15. CONFESSION

Cracks!

The beautifully carved twin doors were locked by Crysta. Darkness, that's what accompanied her as she stepped into the room. Also the scent of artemisia and herbs that Crysta did not recognize filled her sense of smell.

Other than the sound of dresses being dragged, Crysta found no other sounds that could help her find where Pascal was. Making her grope as soon as she touched the wall.

The window curtain. That was the main target Crysta desperately wanted to find. ''I need to make this room get some light at least first.''

Her beautiful, lithe fingers began to comb every surface. Every few centimeters she stopped, there were too many decorations on the walls to speculate that the cloth she was holding was the curtain she was looking for.

Pausing a few steps, Crysta clamped her mouth shut as her body accidentally bumped into the edge of the table. Unfortunately, she could not scream to express the pain in her hip. She also often held her breath because she almost dropped things that would attract Pascal's attention.

Until the next step, there were no significant obstacles because she was now more careful. And her lips parted slightly, realizing that she had found the exact thing she had been dying to find all along.

''Rise and- Hegh!'' Feeling the blade of the sword lodged in her neck.

''Don't you dare open that curtain or your head will no longer be united with your body.''

That was Pascal's voice. Instead of being frightened by the threat, Crysta smiled meaningfully. It felt good to hear that heavy voice again.

''I'm willing to accept that punishment as long as I can see your face, Your Highness.'' Even so, Crysta obeyed Pascal's orders.

''Princess?''

Just as Crysta had memorized Pascal's voice, the prince had also memorized the princess's mezosopran voice.

Srrt! The sword slash on the curtain instantly illuminated the room thoroughly.

As the originally hanging cloth fell to the floor, a pair of human children with different enthusiasm were looking at each other. Pascal with his astonishment as to why Crysta could be in his room, while Crysta was still carving a curve on her lips because she couldn't conceal her happiness.

''Why didn't you kill me? I would have died if it was in your hands.''

Pascal frowned. Did Crysta really mean it? Or was she just teasing him?

Pascal immediately sheathed his sword again. Then placed it on the table without taking his eyes off Crysta.

''I don't want to kill a princess in my own kingdom. Especially the only princess in this eastern region.''

Crysta gulped hard as Pascal confidently approached. Standing one step in front of her without a top. His hair was slightly disheveled. It looked like Pascal was sleeping when she entered. His broad chest was clearly defined. There were no wounds at all on his athletic body.

''But you killed Cassava,'' she argued before Pascal realized that she was mesmerized by the body of the man in front of her.

''That's because she deserved it,'' he said as he opened the window. Then turned back to Crysta. Shortening the distance to within an inch of each other. "And you don't.''

''What makes the difference?''

Unfortunately Pascal only smiled slightly, then said, ''Why are you so desperate to enter my room? I'll see you at lunch. Do you have something important to say?''

''I'm not reckless-''

''By making a scene in front of the room? Then secretly sneaking in here?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. Teasing Crysta.

''How did you know?''

''I always know whatever happens in this kingdom, Princess.''

''Then why don't you come see me when you arrive in Valliant?''

''Why? Did you miss me?" he asked with a chuckle.

What? Crysta was stunned. Was this man really Pascal? Why was he being so frontal? The Pascal Crysta knew was a cold man who was reluctant to talk naughty.

''I'm your guest. And you weren't here when I came. So you're the only one who hasn't welcomed me,'' she said. Looking towards the open window. Hoping Pascal would forget about that topic. Because she really did miss him.

Pascal smiled. For a moment then grasped Crysta's hand, kissing the back of her hand. ''This kind of welcome, Princess?

With a restrained smile, Crysta ventured to look into Pascal's beautiful eyes. Her heart was pounding. Her cheeks flushed at that moment. ''Yes,'' she replied shyly. For some reason, Pascal was not as friendly as usual. Crysta hoped that Pascal would stay like this. At least she wouldn't feel awkward.

''I've done it,'' Pascal said. ''Now please leave here.''

Crysta's hopes immediately fell to the bottom of the cliff. She had just had hope, but it was immediately broken by Pascal.

''Why?" she protested. There was a sad tone in that question. And it got even sadder when she saw Pascal move away from her to wear a long-sleeved, lacy top.

''Prince Leonard.''

That name already explained everything. Again, the prince she had been betrothed to. Crysta snorted in annoyance. She became even more angry when Pascal chose to sit on the sofa to keep his distance from her.

It was Logan yesterday, now it's Leonard. Could there be no male name that would hinder her efforts to get close to Pascal?

