A Prince's Love

Chapter 61.

Danny

I picked at the food on my plate, the pace of my running thoughts juxtaposing my slow movements.

After the embarrassing public display that occurred yesterday, I couldn't bear to stand there and stare at the expressions of curiosity and wonder scattered across the audience. With a rushed and hushed farewell, I trotted off the stage before anyone could stop me, no doubt leaving so many questions amongst them. Seeing how distraught I was, one of the guards immediately took me home, and the car ride was silent. I'm sure it was pity but I was too consumed by emotion to even make small talk.

Since I didn't eat yesterday, Esther has lured me into the dining room with rice and Palava sauce because she knows that is one of my favorite foods. I wish I could properly eat the food and show her how grateful I am, but my wistful feelings were louder than any feeling of hunger.

"My prince, you have not touched your food." Esther's voice sounds, yanking me out of my head.

I look up at her, as she appears behind me with a glass of water in her hand and a concerned look in her eyes. She carefully places the glass of water in front of my plate of food, and looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to respond.

"I'm not very hungry right now, Esther." I hesitantly speak, forcing a weak smile at her.

She puts her hands on her hips and frowns at me, like a parent disappointed in their child.

"You did not eat yesterday either. I won't allow you to starve yourself." she scolds lightly, grabbing the fork from my plate and holding it out to me. "Eat."

The thing about Esther is that I could never win in an argument with her. She's generally reserved but when she speaks, she commands respect. You just have to listen to her. So I took the fork from her hand and took a forkful of the food in front of me. As expected, it was delicious and made me realize just how hungry I was. I continued to indulge in it but it was different this time because I didn't feel the same excitement I usually do when I eat.
Esther crossed her arms against her chest and smiled as she watched me inhale the delicacy.

"Now was that so difficult?" she remarks, patting me on the back. "Just slow down so you don't choke."

I let out a dry chuckle and did as she said. She lingered for a little bit and I could tell she wanted to say something. No doubt, she wanted to talk about what happened yesterday, especially since she saw how distraught I looked when I returned home. I know she's heard what has happened by now and wants to check in.

I take a sip from the glass of cold water in front of me before turning towards Esther.

"I know you heard what happened yesterday. You want to know how I'm doing, don't you?"

She sports a pitiful look on her face, her shoulders falling and her arms dropping to her sides.

"Of course, my prince. It can't be easy to be rejected like that, let alone in front of so many people."

"She... she didn't reject me." I grit, looking away from her. I didn't want to believe the truth. Maadwoa does not want me back.

Esther assumes her crossed arms positions again. "Well, did she accept you?"

"No, she didn't." I mumble, playing with the fork on my plate again.

It was hard to think about. I completely understand why she feels the way she does and I don't blame her, but I can't help how I feel either. If I were in her shoes, I would react the same way, maybe even worse, so I don't know why it's difficult for me to admit that I've lost her. There's no way she would want me again and that reality makes me want to fight the entire world.