Chapter 28 Another Side
I barely got any sleep last night. At most, I believe I only got at least four hours of sleep before an attendant came into my room. Zhier oddly wants to spend time with me and invites me to take a stroll with him through the gardens.
I am so close to tell him to reschedule until I thought about what would happen if I do.
Zhier knows that I am an early bird, so if I try to act tardy, he might suspect that something is up—not to mention that I already skipped breakfast. I understand that it is a farfetched way of thinking, but fairies are pretty smart and very cautious, so it is only natural for me to be cautious as well.
"I was surprised that you decided to invite me all of a sudden.
Aren't you suppose to be on watch duty with your sentinels and training with them?
" He's been awfully clingy lately, which is becoming a cause of concern.
I hope that this won't become a problem for me in the future when I decide to sneak out of the palace with Efeiza.
"I am a prince. I can do what I want and take a break whenever I wish." He speaks as if that alone is enough of an explanation. "Besides, there's a certain annoying princess that I am trying to avoid." He sneers, which is odd when looking at the garden.
Actually, it's not so strange considering that the majority of the flowers in this area have the potential to kill, eat, or sever you in half.
"By Princess, do you mean Princess Fera?" I remember the day that I saw them together in the training grounds. "I thought you two were getting along well the last time I saw you both together."
"We can't lie with our words, but we can lie with our expression. As a noble fairy, it is only natural that I would be able to do such mediocre task." I see a hint of a smirk on his lips like it is something to be proud of.
"Are you pretending to enjoy taking a stroll with me right now?" It was only suppose to be a joke, but Zhier quickly pauses, turning his head towards me furiously.
"Of course not!" He responds loudly. "If I never enjoyed my time with you, then I would not even think about spending as much as I can with you during my free time."
I don't want to be assuming things here, but why does it seem like he is confessing right now? Of course, that can't be the case. He's a proud Seelie Fairy and I am human. There's no way. He must mean it as a friendly companion.
"Geez, no need to be so defensive, Zhier.
" It's not my intention to laugh, but I have this weird sort of habit to laugh at uncomfortable moments.
Plus, seeing how stressed Zhier looks when he is trying to convince me is just jiggling up my laughter.
"I was only teasing you. But just to be sure, you're also not doing this to show to the others that I am your betrothed? "
Zhier's expression just starts to turn soft and serious when he realizes that I was deceiving him instead of pouting as I had anticipated.
"I am beyond that already. What kind of individual do you take me for?"
"Didn't you just say that you are a prince?" I deadpan. "And besides, I heard that the Queen is still intent on getting the princess as your official fiance."
"If that's your concern, then you don't have to worry about that anymore.
My mother and I have resolved the issue and reached an agreement.
" He somehow looks a little relieved after saying that.
Still, I can tell that there's still something that's weighing heavily on him by the way that he slumps his shoulders.
"What kind of conclusion did you come up with to decline the princess?
" I really am not curious about the reason.
I am just asking to fill in the silence as we continue our walk.
Holding Zhier's hand in a formal manner used to be so awkward for me, but now I have gotten used to it, along with the stares that would occasionally come when the other fairies would see us.
"I will tell you, but first, why don't we have our lunch? I heard that you missed your breakfast this morning." He lowers his gaze on me.
I shift my gaze and try to focus on looking at the deadly flowers surrounding us.
"Well, I can't help it. I sometimes miss the Earth sky.
I also miss my home." I know that I am deceiving Zhier a lot these days, which is probably why I decided to be honest even for a little while.
Though it is not the main reason why I lack sleep, it is still part of the reason why I have trouble sleeping sometimes.
"I miss home." I suddenly feel a little melancholy while thinking about it.
"I'm sorry." I hear Zhier apologize and look at him right away. I think this is the first time I have ever heard him apologize to me for bringing me into their realm.
He's really being sincere with his apology if he can manage to say those words aloud.
"Don't worry so much about it. Besides, you're always keeping me company so I am not entirely bored." I move my hand and lightly gave him gentle pats on the back. Thankfully, unlike his usual outfits with bare chests, he's wearing a shirt today that covers his back.
"You know, if someone else did to me what you are doing right now, they would lose a hand or a head," Zhier chortles when he sees my disturbed expression.
"It's not a lie, but I said it in a joking manner.
No need to be so stressed. It does not suit you at all.
Like I said, you have special privileges. "
"The fact that I know that you can't lie is making the joke less funny..." I complain, which makes Zhier laugh heartily.
I continue to walk after him toward a table that has been set up in the center of the garden. Even though I'm sure it was put together quickly, it was still set up carefully.
As expected, that's the power of authority of someone as important as Zhier in this kingdom.
A clean white oak table shaped into the size of a garden table along with two matching seats. Fine tableware is on the desk, complete with fruit appetizers and what seems to be something wrapped in a paper bag.
Wait, a paper bag?
I turned to Zhier and asked him what I had already expected inside.
He wears a look of pride. I was going to compliment him until that smile turned smug and I realized that it had just gotten annoying. Not to mention that he looks like he is waiting for me to compliment him.
"Well? What do you say? Are you surprised? Are you happy?" It's funny how eager he sounds when he asks the question. His eyes are shining brilliantly, which reminds me of a puppy. It is such a ridiculous sight, especially when I am reminded of the fact that he is supposed to be a prince.
