TWISTED

10: Falling Walls

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The best gifts you can give to someone are not things. The best ones to offer are a little time, love, care and respect.

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"What in Aria's name."

Red with embarrassment, Ella gazed up into the perplexed face of Prince Eric. He had returned from seeing his father, the King, and was on his bed about to take a quick nap when he saw Ella fall.

"I'm really sorry, I really am." Ella hastily said, rubbing her sweaty palms together.

Prince Eric pulled away from his bed and came closer. "I've been dying to ask why you're here."

Ella glanced down at the rug. "Uh-er...what do you mean?" She internally cringed when the stammer escaped her lips.

Ella couldn't deny the uncomfortable feeling at the pit of her stomach that originated from being in the same room with the Crown Prince of Aria.

"Don't try to hide it. You're Courtney's-"

"-Step-sister. Your highness you can throw me into the dungeons but please don't send me back there, please..." The tears that trickled down Ella's cheeks left Eric astonished.

"Step-sister? She told me you're the help."

Of course she would. Ella thought.

Prince Eric vividly remembered how Courtney said Ella was an insignificant help Brian had picked out from the dust in the streets. Initially, he was impressed by Brian's benevolence but now it all made sense to him. Courtney was lying and Ella wasn't a servant as he suspected when he looked into her eyes.

Ella bit down her lips upon seeing frown lines disrupt Prince Eric's peaceful countenance. "I'm sorry for intruding upon your privacy. I should leave now." It didn't matter what Courtney might have told the Prince. The girl was a liar, Ella had always known.

Just like the day Courtney broke her father's expensive watch and accused Ella. Brian punished Ella by asking her to clean the entire mansion upon an empty stomach.

"Wait-" Prince Eric called as Ella got to the door. Ella turned to meet his calm stare.

"Why are you here then?"

What was she going to tell him now? Afterall this was the opportunity Ella had been seeking, an opportunity to earn the trust of one of the royals and warn them about the upcoming insurgency. And from the way Prince Eric didn't yell at her to leave, it seemed she had already gotten his trust.

"I don't think you'd believe me if I told you that the palace is in grave danger. Most especially, you the royals."

Eric was stunned. He had always considered his father a capable and fair leader, but he never suspected anyone would like to rebel against the throne.

"How do you know this?"

"Because my step-father is behind the plot to assassinate your family."

Ella watched the way Prince Eric's fingers drove through his auburn hair, whether from annoyance or frustration, she didn't know.

"I don't believe this." Prince Eric said finally.

All traces of warmth eluded Ella's face. "I thought you might say that." And she turned around and left.

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"We've been searching all over for you Ella." Star said as soon as Ella reappeared in the garden.

"I got lost." Was all Ella said. She wasn't in the right frame of mind for a lengthy conversation now. All she needed was a decent rest to make her forget what happened earlier.