𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 (𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚!𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙭𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧)

Chapter Thirty-Five: A Growing Feeling

Three days. It had been three days since the incident that had happened that night. Just letting it come across my mind makes me freeze and shut down, unable to utter out a single word nor recollect my thoughts. Since that midnight dance, Aleksander had seemed more distant. He only came to check up on me whenever I was with Nikolas.

Betrayer. Was what I had chanted to myself for this past few days and hours, an unfaithful wife. If Nikolas found out, I don't think Ii would be able to stomach the thought of the lengthy actions he would take. I shook all the negative thoughts away that had almost swallowed me whole, I kept my head high to meet eyes with Nikolas while he read through his book.

"Is that the villainous prince you're reading?" I pointed at the book, trying to bring up a conversation as to break the silence and tension I had created for myself. Nikolas looked up at me and nod his head, "I assume you had read it?" Nikolas raised a brow. I was taking aback by the soft tone of his voice and I nod my head in reply, "It's a lovely book and quite different from the other's. Usually, the prince are the heroes of the stories." I beamed, enthusiastically going on with the story.

Nikolas shut the book close, making me flinch and stop myself from going further as to no longer spoil. I covered my mouth with a hand and muttered an apology, gazing down at the floor to ease myself.

"The book is quite boring, honestly my dearest (y/n)," Nikolas explained, resting his head to his hand while he reached for strand of my hair. I glanced back up to be met with a smiling prince, something that was surprising and...disturbing. I was so used to seeing him smile in the midst of misery, that I felt that his beam was odd.

He pulled the strand of my hair, making me get up from the chair slightly to keep myself from feeling the painful pull. "I'd love to hear you tell me the story instead, my dearest (y/n). To hear your voice would be lovely." Nikolas added, kissing me on the cheek.

He pulled back and stared right at me, I felt uncomfortable with his gleaming, blue eyes like it were to suck my soul out. I swallowed down a fearful look and nod my head, going through as I spoke about the story. Nikolas listened attentively, and just so you knew it, I felt myself feeling ecstasy.

To tell the stories and my own thoughts about it was wonderful. For the first time in forever, I felt happy. To see Nikolas enjoying and laughing along made me felt the thing I yearned for. Home, perhaps?

Imelda and I would usually go on about these stories and it was our own little bond of joy. But never have I thought would I share this type of bond with the devil himself. We came to a halt when we heard the door open, I turned to see Aleksander standing there with the door wide open with eyes fixated right at me.

As we made eye contact, Aleksander looked away and cleared his throat. "What are you doing here?" asked Nikolas, the stern tone of his voice rose up. " I only came here to check if there were any conflictions..." Aleksander glanced at me then back to Nikolas as he adjust his collar, "But I suppose there isn't. I'll be on my way now." he excused himself, turning to his heels as he left the chamber.

I stood up from the chair while Nikolas held my hand tight, "Where are you going, (y/n)?" Nikolas questioned. "I...I'm going to get us some refreshments, its really hot today." I replied with a lie, fanning myself with my hand as I acted all bothered.

Nikolas let out a loud laugh, "We have servants for a reason, my dearest (y/n). There's no need for you to go down at that musty, old kitchen. There might be rats there! Wretched creatures." Nikolas whispered those last few words to himself, dozing off his eyes somewhere else.

I pulled my hand away and caressed his cheek, I gained his attention with his gaze going back up at me. "I'll make you the best lemonade you've ever had, Nikolas. So please, just let me go down there," I asked with a hinting plea, Nikolas softened his look and sighed to himself and nod in reply.

I left the door in a hurry and ran down the flight of stairs as I yelled for Aleksander's name. He briskly walked out to the garden, ignoring my calls. I reached and squeezed my hand to his shoulder, pushing him to look at me.

"Is there something you need of me, lady (y/n)?" Aleksander asked, unfazed with my huff. "Why...why are you ignoring me?" I asked with a frown, "We can forget about what had happened, your highness! But please, we must help each other to get out of this mess. I can't stand it no longer." Aleksander took my hand and pulled me close, squeezing me tightly into a hug while he stroke my hair gently.

"You don't seem to get it, lady (y/n)." he whispered low with a following sigh, I looked up at him as he looked down at me with a frown. "I can't seem to forget about what had happened. And I hate that, lady (y/n). You bewitched me."