Rafael’s Jealousy
Before she realized what she’d just asked, her words had left her mouth and her husband’s eyes had turned sharply to her. But it was too late. It wasn’t as if she could swallow back her words. Her question seemed to have angered Rafael as she felt the air shift.
“Ahh, this?” Viscount Dean gently lifted the box upward. “I have brought a small gift for her highness.”
“A gift. Again?”
He only laughed and went further to open the box. Elora stood on her tiptoes, her wide curious eyes trying to navigate through the items on the box and when she finally realized what it was, her eyes widened.
“You mentioned your interest in painting. And so, I decided to bring you a few spare brushes that I own.” He dipped his hand into the metal box and retrieved a brush. “This is a fine brush made by one of the best in Elyria. They suit your noble hands, my lady.”
She examined the brush in the hands of the Viscount. Indeed it was a beautiful well well-polished brush and although it paled in comparison to the ones she’d seen earlier at the withdrawing room, she still wouldn’t say no to a good brush.
“It’s a really pretty brush, Viscount. You sure have good taste.”
The man softly laughed for a second time. “You flatter me. It’s no surprise since I am the son of my mother.”
But as he laughed and the princess smiled, they were unaware of the change in the temperature of the room. The room grew ten times chillier, the windows and drapes trembled in submission to the sudden wind and the Prince stood rooted on the floor, his fingers digging into his flesh. But he couldn’t care less.
“I appreciate your effort, Viscount.”
Just as her hand extended forward to accept the brush, Rafael’s hands pushed the brush aside. But his light push sent Dean backward. Managing to stabilize himself, he tore his gaze from the princess to Rafael.
“Your brush would only dirty up the space, Viscount.”
“It is a well-polished brush, your highness.”
“Still. My wife is satisfied with the number of brushes and painting boards that she has. Or aren’t you, wife?”
She dug her feet into the floor. Couldn’t he be a little bit nice for once? To her, her husband was being unnecessarily rude. ‘Poor Viscount,’ she muttered to herself.
The least he could do was at least be nice to the man who’d done nothing but bring gifts and made her feel welcome in Elyria even though they’d only met twice.
Her hands twitched to pinch him, but she knew that he’d pretend to have no idea just like the other time.
“Aren’t you satisfied, Elora,” he repeated.
“Of course I am.” But in a blink of an eye, she stepped forward and snatched the box. “But a few more would make me even more satisfied. Thank you.” With that, she stepped backward and cast Rafael a last look, she announced.
“I’ll go have breakfast first.”
She swiveled around and exited to the dining hall.
For the rest of the day, Elora barely heard anything fronnthe prince. She was ignored by the him. He’d refused to speak to her during breakfast, had disappeared into thin air for the rest of the day, and hadn't shown up to dinner. He’d come to bed after she fell asleep and had left even before she could wake. It made her wonder. She would’ve thought of it as a normal thing if his habit didn’t continue into the next day.
Standing at the archery spot in the training round, her thoughts were broken by Hula. “Here, your highness.” She handed her an arrow. Gripping the longbow tightly, she clipped the arrow into the bow string shut one eye, and shot. Raising the bow to aim at the bullseye, she shot at it but like the last three times, it only missed the target and the arrow flopped to the floor.
Grunting in frustration, she tossed the bow to the floor and glared at it like it was a long-lost enemy. How could it be so difficult even though she was very good with archery back in Yvlies? She cursed Rafael in her heart for refusing to teach her or appoint someone else to.
“I’d return to my bed chambers now,” she announced. The servants parted in the middle as the princess angrily whirled around, grabbed the sides of her dress, and began to storm away.
“My Lady, would you like other sports?”
“My Lady, you can practice sword fighting.”
The servants raced after her, trying to convince her. But she was already in a bad mood before trying archery and now, she was in an even worse mood.
“I don’t want to.” She was utterly pissed.
“Your highness, how about chess?”
She sharply cut in. “I’m going to bed.”
“But it’s not even nighttime yet.” It was only just evening and not yet the princess’s bedtime.
“Still. Will you come along or you…” Her steps halted as she sighted the prince from afar. He was heading toward the training ground and behind him as usual were Adam and Draven. She let her dress go and crossed her hands behind her back before tearing her gaze off him.
“Your highness,” the servants dipped their heads in a bow and stepped aside for the Prince.
“Your highness,” Elora greeted.
He examined her and after a second of silence, he spoke. “I see you've failed trying to practice your archery skills again.”
Her eyes returned to the Prince again, her previous bad mood disappearing into thin air. He’d stopped. Perhaps she’d been overthinking and he wasn’t ignoring her? He might’ve been just busy.
“It seems impossible to learn by myself.” Really impossible.
She expected him to offer to help her or find a solution to her archery frustration but his next words made her freeze. “In that case, I suggest you keep practicing. I’ll take my leave first.”