My Charlotte Hates Me

Chapter 40: Seething Hatred

The next day, I went to see off Prince Shaka on his last day in Arundel.

"Have you decided to come with me?" Prince Shaka asked as he held out his hand.

I took his hand and closed it shut.

"I am sorry, but there is someone I am in love with," I said.

"...Are your feelings returned?" Prince Shaka asked.

"No...and they will never be returned not today or any other day," I answered.

Prince Shaka placed his hand on my cheek and used his thumb to rub away what felt like invisible tears.

"Your eyes tell me that there is a deep root of loneliness and sadness in your heart...I hope that someone will be able to cure your broken heart one day," Prince Shaka said.

"I hope so too," I said as I placed my hand over his on my cheek.

Prince Shaka leaned towards me and gave me a kiss on my cheek on my left side.

"Let us meet again, Lady Charlotte. If you visit me in Naska, I will be sure to give you the finest banquet in your honor," Prince Naska said as he went towards his carriage.

I waved back at his carriage as it was leaving.

"...Is it true?" Eli asked.

I turned around to see Eli with a panicked expression and covered in sweat.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I pulled out my handkerchief.

Just as I was about to wipe his sweat, Eli grabbed my wrist and pulled it away from his face.

"Were you proposed to by Prince Naska?" Eli asked.

"Yes, it is true," I said nonchalantly. "I was not aware that you knew."

"I refuse! I will not allow you to get married to that Prince of all people!" Eli shouted.

"That was the plan," I said.

"Huh?" Eli said with a confused facial expression.

"I had refused the Prince just now," I said.

"...I see," Eli said as he slouched to the ground as if a heavy burden had been lifted off of his chest.

"Are you alright, Eli?" I asked as I tried checking his forehead for a fever.

Eli grabbed my hands and held them tightly.

"Charlotte, I cannot keep doing this," he said as he looked up at me with quivering eyes that seemed to be on the verge of tears. "I keep on worrying everyday that you will one day leave me. What can I do to make this fear of you one day leaving me? Do I have to continue doing everything you tell me to do even if it means marrying someone I don't love? Do I have to tie your feet to the ground so that you will never leave my side? Tell me what I can do to make you stay with me forever..."

Something about his words of staying by his side forever triggered me and made my blood go cold. I grabbed his face and turned it up towards me.

"...You do not have to do anything. I will never leave you," I said.

"Charlotte?"

"It was...your mother who cursed me to stay this way forever," I said coldly. "I can never leave you even if I wanted to. Even if you grow to become annoyed with me or hate me one day, your mother left her will for me to watch over you until the day either you or I die first."

Eli, you are my most treasured person after Arielle but also my deepest regret and source of my unhappiness...my curse.

I released Eli who was stunned by my words and left Eli kneeling on the ground alone.