"I will stay."

I shot my head up to look at her, taken aback.

I stood in front of the doors of my chamber as she came closer to me, stepping over my still shadow.

"I will stay until the coronation...because I gave you my word. I gave the Prince of Yandestine - the future King - my word. That is all you are to me, and I understand that. I respect that. That's all I came to say, your highness."

She released a light breath and turned around, plainly walking away from me, as even the edges of her shadow refused to touch mine as it left.

I wanted to grasp her wrist. I wanted to grasp it, pull her back to me, and playfully tell her that she was the one being 'awfully dramatic' this time.

I wished I could do that, make her laugh, and continue as normal as if nothing had happened. Nothing that caused her to hand me such empty words of meaningless respect, with a face lost of emotions like she had been forced to sacrifice something.

I shut my eyes, pushed the doors behind me open, and entered my chamber.

I won't break.

I quickly walked towards my art easel standing in the corner of the room, and brought it to the centre. Whipping out the brushes and paints behind them, I started working on a new piece with no fixed destination.

I blankly surveyed the various colours in front of me first, immediately choosing a biting black and a taffy pink, eliminating all the other shades.

Picking up a thick flat brush, I doused it into the pink paint and slathered it all over the white canvas board; not paying a single drop of attention to order or quality.

The paintbrush seemed like it was violently thrashing, suffocating between the tight hold of my fingers and the canvas, wanting an escape from my toxic misery. But I couldn't let go.

Dip, slather, paint.

Dip, slather, paint.

Dip, slather, pain-

Somehow, I had managed to bring the black paint into the piece as well, and when I stepped back from the board to look at the bigger picture - it was just a cluttered, dirty blend of two colours I had always thought belonged nowhere near each other.

How did that happen?

How did I let that happen?

I flicked my shoes off my feet, holding a tethered scream, as I settled on my bed.

I stared helplessly at the painted mess, and I tried my best to figure out what I could have done better. Or what I could do to change it now, if I still had the time.

A bell rung.

It shook me out of my thoughts. I knew that it was one of the first three bells to be rung, leading up to the official commencing of the pre-coronation ceremony.

I slowly laid back on my bed, throwing my gaze to the soulless chandelier above me.

Forget.

