I blushed, admitting.

Her eyes went wide and a smile plastered upon her face. "Agh yes! I was hoping you'd pick him! When do you suppose you'll pick? Don't worry princess I will never tell a soul."

"I think very soon i'll pick. Possibly this weekend?" I suggested to myself. It sounded like a good idea. I didn't want to keep somebody here that I don't have a stronger connection with.

"Thank you for chatting with me! I should go down for tea now but i'll see you later. What's your name?"

"Elizabeth."

"Lovely to finally talk to you Elizabeth." I nodded before exiting out the doors to my bedroom. I nodded as I passed guards down the hall and decided to take a shortcut down the back passageway instead of the main one for a change. I always went the back way as a child because it was dark and cool down there.

As soon as I opened the door to the passageway, Alissa stood there with her mouth glued to Charlie. I gasped, tears forming in my eyes at the betrayal. "Amanda!" Charlie gasped, wiping his lips and looking at me with his eyes wide. Alissa merely smiled with her devil smile. I shook my head and cried while running down the hallway back to my bedroom. I ignored calls from behind me and shut my doors with a slam. I crawled into my bed and shut off my lights, crying into my pillow.

I was ready to pick him! Him over Damien who has been nothing but an angel to me. Charlie betrayed me and I loved him so dearly. I knew Alissa would get one of them wrapped around her fingertip. "Amanda let me in!" Charlie's voice echoed outside. I ignored his calls.

Finally he just opened the door, guards trying to pull him away. They left when they noticed I was crying. I stood up and shut the doors loudly. "I trusted you!" I pushed Charlie's chest back, he stepped back and let me push him angrily a few more times.

"I loved you! We made love! I was just telling my maid that I was going to pick you! And you... you cheated on me! You bastard!" I couldn't help but shout, tears streaming down my face. We ended up on the balcony from all the times i'd pushed him.

He grabbed my wrists before I could hurt him anymore. "Listen to me!" He shouted back. I stayed quiet. "Alissa kissed me! Right as you came in! I love you! I love you so fricken much it hurts. Seeing you cry hurts me so much." His eyes teared up. "I don't like Alissa. I love you. I'd never cheat on you or betray you. I'd never hurt you."

I cried some more, just from the built up emotions. I wandered over to the railing, crying and looking out at the view. Charlie came over and I felt his hands pull me into a great hug. He stroked my hair, whispering into my ear while we embraced. He comforted me in the time I needed it.

"How do I know you're not lying to me?" I asked him, wiping my tears away. He stared at me and thought for a second.

"Alissa. When she kissed me, my lips were squished, barely touching hers. It was the most uncomfortable thing in the world. But you and I, we kiss like this..." he came closer, pressing his gentle lips on mine and holding my cheeks with both hands. We kissed passionately, soaking in every time our lips touched.

We separated, out of breathe from the kisses. I stared up at him. Quickly, I stepped close and threw my arms around him, kissing him hardly. We kissed for long then he guided me carefully toward the bed.

"I love you." He kept saying in between our long kisses.