21

"What does that even mean?"

"It means we are leaving for Almor kingdom this evening." He snapped his pocket watch open, "In the next thirty minutes, to be precise. And do not worry yourself. We have better physicians In Almor." 

Words rushed to my mouth, but I didn't know how to let them out as they kept hanging open, "What did you just say?"

"I have said several things. Which one do you want me to repeat?"

"The part of you leaving."

"You mean 'US,' I said—"

"I heard you!" 

"Did you?"

"Wait, you are serious?" 

"Why wouldn't I be?"

What baffled me more was the fact he was able to remain calm and collected while I was about to breathe fire on him. I looked at him again, searching for something that would tell me he was joking, but there was but that stupid, handsome poker face.

"Prince Gerald Armstrong!"

His jaws did a triple tick, "Don't ever call my name like that."

"Oh, be my guest. What will you do?"

"Be careful there. Usually, people don't get away with calling my name like that, but I will make an exception— seeing the circumstances."

"Circumstances? What circumstances?"

"That you are in shock."

"Oh, you have no idea! Whatever happened to discussing things with your fiance?"

One of his brows lifted, "What is there to discuss?"

"How about a lot?"

"A lot isn't a topic."

I hurled a pillow at him before I could think better of it, but he easily side-stepped it. "You don't go about imposing your decisions on people, especially when the person is your soon-to-be-wife. I also have a say in everything that happens."

"Sure, you have said quite a lot."

"I hate you so much!"

"Fortunately, the feeling is quite mutual."

"I don't want this. I want to call off the wedding! I don't want to get married to a despicable man like you! There won't be any marriage. Call off the engagement."

I was taken aback when his laughter filled the room. It sent goosebumps all over my body. No, not the good one. How can one manage to make laughter sound so manacing and biting? It sounded like the devil himself was laughing at me.

"Phew, that was the best joke I have ever heard." He flipped his pocket watch, "You have less than twenty minutes to get yourself downstairs so we can leave. Don't worry the maids have already packed your things."

"You need to ask my Uncle. I am sure you haven't done that. We can't go anywhere without their permission." I suggested. Uncle Zaius wouldn't be so pleased about it. Therefore, he won't give his consent because he and his wife also need time to convince one of us to back out of the marriage.

"I already did, but it's not like I need their permission."

"Did they agree?"

"Do they have a choice?"

"But I do have a choice. I don't want to come with you— today. I am not in the right state of physical health, as you can see." 

He sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes pinning me down. "Does it look like you have a choice? You made the deal yourself. You have to deal with it. Your health wouldn't be a problem. I will take over from the physician."

"What? You can't do that?"

"And why is that?"

"Because you are not a physician?"

"I can be one."

I let out a deep sigh, "Look, that night, I wasn't thinking straight. I was foolish."

"I know. Nothing unusual."

"I shouldn't have participated in the competition.

"But you cheated your cousin and did so. It's too late. I am the only one allowed to make decisions. Where I go, you go. What I say, you do. Am I understood?" 

"I can still help you find the beast even without marriage. I can draw—"

He slammed his hand on the bed, causing me to flinch, "I said, am I understood?!" 

The raw power that radiated off him made me squeak out a 'Yes,'

"I do not want to marry you."

"Like I care." 

"Don't you want to have a wife that will love and take care of you?"

"I will pass." He stood up from the bed, "Robinson would be here to help you. Don't even think of doing something stupid. My men are everywhere." He walked out of the room, leaving me alone. 

I grabbed a pillow and screamed into it. What did I get myself into? 

I sat at the far end of the carriage while the devil sat on the other end. None of us has spoken a word to each other or even looked at each other. Hours had passed since we began our journey without a stop, my arse was already sore from sitting, but I would rather swallow my tongue than say a word about it. I didn't want to sleep with the devil so close to me. He might kill me and toss my body into the forest for the wild animals to prey on. I had to be on alert in case he made any funny move.

Though it was dark outside, I could still make out the silhouette of trees as we passed with the help of the lonely half-moon up in the sky. My eyes grew heavier as the minutes passed. I decided to give in to my body and sleep a little before we reached wherever they planned to stop. I needed strength to execute my plan. 

I was about to close my window when I saw the silhouette of something in the forest. It was watching our carriage. I couldn't control the goose pimples that spread all over my body. I blinked, and it wasn't there again. I was so sure I saw something. I glanced at the devil, who was glaring holes into the carriage.

"Hey, I think I just saw—" That was as far as I could get before the carriage rattled, throwing me off my seat.