Chapter 19

Princess Harper •
We both looked at the maid when she called us. "Lunch is ready, ma'am,"
Vane nodded before dimissing the servant. I got up and walked first but he chased after me and folded our hands. I was just shaken.
We were just a short distance from the kitchen when the delicious dish smelled so good. I suddenly thought. Who is cooking here? Their foods were extremely delicious.
"Smells good," Vane complimented
I nodded my head in agreement. We entered the dining area together but we were both stopped to see Vivian smiling broadly at the side of the table.
"Vivian?" Vane asked
I suddenly looked at the food then at him. My heart twist in something I don't know when I realized she's the one who cooked.
And I can't cook.
"I cooked our lunch V !! Taste it! I'll bet my life! It's delicious," she said exaggerately
Vane glanced at me as if he's asking if it's okay. I smile at him before nodding. Calm your nerves down Harper. You have no right to be angry. Be rational. You don't know about cooking. That's a fact and it hurts, yeah.
"Let's eat,"
I let Vane pulled a chair for me and I didn"t lose sight of the roundness of Vivian"s eyes. I mentally snort. She can roll her eyes all day but she can capture my man's heart. It's all for me.
I sat down with a smile and Vane smiled even more as he stood beside me. The woman pouts and does nothing but sit in front of us. He shouldn't have turned around. At the length of this table. Surely he would do very little but if he had a thick face. She can do it without any hesistation.
"Hey V! Do you remember when we used to hang out in your father's house nearby? I really love the lake there! I always remember the beautiful lake there where Tita Samara and Tito Dwight's romance began," She said cheerily
A small smile broke across his lips when I think, he remembered what she's saying. I secretly noticed what he said. You already have the memories.
"Yeah I remembered that. You even fell in the mud because you thought I was going to chase you. You look like a pig," Vane laughed.
I laughed when I imagined Vivian's face in case I was there. Urgh. I sound like a bad woman but I can't help it. Who wouldn't laugh if you imagine someone you hate with a heart with mud in her face plus Vane saying she looks like pig?
"It's not funny," She exclaimed exaggerately
"Sorry Vivian. I just can't help but laughed," Vane
I just ate quietly while Vivian continued to chatter. Even though this woman is rude sometimes. I don't have the heart not to appreacited the food even if she's the one who cooked it.
"Anyway, now that you open it up. I'd like to bring you some popcorn. Is it okay?" Vane asked
My eyes shine and I nodded my head immediately. I smiled broadly.
"Of course. I want to see that too,"
He grinned maliciously so I frowned. What is this man planning again?
"Great! It's like marrying you ... without an eepal." He whispered
I widened her eyes as I realized what was going through her mind. He just laughed before taking a sip in his water. He turned to Vivian who was staring at him.
"The maids will take care of you here Vivian. We're just going out for a day. Anyway, thank you for the food. I like it," Vane
Vivian was stunned by what Vane said and violently stood up. "What ?! You won't include me V ?! But why ?! It's boring here!" She whines
Vane sighed before plastering a serious look, "I'm sorry but it's my privacy time with my princess, Vivian. If it's really boring here maybe you should head home now,"
She marched away in tears because of what Vane said. I winced at what he was doing as Vane shook.
"Such a spoiled brat," he murmured
***
With his mother's horse. We reached the supposed private land of his father King Dwight. When we reached that place. My eyes almost shine at the size of the place.
I expertly hop off from the horse and handed it to the man next to me who was also holding Vane's horse leash.
I roamed my eyes around the place and my mouth formed 'o' in atonishment. The one-storey house were surrounded by trees even the road towards it. The house is not big but just enough.
There's so much in this massive land that my eyes can't reach but I'm pretty sure it's beautiful. I turned to Vane as he held my hand.
"Common? Let's roamed this place. There was a little change when Dad gave me this property. But it's still beautiful," he said.
Together we toured their private properties where at least three mansions would fit the size of the area. After circling, Vane took me to the lake that Vivian had referred to earlier.
I was amazed again by the beauty of the water. It is deep blue and surrounded by beautiful flowers. There are also benches on the side where the audience can stay. There Vane pulled me over and sat me down.
"Do you want to swim?" He asked me
I shook my head, "I don't want to. It seems better to look at the water than to take a bath. It's so beautiful," I said softly.
We both fell silent eventually. Both lost in our own worlds while our hands tied together. The silence was just broken when I spoke.
"Vivian really like you. Isn't she?" I asked in a low voice
I can feel his stare at the side of my face but I kept my eyes focus in the clear blue water in front of me.
"No. She didn't really like me. She's just using me to ge Kuya Lu's attention. Little didn't she know, Kuya never and won't never like her. Kuya is too picky about women. Too bad, she's not among Kuya's female types, "he said
"But why? She's beautiful. She can play the Queen part," I asked confused
Even I was disgusted with that woman's behavior once. There's a part of me that she's very capable of being a Queen.
