Chapter 22 CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
ROSALINDA
I stopped at my personal tent to take a quick rest before going back to watch the tournament. After leaving Cyrus and the dog all alone- something I felt a prickle of guilt about, I wandered about for a bit before settling in my tent.
"His highness was worried sick, my lady," Elina said as she walked in holding a tray of fresh fruits. She dropped the tray on the table next to me, her expression was a subtle mixture of relief and thinly veiled exasperation.
"Father knows well that everywhere is guarded," I said, taking a ripe from the tray. I took a huge bite, the sweet, crisp flavor exploded on my tongue and I let out a satisfied groan. "Hmm. These are good."
Elina let out a frustrated sigh, which she probably thought was discreet and then stepped back. "I'll let them know you're back and safe. If anything, please call for me your highness." She bowed and left.
Just then. I heard footsteps approaching, followed by the shadow of my guards stepped aside from the entrance.
"Princess Rosalinda. Prince Zade is here." They announced as Zade walked in, his presence immediately filling the tent with a different kind of energy.
"Zade!" I sat upright, nearly choking on my apple.
He chuckled softly, his usual charming sound that always seemed to melt the ice around my heart. It's been long since I've heard him laugh like that. "Don't fret. I'm just here to check up on you "
"Oh," heat began to rise to my cheeks. "Thanks."
It felt embarrassingly childish to be caught red handed ditching my royal duties.
Father and mother will drill my ass for this, for sure.
"Was the tournament that boring?" He asked, gesturing towards a plush velvet chair opposite me. I nodded for him to sit. "Thanks." he murmured, settling on it gracefully.
"It's not boring...it's just....I'm not really in the mood for it," I admitted, leaning back against the cushions. "It's the same as always. Knights spar, they pick a winner blah blah blah blah." My tone was probably more dismissive than it should have been, but honestly, it was the truth.
He laughed even louder than before, this time revealing his dimples, which kind of eased me. It was hard to stay guarded when he genuinely seemed amused. "True that. But this year, the knights are quite interesting."
"Sir Lancelot acts like an arse,"
"Oh, he definitely is. Son of Lord Varkar,"
I snorted. "Tch. Figures. Anyway," I picked up another apple. "Why didn't Cyrus join this?" I blurted out, the question escaping my lips before my brain had a chance to filter it.
Smooth, Rosalinda. Real smooth.
He arched a brow, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, then shrugged. "I wonder why too. I urged him to join, but he refused. Back in my palace, he was the best."
I rolled my eyes as I munched on the apple. "Maybe he thinks he doesn't need to prove himself." The words tasted a little bitter, a little like jealously and I hated myself for it. My mind flashed back to the way Seraphina looked at him and it made my stomach churn.
I imagine her to be rooting for him if he had participated.
"Cyrus may be hard sometimes, a real arse if you ask me," Zade said, a small smile playing on his lips. "But he's a good man. I know that."
"I really don't care," I muttered, tearing my gaze away from him.
"He's my bestfriend,"
Fuck.
I had overstepped.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to-"
"Don't be." He then stood up and walked closer, his expression now serious. He bent down and pecked my cheek. "I'll be going now. Hopefully, you'll join us soon?"
"Yep!" Let me just finish eating," I chirped, trying to sound normal. "I'll be there soon, don't worry."
He leaned back and nodded. "Okay, I'll be waiting." As he turned to leave, he stopped and looked at me over his shoulder. His gaze felt more heavier than usual. "Bye Rosalinda."
"Bye, Zade."
With one last smile, he walked out, plunging me back into the suffocating quiet.
I let out a deep, shuddering sigh. The apple, half water felt like ash in my mouth. I loomed at the polished silver mirror opposite me, catching my own reflection- eyes too wide, lips pressed in a tight line, the weight of the crown suddenly unbearable. With a frustrated growl, I hurled the Apple to the floor, watching it bounce once before rolling under my table.
'He's my bestfriend.'
I covered my face with my palms, sighing deeply. The scent of fear and regret suddenly felt thick in the air, if anything. I did now understand Zade.
He's not blind.
Neither is he stupid.
He's staring to put the puzzles together, and if I'm not careful, I'd lose him. And with him, I had the path to a quiet peaceful future.
But then again, I also didn't want to lose the only thing that reminded me of.....Grayson.