Chapter 21

My heart turn into pieces as my eyes held his. Its eyes have no kaemo-emotion and that's not all. He instantly averted his gaze away from me as if I'm kind of disgusting human.
Why Vane ?! Why are you so quick to believe in nonsense ?!
Don't you trust me !?
You should that there's something wrong ?!
You'll said you'll for me!
Those were the words I wanted to say to him but no one came out. My heart is in pain and my chest tightened.
I want to burst out and yell at him but I restrain myself. No. Vane can't do this to me. Maybe .. Maybe he has a plan so he's doing it.
Right!
I need to talk to him no matter what!
"I didn't know you're dating Prince Jackson! What a surprise!" Vivian exclaimed fakely
I ignored. My attention was focus with Vane who's avoiding my gaze. I seem to have lost interest in the surroundings. All I want to do is talk to him.
Maybe what they said what's true. Love is really stupid because even though I know he might just be fooling me and there is a possibility that he will back down when he finds out that Jackson and I are engaged. I still hope that he didn't mean it.
I just want confirmation. Just an answer to why he's doing this!
"Vane can we–"
I was cut off when Vane speak in his formal yet cold voice which surprised me earlier. I stiffened in my stance.
"I'm sorry but we can't stay any further. We have things to do tonight. We're heading home," he apologized
My already bleeding heart suddenly turn into pieces that I hardly recognized if I still had it.
Tonight?
What does he mean by that ?! What are they going to do !? I am his girlfriend for f-ck's sake !!
"We're sorry. I promised to send our gifts tomorrow," Vivian
I clenched my fist looking down. I can't bear it anymore. I could feel the tears falling from my eyes.
What are you doing Vane ?! Please tell me baby !? My heart can't bear it anymore.
"Are you two dating?" Jackson asked bluntly
I was stunned by his question. The pain intensified because of his question. Of course not! He was my boyfriend
He's mine !!
"Yes."
Yes ...
Yes ..
Yes?
It was as if my heart stopped beating because of the answer I heard. Not from Vivian but from the man I loved.
W-What?
B-but I am his girlfriend. How dare he tell us that ?! In front of me! Is it that easy to forget all the time we spent together? I've only been missing for a few days. Does he have someone else? Immediately?
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist. Gradually anger formed in my heart. I can't believe it. I was betrayed twice by the men I trusted.
I will never forgive you!
I wiped away my tears angrily and looked him in the eye without emotion. I smile but it was empty. Enough to scare people away.
"You shouldn't bothered to come. You're not welcome in the palace either. Idiots," I spat venomously.
Vivian gasped fakely. She was about to speak when I raised my finger at her.
"I'm enough of your plasticity. You two. I want you two to leave my kingdom. I don't want to see you anymore,"
I didn't bother looking at Vane, I turned around. Jackson looks taken aback when I throw him a cold deadly looked.
"And you? You'll pay for everything you did,"
I gestured the soldiers, my soldiers to be exact to follow me. They immediately got what I meant. I marched there away cursing them all in my head.
If I can't lean on you. Then I have to do it myself.
My bad, I loved you so much.
***
When I reached my room, the tears I'm restraining burst out. I'm so upset. The pain in my heart.
I held my hopes high that he's going to save or ask what's happening but this happened!
"How dare him !? How dare you Vane !? I trusted you! I had loved you! Why ?!"
I don"t know how many minutes I lay on the bed with my face sunk into the pillows. All I know that the pain seems to intensify every damn second remembring the scene earlier.
"Hey Harper? What happened Your Majesty?"
I clenched my fist before wiping the tears away. What he did was unforgivable. It's too painful to forget or even voice out.
"It's not important anymore. What's important now was to find my family and fire at Jackson. We don't expect anything from him," I said firmly.
She looks unconvinced but nodded nevertheless. Remembring him won't do anything good. The good thing to do now is to regain power and I won't be able to marry the animal I consider a friend.
