Chapter 96

\*\*HELENA'S POV\*\*



I stepped out of my bedroom, rubbing my sleepy eyes. The morning sun forced its way into my Cozy Living room through the window blinds.



It's been about a week or so since I was last at Salvador's mansion and honestly, with the creepy feelings I got there, I don't think I want to be there again anytime soon.



I stretched, still feeling a bit drowsy, but the moment I sighted a strange figure in my living room, sleep deserted me as I became alert.



Who is he? And why is he in my living room staring at my portraits? How did he even get in?



Fear and adrenaline coursed through my veins, and as though planned, I spotted a flower vase on the coffee table.



I tiptoed, and picked up the vase, aiming it at the stranger. 



I shut my eyes and hit him with the vase.



Time seemed to freeze as I swung the vase, but instead of the satisfying thud of glass meeting flesh, the Vase shattered on the floor.



I opened my eyes to find the stranger untouched, his gaze still fixed on the portraits.



This is so weird. Didn't the Vase just hit him now?



With my heart racing, I stepped back. 



And with all my might I screamed. "Who are you!"



The stranger turned to me, his beautiful blue eyes locking onto mine. I almost got lost in his orbs, but I maintained my composure.



"Who are you? What do you want?" I demanded, although I felt like I'd seen him before, I couldn't point out where.



The stranger's gaze held mine, although blank.



"Prince Axel demands your presence" he said, more or less like an order.



Who does he think he is? And who on earth is Prince Axel?



So, because his prince Axel demands my presence, that's why he just walked into my house without a knock or anything else... He certainly lacks manners.



"Go tell your Prince Axel, I'm not showing up. Not now, not ever...I'm not under his government."



His expression aimed unmoved, a stark contrast to what I thought would be his reaction.



"I'm afraid it's not a request, Miss Helena," he said firmly. "Prince Axel's summons cannot be refused."



Does he even know my name? Intriguing.



I crossed my arms, with a stubborn pout on my lips. "Watch me refuse then."



He took a step closer, a smirk slowly crawling to his lips. 



"It's in your best interest…to cooperate"



Cooperate? Who did he even think he was? 



He just barged into my house to dish orders to me, and I'm supposed to listen to him...



Wow!! I wonder where he got the audacity.



"Leave my house" I snapped, already losing my mind. "I don't even know your Prince Alex,"



"The name's Axel, not Alex" he corrected, taking slow and menacing strides towards me.



"Stop freaking me out and get out!" I snapped, hiding my trembling hands behind my back.



I tried to step back, but my legs felt rooted, and I was already stuck to the wall. Where else to go?



The stranger's gaze held triumph, as he kept moving closer, knowing it was either I did his bidding, or I did his bidding...I was left without a choice.



"Leave me alone" I whispered, visibly trembling.



I wasn't over reacting. Imagine getting out of bed in the morning and walking to your living room, only to meet a stranger who somehow managed to avoid your Flower vase without even trying, now he's forcing you to go with him.



Heaven knows you'd have passed out.



He leaned in, his lips inches from my ear.



He whispered some incoherent words, although I didn't get a thing from what he said, I think my mind did, because without arguing, I felt the urge to follow him, if possible, to get to his prince even before him.



"Get changed, let's go" he said. 



Unconsciously, my eyes went to my body, and a shy blush crept into my cheeks. 



I was only clad in my short, slightly revealing nightdress. The dress robe was still in my room.



It's no fault of mine...I didn't expect to walk in on anybody...



I rushed to my room, and changed into something better, before following him outside to his car.



The drive to see his prince Axel was weirdly short, as within moments I found myself standing before a classy and gigantic mansion, surrounded by some form of power.



Prince Axel must be really powerful and rich too.



As I gazed at the mansion thrillingly, the stranger tapped my back softly.



"Follow me"



I nodded, trailing behind him into the grand entrance, to a door designed with intricate carvings.



He opened it, and gestured for me to enter.



I stepped inside, still admiring what I'd bluntly refer to as a splash of wealth.



Somehow, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I've been here before, as each design seemed to be speaking of a deeper story than it meets the eyes.



I'd already promised myself to get rid of the artistic part of me, after my mother and brother's death, but sometimes I just can't help it.



We walked through the hallways, and every maid we bumped into stopped to bow at him before walking away.



This single act intrigued me. I suddenly felt like writing about this place too, but I wasn't even sure where I was.



We finally got to a door with two cold-looking guards standing before it. They also bowed to the stranger, who nodded slowly before planting a knock on the door.



He pushed the door open gently, and we stepped in.



Another man was standing, facing the door, the moment my gaze met his...



The world stopped for a moment.



Brother??



How come he's here? I thought he died alongside mum?



I suddenly recalled that after the attack, dad returned home and drove them to the hospital, to prepare their bodies for burial, but somehow, when we returned, my brother's corpse was nowhere to be found.



That led to another level of grief.



So how come he's here now? And why's the strange guy calling him prince?



I couldn't hold back my excitement and shock anymore, so I squealed, rushing to go hug him.



"I thought you were dead," I whispered.



He was giving me this weird stare, like some lost puppy or something.



The strange guy suddenly bowed and walked out, leaving just me and my brother.



I began chattering about how excited I felt about seeing him again, after a long time. Although he didn't seem to understand... 



I tried to convince him that he was my brother, but he still wouldn't budge.



I suddenly felt my chest tighten.



I've spent years mourning his death, and mum's, now he's right in front of me, yet he can't even remember who I am.



I suddenly began missing mum all over again. If only she had probably been, then she'd probably have scolded him or something.



Left with no other choice, I burst into tears, knowing that was the only thing my brother couldn't stand when he was still alive.



And I guess it seemed to be working...