Chapter 23

"Y-Your Majesty ... S-Prince Vane p-please ...,"
I glance at her from studying the blueprint of the new houses I'm planning to build after the transportation. It was pale and my eyes were naughty. Upon hearing his name. My head heats up but I just don't notice it. I don't want to repeat what happened before.
"Why?" My sparing question
She fidgeted her fingers before gulping, "He said he's not leaving majesty,"
I released a harsh breath. That man is really stubborn. Did he really think I'll talk to him after cheating on me with that lady ?! Only martyrs will do that! I'm not a freaking martyr!
I took another deep breath to calm the anger building in my chest. It's okay Emily. This is the last time I'll let him stay because of Caroline.
I still don"t know why Caroline came to him. I'll ask Caroline later instead of him.
"Let him," I seriously promised
Her eyes widened in shock, "K-Majesty ... I thought you were mad at her?"
"I'm doing this for Caroline. He has her. Safe and sound. That's all I can give her as a remedy," I explained.
He nodded, "I'll follow. I'll get him ready to sleep, ma'am."
I nodded, "Don't forget my coffee," I reminded
She bowed down before exciting the room. A deafening silence enveloped me. I just closed my eyes tightly and then lowered the paper I was holding.
I've been reading this before but nothing comes to my mind. It was like ... I'm just staring at it completely ignoring what this papers were all about.
This is insane. Why am I sending in the presence of that man? So what if he's just next door? So what if he's inside my palace?
So what Harper ?!
"It's Emily ..." I corrected myself
Since I became a leader. I have imprinted on myself that Emily is the name not Harper. Because that name reminds of me someone I really hate. And that person ... is here in my palace now.
A knock brought me back to reality. The door opens and General Valenio walked in with someone trailing behind. I frowned.
"Good evening your highness." General Valenio said while bowing
Her male companion did the same. I watched him in its entirety. His jet black hair was combed back giving him a stony look. Deep set of black eyes, pointed nose and thin lips. He was also tall. He has a big body based on the black suit he is wearing. He looks like a private bodyguard blessed with a face. He was handsome, yeah, but not enough to make me swoon.
But who is he anyway?
General Valenio seemed to sense my surprise so he spoke.
"He's Ryder and he's my son, your highness. He will replace me as General of the Serfim," General Valenio said in a formal voice.
"Your son?" I was shocked by the question
I didn't know that he have a son. In a few years I see General Valenio. I have never seen a woman with him, especially a child, so how can he have a child?
"B-But ... I haven't seen him. How come?" I wonder question
"He was sent away by your father. He was living outside with his mother as per the King Dimitrio ordered," General Valenio
He was ... what ?! Sent away? Why would Dad do that? Ryder's the next General. Dangerous to him to be outside the palace!
"Your father loves you that's why he did that," General Valenio said
My lips parted, "B-but ... why? Doesn't he trust you and your son to do that?" I'm confused question
He shake his head and sigh, "He was overprotective of his heiress, your highness. That's why."
I was stunned by what he said. I don't know what to react right now. H-Heiress? Me? Papà's heiress of throne? That's impossible!
I know him. He didn't trust me then when it came to management. That was the reason we quarreled because he always scolded me–
Wait ...
"T-That's why ... why he wants me to act like a Princess. To be Princess Emily. N-Just then?" I can't believe my question
He gave me a faint smile, "He's making you not just physically but emotionally strong. So he doesn't want you to get close to Prince Vane majesty because you're the next leader. You're the heir and not Prince Gabriel. All he wanted was to protect you, your highness. He did everything he can to make you strong. He may not say it but he was proud of you. That's why he scolds you because he doesn't want other people to say bad things about you. And when he was betrayed by Prince Jackson. He was so hurt and disappointed in himself. Because he thought, he failed to protect his princess. I shouldn't be saying this but I think you should know. You have the rights to hear this. Your father loves you all these years, your highness. "
I'm getting weaker and weaker. Suddenly my chest tightened at the fact I heard from her mouth. Now ... Now I've finally understand him. Why was he doing that then. Why he's driving me away from Vane. Why no other prince enters the palace other than Jackson. That's why he didn't tell me right away that there was a problem with Serfim. That's why he told me to stay in Ihmapuleya. That's why...
Because he was protecting ...
And I was too dumb not to notice it. I sent in my resentment. I just bent down to hide the tears that were forming in my eyes.
"Please ... Can you ... leave me for a moment. I'll just call Ryder later," my voice cracked
I heard their footsteps leaving and when I heard the door close. There I wept. The pain of hearing from other people's own mouths the sacrifice of my own father that I was not even able to see.
It was just then. He already trusts me. He was trusting me, he was training me and he was protecting me. All this time.
"D-Majesty ... Are you all right?" Ava asked just arriving
I was slowly shaken
"N-No ... I'm not. I'm hurting Ava. I-I'm hurt,"
I wiped the tears that fell down from my eyes. It's been a few hours but I'm still depressed. I want to talk to Dad but how?
I felt guilt for everything I had said and done before. If I only knew ... if I only thought ...
