Chapter 43

FLASH BACK
It was very late that night when I returned home. I sneaked through the butlers' corridor and headed towards the secret backdoor of my room when I heard someone clear his throat. I turned only to see my father, the King walking towards me.
'I have been told a couple of times that you've been secretly sneaking out of the palace late at night but then I thought you were the responsible one, not like your brother Waylon. I guess your loosing maturity as eye hasn't being kept on you lately. Your mother tried to cover up for you today but then I insisted to come to your Chambers no matter how hard she tried. Is this how you plan to rule the kingdom when I'm no more? A king who sneaks out and returns at midnight?" He said to me and I couldn't utter a word as I bowed my head in shame. I just got busted and not just anyone, I got busted by my dad.
'It's late and I wouldn't want anyone to find out…not even the workers. Get some sleep and we will talk about this tomorrow morning." Dad said as he patted my right shoulder twice before walking away.
With haste, I entered my pass code and entered my room. I sat on the edge of the bed and took out my phone from the drawer and saw missed calls from Waylon, so I decided to call back.
'Where have you been all this while?" he asked immediately after answering the call.
'I was out, and you wouldn't believe what just happened."
'You got busted by dad didn't you." He said laughing out loud and I felt like pulling his ear through the phone.
'Hey!! It's not funny okay."
'I tried to warn you that's why I kept on calling but I guess you left your phone at home again. Athena (The head royal butler's daughter) informed me that dad decided to stay awake and confirm if the rumors of the future King sneaking out was true. According to her, mom tried to keep him occupied but then he got out of it. Sorry man, you just got busted." He said busting into another laughter.
'I get busted few days after whiles you've not gotten busted yet, I wonder how you've been able to do it for years now. Before I forget, dad knows about you sneaking out as well."
'That isn't much of a news though (chuckles) but imagine the face on the people's face when they know you sneak out as well."
'If I continue talking to you, I'll begin to have nightmares of you making fun of me. Bye!" I said
hanging up and fell on my bed, my face to the starry 3D designed ceiling. I was soon off to sleep and was awoken by a knock on my door.
'Your highness, I'm sorry for disrupting your sleep but the King requests to see you in his chambers immediately." It was Athena's voice.
'Okay, tell him I'll be right there."
'Okay sir." She said, and I could hear her footsteps as she walked away.
I jumped into the shower, took my bath, brushed my teeth and wore my white shirt with a Hawaiian shirt.
I knocked on my dad's door and when he asked me to calm in, one of his make servants opened the door for me to come in and I realized he was with Mom.
'Good morning father 'I said with a bow.
'Good morning mother" I said turning to her with a
bow.
'How are you doing son?" Mom asked, and I smiled before replying.
'I'm doing great." I said, and she sighed, and dad asked me to take my seat.
'About what happened last night, I have been told that wasn't your first time and now I've come to a decision. It's time for you to start taking responsibility of your actions and certain things pertaining to the kingdom. We have decided to get you engaged to the Princess of Sol Empire, Princess Aurora. We believe the Union of our kingdom with theirs will bring the sustainability of the kingdom and also the betterment of this kingdom and her subjects." Dad made himself clear and I couldn't utter a word right there, so I turned to mom who had a very sad expression on.
'But dad, I'm in my second year in college… I can't get engaged right now." I stated and he didn't seem happy with me disagreeing with what he just said.
'We are not talking about your personal interests here young man. We are talking about the kingdom's well-being and your irresponsible behavior lately.
'Honey please take it easy on him. He's still young for all these." Mom interjected.
'You have been covering up for him all these while and he's getting out of hand. If you had stopped him from the start, I wouldn't be making this decision. Besides I've heard Prince's Aurora has been receiving gifts and marital requests from a lot of suitors from neighboring kingdoms and also foreign kingdoms as well. It's best to secure a place for the betterment of the future and we are at an advantage because we are like a family. This will make him act up more responsibly as well. I'll give you a chance to go and think over this and let me know about your decision. You may take your leave now. 'He really is going to make me do this isn't he? Mom couldn't talk anymore because she felt this was all her fault.
I stood up, bent down for a bow before exiting his chambers.
FLASH BACK OVER
So that's how it all happened.
I was descending the stairs when I bumped into someone who seemed to be in a hurry but then her books fell on the steps where I stopped.
'I'm so sorry." She said with her head bowed as she picked up the books and began to leave.
'Why be so careless?" I said more to myself but then she went 'Huh?" I think she heard me.
'What did you just say?" she asked, and I turned to face her.