He half smile before pulling me closer to him. I leaned on his shoulder and looked ahead.
"Being a Queen is like being the country's mother, Harper. And being a mother is not based on looks but on the habit of how you discipline your children and take care of them. She looks like a Queen but not a mother. She's not capable of being someone"s behalf, "Vane
"But you are popcorn. I saw how you love your people. I saw how you fight what you believe. How you understand your father and put the pain in the sideline to focus on someone you love. You're a very strong woman and you are beautiful. That's why I love you, my princess. A lady in gown with a sword in her hand, "
I laughed softly, "You're raising my head, Your Majesty." My office
"Nope. I'm just stating the fact my princess. Anyway, are you sure you don't want to take a dip?" He asked again
I smiled and shake my head in response. We stayed that way until we decided to go home to the palace. It takes us hour to reach the palace and we didn't expect someone to visit.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" Vane asked in astonishment
We caught up with him with Vivian who was drinking tea in the living room. He greeted us with a wide smile. I was even surprised when he hugged me.
"I want to be with my daughter. As well as her princess," Queen Samara looked at me meaningfully
Embarrassed I looked away. I don't usually act like this but only to the great Queen of Ihmapuleya.
"She doesn't even look like one—" Vivian was cut off by Queen Samara's cold gaze
"Watch your words Princess Vivian. You don't want this to come to your father," Queen Samara coldly threatened.
Vivian closed her mouth and then averted her eyes. Queen Samara invited us to seat but before I could even sit. I felt my chest tighten so I got on my knees.
"Harper! Are you okay ?!" Vane asked worriedly
He helped me stand up but my knees were too weak. I was unaware of my tears falling as my hand held my heart.
"C-Caroline,"
Princess Harper •
"I-I need to see my twin. R-Right now," I muttered weakly
He looked at me confused. "What? Why? What's happening ?!"
"I-I don't know! I don't know but I feel it. I feel something bad is happening in the palace!" I exclaimed
I can feel how Caroline feels now. She"s probably crying right now and my twin won"t cry if nothing bad happens at the palace or with our parents.
"I-I'll comeback. I'm sorry Queen Samara," I apologized to Vane's mother
Its look worried me but it seemed like there was something else in his eyes that said he knew what was going on.
I didn't wait for Vane and quickly ran towards my room. I rummaged in my bag for my cellphone and immediately called Caroline. She immediately answered it and I was right. She's crying.
"What's happening?" I ask emphatically
Even though I felt very heavy, I still tried to establish myself. In this situation it doesn"t help if we"re all crying. Someone's needed to stand up and hold her ground in order to solve the problem.
(Dad ... H-He's ... Oh my god)
My heart was pounding with excitement, "What happened to him? What's going on ?!"
(He got a heart attack just now because of what's happening ouside the Harper palace! It's been a few days since they found corpses and that's in order. The people were scared and questioning our father's legacy. They want to replace king Harper. !)
"B-But it wasn't his fault! All my life. I knew how father loves our country and he'll do everything to protect it. All these years. H-how could they do that ?!" I scream angrily
(I-I don't know! I don't know! P-Please comeback home now Harper. Papa needs you. They all need you! I knew that you can reign the country for awhile)
I stiffened in my stance as I realized something.
'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 '
Tears welled up in my eyes and I sat on the floor dejectedly. K-So ... that's why he doesn't want to send me home because of what's happening in the palace. B-why? Is it because he's afraid I might get hurt or he doesn't trust me?
"II can't ... He didn't send me home there, did he? He didn't trust me Caroline. His attention was already on you. He knew you're capable of handling the entire kingdom so he didn't want to send me home there. Because he doesn't want me meddling anything that involves the kingdom, "my language was full of resentment
(T-That's not true Harper! I know Daddy loves you. He's just not good at showing it but I can feel it. B-Maybe he just doesn't want to hurt you or get upset because you're fine with Prince Vane. Please Harper. We need you here! I'm can't play King right now sister. I can't. Our father needs you Harper. He needs you)
I remained silent until I cut the line. I sank into bed and cried. I no longer know what to think and what to do now.
How could I be angry with him again because I disobeyed his command? He's always like that. I don't want to be hurt by his words.
"Hey! Popcorn. Why are you cryng?"
I looked up when I heard Vane's gentle voice. His eyes were filled of worry. I stood up and hugged him. He hug me back too while caressing my hair.
"Tell me what's wrong,"
"Everything's a mess right now Vane. They want me back in the palace but I'm afraid that my father would get mad at me again. H-I don't know what to do anymore," I tearfully told him
He let go of the hug and then stared me in the eyes. Then he smiled like he's saying that everything's going to be fine.
