Chapter 21 CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
ROSALINDA
It's been almost a month since- well...everything.
Valerius had returned back to his palace, Seraphina still remained while Zade- even despite our confrontation few weeks ago he still remained indifferent.
Maybe I was overthinking it, but he had changed. Multiple times I demanded to know exactly what Valerius had told him but he insisted that he said nothing more than the crisis that had happened.
I sighed wearily as I sat on my bed, making my mom turn to me with a small frown. "Are you alright, dear?"
"No," I confessed, pushing a hand through my hair. "It doesn't make any sense...I've already met with Zade's parents, what's taking so long?? I don't get it.. I feel like..." I crossed my arms around myself as if to shield my body away from something. "I feel like something is wrong.."
"Nonsense!" She shrieked, the sound sharp enough to grate on my nerves. "He's fine, I'm sure he's just taking things easy. Men are slow, Rosalinda, you know that,"
"He's keeping me on the edge, mom,"
"I understand how you feel, but we can't rush things. I'm sure the young Prince has his reasons for the delay,"
"I hate how I sound pathetic," I muttered, pulling my hands back slightly.
She chuckled, a soft motherly sound that put me at ease, and tucked a stray hair behind my ears. "You don't. I'm actually proud to see you in love,"
In love? I shrugged, withdrawing my hands completely.
"Probably," I mumbled. "It's late, you should retire to your chambers mom, the tournament is tomorrow,"
She frowned, her expression momentarily clouding with concern but said nothing further and nodded. "Good night, dear."
"Night mom."
I watched as she exited the room, the heavy oak door clicking shut. I fell flat on the bed on my back, a sigh escaping my breath as I stared up at the ceiling.
In love with Zade?
Or scared that once again I've ruined something that should have manifested into something more?
I do love Zade.
But I don't know yet if I'm in love with him.
I mean...he's the perfect political match and in every way he seems to understand me. But still- marrying him felt like settling for a comfortable gilded cage.
I do want to marry him.
But at the same time, it's not what I desire.
\-
The next morning, the air crackled with the humid energy of anticipation and thousands of sweating bodies. I was seated at my throne, an overly plush velvet monstrosity positioned beside my parents throne on the royal dais.
Below us, the grand arena was a chaotic tapestry of colors: banners from a dozen kingdoms snapped in the slight breeze, knights in polished armor jostled their horses, and the common folks roared from the tiered stone seating.
This was the annual Royal tournament- a glorified, bloody spectacle designed to keep masses entertained and the princes and princesses politically aligned.
I tired to maintain the serene, regal expression expected of a princess who hasn't had a decent stable life and whose engagement is mysteriously stalled.
It was exhausting.
My eyes swept over the royal box adjacent to ours, where Prince Zade sat with his delegation. His parents couldn't make it, so they sent him instead. He caught my eye, and his face broke into that familair, charming slightly boyish smile he had on when we first met.
I managed a practiced small smile in return.
How he could smile at me like that when he's tearing me into pieces with anxiety and worry?
Do you still want me?
Like fucking hell, I'd ask a man that.
I don't even know if we are officially official. We both just agreed that we like each other.
Am I doing too much?
Fuck, I hate mixed feelings.
Just behind Zade, my eyes fell on Cyrus who was standing slightly apart, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. My gaze lingered on him for a while, taking in his armor and the way his black hair was pulled back, emphasizing the cut of his jaw, but I couldn't see his eyes because they were cast down, focused intently on his sword.
I thought he would be interested in the tournament.
As I kept on staring at Cyrus, my gaze snapped to Seraphina, she was seated behind Zade, but her eyes were glued to Cyrus. The way she unconsciously licked her lips made my stomach clench.
No no no no.
I shook my head internally and looked away. You shouldn't care about that! Seraphina is free to like whoever she wants to, right?
Who am I kidding?
I'm jealous.
Ever since Seraphina laid eyes on Cyrus, I knew she liked him. My mother was terrified of her kissing you to Zade, hereby ruining things between us but little did my dear mother know that Seraphina had eyes somewhere else.
A place where I also had my eyes on.
An act which is forbidden.
For both Seraphina and I.
But in my case, it's worse as he's the knight to my betrothed.
I groaned, leaning further into my chair, the velvet scratching my bare shoulder.
The announcer, a portly man named Balthazar, blew a trumpet blast that nearly shattered my eardrums. Everyone stood up, immediately so did I as my parents, the King and Queen walked to the railing.
