Chapter 18

Princess Harper
I straightened up and stretched as I felt something move beside me. I turned here and saw Vane sound asleep while hugging the pillow.
I chuckled. He looks like a baby hugging the pillow with his arms and leg. Who would have thought that a prince like him would sleep like this?
I slowly got up and went to the bathroom to brush and then take a shower. It didn't take me too long to finished before getting out the bathroom. I just sat on the side while drying my hair when I saw Vane asleep.
I looked at his face for a while and I can't help but notice how perfect his face is. Including his electric blue eyes. He was so beautiful to be true.
And this man likes me
I lay beside him and hugged him unknowingly. I don't know. I just want to hug him. I can't believe this man will like me despite my stubbornness.
I admit my twin is more perfect for being queen but why do I even like a to? What did he found in me that he didn't found in my twin? Almost all of princes likes her.
"What an early surprise my lovely popcorn," he whisper huskily
I smiled as I pressed my face to his neck. "You're voice sounds good in morning lettuce,"
He laughed when I called him then sneered and pulled me. Now I'm laying in his body and I'm a liar if I say I didn't feel anything. His body againsts mine was enough to make my skin burn in anticipation.
He cupped my face and smack my lips, "Good morning," he smiled
My heart flipped when I saw his beautiful and God, it was the most beautiful smile I'd ever seen. He looks glowing.
"Good morning too," I greeted
I felt his hand on my wet hair curling it in his fingers. "You shower?"
"Isn't it obvious?" I laughed back and forth
"Do I know if you slipped and your hair got stuck in the bowl? -"
I slapped him on the chest and widened my eyes, "I showered! How dare you say that?" I glared playfully
"Just kidding. Your hair smells so good to be wet by our bowl's water," he laughed softly
I stare at him for a moment and admire his happy face. I think I'm losing my mind right now. I can no longer explain how I feel every time I am with him.
Is this even just like?
It seems like I feel so deeply for Vane that I just want him.
When you love the person, you don't want to lose him or her?
"What are you thinking beauty?" He whispered before planting a kiss in my nose
"I like you so much," I muttered absentmindely
He stopped and stared at me for a while before a warm smile broke in his face.
"Like is not enough to name what I felt for you Harper. I don't want to let you go," he said sincerely
Me too. I don't want to let go anymore.
I kissed his lips which surprised him at first because he didn't respond but he immediately held my waist and cupped my face as he deepens the kiss.
I got so lost in his kiss and touch in my waist that I didn't notice that he was already staring at me. My hands felt his masculine chest as it went up, caressing his skin which makes him groan and encircled my arms around his neck.
I moaned when his lips went down to my neck and suck a skin there that will probably leave a mark later. I can feel his hands on the knot that keeps my robe from exposing my body, slowly taking it off.
I gasped when I feel the cold morning air hit my bare body. I was about to push him when I felt his hand on my waist and I was completely obsessed when he kissed my healthy breasts that were still covered with cloth.
He kissed the flesh in there before kissing me back in my lips. His hands massage my waist while caressing it at the same time.
"Harper ...," he called out
I gather all my strength and open my eyes where I saw his blue ones looking at me intensely.
"I love you,"
*
Prince Vane
There's no way what I feel towards her was like neither attraction. This was something strong and I won't deny it anymore.
I know I shocked her but I don't want to wander around anymore. She can tell me she didn't feel the same, she can't get away from me now.
"W-What?" She whispered clearly surprised
I cupped her face before tying her robe back. I gave her a smack in her forehead before smiling warmly.
"I love you Harper and I won't deny it. I want you to know that you are important to me not because I like you but because I loved you," I smiled but I knew she could see the sadness in it. "You don't have to feel pressured by my confession Harper. I'm willing to wait and make you fell in love with me too. I'll make sure of that popcorn,"
God ... I really love calling her popcorn. I didn't know where I got that nickname. It just came out and I start to loved it.
"B-But ... why me?"
I frowned at what he said. What does she mean by that?
"And why not you?" I asked curiously
She looked down and start fidgeting her fingers. In this moment, I knew where the conversation where heading. I knew right away what he wanted to say because I also have a sister. They had these ... insecurites in their bodies and it sometimes got into them.
I cupped her chin and put a light kiss in those luscious lips which clearly surprised her.
"Love is when you only see the best in someone despite her flaws, Harper. It's you who I'd fell into not your looks. Stopped asking why you because myself don't know the answer. I'd fell into you unknowingly and the end. " I explained
Her eyes watered and before it fall as tears in her eyes, I quickly hugged her. She may not be telling it but I knew she felt so low. She maybe strong in the outside but inside, she's lacked of love and that resulted to lack of confidence.
