Treasures of Andalia Chronicles: Ring of Flames

Chapter Five: The Pursuit of Love is often Cruel

MORYEN

I woke up at the first strike of the clock.

Wriggling my body on the bed, I felt a pang on my back. I gasped as I tried to reach for my aching back. When I shifted to the other side, I saw a muscular figure beside me, lying on his back. The broad shoulders and toned body caught my attention. It took a while for me to remember the memories that stagnated in my mind.

The last thing I remembered, I went to Saevel's room to end our affair but he refused and pushed me on the bed, then he—

I gasped.

It dawned on me.

Something happened between us last night.

I panicked.

It was almost morning but I was still lying on his bed, bare-skinned, with nothing to cover my body. I quickly got off the bed. Enduring the endless screams of pain which made my back cry out. Sneaking cautiously to avoid making any kind of creaking noise that might wake him. Strands of hair were sticking out from my previous updo, dancing across my face with every movement I made. I hurriedly put on my dress from last night.

I crept out from Saevel's room, opening the door slowly, afraid to get caught. Fortunately, the soldiers guarding the room were asleep, or else they would have no choice but to report this incident to our parents, and we would be executed for having an incestuous affair.

After the arduous journey, I got back to my room safely, sneaking behind the pillars and shadows of the palace, avoiding the eyes of every palace servant. But when I turned my back from the door, Cyra was standing in front of my boudoir, frozen still with shock. Her hands were kept to herself, yet her eyes were wandering all over me. My current state brings the most suspicion to her. All the undone ribbons, the disheveled hair, and smudged lips stick. I mean, who wouldn't be suspicious if their mistress didn't retire to her chambers last night only to return in the morning looking like a ravaged prey?

She quickly closed the curtains and walked towards me, placing my hands on hers. "Princess Moryen, are you all right? Where have you been?"

Her voice was unexpectedly loud, and so I clasped her mouth shut. "Shh! Someone might hear you!"

She removed my hands gently and whispered, "where did you go last night? I've been looking for you."

"Does mother know I was gone?"

She shook her head. "No, I haven't told anyone yet. But will you please tell me where you went last night after talking with Prince Saevel?" She tossed another question, hoping I would answer but I stayed silent and kept my head down.

I could feel her staring at me intently even when I bobbed my head down. We stayed quiet for a few seconds but when she released her grip on me, I knew that she had the answer she sought for. She was a sharp woman. Nothing gets past her. Sooner or later, she is bound to realize our affair.

"Don't tell me..." her words trailed off. "Did you...sleep with the prince?"

I broke down, crying. "Please don't tell anyone."

She gasped, overwhelmed with the truth.

I'm well aware that what we did was unforgivable, and I have no excuse for it but I could never let my parents know about the affair. It would break their hearts, especially my mother's. She couldn't have imagined that the only daughter she had and the orphan she had come to care for would betray her like this.

I was sobbing my heart out. My knees were beginning to falter. I clenched her skirt, digging my nails on the cloth as I cried hard, begging for her to keep it a secret. She knelt beside me and pulled me in an embrace, patting my back, calming the waves that were drowning me.