The Royal Duty

Afflicted Verity

Marshall's POV:

I awoke from my slumber,facing the painted ceiling,slowly raising my eyelids,hardly remebering about last night's event,my hand move from my hair to my lips,tapping them with my fingers,then in that moment I have recall an unforgettable scene,Chase's kiss,the kiss that sent shiver down my spine,the kiss that sparks in every second,the moment that he told me the truth,and for me telling the same thing,butterflies are filling my stomach at the thought of seeing him again,I got up off bed,only to be greeted by the fluorescent of the sun that shine through the window,heading towards it,inhaling the fresh air,as chirping birds made their way pass the me,only one thing was on my mind,I need to see him.

I rush downstairs,greeting the butler and maids,that I passed through,heading towards the dining room,seeing that father and mother are talking to Nana,one of the maids that looks after me,I got closer to them,producing a smile at my face,"Good morning father,have you seen Chase,I really need to talk to him,"I ask,looking at my parents,but something caught my attention,my parents weren't in their usual cheerful expression,instead,it looks like they have lost their colors,just a gray,black and white world,was written in their face,"Son,there's something we need to tell you,"father said in a tone that tells his not joking,I look at him as I sat down,"Is something wrong father,?"I ask,raising an eyebrow,"Unfortunately yes,you see it's about Chase,"he spoke,from a tone that seems his holding back.

I ask him what was it,"You see,it seems that Chase,was purposely sent here to spy on us,and I think he was using you as a decoy for us not to notice,"he answered,making my eyes widened at disbelief,"No,no,that's impossible father,Chase said you can trust him,and I trust him,there must be a mistake,maybe this was just one of the knights gossips,that can't be true,"I said,melancholy was in my tone,then father sigh,

"Son,you see,Nana here said,she saw Chase talking to a mysterious canine in the garden last night,she said they we're talking about Chase's real mission here,and that is to assasinate us,Nana almost got killed last night,as the dog grabbed her,and threatens her with a dagger,but unexpectedly Chase somehow let her go,I think she used Nana to sent us a message,and that was the last time she saw Chase,he didn't show up after that, son I think it's be......"I cut him off,as I slam my hands at the table,"That's impossible!!!!!Chase would never do that,!!!!He would never used me for something for him to achieve!!!!I trust him father,even if you don't,and I'll prove it,"I yelled,suprising myself and my parents,and so I ran out of the room,to the castle gates,I heard my name being called numerous times but I just ignored it,I grab my hood and finally went outside the castle,

I ran,and ran acrossed town,running from left to right,right to left,running in alleys,the thought that maybe his there,in the abandoned balcony,the place where he said where he usually stay and was his secret place,I want to hear it directly from him,if father's words were true,then I'll believe it.Finally reaching the familliar mossy alley,I stopped for a moment,catching my breath,I slowly walked at the narrow space alley,a glimpse of hope that his here,because I caught his familliar scent,I finally reached the end of the tunnel,unexpectedly he wasn't there,walking at a slow pace as I reached the fence of the balcony,putting my hands on it,until a tear escape my eyes,one after the other,I was now silently crying,alone in the balcony,

"Chaaase!!"I yelled,before the horizon,"Chaaaase,show yourself!!!I just want an answer!!!",I sob,creating low sounded moans,falling on my knees,"I....just,want an answer,"I said,now in a quite state,then suddebly I heard footsteps from behind me,turning around with a dull eyes,as I widened them,to see the shepperd that I wanted to see,his expression,were one that I never seen before,expressionless,but still I could feel a deflated aura in him,his hands in his pocket,looking at me with melacholic eyes,I wipe my eyes,drying them,

"Is it true,that you were only a spy,sent to observe us,?"I asked after standing up,looking at him with a serious look in my eyes,

"Marshall,I......",I cut him off,"JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION!!"I yelled with a trembling voice,then he sigh,

"Yes,Marshall,I am a spy,I was sent by Brando,my uncle,but listen,I think this whole thing isn't worth it anymore,not until I met you,I...."I cut him off once again,his first word was the only thing I needed to hear,

"So,is everything a lie,an act,is making me fall for your idiotic self,all part of your plan,after all the time that we've spent,that time at the garden,this balcony,the dance,the.....the kiss,did you planned all that.I thought I finally found someone who understand me,someone that I can spend time with,someone who will hold me in a warm embrace,and tell me he loved me,"I explained,tears starting to show again,small laughs escaped my mouth,

Chase became silent for a moment,not saying a word,until finally he spoke,"I'm sorry Marshall,but will be infiltrating your Kingdom,we will be taking what you owe from us,atleast that's the least I could tell you,"he looks at me,

"I was a fool to think that I've fallen in love,I thought you we're difeerent,"I walk closer to him,looking him straight in the eyes,"MY MISTAKE,"I said in a stern voice,walking back to the tunnel,

"I did love you Marshall,but it seems,destiny and fate is against us,atleast,you made me feel,something,goodbye Marshall,"he spoke making me stop on my tracks,as I turned around,he was gone,dissappering in the vast horizon,

"I agree,"I mumble,as I walk back to the castle,not greeting anyone at my sight,I just directly went to my room,immediately closing the door,locking it,ignoring the butlers and maids knocking,I fell on my knees on the floor,hugging them as I create a melody of discomfort,holding my tears back,

"I never knew,love could hurt me like this,I was a fool to take the risk," I thought,now shredding liquids in my eyes,a long journey for a small tear,curving myself in a ball.

Chase's POV:

Sitting at the edges of the window,of an abandoned house,I think of him,a few days have past and I know that those words still hurted him like pistols being shot right at him,I know that I broke his innocent heart into pieces,but is it really worth it,me falling for him,and in the end,I broke his trust.I never thought I would experience this in my entire life,his the first person to ever show what love is,the first to ever made me feel,something,his the first to show me that there something else in the world beside hatred,grudge and vengeance,yet I........betray him,I'm now gripping my hand,at the thought of it.

"So,the royals greatest weakness is their child,is that correct,"Brando ask,as he makes a plan to make him the next ruler of Carmine Kingdom,I just nod,"Seems so,"

"So,if we take the child,making him our hostage,then they have no choice but to do what I ask them to,I'll be king,and I can finally have what I deserved,and have Felix executed,talk about killing to birds with one stone,"Brando continue,laughing evily at the thought of it,then he ordered me to kidnapp the prince,I never thought I have to see him again.

As usual,passing through the guards unnoticed,blending in the black night,I made my move and silently invaded the castle,taking a glimpse of the king and queen,noticing that Marshall's not with them,I went to his room,seeing him doing fine,is enough to make me feel lighten,but I know what I have to do,I jumped at the floor making Marshall suprised,

"Chase?"he ask,"What are you..."I cut him off,putting a small cloth mixed with chemicals in his mouth to make him unconscious,"Sorry Marshall,but we'll be taking over your kingdom,sooner or later,"I said,a part of me regretting doing this,as I carry him on my back,leaving a note saying,I took him.I jumped at the balcony,moving swiftly in the night,bringing him back to our hideout,sigh escape my mouth in every breath I make.