I'm Forbidden To Love You

Chapter 14

Stella nodded at her maid when she delivered a set of cherry blossom flowers she had asked for after she entered the great hall and moved towards the person she had come to hate in a short amount of time.

Every step she took towards that person, she felt like the vengeance and burning hate in her would reach beyond the normal limit, engulfing her, narrowing her mind.

A cherry blossom….

Her country’s flower….

She wanted to gift this to her.

The one that was standing in front of Stella with laughter in her eyes and a smile that radiated pure happiness that she wanted to crush it under her heels right now.

She was a little bit on the pretty side; Stella can grudgingly give her that.

Wearing a pale lavender colour dress and matching earrings that wouldn’t even be worth the money Stella spent on her kohl.

But, maybe, that was the highest quality any maid would be allowed to.

The hate rising in her was all-consuming that she couldn’t focus on anything but the girl in front of her.

She looked up, startled at seeing Stella so close all of a sudden, she didn’t know what to do and bowed at Stella.

“Your Royal Highness.”

Stella smiled at the maid genuinely with warm eyes, her personality slipping in, not letting her heart’s burn for vengeance show in her face even a little bit of it.

“What is your name, Miss?”

The maid looked wide-eyed at her, probably in shock at how a royal Princess was speaking with her.

“Zelda, Your Highness.”

“Zelda, which country do you belong to?”

She abandoned the Miss title as it was beneath her to address maids in a polite manner.

“Mermaid Land, Your Highness.”

Stella felt herself relaxing after knowing that this maid was a Mermaid and cannot mate with the humans, but still, she cannot forgive anyone who gets close with her Prince Ryan.

Maybe she was one of the maids Prince Ryan has rescued that day. Not much of that case was known to the public as a Prince of another country was involved, but the gossip still got out that Prince Ryan had saved maids from Prince Hoich.

She leaned forward, pushing a strand of hair that escaped from the maid’s wimple.

She wanted to carve those turquoise eyes that dared to draw attention from her Prince Ryan.

Stella presented the cherry blossoms to the maid she had in her hand.

“You will look beautiful with this.”

She smiled warmly, all the while thinking how the maid would look pretty while she bled and her dress soaked in the blood.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.”

The maid lowered her head, bowing deep as she radiated even more happiness believing the act Stella put upon.

She nodded at the maid with a smile, turning away from her, not bothering to remember her name as it was beneath her to remember someone of that class and a mermaid of all people.

That maid wasn’t even a human.

She was worthless to Stella.

But, just as she turned around from that maid, she felt some dangerous aura.

Stella glanced back at the maid who was trying to pin the flower over her wimple in a weird way.

She shook her head, turning back, letting the strange feeling go.

It felt like there was some danger lurking around.

Stella looked around, trying to sense the source that made her felt like this. But, the feeling immediately went away.

Strange….

Stella didn’t have time for this as she had a sheep to guide its target by making it think of itself as a tiger.

She moved towards the drinks counter, deciding to grab a juice, not wanting to drink alcohol in front of people.

A lion must wait for its prey…

Just as she grabbed a glass of orange juice, the prey came into her den willingly.

“My Princess, I thought you were my friend. Did I assume wrong?”

She hid a smile behind her glass and turned around.

Lyara Triston looked at her with envy-filled eyes that glanced at the Mermaid maid frequently, wanting to burn the maid with her envy.

“Of Course, My Lady Triston. Why ever you will think otherwise?”

“I have always asked for your flowers. You said you would give it to me when the day comes, My Princess. But, today, you’ve given it to a maid of all people.”

How easy it is to fool these people!

And how boring the game has become for Stella nowadays.

But, she kept her face in a polite mask all the while, not letting anything she felt out for even a fraction of a second.

“Oh, that! Just because I gave that maid flowers doesn’t mean you aren’t my friend, my dear Lyara.”

The use of her first name seemed to relax Lyara Triston, her tensed shoulders easing in relief.

How naïve!

You should let your enemy relax and hurt them in their comfort zone so that they may never relax, making them to lose concentration, disintegrate them every day, inch by inch like a very slow poison.

“Then, why present her those flowers, My Princess?”

Stella fake gasped, looking dramatic in a way she usually hated.

“You don’t know Lyara? She was one of the maids Prince Ryan saved and looked very close to Prince Ryan this evening. I thought I should congratulate her for breaking the iron-clad defence Prince Ryan usually had. At least, he is friendly with someone else, even if she was a maid. That’s why I decided to give her flowers Lyara.”