"I want you to do something for me Ava," I stated seriously
He swallowed and then nodded slowly, "What's that?"
"I need to talk to General Valenio about this and that will only happen if Jackson's not around. You need to tell him when we will meet. Do you understand?"
She nodded furiously while I'm telling her the whole plan. This is our only hope and when it fails. We'll surely dead.
"We need to fight! I won't let that bastard get what he wants!"
"I"m just beside you majesty," Ava
I leaned on the headboard and prayed softly ...
Hopefully we will succeed.
• Princess Harper •
I lower my hoodie as I walk around the busy streets of Serfim towards General Valenio's whereabouts.
Jackson wasn't here today. Perfect time for us to meet and talk to General Valenio. According to Ava, there was a problem in her palace but Ava did not know the reason.
I don't care either. What's important was to talk to General Valenio.
"Your majesty!" Bati nya
I told me to lower his voice and pulled me into a part where there weren"t too many people.
"I came to see you here to command you one thing. It's very important and should be your outmost priority," I said seriously.
He looked curiously but nodded his head anyways.
"You need to find where did he bring Gabriel. The crown prince and make sure his safe. When you find him. Tell me right away,"
"But ... How about the King and the others?" He asked
I stood straight and sighed, "They can protect themselves by the use of power and media. When he moves Pàpa. There will definitely be many opponents to him. For now, he is brave because my father is still weak while Gabriel is he holds. He can't use my brother and mother against me because his kingdom and Màma's former kingdom are reconciled. "
He looked around before speaking softly, "If that's the case, can't he also be damned if he touches Prince Gabriel? He's the son of a dear queen and heir to the throne,"
"He can't do that. There will definitely be a war between Serfim and his kingdom when the people and ministers find out that he has harmed the heir. As for me and Caroline," I trailed off and sighed, "You know not I will be accepted into Mother's kingdom. Maybe they will be even happier when they find out I'm dead, "
My father and Máma's father had a quarrel back then. He was opposed to marrying the two because he did not want Lucas to marry their family. Back then, Serfim was still a small and weak kingdom for today.
And because I look like my father. I was also angry with Grandpa. Caroline was the only granddaughter he recognized because apart from capturing Màma's face, temperament and perspective.
It is obedient. It's not like I'm rock-hard-headed.
"I'm the only one Jackson needs but because he knows I won't just let him do what he wants so he used my brother. He may not kill Gabriel but I'm sure he will hurt my brother. That's what I won't let happen. . "
I can feel his stare at me but I'm seemed to focus in my goal that I didn't notice someone was eavesdropping in our conversation.
"I'll do anything I can, just don't let him succeed in his plans,"
***
I stopped walking to my room when I heard Jackson's voice in one of the palace's room. It looks like something bad is happening based on the strength of his voice.
"What's happening?" I whispered to myself
I slowly approached the door. I made sure not to create any noise.
"THAT CAN'T BE! I WANT TO KNOW WHO THE ANIMAL WAS BLASTING MY FACTORY! RIGHT NOW! DON'T CALL ME AGAIN IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO TELL ME NONSENSE THINGS AGAIN! YOU BASTARD!" He shouted into the phone
I frowned. Someone had bombed his metal factory? But who? Their family has no other opponent?
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ALL THE CCTVS WERE OFF THAT TIME !? ARE YOU KIDDING–" he interrupted when another phone rang next to him
He immediately accepted it and listen. His angry face increased even more as he listened to the speaker on the other line.
"WHAT THE HELL? THEY COULDN'T DO THAT ?! IT'S NOT MY FAULT DAD! THEY COULDN'T JUST TERMINATE ME OUT OF THE THRONE! I'll fix it .... II can't leave Serf–" Nagtagis ang "Yes Dad. I'm coming home tomorrow,"
He hang up the call and went to the other phone in his hand. I decided to leave. It's hard. He might even catch me. While going to my room. I can"t help but think.
