Please

His smouldering gaze was intense. But it did not outdo the pained expression on his face. If only I could iron it out and remove his distress.

While I was busy worried about him, Wystan was already standing in front of me in a heartbeat. My hands automatically reached for his face, hoping my fingertips would smoothen the creases. Never once did he break away his stares from me. It was as though he wanted to remember my face.

"What's wrong, my King?"

A sigh escaped him and his parted lips uttered no sound. What was it that made you have difficulty in expressing them with words? What causes you to be in this state? Instead of an answer, he looked at Papa.

I don't like it! Not one bit. I'm here! Talk to me! Not Papa!!

At least, that was what I pleaded in my head. I could not understand why it seemed easy for him to ask Papa for help when he could say it to my face.

"Wystan. Did we or did we not promise to have no secrets between us?" I asked with a stern face. Not this time. I will NOT let these men controlled my life like they did when we left the Kingdom of Taaffeite. He's having a marriage with ME and I deserved to know too!

I pulled his face gently to confront me but his charming orbs avoided mine. He just needs to look me in the eye and tell me. None other matters. Fortunately, after much whining, he came around.

"I need you to stay in your room with your father. Now," he whispered with command and his hands rubbed my back.

"Will you at least tell me the reason why?" I returned the gesture by fondling with his arms. Every single touch was electrifying. Not in a sensual way but of a longing that bounds to come.

"Your people will be with you. Along with four of my best guards." He tried to assure me but I could sense the urgency in his voice and it scared me.

What made him behave this way?

"Wystan, what's going on?"

I want reasons as to why I should be locked up in my room.

"Your room will be the safest place. Trust me. Obey me. Please?"

He kissed my hand and gave me a peck on the forehead. it was all too fast and confusing.

"I don't understand. Where will you be, if not with me?" Sounded silly but perhaps this was my desperate attempt to prolong all this. To keep him by my side even longer.

Just then...

The sound of shuffling feet, the rustling of dresses sashaying and the jingling of jewellery distracted me. At the same time, Papa's hand was slowly trying to pull me away from my husband.

Unwillingly, it was enough for me to pay attention to my surroundings. The men were in their protective stances, the women were finding the children and the royal staff were guiding people to safety. It was a deafening and chaotic moment. Yet here I am, with no intention to budge without an answer.

Four of the assigned royal guards were already on standby. My handmaidens were shivering as they huddled together, looking at me with their facial expressions clearly screaming petrification. Our Taaffeitians Guards had created a human shield around Papa and me. Still, it was not sufficient to persuade me out of the Hall.

"Princess, we have got to go now. Please," begged Papa with tears pooling in his now dull amber eyes.

I understand the danger but what exactly happened? It was something I have never experienced before. In my moment of panic, with everyone fleeing here and there, my hands were quick to grab Wystan's sleeve. I will go under one condition. He's with us! I wanted him to follow us. I did not want to let him go.

Oh, but how my heart breaks when he slowly loosened up my grip. It must have been a sign for his royal guards because I was slowly being pulled away from him. Gently yet swiftly!

"Wystan, what are you doing? Come with me!" I demanded.

But that damn man gave a sad smile instead of coming in my direction. That damn husband of mine just stood there with a forlorn look as I was being carried away!!

"Take care of her."

The sound of his defeatedness lingered in my ear. The sound of hope shattering into tiny pieces filled my heart with its sharp shards, stabbing and ripping while in the process. No longer were there streams on my cheeks but gushes and gushes enough to fill buckets with my salted disappointed tears!

"WYSTAN! Don't do this to me!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, scraping the air with my hands and my feet being helplessly dragged out of the Royal Berkshire Hall.

I was fighting a losing battle. I unknowingly raised my white flag as my body limped. And I whimpered all the way, knowing there was nothing I could do. The next thing I know, we have all reached the desired destination. I was placed softly onto the fluffy mattress, waiting for my endless involuntary sobbing to end.

As expected, exhaustion and fatigue started to kick in due to the prolonged crying and shouting. It must have been an hour or two passed since I napped but it still did not remove the unrest feeling within me.