Lyara Triston looked ready to burst out with anger.

Lyara had never felt like this. She had, never in her life, felt this anger and envy towards the maid who was by the looks of it chatting with some other maids.

How dare her!

Lyara had tried to speak with Prince Burton numerous times for the past month. She had tried all the things to catch his attention, but nothing worked.

To think, the maid had the nerve to not only bewitch Prince Ryan but even to enchant her friend, Princess Stella Preston…

How dare her!

Lyara grabbed the glass of juice from the nearby table, muttering an ‘excuse me’ to Princess Stella, and moved towards the maid.

She had decided to woo Prince Ivor at first, wanting to be a queen in the future, but as soon as she saw Prince Ryan, she had fallen in love with him.

She had fallen in love with his crimson black hair, which was more crimson under the sunlight than black.

She loved the dimple on his right cheek…

And don’t even get started with his eyes…

She had sacrificed her dream of becoming a Queen for Prince Ryan.

Now, some maid b***h was going to grab the attention of Prince Ryan with her wicked ways.

People like this maid….

They have to be shown their place, or else they would behave like this only as if they had a right to interact with royal people.

Lyara’s dress wasn’t as grand as some of the Princesses here as she was only from the noble family, not someone who owned countries, but hers was also a beautiful one and quite expensive too.

Her dress was a ball gown, fitting bodice that made her look slim, hiding her belly with the help of a corset, followed by a wide, full skirt with multiple layers of tulle, giving her an elegant and royal look.

The sequin full-sleeves only heightened the richness of her navy blue ball gown.

Lyara’s mother had frowned at the price but let her buy it for the courting session, wanting her to aim high and marry someone of a wealthy family, a Prince preferably.

Now the dress will become the reason she would use to ruin the maid who was looking at the dessert counter.

She stopped just behind the maid, waiting for the maid to turn around with the juice glass in her hand, a little bit away from her body.

Just as she turned around, her stupid turquoise eyes that dared to bewitch Prince Ryan widened at the sudden arrival of her and spilled the juice all over Lyara’s dress just as she planned the maid to do.

Lyara fake gasped in shock; she didn’t care if anyone saw through her acting as she wanted to humiliate this maid in front of everyone, showing her place where she belonged.

“How dare you! Do you know how expensive this dress is?”

“My Lady, I… I…”

The maid stuttered in nervousness, her face pale with shock.

“You’ve ruined my dress. Your lifetime savings won’t be enough to compensate for this dress.”

“I am sorry, My Lady.”

The maid bowed her head deep in apology, making Lyara to feel elated inside.

Soon, a small crowd had formed, whispers started from the corner where Lyara stood, everyone pointing at how the maid had ruined a Lady’s dress.

The maid didn’t lift her head, still bowing as an apology.

That’s it.

That’s how you should be...

Head down in front of people like us.

She grabbed the maid’s dress, tearing the sleeve of hers.

How light the fabric was, Lyara was disgusted to even touch it, but the look of horror on the maid’s face as she looked up as soon as Lyara tore her sleeves was a balm to her soothing heart.

“Wipe the juice off, and I will let you go without punishing you.”

“I…. My Lady, I….”

“Do as I say, or do you have money to repay this dress for me?”

The maid bowed down again,

“Forgive me, Lady Triston, Forgive me.”

So, the maid even knew her name.

“Now, wipe it.”

Lyara gave the maid’s torn sleeves in her hand, glaring at her.

The maid wiped the juice on Lyara’s dress, eyes downcast, not daring to look at Lyara.

As she wiped it off, Lyara tore another sleeve of her, making the maid to gasp aloud in shock.

“Now, clean my heels.”

Lyara extended her legs out as there were few drops on her heels the way she wanted.

The blue cone heels she specifically brought for a special occasion with her dress were shining under the numerous candles light.

The maid hesitated but, looking at the crowd gathered, and the glare on her face forced her on her knees, wiping Lyara’s heels with the sleeve of her dress.

Lyara slightly crushed the finger under her heels, making the maid wince in pain.

She felt like this was not enough. She cannot do anything this public. Maybe, some other day, she will ruin this maid utterly that she won’t even be able to look up at anyone above her standard.

Lyara made a motion of spitting on the floor but instead spat on the maid’s hand and moved away from there, not noticing the burning set of eyes that would put her through hell for this.

Lyara vaguely noticed how the maid muttered an excuse me to people gathered there and rushed outside of the hall without gaining much attention, blending in the crowd.