"Yes, yes. I'm thrilled—"
"Prince Zhier!" A familiar shriek draws our attention to Princess Fera, who was coming toward us with a face that made it clear she was very angry.
Behind her are two of her fairy attendants, who were rushing towards her while trying to calm her down.
"What did you say to your mother? Why is she sending me back! ?"
A cold look replaces Zhier's previous jolly expression, which makes me doubt that it was there in the first place.
Zhier quickly moves me behind him as he speaks with Fera.
"I have just come to an agreement with my mother, which leads me to convince her that I do not want you to appear before me again. "
"I'm the crown princess!"
"Bold of you to assume that you are fitting for that title while showing such manners before me.
Leave my sight before I lose my temper. You're disturbing me.
" The atmosphere is starting to turn cold, making me look back just to avoid their gazes.
It seems like I am caught in the middle of something that makes me want to leave, but with the princes blocking the way back to the palace, I don't think that it's possible.
Moreover, I believe that the safest place for me right now is to stay hidden behind Zhier.
"Are you acting this way because of that human!
? And what's that!?" I freeze when I see Princess Fera walking past me.
I feel a little relieved that she disregarded me and headed straight to the table where Zhier and I are supposed to have lunch together.
Fera stands before the paper bag, and her nose crinkles when she opens it.
"Is this human food?!" She screams, raising it up for Zhier to see.
"You brought human food to the fairy realm!
? You know that eating animals is barbaric!
Why did you bring something like this!?"
"That's not for you. Put it down." Zhier gives her a warning, but it seems like Fera just doesn't hear it.
"You're insane! Are you doing this for her!? She's human!" She points a glare at me while I just raise my hands in surrender.
Yes, yes. I know I am human. I wish that she would stop acting like I am not here.
What a bother. I should just excuse myself and have them sort out their problems.
I guess I should have gone with my original plan and made up an excuse not to leave my room for the day.
"She's not going to be queen. No one would allow it.
No one would support it. Humans are traitors and she would leave you in no time, and if not, she'll be killed—" Zhier left my side so quickly and grabbed the princess by the neck and hauled her up.
Fera starts to go pale with fear while looking at Zhier's face, that I could not see since his back is facing me.
"I already told you to leave, but it seems like you are still running that dirty mouth of yours.
" When Zhier's voice starts to turn icy cold, it makes me remember why I was terrified of him when we first met.
"You think that you are more worthy of becoming my queen compared to Livia?
Don't kid yourself. Livia isperfect,t and she'll be staying here with me for a long time. "
Chills run along my arms when I hear him say those words.
What is he talking about? Is he seriously thinking about making me his queen?
! Does that mean he's not going to allow me to leave this place?
The fact that he can manage to say those words aloud is also concerning to me, making me take a step back.
Zhier...he's being delusional right now, and it scares me. What's happening right now?!
My footsteps must have been louder than I thought because Zhier takes notice of them and gives me a brief side glance, but it was enough for me to see the animalistic look in his eyes before turning them back to Fera.
He throws her back, causing her to fall on her bottom. Fera's two attendants quickly rush to her side while they help the shaking princess back to her feet.
"This is my last warning. Leave and don't show your face before me again."
With fear-laced gazes, the two fairies ushered their princess out of the garden.
If I am being honest with myself, I want to follow them. After what I just heard, something at the back of my mind is screaming at me to run.
Run while I still have the chance.
"Livia."
I almost could not hold back my scream when Zhier was suddenly behind me while I was busy watching the princess leave the palace.
Stay calm. Don't let him see that you are afraid. Smile and act natural.
After taking several breaths to calm myself, I turn back to face Zhier, expecting to see the same expression that he had shown Fera earlier. But what greets me is a gentle and apologetic face.
"I'm sorry, but it seems like the Princess dropped your food and it got ruined.
" He looks embarrassed when he looks back at the ruined lunch date that he planned.
"Maybe we can reschedule? I want to go and talk to my mother again about letting Princess Fera into the castle.
Will it be alright if you eat alone in your room for now? "
"Of course. It's no problem. I completely understand." I force a smile, hoping that it will not falter and make it obvious that I am relieved to hear the news.
Fortunately for me, Zhier seems to buy my act because he begins to smile.
"As expected. You're the only one who understands me.
You're always on my side." I stiffen when Zhier leans in and places a kiss on my forehead.
My heart is racing rapidly inside my chest, and it is not in the way that makes you smile or giggle, but in the way that makes you want to scream and run out of fear. "See you tomorrow, Livia."
"T-Take care, Zhier. See you tomorrow." I plaster on another fake smile while I wave at him as he makes his way back to the palace.
After he's gone did I fall on the ground and clutch my shaking hands together.
What just happened? Did Zhier always have that side to him? Is he...is he really going to keep me here?! What about his promise to send me back as soon as we find Klovis?
I suddenly started to recall the look that he had been giving Fera earlier. It looks like he was already planning to kill her. What would have happened I didn't make a sound at that time? Would he have killed her? Would he have killed me?
Somehow, it seems like getting Klovis isn't just about saving his life anymore, but also mine.