𝕭𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘𝖜𝖊𝖊𝖙 (𝕬 𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖙𝖔𝖓 𝕷𝖊𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝕱𝖆𝖓𝖋𝖎𝖈)

Part 12

Remington's POV

The sun was halfway into the sky when I woke up and I realized I was still in Dahlia's room, both of us naked under her sheets. I was scared of us getting caught, but seeing her beautiful face resting so peacefully with her head on my chest calmed me down a little and I loved her so, so much. "Dahlia, my princess", I whispered to her while also kissing her forehead, "Time to wake up."

She grumbled and held me tighter as she begged, "Mmm, just five more minutes please, my mom still believes I'm sick." "I know, but what if she comes in here, or my brothers? I don't want to get you into trouble." She raised her head and opened her eyes to look at me slightly disappointed, "Okay, Rem. Thank you for being concerned." She was about to get up when I pulled her close to me again and kiss her lips so sweetly, and she kissed back shyly.

"I love you, my little rag doll", I said to her while petting her gorgeous, black hair, "I had an amazing night last night with you." She blushed adorably and replied before getting up to get dressed, "I did too, my prince. I love you too." We were lucky that her family was still asleep and her sisters found suitors last night to spend it with. I got dressed and snuck out of her bedroom, but then I bumped into someone coming out of Sebastian's bedroom who turned out to be...

"Sophie?", she had a look of intense guilt on her face and didn't move and once looking at me. I raised my brows after realizing why she was in there with her hair all messy and her lips flushed, "I-I, uh...I'm guessing you were bringing my brother's laundry?", I wanted to protect her from feeling any shame when I said that, and she got my cue and nodded before walking away. Fucking Hell. My older brother and our favorite maid? Why didn't I see it before?

When it was a few hours later and everyone was awake and back, we had breakfast in the dining hall, and I couldn't stop glancing at Dahlia. It wasn't even a question anymore, she was the one for me and I didn't want anyone else. I loved her so much, I would take her with me and give her everything she's ever wanted and protect her from anything that might try to hurt her. I can't believe she said yes when I asked if she would marry me, and now I know she's my endgame.

"Prince Remington", Rose snapped me out of my spell and I turned my focus on her, "I really enjoyed dancing with you last night at the ball. I wished we could have danced more." I nodded and stated, "Uh, yeah. Me too, Rose." "May I ask you a question?", she asked and I nodded once more, "Do you think I'm...ugly?" Why did she ask that question? There was no way I could say yes to hurt her feelings. I shook my head and said, "No, Rose. You're actually very beautiful. Any guy would consider himself lucky to have you."

Then she rested her hand on my leg and whispered, "Would that guy...be you?" I froze in my place as she stared deeply into my eyes and waiting for the answer she wants to hear. I could easily say yes, but I'd be lying to her and myself. When I was about to say something, Sebastian spoke up, "I have an announcement to make soon", and then everyone turned their attention to him, I was grateful I didn't have to answer Rose.

"I have decided...to break off my engagement to Princess Saphirra." The room feels dead silent to what my brother just declared to his family and Dahlia's family. "As much as I want the best for our kingdom, I cannot marry someone I'm not in love with", he explained to me and our mother, "but the truth is, I'm in love with someone else."

I glanced briefly at Sophie who was standing at the corner of the room with the other help. "Who is it, Sebastian?", our mother asked and he answered with a bit of apprehension in his voice, "You might think differently of me, Mom. But I've always been in love...with Sophie."

Then everyone turned to the sweet and shy maid whose face was so red and full of shock. "Sebastian", my mother started in a concerned tone, "Why didn't you say something earlier?" Seb shrugged and looked down as he explained, "I didn't want to disappoint you if you learned I loved a maid in our castle. I thought you wanted the best for me."

My mother smiled and held her oldest son's hand tightly as she told him, "I also want you to be happy. All of you. To hell what everyone thinks about you marrying a maid, does she make you happy?" He nodded and smiled, and I could spot Sophie smiling as well. My mother continued, "Well then, it doesn't matter what happens. I'm the queen and if my son wants to marry the woman who makes him happy, then that's what'll happen. Never deny your heart of your happiness, okay?" He nodded and then me and Emerson did.

Sebastian then reached out for Sophie to join him and she hesitated for a moment, but smiled as she walked closer to us and joined Sebastian by his side. As soon as she did, my brother got down on one knee and sent us all on a wave of shock as he declared to Sophie, "Sophie, my one and only true love, will you make this prince feel like a king...and be my wife?"

I noticed Dahlia was crying quietly, but she must have been happy to see this beautiful moment as Sophie accepted, "Of course, Sebastian", and seeing them kiss made me more proud of my older brother than I ever have been in my life.

It was clear to me then and there what I really wanted for myself, and it wasn't just to make my mother proud and be a good leader for our kingdom. I also wanted to live a long life with love and passion and be able to experience that with the girl who saved me all those years ago as a child and who has now stolen my heart and made me feel more rich than I ever have.

But then, I saw Iris coming in just now and walk close to Rose and whisper to her something I couldn't hear. Then they both looked at Dahlia with something that resembled hate and disgust, and I was confused why they would look at her like that. Dahlia noticed their stare and she seemed to be horrified of their looks. Rose spoke up and asked my mother, "Your Majesty, may I be excused? I need to converse something with my sister in private." My mother nodded and then they kept their cold stare on Dahlia that seemed to make her pale.

When breakfast was over, Dahlia pulled me into an empty room and locked the door after closing it. "Dahlia, what's wrong?", I asked as she faced me and looked like she was going to cry. "Remington", she started to say even though her tears make it hard for her to speak, "I haven't been completely honest with you."

I furrowed my brows in confusion and then she continued while holding my hands tightly, "When I got attacked by that dog...it wasn't an accident." She stopped for a moment before finally telling me, "My sisters brought that dog to attack me. Just because I unintentionally took what didn't belong to me." She was so deep in her pain, she ended up falling on her knees and concluded with, "If Rose finds out I took something she wanted..."

"...My punishment might be much worse this time..."