"Who blew up his factory? It looks like it had a big impact because he wanted to be fired," I whispered.
I opened my room's door and sit in my bed. If anyone did that. I'm thanking him. Because of that bombing, I will have the opportunity to plan and find Gabriel.
I leaned on the headboard of my bed and for a moment closed my eyes that I quickly regret when I saw Vane's face.
'I'll miss you popcorn'
I rolled my eyes upon remembering his last word before I went with Jackson. At first, I was hurt because he cheated. Now I just feel angry with him.
"I trusted you Vane," I said softly to myself as I stared at the ceiling
"I had loved you. I leaned in your promised. I gave you my heart and words but you just hurt me in the end. I shouldn't have love you,"
I didn't notice the tears that rolled over my cheeks as I remembered how he looked at me. Those cold eyes. It was looking at me like he didn't even know me! Goddamn it! We even kissed! How was he able to pretend we just didn"t exist?
And worst! He even confirmed it himself that they were dating! He made me look like a fool that night. I hoped he would come to my rescue but I guess I was wrong. Because what he did was far from what I expected.
"Damn! Stop crying! You idiot! He's just a man .. Who betrayed you! You shouldn't be wasting time with that man!" I angrily wiped the tear from my cheek
I mentally cursed myself for being weak. I shouldn't be thinking of him. I just can't forget him anymore.
I stood up and grabbed the remote control then turned on the television. I'll just watch even if the show doesn't matter.
I watched the tv came to life and my heart bleed again when I saw what's the news about.
'Prince Terrence Vane and Princess Vivian confirmed dating!'
My dry cheek was suddenly wet with tears slowly falling from my eyes along with the bleeding of my heart.
"W-why Vane ... Why did you do t-this to m-me?"
My heart couldn't contain it anymore. I threw the remote at the tv which created a loud sound.
"Why are you doing to me Vane!" I screamed in frustration
I buried my face in my knees and sob louder. The weight of my chest. I am angry but the pain of his deception prevails.
I trusted him. I lean into him but he betrayed me! HE CHEATED ON ME!
And worst! Everyone knows they were dating but me !? The real girlfriend? They don't know me as his girl but Jackson's fiancé!
I felt someone hugged me. I looked up and saw Ava. My friend with tears in her eyes. My chest felt heavier as I saw her cry.
"T-Tell me Ava ... Is t-this my k-karma? For being a disobedient child?" I sobbed the question
No words came out of his mouth. Instead he shakes his head to say no but why do I feel, yes?
Is it my karma to be a rebellious child? But I just get tired of being misjudge. I get tired pointing out just my room and forgetting all the good things I did.
Isn't it impossible to get tired of being perfect in the eyes of everyone?
I couldn't help but cried in her shoulder, releasing all the pain, anger and sadness I'm feeling right now.
"Not Your Majesty. Everyone has a reason, Harper. Just trust me. You can get through this too Your Majesty. I know you can because you are the strongest woman I have ever known,"
I doubt so Ava
I doubt that I'm really strong
***
I was sitting at a table in front of my vanity table. I just stared into my red eyes because I cried earlier.
Though the pain was still there, I'm a bit feeling well by the crying. I feel like my heart is slowly getting bored.
They were right. Love hurt as hell if you love the wrong person. How did I say so? It's because the mere mention of wrong person was Vane hurts as hell.
Because whether I admit it or not. I don't him to be the wrong person that will taught me a lesson. I want him to stay with me for good.
I want him to be the right one
But it's not like that ... It's not like that and that's one of the things that killed me apart from the fact that he was able to leave me and exchange me in just a few days.
And now I don't know what to feel. I'm in pain. I'm angry. I 'm sad. I'm worried. I feel mixed and I felt like going insane. Plus the things that were happening in my kingdom.
"What should I do know?" I murmured to myself
I was so lost in myself staring at my reflection that I didn't notice someone knocked and enter my room. My heart's starting to feel void and I confirmed that when I looked at the person's face.
