Two Hearts Two Kingdoms (completed but still editing)

16. Princess Lyra

☀️ JEAN ☀️

I woke in a position that I wanted to be in every morning–– with Prince Eric by my side. His eyes calm and his lips smiled. He must be troubled, but his features say otherwise.

His upcoming engagement to Lyra I did not want to continue. It might sound selfish but I wanted him for myself–– the crown prince of the most powerful among the kingdoms in the lands.

Pressure from my father made sure that as soon as he could he would marry Lyra; a painful torture for my heart. However, him marrying my sister did not make me want to stop everything we had. We could still be happy together even if he was married. Other people do this, even kings had mistresses aside from their queens.

As for my sister, maybe she would understand me, that I love Eric with all my heart.

The fast but gentle knocks on the door made me remove Eric’s arm over my chest. I did not want to disturb his sleep but the matter must be important. I went up from bed and headed to the door.

As I opened the door, it revealed father’s most trusted servant. I smiled.

He bowed. “Good morning, my prince, your father requests your presence in his chambers. He wants you in there as soon as possible.”

I nodded. “Good morning, Darien. Tell the King that I’ll be there after getting dressed.”

“I will. Thank you, Prince Jean.”

“You’re welcome.” I closed the door and headed back to bed, spent a minute or two enjoying the view, Eric as he slept.

My prince was being stressed out by a situation we were prepared all our lives for. His decision only became more complicated because he included me in it.

I was happy he never saw me as a competition–– if he did, we might had never been this close. I kissed his cheek then walked to the wash room, grabbed some clothes from the closet. After I dressed up, I headed to the other wing of the palace.

As soon as I arrived in Father’s room, tension boiled inside me. The feeling I might be able to hide from him but intense. I can never expect him to be happy to learn that the engagement with Lyra can be cancelled. I bowed as I saw him.

“Good morning, son,” he greeted.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Your mother and sisters will arrive before lunch. So, we should all be prepared for the engagement. How is Prince Eric? I was informed last night that the Thals don’t want Lyra as their heir’s mother.” He smirked. “I can never see any reason for them not to like my daughter–– your sister–– to give life to their future king. What can you say about this?”

“Eric said to me that Princess Reia and his parents wanted him to marry the second princess of Escotto. They were family friends and Eric knew her since their years at the Academy. Plus King Eugene just don’t trust us that much.”

“The feeling is mutual; but let us stick with the benefit our family will gain from this.” He rubbed his forehead. “Let me be clear to you. If ever Eric won’t marry Lyra, there is no need for him to be alive. He can just add up as a weakness, a thorn to our dominance. Your love for him will never be useful as well after all this–– if he won’t marry your sister. Do you understand?”