I was startled when someone suddenly laid a handkerchief in front of me. I looked up and saw Vane. His eyes were sad but he was smiling. I stared at his face for a while, which I hadn't seen for several days. When was the last time I saw his blue eyes?
At the party, right? In that party where he broke my hoping heart.
The pain suddenly returned as I remembered that night. His cold stares. His cold surprised. His greet on us. He broke me. He left me right where I needed him. I shook my hand and backed away. The handkerchief he was holding fell to the floor.
"Stay away from me," I commanded bitterly
He sigh and look at me, "What's wrong, Harper?" He asked weakly
I moaned at his question. How dare ask that? He has no right to ask me!
"It's none of your business Emmerson. Get out. I don't want anyone here," I authoritatively commanded him.
But instead of complying. He remained standing in front of me and did not take his eyes off me. I clenched my fist.
"I said get out! If you don't want to evict me from my palace!" I can't help but shout
His face remained serious, "That's direspecting Queen Emily,"
"As if I care." I stepped closer to him and gave him a murderous glare. One that he deserves, "You are no one, Terrence Vane. Even if you tell the world about this. I don't care,"
I turned around and was about to open the door of my room to call a soldier when he pulled my arm.
"What !? Let me go!" I shout
"I want to talk please. That's all I need popc–"
He didn't finish what I was going to say when I slapped him. His lips parted in surprised. Maybe he wasn't expecting it. Even me. I didn't see it coming. I was so carried away by my emotions.
I take that as an advantage and pulled my arm back. I looked at him in a bad way.
"Talk? For what? Can you explain? What did you do to leave me before? Vane! It's already too late! You left me when I really needed you!" My tears started to flow because of the extreme pain I was feeling
You can't blame me. I was hurt. I needed him then but that's where he disappeared. Doesn't he know how down and hurt I am when I saw with that whore !? I look fine and strong but I'm weakening.
It's so debilitating to see him with someone else!
"Go! Explain! Explain to me why!" I challenge him
"I-I'm sorry ..." He only said
My heart was even more broken by what he said. It looks like he's already confirming my doubts.
"I-I'm sorry if I leave you that night ... I was hurt. You'd said you loved me before you went back here and seeing in the news that you're already engaged with that bastard. It hurt. I sent in jealousy, anger and pain. I talked to Vivian and made my girlfriend just to ... J-just to hurt you. I-I'm sorry-it's my fault. I wasn't a mother first– "
I raised my hand to stop him. With each word that comes out of his mouth it hurts even more. It was all true. Damn it. It hurt so much. The pain of hearing from him that that woman really became his girlfriend and worst, why did he do that? Because he didn't trust me!
"Go .. Please? U-Go away," my voice cracked
He bowed. He tried to hold my hand but I avoid it. I averted my eyes off him. I can't look at him.
"I'm sorry ... You're late to m-find out ...,"
•••
After that talk, I locked myself inside my office. The wound that he caused that I tried to heal, becomes fresh and it hurt twice than the last time. I have heard enough from him that what I have seen is true.
And now, he wants me back after what he did to me? Bullsh-it! I will never let him hurt me again.
He has not yet left the palace. I have no intention of letting him go. Let him stay so he knows he won't come back.
A knock brought me back to reality. I fixed my face and shouted come in. Ryder entered with a serious face. He was stunned for a moment when he stared at my face.
Are my swollen eyes obvious?
I cleared my throat and sat back in my chair, "What is it?" I have no living question
"What's wrong, your majesty?" He asked to my surprise
I stilled my seat, even my hands froze. I can't believe he asked me that question. Neither servants nor officials would ask it due to fear. So it was surprising that he asked that as if we were best friends.
I looked up at him and frowned, "What?" I asked back
He remained blank not cutting his stare, "Your eyes were swollen and red, your highness. It means you're crying and as the new appointed General. It's my responsibility to protect you. Back when I was young, I promised to my Mamà that I will protect the heiress, "
My lips parted at what he said. I don't but my chest tightened. A tear fell down my eyes so I bowed. In my mind, I was saying na sana ...
I hope so is Vane
"I can handle the pain just fine General Ryder. You don't have to worry," I said
He nodded slowly and never spoke about me again. He said that one of the minister wants to talk to me downstairs, in the private living room where officials used to talk about personal matter.
I stood up and walked out of the room. He followed afterwards closing the door behind us. I looked up and stilled when I saw Vane looking at me. Dead in expression.
His eyes fall to Ryder behind me. His teeth chattered and his gaze deepened. I felt a little nervous but that was gone.
When he turned around and left us.
Vane knows that he don't have the right to be jealous and mad with Harper but he can't help it.
Everytime he sees that Ryder and the woman he loves together. His blood was boiling in jealousy.
Especially now that the combination of the two has become more frequent these past few days. He's still in Serfim, staying just for Harper yet he can't even talk to her for a second.
He was planning to leave but comeback shortly after doing the jobs in his own kingdom but when he saw the two. He chose to stay instead even though he was desperately needed in Ihmapuleya.
He couldn't just his Harper here with that man! What if she fell in love witg that jerk? Damn! He can't afford to lose the woman he loves just because of his stupidity then.
