He, who made you a princess

Chapter XXIV

~ prisoners of love ~

"Why are you doing this? Because my dad and Lucas aren't here?"

Athanasia asked straightforwardly. Her heart used to ache when she saw the pained look on the man's face. But even that she's realized was merely superficial.

"I cannot control how I feel..."

He looked at her with a soft smile. One that was true to the words that escaped his lips. Ijekiel looked at her in the eyes, never easing to show her how deep his truth was inside his own golden orbs.

But what can she do about it? She can only feel sorry for being the cause of not only his pain, but Jennette's as well. Knowing that her cousin was trapped in her love for this man.

Athanasia stood up.

"I also cannot control my father and my husband for long."

This was to say that any more and she'll be unable to stop them for doing anything to him. And the message was clear to him. But that was something that Ijekiel has long tossed aside.

Concern for his wellbeing was something that's never been in question for him. He would go against the world if it was for her after all.

Heck, he'd go against her...

The same way he's doing now. Just how many times have she pushed him away like this?

Ijekiel kept his smile as he watched her walk towards him, and most likely, past him as well.

It was her fault, wasn't it? Always pushing him away so gently... it'd have been better if she did just let her father or that damned husband of hers kill him.

It'd have been easier for him.

Ijekiel caught her hand as she walked past him, stopping her on her track.

"If it's about getting killed by one of them simply for feeling the way that I do, then perhaps it would be better if that happens."

Athanasia's forehead crumpled, and her mouth formed a frown. She looked at Ijekiel almost in disbelief. Shocked, frustrated... troubled.

Anger started welling up inside her. Just how could he be so selfish?

"And what of those who will cry if you die?"

"..."

He only looked at her. His smile finally disappeared, and a small frown now masked all the pain inside him. His own forehead crumpled deeply, fighting an outburst of emotions that wanted to surface.

He honestly couldn't bring himself to care about what happens when he dies.

Because she probably won't be the one crying anyway... will she?

Ijekiel pulls her to him, holding her hand with both of his and he brings it to his face. On the palm of her hand, he sobs softly, letting her feel the tears that falls from his eyes.

The tears that he'd only ever show her. Because if was all for her.

"Then what do I do with this...?"

Ijekiel clutched on his shirt where his heart was, but never letting go of her hand that cupped his cheek.

"...I just don't know. I thought it will disappear if I just let time go by, but it still clings to me and I am unable to do anything."

Athanasia's frown dug deeper as a scowl now formed on her face. She pulled her hand away from Ijekiel, but his strong grip kept it where it was.

"The same way you couldn't do anything back then but watch me walk up the gallows?"