VII
Y/N's blood ran cold from the words staring back at her. Was this some sort of a joke? She squinted at the paper, hoping that something would reveal itself to prove to her that this was all some sort of elaborate prank. Who could've done something like? Who even knew that this book belonged to her.
But all too soon, it became clear. She had assumed the prince chased after her because he wanted to torment her again.
Remind her that he wasn't going to allow her a peaceful existence here.
But what if that wasn't his intention at all.
He had something that belonged to her. And he intended to use it for his own benefit. What that was, she didn't know.
All she did know was that he had the rest of the book.
And she intended on getting it back. Walking over to her desk, she pulled out one of her drawers, and laid the cover gently inside.
Pushing it shut, she turned back to her door and looked at the crack beneath it.
The place the prince would've had to slide the paper underneath to leave it in her room.
The idea of him being anywhere near her room sparked irritation inside her.
And the fact that he thought he had the right to damage a gift of hers made her blood boil.
She clenched her fists until her nails left crescent-shaped marks in her palm.
But because of the adrenaline pumping in her system, the girl barely felt a thing.
She was done with running from him. She was done with constantly being scared whenever he was around.
She was done with him holding power over her.
If he intended on making her life a living hell, then she would be ready to face him head on.
She knew of their unequal footing in life, but there was always a way to make things work in her favour. She just had to figure out how.
Strengthening her resolve to retrieve her stolen possession, the girl threw open her door and began speedwalking down the hallway.
——— ??ˋ ? ?ˊ? ———
After interrogating multiple workers about the whereabouts of the prince, she soon learned that the prince was known for having trouble with sleeping and would often train by himself late into the night.
So it wasn't long before she was standing in front of the the doors to the training room.
A hint of hesitation began inside of her, so throwing all caution to the wind before the feeling grew, she turned the handle of the door and stepped inside.
And the sight that greeted her was one she wasn't prepared for.
Lennox stood there, chest bare before her.
Sweat coated his tan skin and his blond hair was slicked backwards to be kept out of his face.
His face was flushed, tangible evidence of the effort he was putting on his body.
But what surprised her wasn't how almost charming he looked with the moonlight reflecting off of him.
But the boy that was on his knees before him, clutching his face in pain.
She noticed a dark stain in front of the kneeling boy that she recognized to be a small puddle of blood.
The sight made her sick.
The girl took another step inside.
Then another.
And only then did Lennox seem to notice her existence. He turned his face halfway to look at her. The way the moonlight only illuminated half of his face made the scene before her look more sinister.
"Ah, Healer. So nice of you to join us." Lennox said mockingly.
"I know it was you who left me that message." She stated.
Lennox turned to face her fully. "And what message was that?"
The girl looked at him incredulously. Was he really acting dumb on purpose?
Continuing to walk towards him, the mysterious man started to become clearer to her.
Broad shoulders, pale skin, and messy black hair that stuck to his forehead.
Her steps froze as she took in the sight before her.
It couldn't be? She hoped she was wrong.
By the God's did she hope she was wrong.
But when she was met with a green gaze, her fear became true.
"W-what are you..." She asked trailing off.
Lennox smirked before grabbing Kent's arm and hauling him up to his feet.
"I have happy news to share with you. Your friend Yoshida here has received a promotion. He is now the personal guard for the Heir to the throne of Renetia. And seeing as the role involves protecting my life with his own, he will double as my practice target for me to improve my combat skills.
It's imperative I know how to hold my own in a battle if it ever comes down to it. Yoshida is the best the Kingdom has to offer. And I take only the best."
Y/N stared at Kent, hoping for him to deny it. To say that this wasn't true and he wasn't going to be by the Prince's side 24/7.
Pushing Kent to the side, Lennox began to walk towards Y/N.
"I suppose Yoshida has you to thank for all this. After all, I never really took an interest in him until I saw him with you. Saw the way he bravely, or should I say stupidly stood up to me to protect you. You could say you've both piqued my interest."
Switching her gaze back to Lennox's, Y/N felt a flash of anger. So this is where Kent was. Busy getting battered for God knows how long by this tyrant. And she didn't even want to imagine where he had been for the rest of the day.
Kent was about to go grab a towel to wipe his bloody nose when Lennox snapped at him. "Did I say you could go?"
"No, your Highness." Kent responded in a monotone voice.
"That's right, So don't. Move." Lennox spat.
Kent stared down at the floor, hands held behind his back standing at attention like a proper guard.