Jackson
My bestfriend and only male friend who betrayed as well. I should be angry for him but I'm just staring coldly at him.
I looked down at the large cardboard he was holding. I didn't dare to ask what it was and just stare it.
I suddenly felt tired and just stare at my reflection the whole day. I even lost my appetite. I don't want to eat anymore.
"We're going to a party tonight. I want you to wear thi– are you listening? Are you alright,"
He tried to touch my shoulder but my eyes bored into his eyes emotionlessly.
"Touch me and you won't like what I'm capable of, Jackson." I warned in a cold voice
Everything about me seems different. Even my voice sounded so cold and it was strange to mt ears but I was tired to have to care.
He seems shocked but gather himself instantly. He bid his goodbye and left the room.
Leaving me there completely becoming another person.
***
Ava smiled faintly when she's done dressing me. I haven't been able to reciprocate that smile. I just stared at myself in the mirror. Not moving nor smiling.
"Come on, Your Majesty? That coward is waiting for you!" She joked
But I was already tired of laughing, pretending to be okay. I just nodded at him then turned away. She seems surprised and bothered but didn't say anything.
I walked quietly as did the soldiers who followed me. Only our footsteps echoed in the hallway until we arrived.
I saw Jackson standing there checking my outfit. When I was so closed to him, he held his hand for me to hold but I just passed him.
I went straight to the car. I didn"t care for the menacing eyes because I was making fun of him.
Who cares?
Who shouldn't care about the people who doesn't do the same. I kept my mouth silent, completely ignoring his confused expression. Until we got to the venue, I didn't touch him. I even go out without waiting for him not caring that it might create an issue.
Upon arrival, I immediately grabbed champagne from the tray held by a waiter. I gulped it down and sigh in contentment.
"What the f-ck are you doing Harper !?" Jackson fumed
I turned to look at him from the glass and did the most unexpected thing. I smiled widely without any expression at all making him step back in surprised. I bet I looked like a pyscho right now.
"You shouldn't have messed up with me Jackson," I said
I left him there and took two glasses of wine then drank it straight away. Some eyes were in me but I don't care.
I no longer know where I landed. I just found myself standing with the woman who pushed me and Vane.
They were talking about something and that didn't look good. Very well! We will make their fight worse.
"What a pleasant surprise to see you two," I approached them gulping the wine I had in my other hand
Vane froze but instantly recovered. He frowned as he looked at the glass I was holding with only wine. He doesnt looked okay with it.
Psh. Now can I fool myself? He's just faking his concern just like his feelings. I moaned as Vivian wrapped her arm around Vane and Vane didn't seem to care either.
See Harper? He was fake as f-ck!
"Hello Princess Harper! Where's your fiancé?" She asked cheerfully
I smiled, "I dumped him cause he was annoying," I answered bluntly
They looked taken aback by my blunt answered. I smiled widely.
"Surprised that I wasn't fake as you two? Well. I'm not surprised. Things are now two. Both fake," I stare at Vane while emphasizing those words
He fearlessly met my eyes. They're something in them that I can't name.
"And you know what? I. F-cking. Hate. Fake. People," I spat venomously
Vivian was about to speak when I splashed on them the contents of the wine held by my other hand. Vivian screamed in horror as she stare at her ruin gown.
I looked at Vane's shocked face emotionlessly, "I shouldn't let you into my life ... Vane."
With that I strode off there and find where's Jackson so I could go home. I don't want to see their faces anymore. My eyes catch him talking in his phone. I approached him without any hesitation and he was ready to touch what I heard.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN CAROLINE'S MISSING? ARE YOU KIDDING ME! SEARCH THE F-CK OUT OF HER! NOW!" he shouted through the phone
I stood there in spot as I stare at him. Is Caroline missing? My twin? Anger instantly engulfed me and before I knew it. I was holding his collar while glaring murderously at him.
"Where's my twin Jackson ?!"

To be continued...