An Exciting Feeling

Nicholas managed to get out of the boring ballroom and go to the garden which is right behind the palace. In the labyrinth, he could smell the perfume that Disha used. Very fragrant rose scent.

He walked through the labyrinth which only lastly were torch lights arranged along the garden. He heard the singing voice of the girl he loved so much.

"Soledad?"

Hearing Nicholas' voice, Soledad looked back. Three monkeys were with her while eating the grapes that Disha had brought for them.

"Your Majesty?"

"You made me recall those memories again!"

"Hahaha...really? Back when we first met was also in this labyrinth, right?" Disha laughs every time remembering the memories of their first meeting.

Nicholas was stunned, he had not seen Soledad laugh like that in a long time. That made the anger that had enveloped his heart a few minutes ago, slowly disappear.

"Back then you got lost when Commander Sheerkan took you. Since you weren't allowed into the palace, you waited for your father in the garden. But you got lost and everyone was looking for you. You are really a bother!"

"But it was you who managed to find me, right?"

"Yeah, I found you."

"I still remember that time. His Majesty was very kind even though a little rough and arrogant. But you took me out and held my hand because I was crying."

"You really are a stupid girl. You messed up my birthday party. Even though it was a blessing day because I was already 12 years old."

"I was nine years old then."

"I didn't ask!"

"Hahahaha..."

Disha laughed heartily and her laugh was so beautiful that Leonidas was stunned. There was a great rumbling in his heart that he couldn't hold back. He grabbed Disha's body, took her in his arms and kissed her lovingly.

Soledad could feel how much love Leonidas had for her and she couldn't deny it. She returned Leonidas' hug and accepted the kiss he gave. The moonlight shone in their hearts and Leonidas felt very happy.

"I love you. Please be honest with me, don't you have any feelings for me?" Leonidas suppressed his ego and pride as long as he could get the answers he hoped for.

Their eyes meet each other, Soledad doesn't know why she feels something strange in her heart whenever they are together. She always told herself that she hated Leonidas, she swore that she would never forgive what he said before.

"Slave! You are a slave!"

One sentence that made her feelings turn to hate. Even though Leonidas had apologized dozens of times to her, her heart could never forgive.

"I'm just a girl from the clan you call a slave, Your Highness! How could this slave love a great prince like you?"

"Soledad, please stop bringing this up again! I'm sorry, I said that because of my stupidity in the past! Please, forget it!"

"How could I forget, Your Highness? It was because of you that I realized who I really am. I was too naive to think you would always be by my side. I tried to forget the dark history of our ancestors and thought that in the future there would no longer be hatred between our clans. But I was wrong, slaves are still slaves. It is a curse that must be accepted whether we like it or not. Just like my father will not be able to escape the curse until he dies,"

Soledad's eyes filled with tears, she saw the disappointment in Leonidas' eyes again and it was all because of her. She just wanted Leonidas to hate her just like the emperor who didn't care about all the sacrifices her father had made for this dynasty.

"You always break my heart like this. But why can't I hate you. I can't, my heart refuses to leave you."

"You always use your heart, Your Majesty. An emperor has no right to use their feelings for others. You are destined to be a cruel being just like the blood of the ancestors that flows in your body. Sooner or later you will lose your ability to love and you too I will lose the love you had for me."

"No! I will never lose my feelings for you Disha! I will always love you!"

"No, Your Majesty! You-"

Nicholas' tears dripped down his face. Disha was silent, she made this man cry again because of her. She felt guilty, but she couldn't take back her words.

"I understand, you're just afraid that one day I can't love you anymore because of my curse. You're right, I'm too confident that I will definitely love you forever." He said as he let go of his hug and walked away.

Soledad was transfixed, her body froze when she no longer felt the man's embrace. She didn't know what really happened to her and why she couldn't let Leonidas go.

"Your Majesty-" Soledad ubconsciously called out to him, hoping Leonidas would stop walking. But just as she expected, Leonidas stopped his footsteps and looked back with a bitter smile.

"What's wrong, Soledad? Why did you call me? Are you afraid that I will turn my back on you?"

"N-no, I-"

"You and Lucien, you two really get along, don't you? What a hypocritical couple!"

Soledad looked down with wet eyes. She wanted to cry because she did not understand what she really wanted. She hates Leonidas, but she doesn't want Leonidas to leave her.

"You are right, Your Majesty! I am a hypocritical woman, I am truly pitiful!" Disha cries sobbing. The feelings that shackled her made her hate herself.

Nicholas stared at her for a moment before finally walking up to her and hugging her again. Without a word, Leonidas kissed Disha's lips showing all the love he had.

"You idiot! You purposely cry to make me weak, right?"

"I apologize for-"

"Forget it, do you understand? Let's start this story over from the beginning, just you and me."


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