Ryan felt his heart sinking, and the sorrow and anger enveloping him were all consuming and powerful waves of emotions that he didn’t know where his anger started or where his sorrow ended.

How?

How could people be this cruel?

Whenever he finds some beauty in the world, he always found something cruel like this.

Ryan had been feeling so happy just a few moments before. He had been so happy like never before.

The happiness he feels after meeting Zelda was something he had never experienced in his life.

Every day was filled with happiness that he sometimes got scared if it all will disappear one day.

And the one day had come finally, it seemed.

He pushed away the guest with a polite smile, leaving towards the exit she had discretely left.

He had recovered from his fever last week and had met her the day they had promised to meet nearby the tributary just a few days before. Ryan had gotten to know how she had a sweet tooth and how lonely her childhood was, never getting any sweets and how that made her appreciate and love sweet things.

It had been a lovely day as he got to know about her and conversed with her for an hour or two that she had taken from her duties.

It was pure bliss.

He teased, and she had retaliated just as much.

It was fun…

It was happiness in its pure form as two souls got to know each other.

Then, the festival feast celebrating the start of the rainy season was being conducted, a party was given by his Majesty, which was announced two days before, requesting foreign people to attend and celebrate with His Majesty. Even though it had started raining days before, it was the official day to celebrate the starting of the rainy season.

Ryan usually hated these things, but he loved to see her and longed to spend time with her. So, he had come to this party with his heart fluttering in excitement.

He arrived a little late, not wanting to catch up with people by arriving early. It also appeased his mother that he was showing interest in these kinds of events.

Ryan knew that his mother was suspicious about his behaviour, and she cannot do anything with her suspicions alone, so he decided to ignore that for now.

He had chosen white for today and had decided to wear a white long-sleeved collared shirt, white pants with a gold stripe, golden boot, and matching shoes.

He wore a white overcoat with a golden epaulette that he usually avoided for the extravagant look it gave.

His mother was stunned when he came out of his room, eyes tearing up at how fast he had grown. His sister had teased him by saying how he was dressed to impress.

Ryan was embarrassed to admit aloud, but he did dress to impress, for what must be the first time in his life.

He had for once wanted to be handsome in front of someone’s eyes.

Okay.. okay… not someone but Zelda.

He didn’t take his sword as this was an event held by His Majesty, and it was prohibited to bring swords, but this event would have topmost security anyways, but Ryan did hide a small knife in his clothes just in case and exited his chamber.

Zelda….

Zelda….

So with that thought, he had reached the great hall with his mind full of Zelda.

And he wasn’t disappointed at all as Zelda had looked at him with a stunned expression. He would tolerate girls fawning over him, his mother hovering over him, gaining envious looks from fellow Princes, drawing unnecessary attention to him if he could make her look at him like this.

The evening had been pleasant; he chatted around with other Princes, not wanting to draw attention to Zelda by interacting with her while his family was here.

But, his eyes couldn’t leave her as he glanced at her frequently and interacted with her with his eyes and gesture.

She was as beautiful as the day he first saw her with how her pale lavender dress complimented her.

Yet, he wanted to see her in something bright….

Something like a ball gown…..

He knew maids were not allowed to wear a dress like that but still, his heart desired to see her in a royal gown.

He had moved away a little to avoid her angry glares as she was upset at how he had guided her to a not-so-tasty desert when she was asking him which to try with her eyes, asking his help with tasting his country’s food.

That was the mistake; it seemed like just a few minutes he had escaped her eyes, and later, he turned around to see what the small crowd was gathering around for. He couldn’t hear anything amid the music and loud chatter of guests.

He would have usually ignored that if not for the fact that Zelda was there near the dessert counter.

He politely excused himself from the guests he was making small talk with and rushed towards where she was so that he can assure himself that she was okay, only to be shocked still at the scene unfolding in front of him of how she was wiping some lady’s heels with her dress torn on places.

The anger he felt when he saw someone spitting on her was the limit he could handle.

He had never wanted to raise a hand against a woman, nor had he ever thought like that. But he wanted to strangle the woman who dared to insult his Zelda like that.

He didn’t care if his mother or father would notice if he went to her aid. He didn’t care about his status.

What will they do?

Strip him of his status?

He would gladly let them.

Just as he moved towards her, Zelda moved away from the crowd, excusing herself, and went towards the western entrance.

Her anguished expression pierced through the hazy cloud of anger.