I won't judge her father because it's clear as hell that her treatment of Harper back then affected her. Instead, I'll help her recover herself again. I will not leave him.
"I only see the best in you Harper because you're nothing but the perfect woman for me,"
Princess Harper
Holding hands, Vane and I went out together and headed to the place where they were putting their horses.
He told me that Queen Samara's horse that she used back when she reigned as the Queen of Ihmapuleya was in there. It can only be seen in my book so I am very happy to know that it is still alive and here in the palace.
We reached the area and Vane gestured me towards a white horse. I'm so engrossed in riding that horse that I didn't him watching me. When I turned to him. He gave me a small smile which I returned with a sweet one.
I remembered what he said this morning and to say that I'm surprised was understatement. I'm overwhelmed. When it comes to my habit, it"s gone. So hearing that he loves me was too much and it want me to dance in joy.
But the thing that saddened me that I wasn't sure if I feel the same way. I'm attracted to him and yes I like very much but that it means I love him too? Most of all. I don"t like being unsure. I want to clarify my feelings first before I returned it. Thankfully, my man understand.
We finished eating first before Vane invited me in their garden. I'm not really fond of flowers because they don't last me long. Opposite to sea which I'm really addicted. It didn't just calm me down. It also remind me of Vane's eyes.
So blue
I was immediately amazed when we reached their garden. I'm not into it but that doesn't mean I don't like it. There is a gazebo there decorated with white roses and all around are a variety of plants.
"We also have another garden but it was situated on the other side of the palace. It consists of herbals and medicine our ancestors used back then when the medical pill was not yet in vogue." He told a story
We sit in the bench there and I stare at those roses in atonishment. It looks so fresh and majestic to see. This side of the palace can be used as a pictorial.
"Harper," Vane called
I looked at him but was a little surprised to see three red roses in his palm. My heart skipped a beat when my eyes met those warm blue eyes.
"Roses for a beautiful yet sadist princess like you," he chuckles
Is it me or it sounds like a music to my ear? What's happening to me? Everytime I'm with him. I'm becoming someone I'd never thought will exist in me.
"I'm not sadist!" I defend before snatching the roses from his hand
He just laughed then stood up. I watched his every move and when I saw his palm lying in front of me. My forehead ceased.
"The surrounding was way too beautiful not to enjoy dear Princess. Will you let me dance the day away?"
I laughed when he changed his voice as if he were a poet and that sentence, dance the day away? It supposed to be night. That word alone was hillarious!
"Please milady. Give me the opportunity to dance a very atonishing, beautiful and glowing angel you like the sun above?" He gave me his cheeky smile which makes me laugh even more
"But there's no music here, your highness," I rode
His eyes twinkle in delight when he heard those words, "No need, milady. You alone can make everything perfect. You are the music itself my dear princess. You fulfill all the empty places in my heart when I'm alone,"
My cheeks heat at those words and it even though it sounded so cheesy. I loved every part of it.
I accepted his hand and stood up. He pulled me into the middle of the gazebo and even without music, he danced me to a slow rhythm as if there really was. I linked my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest while his hands were hold my waist firmly.
I secretly smiled when I heard how fast her heart was beating. He's in love and he's not lying to me.
"I'd been in so many women before trying to find a woman like my mother. My father told me when I was still young to find a woman who can stand by their own feet and know their responsibilities. I'd been into many palace but neither of those princesses impressed me.I can't feel the feeling that Papa always told me then until I reached 28. I started to get tired but I think, Papa's right.It's always a perfect time in everything because seen in times that I didn't know you were coming. And now I'd fell right into you. Fast and Deep, "he kissed the tip of my head before continuing. "I'm madly in love with you Harper and I won't do something that will f-ck as up. I'll make you fall in love with me too, popcorn,"
My eyes watered at his confession while my heart was dancing in joy. He let go of my hug and held my hand then smiled. He's so damn beautiful that it hurts me.
"I'm not pressuring you Harper. I just want you to know that I loved you,"
I know Vane
I know and I love you too
A wide grin broke across my face as I realized everything. Now I'm pretty sure what I really felt and I need to tell him that!
"Vane," I said softly
I kissed his lips and obviously he didn"t expect that but nevertheless, he responded with equal passion. We didn't know how long we're kissing each other before I pulled out.
I cupped his face and smile widely. I'm not good at telling someone what I really felt but I knew there's one thing that can explain all of this.
"Vane I lo—"
I was cut off by someone behind Vane and my smile fell when I saw who it is. Vane suddenly looked there and he smiled uneasily.
"Vivian, hey!"

Savannah
My face turned sour and was forced to part with a hug from Vane. While the poor man was smiling uneasily at the woman. I glanced across him and winced.
