Crown in The Mist (ENGLISH)

CHAPTER FIVE

Every part of my body was hurting. I could feel the burning sensation in my arm and leg. But I am in a very comfortable bed. The sheets are so soft as if it's hugging me, tempting me back to sleep. As if it was made to comfort every pain and suffering. Since when did I have sheets as comfortable as this?

But then I realized I don't have a comfortable bed and I abruptly opened my eyes and shot up straight which I instantly regretted when I felt a sharp pain in my arm.

I clamped my lips, stifling my scream, as I tried to lie down back to the soft bed slowly. I looked at my bandaged arm and roamed my eyes around, breathing heavily. Where am I?

I noted the elegant whorls in the ceiling. Then the bedside table where I could see a lamp, a bowl of water, and some bandages. My eyes twinkled with the expensive-looking ornaments inside the room. From porcelain vases to gold plated furniture, everything in this room shouts extravagance. This room is fit for a king.

King?

And then I remembered everything.

What happened to me flashed before me. Aizen tried to kill me but failed. I was chased by the Royal Guards because I am the illegitimate daughter of the King. And then ... stormy gray eyes.

I roamed my eyes again, this time, looking for the owner of those eyes. I remembered he was the one I saw before I lost consciousness. He was the one who I saw last when I closed my eyes.

Thief.

I gasped when I recalled what he called me. I escaped the royal guards but the Crown Prince of Oregon found me. I don't know which one is better. Had I just traded those royal guards for someone more dangerous?

But...where is he? There's no sign of him in this room. Maybe if I could get out of here...

I clamped my lips as pain shot through my legs. I forced myself to stand. I whimpered when I stood up and held the bedside table for support. I don't know how long I've been unconscious but the clock says 7 in the evening. As far as I can remember I went to Aizen's apartment at 9 o'clock in the morning. I looked at myself reflected in the huge mirror. I am wearing a different shirt now. My pants were cut, exposing my leg where I was shot, now properly bandaged. I wonder who treated my wounds. Was it the Crown Prince? 

I saw my coat on a chair and wore it.

How should I get out of here? I can't possibly get out of the window. I listened carefully to the surroundings. Is he in the bathroom? But I couldn't hear the gush of water. Hope builds up inside me when I realized I am alone in this room and that I can get out. Using the furniture as my support, I made my way to the door, picking some of the golden figurines and putting it in my pocket. By the time I reached the door, my pockets were full. I can't just let an opportunity like this go. This could sell several thousands of money.

I was about to reach for the door when I saw the knob turned.

Shit.

Is he outside?

Running out of choices, I picked up the nearest figurine. Wincing of its weight, I transferred it to my other hand. I gulped when the door opened.

Surprise was visible on his face for a moment before he looked at the figurine on my hand, ready to strike him. A smirk played on his lips as he leaned on the door frame, crossing his arms.

He adjusted the glasses he's wearing. "And here I am thinking you wouldn't be able to stand for days but here you are," he said, eyeing the figurine on my hand. "Are you going to start swinging that any second?"

"Who are you?"

"I'm sure you have a pretty good idea of who I am now. Isn't that why you returned my things that night?"

I cleared my throat and held the figurine tighter. I shifted on my feet.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

I stepped back when he pushed himself from the door frame.

"Don't come any closer. I'm going to really hit you with this."

"Can you, though?" His voice was mocking as he stepped closer. He eyed my state. "You know what consequence comes with that. That's why you were guilty of flinging that middle finger to me that night, weren't you?"

My brows furrowed. How on earth did he know...?

"You talk in your sleep," he said as if answering my question.

I cursed under my breath. "Now, if you have no plans of swinging that poor figurine, you can put that down." He stepped closer but I won't deal with his s**t. I need to get out of here. I still have to deal with the fact that I am the illegitimate daughter of the late King.

I swung the figurine at him but given my state, he easily held my wrist, stopping my attack. Before I could even attack using my injured hand, he held it and pushed me against the wall. I winced when he gripped my injured hand rather tightly. My other hand is on top of my head.

He leaned causing me to hold my breath.

"I don't think you are in the position to be swinging that to me right now," he whispered. His grip tightened even more as if reminding me that he can flip me upside down if he chooses to. And that fighting him is futile.

I gritted my teeth as I dared to meet his eyes. It was dangerous. It was pulling me in. And I averted my gaze when he did not back down. "I am not who you think I am. You got the wrong person."

"Really, now." He smirked. "Then," he said, shoving my hair to the side, revealing the wound in my neck. I flinched when he traced it with his finger. "Is this pure coincidence, then? It so happens I wounded a girl in the neck two days ago. And I somehow memorized her face that night when she stole my pocket watch and my wallet even if she changed her hair color. And..."

I bit my lip when his hand went inside my pocket, fishing out the figurines I stole earlier. I muttered a silent curse. I gave him a saccharine smile while he just looked at me seriously as he fished out the figurines one by one.

"...she's really good with her hands," he continued as he dropped the figurines one by one to the floor.

"Now, who are you again?" His voice was dark and I have a feeling I would be eaten alive if I don't answer him honestly now. I flinched when his grip got tighter on my wrist.