He could deal with these people later, as what mattered most was his Zelda.

Zelda…

And nothing else…

She doesn’t know the castle well, and she had taken the western entrance in a hurry. It would only lead in two ways. If you took a right, it would lead you to the kitchen, and if you took a left, that would lead to the unused rooms.

Those were rooms to learn dance, but it had been not visited as everyone in the royal family was grown up to learn dance anymore.

He hoped she went that way and hastily passed the corridors, keeping a glance at the back too, confirming that none followed him.

He opened the door of one of the many rooms and hoped to find her. He shook his head in disappointment when he didn’t find her there.

As he searched for the many rooms, he finally found her in one room, where the moonlight streamed through the open windows.

Ryan took hurried steps towards her, and she looked up at him with startled eyes when she heard the sound of footsteps.

She tried to shrink in herself, covering her body as if ashamed to meet him.

Ryan gathered her in his arms swiftly, shutting her protests, hugging her tightly as she trembled in his arms.

He hugged her tightly as if there was no tomorrow and this was his last chance. He rocked her back and forth in a comforting way, caressing her head to calm her down.

After few minutes, her hands hesitantly hugged him back, and she buried her face in his neck.

“Prince Ryan…”

“Zelda…”

“Prince Ryan…”

She muttered his name, again and again, trying to calm herself. He didn’t know whether to admire her for not crying or feel sorrow that she doesn’t let herself cry in a situation like this.

But, he was glad not to see her tears as it would hurt him beyond anything to see her cry.

He tried to comfort her as much as possible with his hug, for he didn’t know what to say to comfort her.

“Prince Ryan, I… I didn’t…”

“Shush. I know Zelda. I know it would never be your fault.”

Ryan had very little time to know about her, but what he knew from the short amount of time was enough to let him know that she wasn’t a malicious person; instead, she was a cheerful girl who was easy to get along with.

And all of a sudden, she pulled herself from his hold, taking steps back until her back met the wall.

“Zelda…”

He looked at her with confused eyes as he didn’t know what made her pull away from him suddenly.

She hugged herself tightly as if ashamed of her torn dress.

As he took a step towards her, she turned away from him, denying him to be close to her.

“Zelda, what happened?”

“I…”

“Please, Zelda.”

Looking at his pleading face, her face contorted with sorrow.

“I… Prince Ryan. You saw what happened today. How can you be friends with someone like me?”

“But, Zelda…”

“No, Prince Ryan, Do you not see how different our statuses are? Do you see how none could help me even after knowing it was not my fault? Do you not see how there is no future to our friendship?”

“Zelda, do you think I would have let you in that state if I came to know about it?”

“No, Prince Ryan. You’re kind. You’re too kind. And, I am scared of what will happen to you if our friendship came into the light.”

“Does our friendship matters so little that you can throw it away, Zelda?”

She refused to meet his eyes.

He moved towards her, even if she turned away from him. He turned her towards him by grabbing her shoulder and put his overcoat around her, wanting to stop her from pulling on her dress as if she was feeling ashamed.

He didn’t know why she felt ashamed as the one who did this should be ashamed of their behaviour.

He cornered her against the wall, trapping her by putting his hands against the wall.

“Do you still want to abandon this friendship, abandon me, Zelda?”

“I…”

“Look at me, Zelda.”

The turquoise eyes made him weak, startling him as he now realized how close they were.

“I… I am sorry, Prince Ryan.”

“People are cruel, Zelda. Not everyone is nice, Zelda, and that is how the world works. You will meet people like that Lady in the future, but that doesn’t mean you can run away from things. It’s not your fault that they are cruel. So, don’t feel guilty? Okay?”

She reluctantly nodded her head after few seconds.

Ryan pulled himself away from her proximity.

“I didn’t know that I will matter this much only that you would abandon me even if I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Zelda looked at him with an apologetic face.

“I will take my leave, Miss Zelda.”

As he turned away from her, she caught his hand, making him to face her, and hugged him tightly, muttering muffled apologies against his chest.

He hugged her back, smiling a little. He did that purposefully to see if she will come after him and also to distract her.

AS he hugged her even tighter, his smile slipped away from his face, and in its place, fury rose in him at the injustice that happened to her.

He didn’t miss the reddening bruise on her hand, nor did he miss how torn her sleeves were as if it was done purposefully to humiliate Zelda.

His mind though happy that his Zelda had finally calmed down, it still didn’t stop the raging storm for vengeance in his heart.