The sight tore at Y/N's heart strings. The Kent in front of her she didn't recognize.
This one looked tired, defeated, and in pain.
But she knew him to be someone who was always ready to smile.
Someone thoughtful, generous, kind, and always ready to stand up for the people he cared about.
He had stood before her as a shield, protecting her from the very man standing in front of her.
And yet, she hadn't been able to protect him in any way.
And actually seemed to have put him in danger
"So, care to explain to Yoshida about this message you received?" Lennox prompted, knowing Kent was unaware she had lost his gift.
"Give it back." She demanded.
"Give what back?" He asked, challenging her.
She dragged her teeth across each other. "It doesn't belong to you. You've already done enough damage. Give me back what's left."
Lennox now stood directly in front of her, leaving hardly an inch of space between the two. He gripped her face with his index and thumb, leaning down until they were both eye-to-eye. She could feel his breath fanning her face, see the beads of sweat that were rolling down his face.
"As far as I'm concerned, everything and everyone in this Kingdom belong to me. That means that stupid book." He leaned in close to whisper the second part. "And you."
Y/N grabbed his arm and threw his hand off of her. Lennox scoffed in amusement. Standing back up to his full height, he turned towards Kent. "I've grown weary of this fight. We'll pick this up another time."
Walking towards the door, he turned around to face Y/N one last time. "I'll see you again soon, little Healer." He turned back around and walked out the door.
And for the first time ever, Y/N noticed the brilliant design that marked the back of the prince's neck.
Seeing as this was the first time she had seen him without a shirt covering it, the star symbol of Renetia stood clear as day against his tan skin.
And surrounding it were a bunch of vines covered in thorns.
The girl couldn't help but stare at it until his form completely retreated from her view.
It appears even the devil had a soulmate.
The girl shivered at the thought. She couldn't help but pity the next queen of their kingdom who would have to put up with him for eternity. She didn't think him capable of love.
Kent collapsed onto the floor and Y/N finally snapped out of her trance.
Rushing to kneel beside him, she quickly laid him down onto his back.
She began noting down the several bruises and cuts that covered his body.
The cut on his lip had reopened and fresh blood coated the area.
His nose had a droplet of blood streaming down it.
Her breath became uneven as she realized the extent to which Lennox had battered Kent.
And her failure at helping him like he had helped her.
She felt her throat tighten and a slight burning sensation, signalling to her that she was about to cry. But how could she dare in his presence? This man who was experiencing who knows how much pain but was still smiling up at her.
"You should see the other guy." He joked.
Y/N looked at him with tear filled eyes and Kent's face dropped.
"Sorry." He apologized, realizing how upset she was.
Y/N turned her head away and blinked her tears away.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was? You went completely MIA on everyone and I've been running around all day already stressed but you disappearing only added to that. And now seeing you here all hurt like this and not being able to do anything to stop it is killing me."
She turned back to face him and his eyes softened. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I'm such a bad friend. I haven't been able to repay you for standing up to him for me. All I know how to do is freeze and panic."
Kent began to sit up but winced from the pain coming from a bruise forming on his lower abdomen.
Y/N quickly rushed to give his back support but he gripped her arms in his hold.
"You don't owe me anything. I did that because I care for you. And it doesn't matter to me if you can't stand up to him the same way that I did. All I want is to see you happy. And if that means having his attention on me to keep him away from you then I'm okay with that. Besides,
I've been through a lot worse. He'll have to do a lot more than that to break me." He assured her.
Y/N let out a shaky exhale, trying her best not to cry. He gently squeezed her arm. "I'm honoured to call you my friend, Y/N."
A tear escaped her eyes after his words. Her shoulders began to shake uncontrollably as sobs wracked her body. She continued to apologize and the man pulled her into a gentle embrace, patting her back until her sobbing began to slow down.
The moonlight shined down on the two of them, creating a shadow of what appeared to be two lovers embracing.
It leaned in the direction of the door where a pair of golden eyes watched from a gap.
Lennox gripped the doorknob tight, his knuckles turning white from the amount of pressure.
He felt a slight stabbing pain in his chest, and all he stared at was Y/N's back.
Specifically, the nape of her neck. He couldn't peel his eyes away from the smooth skin, completely unmarred.
And the sight of her in Kent's embrace made an unknown feeling flare within him.
Maybe it was anger. Maybe it was jealousy.
All he knew was he wanted to rip the two of them apart from one another.
Lennox narrowed his eyes. He released the doorknob from his death grip and took a step back.
No.
This just wouldn't do.
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