He's been waiting for the right woman who would stay by his side not just as his wife and Queen but also the mother of his children. And that was Harper. He can't lose the only woman he'd ever loved.
"I told you. I can't comeback. Hold all the meetings for now," he commanded firmly but authoritatively on the other line.
He was holding his phone, talking to Simeon, the current manager of the palace. He's in the balcony. It's annoying him to go home but he's still not ready.
He don't want to come home without his Queen.
(But your highness! The files and meetings had been hold for almost two weeks now. If the ministers ever found about this. They'll be going to punish you or worst kick you out for being irresponsible!)
'He was goddamn right'
He just rubbed his forehead, wishing that would take the stress away. He knows, Simeon was freaking right. Savage ministers can use that to oust him from office.
Damn!
He looked up. But the scene in front of him made his blood boils in jealousy again when he saw Ryder and Harper riding a horse together, talking. Though, they were using different horses that doesn't make them look less like a couple and he hates it.
Damn. His jaw clenched. He formed a plan in his mind. No. He really can't leave if he leaves like this. Maybe he'll come back. The one who owns the woman he loves is different.
'Harper will hate me for this and that's sure'
"Simeon," he whispered in the phone conversation
(Yes, your highness?)
"I'm going home tonight. I want my car at exactly 8 AM. Sharp,"
The speaker was stunned for a moment but also answered immediately.
(Understood, King Terrence)
He ended the call and exited the balcony and his temporary room then went to the room of Harper's father who was the former leader of Serfim.
The Former King's servants announced to the former King his arrival. When Dimitrio's voice was heard on the other side, he was only let in.
He knows very well what Dimitrio's reaction would be to what he is going to do but he doesn't feel nervous. He's determined to win Harper's back.
No. He's not going home without his popcorn.
Dimitrio looked up at him from the nod. Compared to then, it lost weight due to stress but has now recovered its body.
"What do you want Terrence?" Its a cold question
He sighed. The king knew what had happened between him and Harper so this is how he would live with him. Vane knows very well how Dimitrio cares for his daughter even though the two often have misunderstandings.
"I'm here to ask your permission. I knew I don't deserved to have your daughter but I badly wanted her." He trailed off and sighed
Dimitrio's cold look at him deepened. Obviously he didn't like what he said but he decided to continue.
"I'll do everything just to have her and I promised this time. I won't never hurt her again," he pleaded
"You hurt her just because of lack of trust! Even if you saved Caroline's life! It would never justify what you did to her especially her heart! She's not the same anymore. She's not the same Harper I'd known. You make my daughter gone cold and now tell me you bastard! Why would I gave you my permission for whatever shit you're planning! "
He bent down and took a deep breath. He was expecting this already that it would be difficult for him to ask Dimitrio. He never forgot that the two got along well.
Both stubborn as hell
"I knew I'd hurt because I was carried away by the jealousy and pain of the thought that she's with that asshole. But I was just hurt. I am in pain because I loved her. And it hurt also when I'd learned that it was all set up. I don't blame any of you for saving Caroline and the others I did because I did it because I love Harper. I wouldn't go here and beg to have her only to hurt her. "All I need is a second chance, Dimitrio. Just one and I promised that I would never break it,"
•••
We were in the middle of Ryder"s conversation when Papa"s servants interupted us. They bowed their heads to us and stand straight, looking at me.
"Your father is summoning the general, Your Majesty."
My forehead furrowed. Why is Papa calling him? I turned to him with a questioning eye. Like me. He was also wondering.
"Can I, your highness?" He said goodbye
I nodded, "I'll wait for you at my throne room,"
He bowed his head down then followed Papa's orders. While me, went to my throne room. This is where I am supposed to sit all day, look over the files in my desk and meet visitors but I prefer to stay in the room made keong office.
I don't knot why but it just doesn't feel right sitting in that throne even though I had the crown. If it was then, I could see the warm smiles of the people around. Now it is time for formality, seriousness and respect. I felt like a freaking Angel that passed by but I am no Angel.
Why are they looking at me like I'm going to punish them if they made even a single mistake?
I am just me.
I'm still their stubborn princess Harper. I maybe proposed to call me Queen Emily but I am still me. It's just a facade for no one to belittle me and all of us.
They were looking at me like I'm going to hurt them.
And I hate it.
I released a harsh sigh and made my way to the throne, higher than the original floor. The atmosphere was so quiet and the only thing I could hear was the heel hitting the marble I was walking on. I held my long gold dress as I take the 3 steps towards the throne. I just stopped when I got to that.
"Popcorn,"
I stiffened in my stance when I heard that voice. That endearment that I once loved. I turned around and saw Vane walking towards me. I frowned.
"What do you want Prince Van–"
"I want you, Harper and we both know it." He cried seriously
I looked at him sharply, "If you have nothing to say. Get the hell out of my – VANE!"
I was stunned when he suddenly lifted me up and put me on his shoulder. I slapped his back and called the soldiers but they just stared at me.
What the hell?
"Let go of me Vane!" I strongly command
I heard him chuckle which made my head heat up even more.
"I'm afraid. I won't, popcorn,"