~Daciana~The next morning, I didn’t want to leave my bed. Not after what happened last night. I was so ashamed of myself and I didn’t want to face Prince Randall until whenever.‘How am I going to escape him?? We’ll be called in for breakfast soon.’ I thought, looking at my wall clock. The best thing I could do was get my food before the dining table was set and pretend to be sick. This way, I can avoid everyone and be alone. I jumped out of bed, picked a robe, and put it on. The last thing I wanted was to start fantasizing about stupid things because of the nightgown I had on. I made my way out of my room, taking a peek at the hallway to see if anyone was there, most especially Prince Randall. When I saw the coast was clear, I took long strides out of my room and towards the kitchen. My head was still filled with my dream, and anytime I recalled it, I felt embarrassed. Walking past the dining room, I saw the maids were setting the table up already. ‘I better hurry up.’ I thoug
~Prince Randall~ As soon as we got to the hallway that led to our rooms, I let go of her hand. I could feel her staring at me all the way through our walk from the throne room. “What was that about?” She asked when I let go of her hand. “What was what about?” I looked at her. “Why did you keep following us, and why were you so rude to Jonathan?” She further asked. “My being rude shouldn’t surprise you, should it? It isn’t the first time I’ve acted rude towards anyone.” I answered with a straight face. “Well, I’m glad you did. I don’t know what gave His Majesty the impression that I want to be in another relationship. I mean, I’m yet to get over what Carl did to me.” She muttered. “You’re yet to get over it?? Do you still think about him?” I asked before I could caution myself. ‘Why am I acting so invested?’ I asked myself, waiting for her to answer the questions. “No, I don’t think about him anymore. I just don’t think I want to go into another relationship, with any man wit
~Daciana~ I was busy engrossed in reading my novel when I heard a knock on my door. I shut my eyes tightly and heaved a sigh. “Who is there?” I stared at the door. “It’s Randall.” I sprang to my feet as I heard his name. I hastily brushed my finger through my hair, untangling any tangles in it. I licked my lower lip and adjusted my dress. “I’m coming.” I put on a smile as I proceeded to open the door. Opening the door, I met him leaning against my door frame like a tall tree. “Hey, come in,” I said, and he raised one of his brows. “Are you sure?” He asked, and I nodded. “Of course. Why do you make it seem like it’s a strange thing? I’ve entered your room too, remember?” “You entered when you weren’t even invited in. It’s different.” He answered, and I shrugged. “Fine. I’ll just shut the door then.” I wanted to close the door, but he stopped it with his hand. “I’d love to come in.” He replied, and I smiled widely and nodded, letting go of the door. “Come on in, then.” He e
~Daciana~ “Daciana! It’s time! The guests are waiting!” My mother, Agatha yelled from outside my door while I tried to finish up my makeup. Today is my eighteenth birthday and I can’t stop thinking about what my mom said to me three days ago. “My lover is King Edwin.” This sentence kept ringing in my head for reasons best known to me. Indeed, I was happy about my mother remarrying and becoming a queen, and I, a princess but… The fact that I had to see and accept him as my stepbrother? After my mother broke the news of having an affair with the King of Bedfordshire, her second chance mate, I was super excited, especially because we were finally getting the life we deserved. A royal life. However, my joy was limited after realizing that the king’s son, Prince Randall, the rudest and most arrogant young man I have ever met, had to be my stepbrother. If he wasn’t in the picture, I wouldn’t even think twice about supporting mom’s decision. But unfortunately, he was. Regardless, I d
~Daciana~“Randall!” King Edwin called in shock, while Prince Randall kept smiling like a fool. His smile made me so furious that I didn’t know when I began to approach him. “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you blind that you didn’t see the cake in front of you?!” I yelled in rage. “Daciana, please,” Carl uttered, holding my wrist as he tried to caution me. “Woah woah! I think you need to watch your mouth.” Prince Randall responded. The smile on his face faded off as he closed the gap between us. As he moved closer, I could perceive the alcohol in his breath. “That’s enough!” King Edwin commanded as he walked to where we were. We both kept quiet, exchanging death stares at each other. “We should leave.” I heard some of the guests say to each other and one after the other, they began to leave. “King Edwin, please excuse us,” Carl uttered as he pulled me away from the absurd scene. Watching everyone leave broke my heart. This wasn’t the perfect birthday I had envisioned. Ev
~Daciana~After three days “Daciana, the car is here!” My mother yelled from the hallway as I reluctantly got out of bed. My mother got married to King Edwin yesterday and I must confess it was the biggest wedding I had ever attended. I was happy to see my mother happy, but I hated the crowd. I hated that they kept whispering things to themselves everywhere I went. They just wouldn’t stop talking about my failed eighteenth birthday, would they? As if that isn’t enough frustration, I am about to move into the palace, the house where my enemy, Prince Randall lives. ‘He is yet to apologize for ruining my cake!’ That also made the headlines of gossip on the internet about my birthday. I grabbed my two bags and headed to the door. Before stepping out, I took a pause and stared at my room one last time. It held so many memories and I was going to miss it a lot. “Daciana, hurry! We’re keeping the driver waiting!” My mother called out again, this time, from the front of the house. Hurr
~Prince Randall~ As soon as she was out of my room, I walked to my closet and picked up my khaki shorts. I wore it and picked a small towel to dry my hair as I headed out of the room. I stared angrily at the door to her room. ‘Who the hell does she think she is? Coming into my room like that? And why is her room right in front of mine?!’ ‘There are so many rooms to put her in. Why here?!’I knew deep down this was a plan from either my father or her mother. They knew how much I hated her and they brought her this close to me? ‘You gotta be kidding me!’ Still fuming in anger, I stormed into my father’s chamber. I met him sitting on his bed, his legs folded and his hands resting on his legs. I had just disrupted his meditation session and I didn’t give a f**k. “Father, why is she in front of my room?” I asked, watching him slip out of his meditation. He opened his eyes and our eyes locked. “Randall, I am meditating right now.” “I know, father. But I need you to answer this real
~Daciana~ Getting into my room, I slammed the door shut and broke into tears. He brought back the pain I had been trying so hard to conceal. I just wanted to be far from him, far from everyone. While I buried myself in the bedsheets, I heard a knock on the door, followed by the voice of my mother. “Daciana baby, are you alright?” She asked, with concern evident in her voice. “I want to be alone, Mom!” I yelled tearily. “Baby, can I at least come in? Please. I can’t just leave you right now. Can I come in?” She insisted, and I heaved a frustrated sigh and nodded. “Fine! Come in.” I uttered and I immediately heard the door open. I heard her footsteps hurriedly approach the bed and I felt her hand on my body. “I am so sorry about the Prince’s behavior. I know what he said was uncalled for and you didn’t deserve it.” She spoke. I yanked the sheets off my body and sat up, staring at my mother’s face. “But he was right! That’s the most painful part of it all. He was telling the tru