Until the clock strikes seven, just forget.

~~~

"Securing a beautiful female like that as the kingdom's queen, you've definitely set yourself and us up for a perfect future, your highness."

"Oh, Rince Janion, your compliments are truly too flattering. Thank you, but I'd like to say I'm equally as lucky as Prince Elijah - a place as his future wife, next to him every day, it's a life better than I could have ever imagined." Rhea spoke, with a highly cheerful tone.

He nodded vigorously in agreement, constantly failing to direct his eyes anywhere except beneath Rhea's neck.

Rince Janion - a pathetic though sufficiently capable sub-ruler of Drine, which was one of the forty villages contained under my father's control. Every sub-ruler was titled as 'Rince', taking away the first letter from 'Prince', as they were beneath the power of my title. The same applied to their female counterparts, that were named 'Rincess' with the followed company of their own first names.

I subtly gritted my teeth, not being able to handle the incredible ingenuity of the exchange, and swiftly placed my hand on Rhea's back.

"As much as I've enjoyed rekindling our...friendship, Rhea and I have other guests to attend to. Enjoy your evening, Janion." I shook his hand with a hidden tremor of disgust.

"Of course, I can't have the golden couple in my hold for too long, thank you for your time, your highnesses." He bowed and kissed Rhea's fingers.

We turned away from the disappointing male known for his adulterous adventures. For what he lost through infidelity, he, unfortunately, made up for by successfully ruling his village of hundred people without any significant blunder.

"I didn't expect the jealousy to come through this soon, Elijah. I'm not your wife yet, so you're going to have to reign in the possessiveness slightly." She giggled with a strange grin, only causing me to narrow my brows in vexation.

Although, I didn't have any time to correct her, as we quickly moved onto the next sub-ruler: Rince Micah.

"Greetings, your highnesses." He respectfully dipped his head, keeping his hands to himself, unlike Rince Janion.

"Rince Micah," I greeted back with a smile, as we shook hands out of genuine respect for each other. "It's been months since I last saw you, how have you been?"

"I do apologise for that but the monthly royal balls became tiring very quickly after the first three times, Prince Elijah. I figured I'd spend some time with my children privately instead. Finding new ways to entertain them has been much more rewarding than anything else."

I laughed knowingly. "I'm assuming the fabricated stories of your gory battles and heroic adventures in the wild have lost their interest?"

"It didn't even hold them for a week, my goodness. I've moved onto puppet shows and dressing up their dolls because according to my lovely pair of daughters, that's what shapes a good father."

I chuckled, patting his shoulder. "Have you tried painting lessons with them, Micah? Music, dance, and other forms of art can maintain a child's attention extremely well, I know my lessons from little have definitely helped me sharpen my focus."

"I completely agree. All that eager energy getting directed into something efficient can assuredly help them in the long run. You should definitely try knitting and cooking with them too, Rince Janion," Rhea added with a wide smile. "Girls especially love those sorts of activities, and they can easily master such a necessary part of their lives if they learn it now, early in their childhood."

Micah's sincere and thoughtful nods looked like he was mentally taking notes of our words, and he partly was, though it wasn't just for his own purpose. Rhea and I both knew that we were nonchalantly being tested on how we speak, behave, and advise our people, regardless of the topic concerned.

We were both required to adapt and deliver in any sort of situation, whether it was a simple conversation regarding family or a serious sector involving war and the kingdom's affairs.

That's exactly what we did as we effortlessly shifted from sub-rulers down to their subordinates, ticking off every topic of conversation that existed with each of them.

Finally, we cornered ourselves to secluded darkness near the pillars at the entrance, and I leaned against one of them with an exhaustion that almost blurred out the jovial scene around me.

The palace truly had never looked better, as every inch of the floors were filled with sparkling rich adornments; ranging from beautiful red carpets, real gold plates of refreshments seated on tables and smiling faces dressed in magnificently tailored dresses plus suits.

The smiling part slightly comforted me - feeling like a gift amongst all the torturing thoughts inside my head.

"We're quite good at this, Eli. I'm proud of you. You were truly the perfect prince out there. I'm sure every one of them will be very happy to see you taking over the throne tomorrow."

I cracked a forced smile at Rhea, who was leaning on the pillar next to mine. I was unable to say anything to her, continuously lost for words since the announcement of our engagement.

How am I going to marry my best friend?
How am I going to see this female as my wife?

Her hand clasped mine as she shook her head at me comfortingly.

"Eli, I know how you're handling this. I know, and I definitely understand that you can't accept this drastic change in our relationship without being given enough time. I'm willing to give you that time, I can wait. We've gotten through anything, and we'll get through this too."

