The Shadow Prince [Yandere Prince x Princess Reader] Aridian Legends; [hiatus]

I

I sat at the small vanity in my room, watching myself in the mirror as I brushed my hair. It was the morning of my eighteenth birthday. I was excited for the ball, but it was also the day where I would meet the prince I was to marry. I was nervous. Over the years I had secretly fallen in love but that prince was given to another princess. Once he told me, I couldn't bare seeing him again. His older brother consoled me and we became close. I was torn from thought when something bounced against my window. I hurried over and looked down at the garden. He was standing there, dressed in his best suit for the party. I had come to find him very handsome and he was always kind to me, I never thought about what feelings I had for him and began to ponder how I would feel if he was my betrothed. Shaking that thought away, I smiled down at him and hurriedly slipped shoes on.

"You're here early." I ran over to him and let him pull me into his arms, spinning us around.

"I figured I wouldn't have you to myself tonight, so I came to have my time with you." He smiled and pushed some of my hair behind my ear.

"Is your brother coming?"

"Yes, with his fiance." Apollo looked away.

"Oh." I looked down. "I asked you to-"

"He insisted." I felt like crying, I didn't want to see Ven, I hadn't in many many years not to mention seeing him with another girl but Apollo didn't know that I was in love with his brother. "Shall we take a walk? We can go to the shrine." I nodded. In the forest beside the palace was a shrine to the Goddess Hylaeia. The Goddess whose magic I hold. He offered me his arm and I took it as he led us to the path. As we walked I looked up at Apollo. He had grown to be such a beautiful man, although five years older, I still had a strong connection with him. He kept his hair long and clipped back. I was the only one he allowed to brush and play with his gorgeous silver locks. The sunlight that filtered through the leaves made his skin glow. He looked back down at me when he noticed my stare.

"I'm sorry." I looked away quickly and he stopped walking.

"You never have to apologize to me." He put a gentle hand on my head and stroked my hair. "We're almost there, come." I nodded and walked with him to the shrine. It sat in a small clearing. A tall statue of the Goddess looked over the area, smiling. "Beautiful, as always." He looked up, admiring the art.

"Yes. She is perfect." I turned towards him and looked up into his eyes.

"You're perfect." He gently cupped my cheek and smiled. I found myself lost in his violet eyes, not even noticing at first that he was leaning closer. I felt embarrassed and looked away. "Hey, now." He chuckled and lifted my chin. "You're so beautiful when you blush." He caressed my heated cheek. "(y/n), I-" He looked away and took a step back.

"Is something the matter?" I asked softly, reaching up and fixing a stray lock of his hair. He shook his head and wrapped his arms around my waist, walking us back until I felt the cool stone of the statue pressed against me. My cheeks burned as he trapped me. I couldn't run, but I didn't want to. He raised my chin and held my face steady as our eyes locked. His lips parted slightly and my eyelids began to grow heavy and close. His lips were warm as they pressed against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him pull me against him. I kissed him back, but not with the passion he was kissing me with. After a moment he pulled away, our lips almost still touching. I could feel his cool breath against them as he stayed there for a bit. It wasn't right, something seemed off. I didn't think that I minded the kiss, but it was just that; a kiss. He stepped back and looked down at me with a firm stare.

"You're still in love with my brother, aren't you?" His words were filled with pain and sadness. "I've known all along, you can't hide anything from me." He sighed and scratched his head.

"Apollo I-"

"Don't make excuses. It's true, isn't it? Are you only sweet with me because you cannot have him?"

"No! No, of course not!"

"Are you lying to me?" He stepped towards me again, putting his arms against the stone on either side of me.

"Never. I love you Apollo. I love you." My heart was beating so fast I was sure he could hear it. What did I just say? I love him? Do I?

"(y/n)," He drew in a long breath. "I love you, but more than you could ever love me. Princess, I'm not the prince assigned to marry you." It seemed as if he was going to cry. But those words gave me an odd feeling. "My heart broke when your father informed me." I was a bit relieved but saddened at the same time. Did I really love him?  "But don't worry, princess. I will take care of things. You will never have to deal with the weak, pitiful man you've been matched with. That I can assure you. Leave everything to me."

"Apollo, what do you mean?"

"Shhh" He put a finger against my lips. "We're meant to be together, and I'll make sure that you are mine." He placed a soft kiss on my cheek before walking away.

"Apollo! Apollo!" I sighed and turned towards the statue. "Please make sure he's okay, and please don't let him do something stupid." I shook my head and went back to the palace.