'I said why be so careless…what are you going to do?" I asked her, and she hesitated before answering.
'You know what…you should watch where you are going, I said sorry and you think I'm careless because my books fell?" She asked sharply as she tucked strands of hair behind her right ear, that was when I realized it was her…the newbie.
'Oh, so now it's my fault that your books fell after you bumped into me?" I snapped at her and she chuckled.
'hey! I even said sorry and you didn't say sorry back. All you rich kids have no manners. Always blaming the others for any misfortune that occurs. What has this world turned into. I say sorry and now I'm being blamed. If someone says sorry… that doesn't make the person guilty okay, he or she just doesn't want to make things complicated and…"
' Are you done?" I asked and turned to leave but then her voice made me pause for a while.
'No, I'm not done yet, I'll surely continue… so annoying." She barked, and I could hear her murmur as she ascended the stairs.
She really does have some guts and I'm going to make sure I silence her. She thinks she can just talk to me anyhow like how she does to Aurora huh?
I'll just let this one slide and the next time she crosses the line, I'll teach her a lesson. But I wouldn't let this one slide that easily.
How…what…who does she think she is?
............GIANNA ☘☘
Why Is everyone at this school so rude? Was he trying to make me look bad. He was the one who was being careless and not watch where he was going. Ah so annoying!!
I hurried up the stairs and went straight to the librarian as I handed over the books to him.
'Did you really finish all these in a day?" He asked.
'Oh yeah, I told you I'll be done in just a day." I said proudly, and he chuckled.
'Do you have any interesting stories available you can recommend to me?" I asked, and he smiled before replying.
'Of course, I do…wait right here I'll be back with some interesting ones that suits your personality." He said, and I nodded. Without wasting any time, he left his desk and went through the book shelf closer to his desk.
I began to have that feeling I usually have when eyes are on me. I turned only to catch some of the students at the library trying to avoid eye contact with me. They all looked away like they were
caught doing something bad.
I heard them murmuring something among themselves, but I paid no attention and set my mind free waiting for the librarian to return. He soon returned with five books.
'So, you got yourself 'The mystery behind Norman's smile, Escape from Nowhere, Backstab and double crossed, The gang and then Moon goddess" you'll enjoy every bit of these stories." He said delightfully as he handed over the books to me and penned them down in his record note.
'Thank you so much." I said picking them up and standing up.
'Umm Gianna…" he called me. 'Yes?"
'Please take care okay. Please stay away from any trouble because I wouldn't want you getting into
deeper trouble. Kindly take care okay."
'You've got no worries. I won't cross the line okay."
'Okay…take care." He said waving at me as I walked out of the library but then the other students kept on looking on their phones and then pointing fingers at me.
I headed for my dorm and I ran into Sandra on my way to the dorm.
'Gianna…what have you gotten yourself into again?" She asked with a very worried look as I smiled my electronic card on the door sensor and the door squeaked open as Sandra and I walked into the room only to meet Zoe standing in the hall kitchen with her arms crossed.
'Welcome back girlfriend… you just got yourself into a bigger trouble." She said, and I placed the books in my hand on the center table and walked to the kitchen.
'What did I do wrong?" I asked, and Sandra joined her.
'Take a look for yourself." They both said with a chorus showing me a video on Zoe's phone.
It was me and that dude from the stairs.
'Do you have any idea who he is?" Sandra asked, and I shook my head sideways. With the look on their faces, I am in big trouble.
'I'm in big trouble ain't I?" I asked with a scared look and they both nodded.
'No one messes with him, I don't even dare cross the line when I'm with him. He's capable of ruining your whole life for good. He's got the power to make you much more miserable than anyone has ever made you in your entire life. He's got a cold heart just like his looks… (walks to me and places a hand on my shoulder) this time around…you crossed the most dangerous line, and no one will be able to save you, not even me. It would've been better if it was Aurora but with him, my brother or the King can't convince him to change his mind sometimes and looking at yours, girl…you're dead meat." Zoe said with a sad look and I didn't really understand why.
'But wait…who's he?" I asked.
'He's Prince Ian…the next in line to the throne, the cold and meanian." Zoe's words sent shivers down my spine and I suddenly felt the chills all over.
How can I be so dumb not to recognize him?
'How couldn't you recognize him?" Sandra asked, and I looked at her sadly with puppy eyes.
'Remember when we saw the three of them together? Well I couldn't really capture his looks because he had his eyes glued to his phone. Oh
God I'm so dead!!!"
......