I sighed, following it with a tired smile. "I don't know how to react or respond to any of it, Rhea. I-I just, I really don't want to think about the prospect of...us, right now. I'm sorry, I really-"

She quickly placed her forefinger on my lips. "I love you, Elijah. I always have, you're my best friend and that means I'm here for you, no matter what. I'm right here. Just promise me you'll remember that." She whispered with flickering eyes, that struggled with traces of mist.

I gently wrapped my hand around her wrist, bumping her forehead with mine. "I promise."

It's the least I could give her for now.

She stepped back into the light. "A group of villagers are waiting to meet you, Eli. I don't think I'm needed there so I'll wait for you in your chamber."

She departed with a wave, blending into the incoming crowds.

Pink and black. Perhaps, she and I can be those two colours.

The two colours that I thought could never be together, yet here we are.

I dusted my hands with a quick release of breath, and prepared myself to meet the villagers before the ceremony and the night ended.

I walked towards the balconies near the guest chambers, where I saw a couple of children giggling with a bundle of other grown adults - the back of their heads facing me.

"Listen carefully, because this is where your tour ends and frankly - this last part is the best part." The little heads gasped together and excitedly leaned forward towards someone standing behind a pillar I couldn't yet see. "These are the rooms the King and Queen have very generously decided to let us stay for the night, where we can all have separate beds to sleep, play and, wait for it...jump on without getting a scolding!"

The little children screamed in joy and started jumping around uncontrollably, making some of their parents laugh, and others wince from the loud screeching.

I rounded the last corner and smiled.

Zyanna widened her eyes and put a finger to her lips with a smirk. "Quieten down, little crowns, don't make me take back what I said," She said in a sing-song voice.

They stopped screaming as a little girl tickled Zyanna's feet, getting her attention. "When can I meet the Prince, Zya? Is he really as pretty as you said he was?"

A easy smile hopped onto my face after hours, as I listened to their exchange.

She bent down to the little girl, and flicked her nose playfully. "Definitely not as pretty as you, Rain, but the Prince very much comes close. He's going to be here very soon, so you'll see for yourself."

All the children whined with a surprising level of synchronization, as they began to yell for me.

I walked forward from behind their backs, and announced my presence. "I apologise for the delay, thank you so much for being patient and waiting."

Everyone went silent. It was a peculiarly awkward silence - one I didn't know how to dismiss - for it had been ages since I'd had any actual contact with the villagers in general.

I tried my best to meet Zyanna's eyes and shrugged my shoulders helplessly.

She smiled and turned around. "Everyone, this is the Prince of Yandestine, the one to be crowned King tomorrow," The silence remained, as everyone stayed still, staring at me.

She clicked her tongue with a glimmer of a smile and tapped the little girl's shoulder. "Rain, as far as I know, his highness doesn't bite his own people, so would you like to be the brave little girl and show your parents how to approach a Prince?"

Rain nodded timidly and straightened her shoulders; forming a strange stance like she was going headfirst into a battlefield, and walked up to me.

I grinned and bent down to meet her.

She put her tiny hand out for me to shake, clearly struggling to not wobble and fall.

I gently pushed her arm away and swooped her up, making the little girl gasp as she started to giggle.

The adults happily relaxed, apparently coming to the conclusion that I was normal enough to breathe and blink around.

"Now, what is this I hear about you questioning my looks, Rain?" I asked, making her petite body bounce in my arms as she settled her arms around my shoulders.

"I didn't believe Zya, I never really believe anything until I've seen it on my own." She drawled her words out, scrunching her face up brightly.

"Well, do you believe her now?"

She narrowed her eyes and scrutinised my face silently, making everyone and myself chuckle. "Black hair, brown eyes, a nice face. You're kind of alright, your h-highnessy."

I burst out laughing, humbled my her words while her mother immediately came forward and swatted her arm.

"Rain, it's 'your highness'. How many times do I have to tell you?"

I let her down, next to her mother, and shook my head. "It's completely fine, Ma'am. You have a very beautiful daughter," I switched my glance to Rain. "You're definitely much more prettier than me, love."

The little girl shrieked and quickly turned around to her friends and started to quietly gloat with squeaky whispers.

I stepped back from the crowd. "Once again, thank you so much for accepting the kingdom's invitation and coming here for my coronation. I hope to keep every one of you, and the rest of your neighbours and villagers many times happier and at peace than my father has, and I also trust that I will have your cooperation as I try my best to achieve that."

The people nodded their heads with utmost sincerity and respect, an admiring shine filling all of their gazes.

"Is there anything you would like to ask or tell me? It can be absolutely anything, please do not hesitate to inquire."

A lady in the crowd of twenty people raised her hand and came forward.

"Your highness, I was expecting to see the Princess of Raglezia, we heard about your engagement and thought she would make an appearance with you."