''I can't leave. There are soldiers in front of your room. They might get suspicious and think the wrong thing.''

''I can send them away. After that, you can go out without a single human seeing.'' That was very realistic considering Pascal was so powerful.

''What if I don't want to?''

''Do you want to see the two Lucard princes attack Valliant? That headstrong attitude of yours could pave the way for Prince Klein to-''

''For what?'' Cryta approached. But she did not sit down.

''Nothing,'' he replied casually.

''You're being too presumptuous. The eastern kingdoms will not attack each other. It's all written in the book of the eight kingdoms agreement.''

Crysta was so innocent. That's what Pascal thought. ''Maybe you can use a treaty as a reference. But you must understand that not everything that is white is really white and not everything that is straight is really straight. This world is so cruel to a kind-hearted princess like you.''

''Then you think that only people like you can live in this world then?'' Crysta became emotional. How could she have forgotten about Pascal being so arrogant?

''I didn't say that. Heaven created both evil and good people. Balanced. According to their portion. No more and no less.''

''So you're saying Prince Leonard is the bad guy the heavens created for me?''

Pascal's shake left Crysta clueless.

''He may be evil. But his level is still standard. You could say he's on the same level as the rebels who attacked Valliant and also attacked you.'' At the mention of rebels, Pascal's jaw tightened.

Crysta was certain that Pascal was refraining from getting angry. Or rather not to worry. At that moment, Crysta sensed that Pascal actually had feelings for her. There was an implicit concern that Pascal showed.

She ventured to sit in front of Pascal who looked indifferent. ''So, how bad must the person I have to live with be?'' Crysta softened. Pascal glared casually.

''Does that person have to earn the title of tyrant prince for that person to be fit enough to be my companion, Your Highness?''

Pascal, who was not quick to answer, further convinced Crysta that what he said was justified by Pascal. But the prince was silent. Only his throat seemed to rise and fall.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the kingdom.

A raven had just landed. A soldier handed a letter to Duke Pedra who happened to be with King Lumiere in the palace hall.

''From Argorn, Your Majesty,'' Pedra said when he saw the seal of the letter he was holding.

The king raised his hand in the air, inviting Pedra to read it. But it took so long for Pedra to convey the contents that the king exclaimed angrily.

''Say it, Pedra!''

''Your Majesty, this...''

Furious, the king finally took it by force. Understanding the meaning of the words recorded on the white inked paper. An angry look appeared on his face. Then shortly the king shouted out someone's name to express his emotions.

''Pascaaaallllll.'' The entire palace could probably hear the king's shout.

"The majesty of the king must be angry again.'' A maid guessed. It happened to pass in front of the palace hall.

''And the prince has always been able to calm the king down and also win arguments to avoid being scolded,'' the maid next to her replied. The two of them walked away with laughter.

''Tell me the truth, Prince. Do you want me to marry you?'' She needed to get a definitive answer.

''Why would I want that? I would be more interested in war if you gave another option in your question.''

Crysta stood feeling both humiliated and hurt. Apparently she had too high expectations.

''No wonder you're called the tyrant prince. You're so bloodthirsty as well as power hungry! It looks like I'll have to ask the king and queen for help to crush your ambitions and obsessions.''

Pascal could see the woman was upset. He also realized that Crysta was very interested in him. But he would not give hope to the future fiancée of Prince Leonard.

''You're asking the wrong person for help. They both created me, Princess. Those two things were passed down to me without permission. I can't just lose them.'' Pascal aligned their positions. Again reducing the distance that made it difficult for Crysta to breathe.

''You will only continue to make the eastern region have many enemies. Try to have better ambitions. An obsession to do positive things for example. The world isn't just about blood and thrones. Change your perspective.''

''I'm doing it. And what I'm doing right now is my attempt to get something I've always wanted.'' Pascal noticed Crysta's luscious lips. They were red and very seductive. The desire to kiss her suddenly came out of nowhere.

''What is it that needs you to keep killing?''

Pascal who brought his face close to Crysta's ear made the girl's hair stand up. ''Something that can keep me from having enough. Something that can balance my evil self,'' he said in Crysta's ear. ''But that something, unfortunately, I can't have quickly. And I'm currently working on it.''

''What something? Maybe I can help you to get it.'' Crysta offered with their faces an inch apart now.

''I want to fight alone without help. My something should know that I sacrificed a lot to get it.'' A sardonic smile was imprinted.

''Is it an object? Or a human?''

"What do you think?''

''If it's a human I'll be very jealous,'' Crysta said honestly. She caressed Pascal's face with a sad look. ''That's because I really do love you.''