Secrets of the Crown

Chapter 2

I was confined to a private room in the Palace and was requested to wait for the Palace physician. To be honest, I did not require medical attention. The wound I sustained was not particularly severe, but Prince Ivo requested that a medical examination be conducted.

I still have no idea what’s going on outside. I think General Wiltone’s talking to the king or the princes.

I looked around the room they led me to. The furnishings were lavish, with intricate hand-carved furniture and luxurious fabrics hung from the windows and balcony doors. All the decorations were not made in the capital; they must have been from another city, and most of them were expensive.

Well, I suppose that’s to be expected from a palace. There’s no reason to be surprised.

I scowled in disbelief as I remembered the second prince telling me that I was foolish. Maybe he saw it through, maybe he knew I was just making a scene.

The next thing I heard was the sound of someone clearing their throat. "Have you considered what you've done?" he asked, emerging from the balcony.

It's the second prince, Luke.

"W-What do you mean, your highness?" I did my best to stay calm.

"You may have gotten away with it with the others, but not with me, miss," he said, walking toward me out of the balcony. "You've got my attention, so tell me what's next."

I was totally unprepared for this. I felt like my lips were closed and shaking.

He abruptly grabbed me by the face and held me in his arms. He said, "I think it would be best if you spoke up, Miss." He added, "General Wiltone would not want to be dragged into this, would he?"

My heart sank when I heard my adoptive father’s name. I didn’t think the prince would use his name to get me to talk.

I fixed my gaze on his captivating blue eyes, ensuring that he could comprehend my astonishment. My smile gradually faded into a perplexed giggle. "You amaze me, Prince Luke."

I rebuffed his advances, slapping his hand away in protest. He was clearly perplexed by my response. I remarked, "What an ungentlemanly attitude you possess, your Majesty, using one's name for your own gain," and laughed. "I simply sought your attention, that is all," I added.

I kept an eye on his reaction, but it didn't make much of a difference. He looked surprised, but I didn't know if I'd convinced him or not. "So, since you're here, would you like to have a cup of tea with me?"

The man's eyebrows furrowed and he averted his eyes. I knew he was going to leave and I did not want to miss this opportunity to gain his trust. "You would not turn down an injured woman, would you?" I asked, pouring the tea that had been prepared for me when I had been placed in the room. "It is not that you have something better to do, is it, unlike Prince Ivo?”

I didn't know what was going on or if I just pressed the wrong button, but Prince Luke caught me by the hair. He did not say a single word, but when I caught a glimpse of his expression, it was one of annoyance.

I lay my hand on his arm. "I apologize, Your Highness. I may have said something to make you angry."

I tried my best to be calm, but no one has ever laid hands on me like this. It was a distinguishable feeling. I could feel my hands shaking.

There was a brief period of silence between us, but the tension radiating from him was so intense that I could sense it. I had the distinct feeling that I was in imminent danger in the presence of the Prince.

"Lady Maud, Prince Ivo and General Wiltone have arrived."

When the call came from the other end of the door, the atmosphere in the room abruptly changed. Prince Luke immediately released me. However, the feeling I had at that moment was indescribable. I could not move.

"Prince Luke, it's nice to see you getting acquainted with Lady Maud." Prince Ivo sounded happy upon seeing his brother with me. Only if he knew.

"Lady Maud, are you all right?" I'm sure General Wiltone was wondering why I wasn't greeting the Prince.

I struggled to regain my balance, and when I was able to turn, I smiled at them. I said, "I apologize, Your Majesty. I am honored to have met you at last." I bowed with trembling knees.

I could feel my body swaying with the unsteadiness of my shaking knees. The next thing I knew was Prince Luke wrapping his arms around my waist to keep me from falling.

"Lady Maud appears to be unwell, your Majesty." Prince Luke said as he continued to stare at me.

General Wiltone commented, "I think it would be best if we take our leave." He added that it was his fault for not being aware of my condition.

"It may not be advisable for the lady to travel at this time, General Wiltone. Could I recommend a night in the palace?" Prince Luke's eyes still locked with mine. "We will not ignore this incident since it happened here."

"That's right. Then it settled," Prince Ivo announced. "I will have your rooms prepared. Now, General Wiltone, may you come with me? I believe these love birds need some time alone."

I have no idea why Prince Ivo said that. Instantly, I recovered and stood alone. The sudden movement loosened the lace that held my hair in place. My coral locks glistened in the gentle breeze blowing from the balcony door.

As I tried to capture the lace flowing with the wind, Prince Luke caught it.

The door in front of us closes. I was so distracted with Prince Luke that I didn't notice the first prince leaving with my adoptive father.

"You look more beautiful with your hair down," he teased, holding the lace hand above his head.

"If I had known that my hair would attract your attention, the poor man would not be entangled in this mess." I attempted to get my lace a couple of times but eventually gave up.

Looking at him, I felt like his hands were still on my body and I was blushing. "I wouldn't fall. Why did you have to do that? Prince Ivo got the wrong idea."

"I simply kept you from falling, Lady Maud. Maybe my brother sensed your true intention." He looked up at my lace, glistening against the sunlight on the balcony. "We're alone again, mind telling me now?"

With our brief interaction, I learned he was a stubborn prince. He wasn't going to budge until I told him what he wanted to know. "If you insist, Prince Luke." And I looked right at him and said, "Marry me."