My father stood at his throne, cleared his throat as he faced the crowd and looked down at the knights who were ready to spar against themselves.
"Let the tournament begins!"
A deafening roar of cheers filled the air, but all I could focus on was how to leave this suffocating space.
The jousting began. It was a spectacle of brute force and splintering wood. I watched, or rather, pretended to watch as armored men charge at each other on massive warhorses. From time to time, I would steal glances at Zade, who seemed to be more cheerful than ever, laughing. My gaze would inevitably drift to Cyrus who still stood stoic and understandable. Each time our eyes met, I would quickly look away before anyone notice the direction of my attention.
"Excuse me, father." I said, my voice low but firm, seizing a momentary lull in the action. I didn't even him or my mother a chance to object as I stood and walked away quickly. My personal maid, Elina and few other maids attempted to follow but I stopped them with a curt hand gesture.
As I left the high tent, the noise of the crowd immediately softened, replaced by the rustle of leaves and the distant rhythmic thud of hooves. I walked towards the bushes, seeking the relative quiet away from the suffocating grandeur.
I was halfway to a secluded fountain when a noise startled me- a low, pained whimper coming from a thicket of overgrown roses. I cautiously pushed aside the thorny branches and found a German Shepherd, a large scruffy mutt, huddled low to the ground. It was trembling, it's breath coming in shallow gasps.
"Oh you poor thing," I whispered, getting closer towards it.
The dog tried to scramble away, dragging it's injured leg, but it only managed a pathetic lurch.
I knelt down, extending my hand towards the dog. "It's okay, I'm here to help. I won't hurt you." As I got closer, I saw the problem, a crude feathered hunting arrow was deeply pierced through its upper thigh. The sight made me wince, I carefully ran my hand over its matted fur, avoiding the wound, speaking in soft soothing tones until the dog stopped trying to escape, it's large brown eyes fixed on mine.
I gently examined the wound. It was deep, and the arrow needed to be removed by a professional. I couldn't do it here without risking too much blood loss.
As I attempted to rise and fetch a physician, a familiar figure stride into view.
Cyrus.
"Princess Rosalinda, may I ask-" he stopped short, his gaze dropping to my blood stained hand. Immediately concern etched itself onto his features as he moved closer, reaching for my hand. "Are you alright? What happened?"
I snatched my arm free. "I'm fine," I said, then gestured towards the dog. "But that dog isn't. It needs help,"
He sighed, a sound I could have sworn held a hint of weariness. "What's the matter?"
"He was shot with an arrow," I stated. "I'm off to find a physician."
"I can do it," he declared, approaching the dog. The animal, surprisingly nuzzled against Cyrus's leg. "I just need to get some few things,"
"But-"
"Do you want to save this mutt before it's too late?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Then wait, I'll be right back." He carefully picked up the dog then lowered it onto a clear patch and strode off.
Minutes later, he returned, a small box in hand and a water skin slung over his shoulder. Kneeling beside the dog, he carefully pulled out the arrow and began to work with a practiced ease, cleaning the wound with water and preparing a bandage.
I assisted- well, by holding the dog still and offering words of comfort.
Finally, he was done. The dog, exhausted laid on the grass sleeping peacefully.
"Thank you,"
"It's nothing. You shouldn't wander these paths all by yourself. It could be dangerous,"
I said nothing and looked away. It was weird. Him....being nice. Ever since I decided to avoid him, he had done nothing more than to stay far from me.
"I wonder who the owner is," I said, breaking the silence.
"More importantly, who shot it?"
I rose to my feet. "I have no idea," I looked down at him to see him staring up directly at me. "Thank you once again."
I could have sworn he smiled, but it was so brief. "You're welcome."
I glanced at the dog who was still sleeping peacefully next to Cyrus. I wanted to stay a bit longer but knowing how crazy things can get between the both of us I decided it was best to leave.
"Will you bring the mutt along with you?" I asked Cyrus who was now staring at the creature.
"Maybe. He doesn't seem to have an owner. Or-" he turned to face me. "Do you want him?"
I chuckled softly as I shook my head. "Father wouldn't allow it. He hates animals, sees them as filth."
"I understand."
"Yeah," I drew in my lower lip, unsure of what next to say. "So uhm...bye then?"
"Bye, Princess Rosalinda."
As I turned to walk away, a sharp pain shot through my chest and my eyes began to sting with unshed tears.
Why was I so miserable around him?