PRELUDE
1384 Words
POV:
“I, Mara, take you, Mr. Gray, as my lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.’
“I, Gray, take you, Lady Mara, as my lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.’
The villagers clap their hands and yelled ‘Kiss, kiss, kiss’ after the two uttered their vows in front of them. They look good together and their eyes twinkled in anticipation for the kiss.
Gray and Amara never thought that the playful wedding ceremony turned out to be a real cultural wedding in the said village. Now they are husband and wife—legally.
*Kiss*
Gray pecked the woman’s lips as fast as he could but he got a loud boo from the audience. ‘Kiss, kiss, kiss.’ They kept demanding.
Amara smiled at him as if saying, ‘It’s okay' even if they just succumbed to the villagers request. They can't embarrass themselves for what they got theirselves into, aren't they? As soon as she gave approval, Gray lowered his head to capture the woman’s lips once again. This time, it was a deep kiss.
Both didn’t know that they we’re looking at each other tenderly... lovingly. And the villagers who witnessed how they dotted on each other knew how the two truly felt for each other.
Both are unaware that they actually love each other.
*****FEW DAYS LATER....
The lockdown was lifted and both set out to return to Zoren City. They rented a small house for a couple of days while they wait for Gray’s subordinates to arrive in the area. Seems like he has an unfinish business to tend to.
Amara didn’t ask the man about the nature of his job or his personal life either, afraid that he might asked about her personal life too. She thought they can live as normal couples and she is willing to follow her man wherever he goes. No one needs to know her real identity since she decided never to return to the castle---ever.
Joyfully humming inside the tiny house, Amara decided to fix Gray’s stuff when a photo fell off from the man’s favorite book. Curious, she picked it up and as soon as she saw the portrait, she trembled anxiously. What is the meaning of this?
Gray, on the other hand, came in to the house to get his coat. He will be meeting his subordinates at the headquarter fifteen minutes from now.
“Is everything okay?” Gray asked and was about to approached the seemingly frozen woman when Amara suddenly lifted her hand holding a portrait.
“Gray... why... why do you have this portrait?” An unexplainable dread enveloped the woman’s character.
“Ah, it’s princess Amara Leigh', Gray nonchalantly smiled. “I was tasked to find her and----” He didn't finish his statement due to a disturbing thought which suddenly crossed his mind while carefully looking at the portrait which he took from her grasp.
No, please say no. He thought when he suddenly spotted the uncanny similarities of the princess in the picture and the woman standing before him. His eyes widened in disbelief when he saw how the woman trembles in fear and uncertainty. “You---- are you....?”
“G-gray...Did you deliberately approached me while knowing my true identity?” Tears trickled down her cheeks, not sure why, but she gets this feeling that her happy moments is going to end miserably.
“You.. Are you.... Are you the missing princess?” Gray staggered, too surprise to even hold his cool stance. “Princess Amara Leigh Chireclay?” He stammered with every word coming out from his mouth.
She nodded hesitantly and filled with curiousity. The man's perplexed reaction tells the princess that he didn't know about her identity either.
‘Damn it! How did this happen?! No, it's a lie. Damn it!' Gray punched the wall with all his might in frustration. His mind is in a muddle not knowing what to do at the moment. “Please tell me it's a lie. Tell me you're a fake!” He yelled. Princess Amara jerked in surprise as it was her very first time seeing him in angry state.
“I never wanted to be a princess. I hated it! I never asked for it.” She yelped in response. “Why? What's so wrong about being the princess? We can still be together. I don't want to go back. I’m happy and contented with this simple life.... with you.” She lovingly meant every word she uttered.
“I’m sorry. I... This is a mistake. We... we need to end everything here. You need to go back, back to where you belong.” Gray heaved a heavy sigh. His heart tells him to elope with the princess but his brain keeps on reminding him of his dearly beloved younger brother.
“W-what do you mean? Gray, I don’t wanna go back! Please!” She pleaded.
“I’m truly sorry, but it is my duty to bring you back to the castle, safely.” Gray sternly uttered. After a few minutes of gathering his thoughts, he stood up straight. A cold and domineering aura which the princess never saw before suddenly appeared. Now he is standing mightily, his eyes were emotionless as it looks at her. The gentleness in his eyes that he usually uses to gaze upon her vanished without a trace.
“I, general Aziel Gray Croix, have found the missing princess Amara Leigh Chireclay." Gray voiced as if he is reporting to someone on the other side using the thing in his hand.
She never knew that wristwatches can be used as a communication tool. Though she read about the advance technology that other countries had been developing and a smart watch was mention in that book she once read.
"Your highness, please pack up your things for I am assigned to accompany you back to the castle in a few minutes.” As soon as Gray introduced himself and his intention, he respectfully bowed and went out. He couldn't breathe properly inside as if he is being suffocated to death.
“G-general Aziel? Croix? Does that mean-----” The princess covered her mouth, stupefied. As far as her last recollection, Croix was the family name of the man whom she was supposed to marry. She was trying to rummage her memories of the man's first name.
SIR INTON CROIX!
She once overheard her grandmother that Sir Inton has an older brother who was known as the highest-ranking military officer. She doesn’t have any other information besides that one; Except that his older brother has been living abroad for so many years! How could this be?
Why? Of all the people, why him? Why does he have to be his older brother?! Amara fell on her knees heartbroken. Her heart is in so much pain, its being torn to pieces. The truth is killing her softly.
‘This pain, is this the result of what people refer as ‘love?' She thought within her. Is this her punishment for turning down a lot of her suitors who took their own lives because they couldn't accept the fact of being rejected? But it was not her fault that she didn’t love them! She didn’t tell them to die either! She didn’t even ask to be a royal.
Her heart-breaking cries can be heard outside and Gray clenched his chest throbbing excruciatingly. How he wanted to grieve along with her. However, he must stay strong--- for his brother, Inton. He needs to endure, he must overcome the pain of losing the first woman whom he truly loved because his younger brother is awaiting for his promise.
Why does it have to be her? Why does he have to touch his brother’s beloved woman? Why do they have to love the same person at the same time?
If only he can turn back the clock... But no, it’s better to endure the pain because getting to know the princess is worth the pain.
FATE IS SO CRUEL....
- Writer
