Playing games

Jess was a bundle of nerves when Christine stepped out of the room and slammed it behind her. Her earlier confidence dissipated immediately, and her eyes wandered around the room as she was too embarrassed to lock eyes with the crown prince.

Your Highness, Princess Rose will be arriving soon.

Jess reminded him, hoping for him to leave.

Hmm! I know.

He replied without budging.

Brock smiled and tilted his head before whispering close to her ears.

I knew there was more to you than you were letting on.

Brock said while playing with some strands of her hair.

Jess shifted uncomfortably under his imposing gaze and wished she could pretend to be busy to distract herself.

Do you wish to watch Lisa's punishment on the platform with me?

Brock asked with a grin plastered on his face.

No, I cannot bear to see other people in pain. Her screams and plea for mercy as each stroke of the cane made contact with the flesh on her body might cause me to have a panic attack.

Jess explained.

She hoped that the crown prince would not force her to attend the public shaming of a fellow woman.

You have a pure heart, Jess. That is something that endears me to you, but the world is too cruel for a flower like you because greed and desire for power have created monsters disguised as human beings. If left alone to their devices, they will destroy and burn the world down.

Brock said, a tinge of pain lancing his words.

Jess noticed his dilated eyes and the pain in his voice as he spoke and wondered if he had encountered greedy monsters that turned his world upside down, but she was too shy to ask him.

I know you think I am a monster, but sometimes you have to become one to understand how to deal with one before they destroy the once peaceful world you have always known.

Brock emphasized as he tucked the strand of hair in his hands behind her ear.

Jess was stunned by his train of thought as she held a similar view of the world with the exemption of becoming a monster to tame one.

But you can choose not to become a monster by controlling your urges and by choosing to take the right path even when it is difficult. That way, you can create a world where peace thrives and avoid unnecessary wars that can lead to countless loss of lives.

Jess chimed with a courage she never knew she had.

You are right, but our selfish desires get in the way of doing the right thing.

Brock explained with an aloof expression.

Jess kept quiet as she did not know what to say or react to his statements.

You can go back to work if you are feeling much better.

Brock announced.

Really!

Jess exclaimed. Her face was as radiant as the sunlight, and her lips curved into a smile that made Brock smile.

Being cooped up in a room is like caging a bird that wants nothing but its freedom to fly in the air. No matter how beautiful the golden cage is, it will always want to be free.

Brock explained.

Jess wondered if the crown prince was considering letting her go by referring to the bird in a cage. She could not believe her eyes and smiled from ear to ear in happiness.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Jess could not hide her happiness as she thanked the crown prince; she was thinking of how to buy enough time to plan an escape while he was thinking of giving it back to her.

Hmm!

Brock hummed but remained silent as if he were in a deep thought.

I know how it feels to be in a cage and do not wish to make you feel the same way.

He said.

Jess wondered if he knew of her plans to escape but dismissed it from her mind when he handed her a letter from her father.

Christine saw these letters in your rooms and brought them to me.

He said as he brought out a letter from his breast coat.

I apologize for not informing you that you can send letters to your family through the coachman who gets fresh fruits and vegetables from Blackwood Pine, which is just a stone's throw from your village.

Jess was surprised by this information; her heart hammered in her chest as she stared at the letter in his hands.

I hope you don't mind, but I had the coachman deliver your letters to your family when they went to drop the invitation to them this forenoon, and he returned with this letter from your father this noon.

Jess gulped and could not believe the crown prince could be this thoughtful.

I will ask Christine to show you the way out as this place is quite big, and you might lose your way if you are not careful.

Brock handed her the letter as he stood to his feet.

Tomorrow is a big day for both of us; do not overwork your body.
He advised before leaving Jess alone with her thoughts.

Jess felt strange when she heard the door slammed as she was warming up to the crown prince; she put the thought out of her mind and opened the letter.

Tears welled down her eyes when she read her father's words, telling her to take care of herself.

Jess knew Mia must have helped him pen down his thoughts as her father could not write, and she was right because she saw another letter with Mia's name at the bottom.

"Dear Sister, I do not know what to say or do as Mr. Edmund has threatened to have our father thrown in the dungeon if we do not pay the council tax bill by the end of the week. I had planned to go to the capital to look for you but could not afford the money. I think it was luck that your letter and an invitation from the hospital arrived just in time.

I shall explain everything to you when we meet tomorrow.

Mia."

Jess could not hold in her tears as she began to sob silently. She was glad the crown prince gave her a moment to herself.

Brock was on the other side of the door when he heard her sobbing quietly.

Is everything ready?

He asked, and Paul nodded.

My love, I am sorry, but I can't let you escape my clutches, so I have to play along with your game while entangling you in mine.

Brock thought as he walked to the Admin. Hall to prepare for the date night with Rose Belmoth.