"Just do the right thing, Harper. You idol Mom right? Then do what you think was right for your country just like what she did. Don't be afraid. I'm always behind you whatever decisions you make,"
I kept smiling as I looked at him. I'm so truly blessed to have him loving me. How many men are like him? And is there another man that I will love as much as I love him.
"I'm going back tomorrow. Will you come with me?" I will ask
Suddenly his eyes became sad and then he bowed down. My chest heaved as I realized what he meant by bowing.
"It's okay. I know you have to do something here too. I can manage this alone," I smiled at him then kissed him on the lips
"I love you Vane," I murmured
But it was enough for him to hear it. He paused for a moment before hugging me too tightly.
"Finally! Finally! You said it! God! Thank God! I thought that was really rock. I love you too popcorn!" He was very happy with the promise
I just laughed, "It's a rock ?!" I glare playfully at him
"Just kidding. Maybe you'll take it back,"
He lay on the bed and pulled me so I'm now in the top of him. My cheeks warmed up in our position.
"So ... Will you be my princess Emily Harper Lucas?" He wiggled his brows earning a laugh from me
"Yes of course, my Prince Terrence Vane," I whispered
He onced again kiss my lips but this time. It was more passionate and a little wild. I could feel the warmth of his palms caressing my back. When he was fed up with my lips, his lips slowly descended on my neck and I muffled a moan.
He flip us over and he's now at the top of me. He caressed my legs that were now bare as my dress rose to my thighs. He groaned when he started grinding his body in me and I can clearly see the bulge between his thighs.
I opened my eyes and then touched both of his cheeks.
"Vane," I muttered
His eyes were full of desire and passion towards. The feeling become overwhelming when he whispered something in my ear.
"I'm going to mar—"
What he was supposed to say was interrupted by a knock on the door that stopped the two of us. We once looked there.
"Your majesty, someone was looking for Princess Harper outside,"
Vane's eyes were asking me but also me. I don't know who might it be. I went to the door and opened it.
"Who is it?" I will ask
"Prince Jackson of Maddin, milady," he replied formally
I frowned at what he said. What is Jackson doing here? How did he know I was here?
Prince Jackson Tommaso was the crown prince of Maddin. He's my only male friend. It's just amazing why he's here.
"Who's that?"
I looked at Vane. Suddenly its face darkened and traces on its face that it did not like what was heard.
"He's my friend," I sparingly replied
"What's going on here?" He asked
"There's only one way to find out." I said
I left the room and he followed. I reached the sala in no time and there, I saw him. I noticed that Queen Samara and Vivian were no longer around.
"Jackson? What are you doing here?" I asked in a serious voice
He smiled sparingly while his eyes were blank. I was surprised when he suddenly hugged me. He even caressed my hair that gives me an uncomfortable feeling.
A tikhim removed his arm from mine. I was taken aback when I felt Vane in the back.
"Jackson—"
"I'm here to fetch my princess. Your kingdom needs you Harper. Your father needs you," Jackson said coldly.
His eyes were not on me but on Vane. They look at each other and both don't want to lose so I intervened. I know Jackson. Its head is always warm and quick to bend.
"It's already evening. It's dangerous if Harper leaves home now. Anyway, you don't have to fetch her here because I can drop her by. You can go home right now," Vane casually said.
Jackson looked at him wickedly. "I'm not interested in your opinion Emmerson. I'll take Harper home and you can't do anything there,"
Vane just raised his brow, "I'm not interested in yours too. But since Harper was involve, yeah, I'll get involved too. Because she's my girlfriend,"
I was just stunned by the two of them. It's as if I don't want to mediate between these two to almost kill each other with evil looks.
"WHAT ?! Is that true?" Jackson snapped making me frown
Since when he snapped at me? He was always quiet or maybe staring at me. Sometimes this man is creepy so I wonder why he became my friend.
"Yes it is. Any problem with that Jackson?" He could not speak so I continued. "I think Vane was right. It's too late for us to go home. We can open it now—"
"Is that how stubborn and your heart is too? You're father was ill and your whole kingdom was in a mess yet you want to stay here. You just proved your father how disappointment you a—"
"Shut up!" My eyes glazed over as I looked at him. "I love my father as much as I love my country so don't you question my love for them because I want to spend another night here. If you want to go home. Edi go home. I can be myself!"
His teeth chattered so I knew he was holding back from shouting at me. How dare he ?! It's not like he's my friend, he's going to treat me like that!
He don't have the right to make decisions for me!
"Well. If that's what you want. I'll stay here,"
Vane stared at them again silently watching him. I was surprised when Vane suddenly touched my waist without taking his eyes off Jackson.
"Enjoy your stay then,"
To be continued...