Chapter 3 Prince Atlas.
Lily's POV:
Time seemed to freeze, everything faded away as our eyes met. His dark, soulless eyes drew me in. The instant connection was scary, but at that moment, I was lost in his black stare.
"Atlas! What are you doing here?". The King thundered, his voice echoing through the dining room.
The authority belted out in that question had me shivering, but the stranger turned to the King nonchalantly and leveled the King with a stare before calmly removing Elliott's grip from his collar. Without a word, he walked towards the entrance.
His presence was captivating yet familiar, like a memory I can't quite place a finger on.
As he walked towards me, I assessed his rugged features. A scar ran from his forehead to just below his eyes.
He came to a halt before me and raised an eyebrow. I realized I was blocking his way. I quickly stepped back, and he walked out of the room without looking back.
It was then I noticed I'd been holding my breath. I exhaled slowly.
The Queen's sobs finally registered in my mind. I was about to go comfort her when I remembered the Crown Prince.
"Crown Prince___" I began, but he cut me off.
"Get lost". He stormed out.
"Elliott, come back here." Queen Rhoda cried, but he was gone.
As I made my way to her, she gave me a sympathetic smile, which only irritated me.
I didn't need her pity. Nevertheless, I bit back my response and instead held her in my arms, giving her the little comfort I could offer.
The King was out of the dining room after a short while.
Breakfast was a mess.
It'd been two days since the stranger arrived at the palace, and although the Palace was in disarray, the stranger himself was nowhere to be seen.
I had discovered his identity. The stranger, Atlas. The second prince is known for his cold demeanor, nonchalant attitude, and violent tendencies.
But that wasn't what I saw when our eyes met. His eyes spoke volumes of pain and not cruelty.
Anya's chatter broke into my thoughts as she brushed my hair. "Crown princess, are you sure you don't need a cleansing ritual?" She asked in concern.
" No! Anya". I snapped at her.
Rumors had it that anyone who looked at Atlas' eyes would have a series of bad luck, and she had been pestering me for the past two days to do a cleansing ritual.
Her hands stilled, her eyes downcast as she apologized. "I am worried about you."
I felt bad.
I smiled at her reflection in the mirror. "It's alright, Anya. I'm stressed. That's all."
Before Anya could respond, a maid burst into the room, breathing heavily. I clutched my heart in fear, but Anya didn't seem fazed, and she scolded the maid. "Who do you think you are, barging into the Crown Princess chambers?"
The maid bowed deeply, apologizing profusely. " Sorry, Crown Princess. You've been summoned to the Grand Palace."
Anya and I exchanged glances. "Why?"
But the maid shook her head. "I don't know, Crown princess."
With every step, my heart pounded loudly.
What have I done wrong?
The Palace's grand architecture blurred together with my anxious thoughts. As I entered the Grand Palace, an object crashed to the ground, skidding to a stop near my feet.
I turned to the culprit, Crown Prince Elliot, his face twisted in anger. I knew he didn't do it intentionally. His heaving shoulders and heavy breathing were signs of his rage, but he didn't apologize. Instead, he turned and focused back on the king.
Keeping my composure, I greeted the King and Queen Rhoda calmly. "Your Majesties."
Straight to the point, the King stated. "We have a situation" I stared at him in confusion, and he elaborated. "Elliott wishes to take a concubine."
Humiliation and shock washed over me. It's not up to five days of my marriage, and I have already been tossed aside.
"Father, why do you need her permission ? I'm the Crown Prince, I can do what I want."
"And she is the Crown Princess, deserving of respect as the future Queen". The King answered calmly with a harsh undertone.
Maybe it was the King's calm voice or the thought that I had a say over the matter. I don't know, but it made Elliott explode in anger.
Veins bulging out on his neck and fingers pointing back at me, he snapped. "Father, do you wish to stain our bloodline? She is a slave, with the blood of a harlot running in her veins. I refuse to be with her!"
"Elliott...." Queen Rhoda cautioned.
"No! Mother. I refuse!" He turned to leave, but not before spitting on me.
I wanted to hide. My head hung in shame as humiliation burned in me. I stood frozen with no words coming out of my lips. For three days, I had to hear him bed different women as I stood outside his chambers patiently waiting for a chance. And for three days, I endured the embarrassment of him messaging his servants to send me away.
I could not say anything or do anything. He was not wrong. Without knowing, I bit into finger flesh and I didn't stop until I tasted the metallic tang of blood. Queen Rhoda wrapped me in her embrace, gently removing my injured finger from my mouth.
I willed for tears not to flood out, not in front of them.
The King acted swiftly, calling his manservant. " Go tell the Royal secretariat to issue a royal decree. I strip Elliott of the crown prince title and honors."
" My king! Please". Queen Rhoda pleaded, but the King's words were final.
As the King departed, it remained only me, the Queen and ...... Anya. I forgot Anya had followed me.
" I am sorry. Your Royal Highness ". I apologized, feeling ashamed.
This was my fault. For lacking. For being who I was.
"No, don't apologize." She released me from her embrace but still held my hands. "It's not your fault." It is Atlas'. He is so filled with bad luck. Elliott is not like this. It was his fault". She said, her tone filled with resentment.
How can a mother hate her child? What bad luck does Prince Atlas have?
Maybe she is mistaken.
However, her next word surprised me.
"There will be a cleansing ritual"