She was wearing a very provocative long dress that hugged her waist and hips. The neckline was very low at it expose her breast flesh under her garments. She was still wearing a red gown, which made her look even more awkward.
"What can I do for you Vivian?" Vane asked formally
Napanguso naman ito and I gather all my strength to restrain myself from punching her face. Para syang bibe!
"Since when did you call me by my full name? It's just V remember," he said
I couldn't stand it anymore and clung to Vane's arm. He looks surprised but he held my waist afterwards. Vivian raised her brow shamelessly but I held my chin up and glare instead. He looked scared but that also disappeared immediately.
She cleared his throat before smiling widely. "I'm just here to see you V. It's been a long time since we saw it's other!"
Vane smiled politely at her, "I'm sorry Vi. But I want to spend time with my princess more. Maybe we can some other time,"
"But—" he would have protested when I cut him off
"Can you give us some time Princess Vivian?" I smiled fakely
She rolled her before scurrying away. Vane just sighed and then turned to me.
"Harper,"
I pulled myself from his hold and sit at the bench. I'm disgusted. When I realized that I already loved him, then that woman came in. Now? How would I tell him what I feel without getting awkward?
"Hey! Are you mad?" I heard him ask
I glanced at him and my heart warms at his face. He looks like a child who is afraid of being scolded for his appearance and I can help but to pinch his cheeks.
"Ouch!"
I just laughed at hugging him I knew he was surprised. I'm not a very sweet person and I know he's aware of it.
"I know you're annoyed but leave my cheeks popcorn," he pouted
I bit my lip to stop my laughter at his appearance but that didn't stop the smile from disappearing from my face. He looks so adorable.
"She's wrong timing," I said simply
"Indeed. Wait ... What were you supposed to say to me earlier?" He suddenly asked
My chest throbbed with nervousness. If I had been brave before. Now I feel like I want to tell him to forget that.
"Ahmm ... I'll tell you later. I'm not ... in the mood," I admit
"Okay?" He hesitated to agree
A comfortable silence enveloped us for a moment until he himself broke it.
"Can I ask you something?" He asked
I remained leaning on his shoulder so I could not see his face.
"What's that?"
He held my hand before planting a kiss in there and that gesture truly warm my heart.
"If you ever realized that .... that you don't love me ..," he trailed off
"Vane? What are you saying?" I will ask
I looked up at him and it almost broke my heart to see the sadness in his eyes.
"If you ever realized please tell me. Okay?" He smiled at me even though his eyes were very sad
I wanted to tell him I love him too but I seemed to have lost my voice and couldn't even speak.
"Because hating the person I love the most was the last thing I wanted to do," he murmured
He held my hand tightly and then kissed it again.
"Vane ..."
"One more thing. Don't force yourself to love me Harper. If you can't really love me. Then don't. I don't want to force you just because I don't want to hurt you while I'm happy with a lie. You'll hurt us both popcorn if you ever do that so don't okay? "
Why is he telling me these things? I held his hand tightly in me then smiled at him.
"You don't have to tell those things Vane because I—"
I stopped speaking when his cellphone suddenly rang. He took it and saw who was calling. He looked at me.
"Who's that?" I have a curious question
Because of the way he looked. The person was a bad news.
"It's Dimitrio. Your father,"
*
I was devastated to hear my father's name. It's been weeks since I last saw him since the day we fought. I don't feel bad for him and I'm even less nervous to see him again.
I'm just scared to leave Vane here because I can't say how I really feel.
"He wants to talk to you," Vane whispered
I nodded then took the cellphone in his hand. "Papa"
(You need to stay there for a few weeks or more until I said you so. There's a lot of problem now and I don't want you to add more. That's for now)
I was stunned by what he said and seemed to choke my heart. He wants me to stay here because I'm just a problem for him?
"What did he say?" Vane asked seriously
I smiled at him. If he doesn't want me to go home. Edi I'm not going home.
"He'd said it's okay for him if I stay here a little longer," I replied
He looks like he's not buying it but didn't asked instead he hugged me. He caressed my back while I leaned on his shoulder.
"Popcorn?" Untag niya
"Hmm,"
"So that means you're staying here longer?"
Astonished I looked up at him, "Why?"
He smiled sheepishly before answering, "That's great! I'll have someone next to me later in bed,"
My cheeks warmed at what he said. I punch his side lightly and he laughed.
"Hey! I'm not kidding," he smiled smugly. "Destiny has made a way for me to be with you. Don't you still want to?"
"I don't want—"
I couldn't continue what I was supposed to say when he kissed me on the lips and hugged me tightly.
"I love you popcorn!"

To be continued...