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NOAH’s POV

“Araminta” Her beautiful name rolled out of my tongue, I was sitting on my balcony relishing my moments since I got to King Smith’s kingdom. I never knew it would be so damn easy to convince her father. “I doubt she knows about her father’s little game” I muttered to myself as I swept my hair backward. I could not deny I was amazed and shocked seeing her in person, everyone has heard about the hidden princess one way or the other, can’t lie have always thought she was hidden because of some imperfections or flaws but that didn’t seem to be the case because damn! She looked beautiful, I was speechless seeing her, and even though I had met and had contact with so many ladies, I could not help but gush over her beauty. Her fair skin, and her long hair that cascaded to her lower waist with her bright blue eyes were a nice view.

“Her beauty is ethereal”

I giggled and cursed myself, I was here for a mission, and I had to carry it out perfectly and get her to my palace. My father died months ago now and there was no other person next in line than me. I could not afford to disappoint my father, his words echoed in my mind, stern and rigid “A king must never hesitate ” but here I was, wavering over a girl I barely knew.

I could have stepped on his throne if not for the objection of the parliament seeking that I have to have a reputable lady beside me as I could not rule the town without a Queen.

My eyes stared deep into the dark space and the stars, my emotions were conflicting with one another. I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, everything was so complicated.

It is quite strange that despite her harshness, I didn't get annoyed and was astonished instead, other ladies don't get the chance to do that. I guess my Father would be happy I'm getting back his so-called treasure, that's a secret to keep away from everyone else. I'm choosing Araminta mainly because I needed to get back my Father’s treasured property.

“That damned necklace……

Abruptly, some voice echoes caught my attention and jumped me out of my thoughts. There she was, Araminta. She seemed to be arguing with someone, “Is that the Queen?

I looked down from my balcony and even though I could not see clearly, it was crazy how I could tell she was the one. A shadow light reflected on her face, revealing her rosy cheeks. Her mouth was moving continuously, looked like she was reporting something to the woman.

“Could it be about the marriage? Shouldn't she be happy she's getting married to me?!! This princess won't fail to amuse me” I humored to myself. Unaware or maybe not wanting to admit that I had been staring at Ara for minutes now without diverting my eyes.

She was finally done talking and the woman was consoling her with a hug. “I wish that was me” I had muttered to myself before I realized what came out of my mouth. I shook my head in disbelief and left the balcony, I needed to have a grab. It was hard to accept that I was finding myself having some sort of likeness for her. I finally stepped outside my room and shrugged a jacket on my shoulder so I could clear my head.

As I was walking down the stairs, I bumped into a light body. “Sorry….I stopped to look at the person “Princesa” I muttered slowly when I saw her face. She looked like she cried, there were trails of tears on her face, and her eyes were red and swollen.

She was about to ignore me and brush past me when I stopped her with my arm. Her eyes looked at me sharply “What are you doing?? Her words came out like a hiss but apart from that, she looked meeked and I just wanted to wrap her around my arms.

“Easy Princesa, Are you….. okay? My voice came out softer than I intended.

I was amazed at myself because why did I care?

I could feel her tension at the hearing of my words, she tightened her knuckles and tried to look away from me. Minutes passed by and she wasn't struggling to leave, she just stood there with her eyes torn away from me. I knew it was a clue to let her go. “Could we…talk sometime? I don't know why but I feel like all this is new to you and I'm confused because your father told me you accepted and that is the only reason I'm here”

“What—are you….. kidding me?

Her voice cracked as she stammered in disbelief and it confirmed my suspicions, her father didn't inform her ahead. I reached out my hands to remove the strands of her hair from her face but I quickly held back.

“I didn't —I didn’t think it would be like this…..your father assured me, but I see it's not as simple as that” I said while I tightened my knuckles, my heart was in turmoil seeing her that way. The wave of guilt hit me hard feeling like a hard blow. I was supposed to be strong and decisive but here I was, unsteady and tempted to promise her protection that I was not sure I could keep to.

She finally raised her head and said “In that case, we have nothing to talk about. I will leave with you” Her voice came out sharper than I could ever imagined.

“Why do I care damn much……this was not supposed to matter to me. I was not supposed to care about this. Instead, I had the urge to tell her not to worry and that I wouldn't treat her badly, I wanted to tell her I was finding myself liking her and I wanted to hug her and tell her I was there for her but it sounded crazy right? I was consoling myself with the fact that what I wanted from her wouldn't harm her so there was no harm in getting it and still having her to myself but what if she found out someday about my true intent?

“Argh” I hissed out with my eyes closed subconsciously which made Ara flinch. “Ara-”

She raised her hands to stop me and inhaled a deep breath “The damage has been done Prince, But don't think this—

She pointed her trembling fingers and gestured between us before she continued “Means anything between us. We’ll keep our distance”

She said it straight into my eyes, her tone was firm and even though I could understand her, my heart pounded at her words. I sighed deeply after some seconds and stared at her blue eyes, I could see a lot of emotions running through them. She avoided my gaze but I flashed her a tiny smile and without thinking, I removed my jacket. it was quite chilly and she still had some long walks to take before getting to her own chamber. I hesitated a bit before I dabbed it around her shoulder, I caught a flash of surprise in her eyes, she was about to say something but just ended up clenching her hands behind her back and bit her lips timidly before she walked away from me silently.

I ran my hands through the back of my neck to ease myself as I stared at her slender body that had my black jacket on. Her vanilla mixed-with-musk scent still lingered around my nose. She looked vulnerable compared to the defiant princess I met earlier that day and I could not help but feel some kind of remorseful. I know how I felt when I found out I was going to be pressured to marry someone I didn't know or like. But looked like it was not that bad for me at least.

“Fuck, this is not going to be easy,” I thought to myself and walked away.

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