I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. "Fine. I am what you're looking for."

He smirked and pulled the bigger figurine from my hand and let go of my wrist. "If you're still inclined to go out, then feel free to do so. But let me warn you, the royal guards are outside. They're dead serious about eliminating the illegitimate daughter of the King."

He said and placed the figurine back to where I got it. He then went to the table in the room opposite the bed and poured himself a cup of tea.

"How did you know about that?" I asked, still standing near the door.

He sipped on his tea before he answered, "I stayed in the Palace for a day. Of course, I'd know."

"Are you one of them? Are you taking me to the Queen?" My heart thundered about the possibility. But he merely waved a hand dismissively.

"I don't fancy mingling with other people's business."

"Then why did you bring me here?"

He put down his teacup and looked at me. He wasn't smiling but his eyes glinted with excitement. "I have a proposal for you."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You are on the run. I can help you hide." He paused.

"What's the catch?"

He stood up and inserted his hands inside his pocket. "You'll have to marry me."

I blinked. "I'm sorry, what?" I can't believe how much nonsense I've heard just this day alone.

"I am the Crown Prince of Oregon but my Father doesn't want to abdicate the throne unless I get married."

"And you think I'm perfect for this job because...?"

"Because you don't have a choice but to say yes. I'm the only one who can help you now."

I scoffed. "How confident, Your Highness. What makes you think you're the only one who can help me now?"

He examined his nails as if he was getting bored with the conversation. "As far as I know, there's someone you have that's closest to being a relative. I believe his name is Aizen." He looked at me, a smirk playing on his lips. "How is he, by the way?"

Just how much does this man know? As if it wasn't enough, he added, "I heard he was the one who sold you out." He clicked his tongue. "That must have been a blow to your 'friendship'." He made a gesture with his hand. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I recalled what Aizen did.

He stood up from where he was sitting. "So, you marry me and I help you disappear. It's pretty easy actually."

Easy?

"But you can't hide me forever, Prince. And if you're talking about a real marriage, everybody's going to ask for an heir for your throne."

"And?"

My jaw dropped. "Are you seriously thinking of having s*x with me to produce an heir?"

He shrugged. "How else are we going to do it?"

"Unbelievable." It was the only thing I could mutter.

"But they won't be asking for an heir for a long time. You can be my wife but you won't be exposed to the public. After all, it's only my father who wants me to have a wife. You can live in Oregon, I can give you all the support you need. You can bear my heir and by that time, hopefully, we solve your crime against the Queen's throne."

"I don't have a crime against the throne," I said, rather sternly. But he didn't seem to be fazed by it.

"But you are an illegitimate child of the king, are you not? The Queen Regent sees you as a threat to her daughter's position."

"I am not—" I heaved a deep breath, calming myself. "I don't give a damn about the throne. I give a damn about how to survive every day. That's all I care about."

"Well, you won't be giving a damn about the latter if you give a damn to the former."

"Are you saying I should take the throne?"

He only shrugged before he looked at the door as if waiting for someone to come. And as if on cue, the door burst open and two people entered. I don't know who they are but with their posture, and their ridiculously handsome face, I can already tell who these people are. The one on the right is grinning at me. While the one on the right is not even looking at me. Are royalties in Oregon required to look insanely good?

One of them eyed my state then his eyes went back to my face. He opened his mouth but was cut off when someone entered the room. This time, it's a woman. One of the men grinned at the newcomer.

"Hi, baby," he said and I flinched when the woman pushed his face away.

"You half-assed asshole what the hell were you thinking firing those guards like that?" the woman said.

My brows furrowed. Are they the ones who—

I looked at the Prince and he just nodded, confirming my suspicion.

I can't believe these two people bantering in front of me now are the ones who saved my ass at that time. But who are they?

"But I'm here now, love. I've missed you so much." The man pouted.

"Right now, I don't know if I want to kiss you or throw you off the window," said the woman.

"Can I pick?"

"Shut up."

"Alright now, lovebirds. You miss each other, we get your point." The Crown Prince called their attention.

"Rain, this is Pierce, my brother." He referred to the one on the right. "The other one is Laurent. He's the one who treated your wounds. And this is Natasha, Pierce's fiance." I was right. He is also a Prince. But the other one isn't. 

"You three, meet Rainia, she's my future wife." He gestured his hand to me and surprise passed their faces. He announced it as if he was just announcing a weather forecast. My mouth gaped open as I looked at him. 

And then the Prince looked at me from head to foot. I felt heat creep across my cheek. I know it's unbelievable for someone like him to actually marry someone like me—

"You're looking all bloody," he remarked and looked at the Prince. "Did you two decide to have a honeymoon before the wedding?"

What?

I raised my hand and looked at the Prince. "Okay! First off, I didn't say yes to your proposal—"

"Aww. The great Ares Magnussen got rejected? We could write that in history books!"

"Second, I have some things I want to demand before I say yes to you."

The Crown Prince's face became dark. "What I offered you—wasn't that enough?"

"I have a very small favor to ask."

His brows quirk up. "Pray tell what it is."

I fished the Lazuli Diamond out of my pocket.

"Buy this for 500,000 Quird."

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