This story follows the life of Princess Maiena, the second and youngest child of King Thaddeus-- the strong, wise, and uncompromisingly orthodox ruler of Reidonia which is a kingdom set in the modern age with customs, laws and traditions that seem t...
I didn't have to look up to know that the two men by the King's door were watching me. Their eyes followed my every move even if I was just sitting there and reading a book. I have stayed at my father's bedside since early that morning.
After bathing and changing into my daytime dress, I immediately went to his room. I didn't go on my usual walks with Cora nor spared some time for breakfast. I wanted to see how Papa was and to keep him company. I knew he would just be sleeping all day and probably wouldn't know I was there but still wanted to be there for him. My day was free.
Nikolai has been officially assigned as regent in place of our father while the King rested. He would be very busy fulfilling his duties as both Crown Prince and King Regent and won't have time to visit Papa. I was the only one who could stay with him.
Sure the King has hundreds of servants and guards in the palace to watch him but won't he appreciate it more if his children kept him company? King or not, he is still a father.
I've been quietly sitting there for hours and was halfway through the book I was reading. In my periphery, I saw Gali take a step forward then hesitated and stepped back. He and his brother exchanged glances then Aidan opened his mouth to speak but didn't say anything before pursing his pretty lips together.
I suddenly remembered how his lips perfectly melded with mine and felt heat on my cheeks. Before my thoughts went any further, I spoke. "You can both leave if you're bored. I'll just stay here with His Majesty."
"Your Highness..." Aidan paused and cleared his throat. "You haven't eaten yet and it's almost lunch time. Gali can go with you to the dining hall."
"I'm not hungry." I told him without looking up from my book.
It's not because I didn't want to see him but because I was avoiding his gaze. I knew that one look into his eyes would have me crying like a lost puppy again. I'm not sure why but he has that effect on me. I am always overwhelmed by emotion when I'm with him like there's a great storm of feelings inside of me. I can be vulnerable around him and didn't have to keep my chin up and pretend to be brave like I'm used to doing.
I can also be my real self with Gali but somehow I never cry in front of him. Most of the time, when I'm upset, he gives me those warm hugs and make me laugh.
With Aidan, I feel like I can be my weakest, ugliest and absolute worst but still be dignified because he is my rock.
Neither of them spoke after that. They just kept nudging each other and signing. I rolled my eyes and put my book down then glared at them. "What is wrong with you two? If you want to say something, just say it."
The brothers looked at each other again. As courtesy to his big brother, Aidan nodded for Gali to tell me what they were thinking.
He stepped forward and signed, "Your Highness, we are just worried about you. You barely slept and haven't eaten." He sighed.
"I'm fine, Gali. Don't worry about me." I said.
"Why are you so stubborn? You have to take care of yourself too, Your Highness." Aidan said behind gritted teeth. He stomped forward determinedly but Gali held his arm to stop him from marching towards me. Aidan exhaled heavily.
What's his problem? Why is he so angry? I thought they were worried for me? Why is he scolding me like he's my father or Nikolai or my husband?
Husband... As much as I would love for that to happen, Aidan can never be that for me.
I shook my head to get rid of my silly thoughts. Those were fantasies, fairytales, they were never going to happen.
"That's not your concern. I can take care of myself." I answered.
Gali started to sign something but Aidan stepped forward again and spoke, "Take care of yourself? Tell me, Princess. How is starving yourself taking care of yourself? What if you get sick again? What can you do for your father then? What do you think he will feel knowing that you fell ill because of him? What do you think we will all feel? Don't you care about that? Because, Maiena, I can't..." He suddenly stopped and clenched his fists.
"You can't what?" I prodded.
He sighed and looked at the ceiling, his expression unreadable. "I can't bear seeing you getting sick again."
That's why he's so angry at me? This man really has no idea how to deal with emotions. So he was expressing his concern by getting angry at me? You are insane, Sir Aidan Falkurina, and I...
"I love you..." I heard the words I meant to keep in my thoughts ring in my ears and realized I just said them out loud. I saw Aidan's eyes widen in shock and he froze. My heart stopped but luckily my head still worked quickly. "Both." I added and smiled at Gali. "I love you both... As my good friends... And I appreciate your concern but you really should relax. I'm fine."
They didn't say anything. They just stared at me.
"If you're really concerned about my nutrition then go and get some food for me, Sir Aidan." I told him.
He quickly bowed his head and said, "Right away, Your Highness," then left the room faster than I can say "Stupid Maiena."
As soon as he left the room, I covered my mouth with my hands and screamed while Gali leaned against the wall, holding his belly and laughing his soundless laughter.
***
A/N:
Story shack looks a little different but still challenging. I mean that sentence came out of the blue. 😅
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