I folded my arms behind my back and cleared my throat, while Zyanna quickly looked away.

"Princess Rhea is unable to make an appearance as of now, she was quite tired and had to retire for the night, but I assure you that she'll be meeting all of you first thing tomorrow morning."

A few more minutes passed, as questions regarding schools - to which Rain grimaced - and new hospitals being built around the borders came up. I answered them with as much accuracy as possible, assuring the people that the results will be immaculate as always.

They all departed to their chambers as the sun started to become less and less apparent, leaving me and Zyanna by ourselves in front of the balconies.

"I...I should go too, I should." I announced to no one in particular.

"You should." She responded calmly.

I awkwardly looked both ways, suddenly confused as to which direction to choose to leave through.

"I didn't have the chance to say it earlier," She breathed out with a quiet smile. "Congratulations on your engagement."

"Zya-"

"This feels so strange. I look at you, and I feel something I didn't feel when I first saw you. I didn't think the feeling belonged to me when I it first came, but then I thought I could keep it with me, just a little longer, until I can't. I really thought when the time came, I'd be fine with it," She softly took a hold of the railing, her fingers slightly flinching back from the coldness. "I look at you now, and I just don't understand why I desperately feel the need to hold on."

My heart stopped.

"Stop it, Elijah. Stop looking at me like you owe me something. You don't." Her voice almost floated into an angry whisper, and with those simple words, she walked away from me - towards her chamber shadowed in the darkness.

I won't break.

I turned away in the opposite direction, making my way back into the Hall of Thrones instead my chamber.

The ceremony was still happening, but the number of guests had hugely decreased, as many had already resigned from mingling and entertainment.

From a distance, I glanced at my parents conversing with Rhea's parents, my sister animatedly speaking with Vladimir and a couple of other soldiers in a corner, and a group of dancers leaving the palace together as they headed towards the exit that directly lead to the outside of the castle.

Wait.

I looked again, curiously tilting my head in their direction.

I thought I saw an oddly familiar face within that circle of females, but I couldn't get a better glimspe as the cluster kept moving.

Every other guest had returned to their allocated chambers through the doors I entered through, and the only set of people to completely leave the palace were the dancers.

They were the first people to actually exit the palace.

Something feels wrong.

I tilted my head in different directions, starting to walk faster towards the group.

The back of a female body was visible as she walked along the side of the other dancers, dressed in the same style of extravagant gowns as the others, but the way she walked - it was anything but elegant. It seemed more like she was attempting to not leap into a bold sprint, her steps hurriedly fleeting towards the doors.

I know that body.

I've held it in my arms before.

I surged into a dashing run, pushing the guests away from my path as my frenzied steps towards the exit made everyone gasp and jump out of my way.

I could hear my sister shouting my name from behind me, my mother yelling for my attention, but everything subconsciously faded out as I focused on the face of one person, that finally revealed itself.

She turned.

It was an achingly quick peer back at the people behind her, but it was just enough for me.

The dancer.

"Lock the palace doors!" I screamed, sprinting towards the dancer that froze in her tracks, unknowingly captured in the middle of the circle that were so close to leaving.

The guards near them hurriedly started closing the doors, pushing their arms against the hard handles of it as they brought it forward and sent the departing dancers back into the hall.

I breathed out with a concrete nod, and just as I was inches away from the females the dancer was caught in the middle of, I slipped.

I slipped on the upright flap of the red carpet, landing right in the middle of the closing doors.

The guards ceased their movement immediately.

At that moment, as I rubbed the side of my forehead and shook my head out, a strange smell wafted near me.

It slowly drifted near my nose, causing me to wrinkle it in slight confusion. But then, in the midst of a few seconds and a single breath, it violently clobbered all of my senses, forcing me to turn away.

Blood.

A raw puddle of pure blood decorated the fresh floors outside the hall.

I haltingly moved my gaze upwards to see the origin of the blood that had been perpetually dripping to create the nauseating pool of merlot red.

A body hung from the ceiling, the head tightly draped between the thick tubes of the soulless chandelier.

A blue velvet rope was strapped around his neck, deceased arms abandoned at the sides, and thoroughly bloody eyelids partly covered the lifeless eyes.

An unrecognisable state, but I knew who he was. A kidnapped royalty the kingdom had failed, someone we should have been able to save before crimson marks of multiple whips and chains replaced the skin of his body - hanging completely naked.

The royal advisor.

***

I strangely had a lot of fun writing this chapter, it wasn't too stressful this time, haha.

Spit your thoughts out, guys! What do you think?

Stay blessed and strong,
OceanaCamerons 🌹🌹🌹