One shots

2. Wilted

(Above pic dedicated to my early readers)

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"Someone like you does not forget someone like me," a voice rang in her ears as she turned around in her chair, just a tiny bit of fear mixing in her blood. Sweat beads formed on her forehead as she realized that she was now at the mercy of his hands. She felt herself on the verge of breaking down. But she held it in, if she had even the slightest chance of getting out of her alive, she couldn't mess it up by not thinking straight.

"I haven't forgotten you, General Kim."  

"Well will you look at that? Her highness, the princess Eleonora Mercy, remembers me, her humble, pathetic servant!" the young man exclaimed, with a hand on his heart. He stared at her open mouthily. He felt an unwelcoming relief spread throughout his being, seeing her right in front of him after so many years of being separated. Even after everything she did to him, she still had effect on him. And who was to blame? No one but him and his childish beliefe that someone could ever love him after his own parents abandoned him. 

He walked out of his shadowy corner, and in front of her. He looked just as beautiful as she remembered. He still had those wild eyes looking in hers, trying to find even an ounce of regret. He didn't find it; he couldn't find it. He still had that scar running from his chin to his neck bone from one of the countless battles he had fought. He still had those curly, misbehaving black locks, covering his forehead as he swatted them aside impatiently. 

Eleonora starred back at him with the same intensity even though... 

She stared back even though her heart felt as if it would burst out of her rib cage anytime. She starred back, even though the look of disbelief in his eyes threw colossal waves of guilt inside her. She broke their eye contact though, when she felt as if looking for a minute more will mean confessing to him, her real intentions, her real emotions. She closed her eyes realize that he still had the same effect on her, even after all that she had done to him.

"What do you want with me, general?" she asked through gritted teeth. He tilted his head. The young princess almost forgot her position in the kingdom for a minute, as he almost smiled at her. The young chief, pulled at his navy-blue trousers before squatting to her height. 

"Do not call me that. I have long since given up on that rank and the kingdom full of snakes for countrymen and hyenas for royalty." he glared at her with cold eyes, every trace of smile gone. She glared back at him, hatred for the monster that he actually was, robbed her off of every other thought. She balled her fists tightly and hissed, feeling the ropes cut through her skin. 

"Even if my eyes were to be scratched out and fed to the demons, I shall not take the disrespect of my kingdom kindly, Kim." Eleonora said. 

"My resentment for you has started to outweigh my love for you, Mercy. I could still take you back if only you come with me." his offer, though meant to be a kind gesture, aggravated the princess. 

"You make me wish for death every time my name comes out of your sinful lips." she looked away in disgust. The man before her, who once wore robs woven with finest silk from around the world, looked rough, yet prideful in his tribe chief attire. He chuckled humorlessly.

"Still as feisty as you used to be, I se-" 

"For the fear of god, don't pretend as if you know me." 

Silence fell between them as they both continued their silent battle. 

"How did you do it, Mercy?" he asked shaking his head slowly. A small smile tugged at the end of his lips. "How did it feel after betraying someone you loved more than your life?"