The Princess's Bodyguard

7. ALARM BELLS

[LENA]

“Wait!” Philippe whispered, pulling me back.

A palace guard was patrolling the corridor I was about to walk into.

“Oh!” I squeaked.

“Shh!”

We pressed ourselves flat against the wall and waited for the guard to pass by.

“Okay, it’s clear. Let’s go.”

Philippe grabbed my hand and we half-sneaked, half-ran, through the empty corridor until we finally made it to an exit that led out to the palace gardens. But just as we stepped out through the door, Philippe suddenly froze. I also froze.

A sound of soft snoring came from our left. We carefully turned to look and saw that a guard was standing just a few feet from us, leaning against the wall. But his eyes were closed. He was sleeping. How he managed to sleep while on his feet would always be a mystery to me.

Philippe grabbed my hand again and he led me down the stairs and to the safety of the gardens. We stifled our giggles as we ran, but we finally let them out once we were deep within the gardens, the lush plants muffling the sounds of our laughter from traveling too far.

“That was fun!” I said breathlessly.

“It was, wasn’t it?” he replied, staring straight into my eyes. “Now I finally have you to myself, Lena.”

My heart was beating fast. Not just from running and the exhilaration of not being caught, but also because of my growing awareness that we were finally alone. With no guards or attendants to watch over us. It was dark, only the moonlight cast a dim glow on the surroundings. It was quiet except for the sounds of our breathing.

I looked away. I was nervous for some reason. Thrilled, but also nervous.

“Shall we?” Philippe asked. “We should find someplace to sit down.”

I nodded shyly.

“Is it okay if I hold your hand as we walk?” he asked, smiling tentatively at me.

I smiled back. “Yes.”

Hand in hand, we began a slow stroll along the cobblestone pathway. I couldn’t keep my attention away from Philippe’s thumb, which kept playing with the back of my hand.

We reached a stone bench concealed between two large hedges. It was perfectly hidden from the pathway. Philippe motioned for me to sit down and I did, trying to ignore the extra tightening in my lungs caused by the cursed corset. He sat beside me.

“You look uncomfortable. Are you cold, Lena?” he asked. Without waiting for me to respond, he put an arm over my shoulder. “Is it better if I do this?”

My heart accelerated. His sudden closeness surprised me, but I also kind of liked it. I mean, wasn’t it the reason I wanted to be alone with him? I could smell his musky perfume and a faint scent of wine. I tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach when I spoke. “Yes. Better.”

“You look very beautiful tonight, Lena. I didn’t think it was possible for you to become even more beautiful than you already are,” he said tenderly, staring at me all over.

A shiver ran down my body. “Thank you, I’m glad you noticed,” I responded, laughing nervously.

“Of course! Who wouldn’t notice?” he said, laughing along. “Those boys you danced with earlier? I’m sure they’d be dying to be in my place right now. Even that other prince.” He smirked. “I have the most beautiful princess in the world to myself.”

I decided to ignore his condescending tone. “Oh, Philippe. I’m really glad you’re here,” I confessed.

“As am I, My Princess.” He smiled. And all I could think about was his lips, and how attractively they curled up into that charming smile.

He noticed where I was looking, and very slowly, he bit his lower lip and left his mouth slightly parted. My own mouth automatically parted in response.

“Lena, may I kiss you?” he said huskily. As he spoke, he leaned in closer to me, until his lips were hovering inches from mine. I could feel his warm breath on my face.

“Yes,” I breathed.

Philippe kissed me.

It was my first kiss. He only pressed his lips gently against mine, but it was electric. As if currents of erratic electricity were suddenly let loose inside my body, making me feel flushed and dazed. A gasp escaped my lips.

He took it as an invitation to do it once more.

This time, his kiss was more assertive. He moved his lips against mine expertly. It’s hard to describe what I’m feeling, but it was a new experience. A pleasurable one. Unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. Lucky I was sitting down. Had we been standing, my trembling knees would have given way by now.

“I love you, Lena,” he said gruffly.

He didn’t give me the chance to respond. He kissed me again. He pulled me closer, and his other hand found its way to my neck. He tipped my head upward as his kisses deepened. I could taste the wine he had earlier. Faint alarm bells started ringing somewhere inside me, warning me. But I ignored them. He kissed me until I was breathless.

Too breathless, in fact. My excitement combined with the restricting corset was literally preventing me from breathing.

I tried to pull away, but Philippe held onto the back of my head, not letting me go. He was too lost in his passion. Or maybe he was too intoxicated from the wine.

“Ph–Philippe, I c–can’t breathe,” I managed to say.

“Me too,” he whispered roughly, completely misunderstanding. “I want you, Lena. Very much. I’ve waited for so long.” He mashed his lips against mine again.

The alarm bells grew louder. Fear bubbled up within me.

I kept pushing him away, but he was too strong. Besides, my attempts were weak from being lightheaded. I never imagined him to be capable of this! He was forcing me against my will.

“Philippe, stop!” I yelled.

“Shh. Relax, Princess.” He paused and looked at me with a glazed expression. The former tenderness in his eyes was gone. In its place, blind desire. “It’s going to be okay. I promise,” he said in a slurred voice.

He pushed me down on the bench and pinned me down.

“No!”

But it was no use. He completely ignored me. I was alone with him and no one knew where I was. Even if I screamed for help, we were too deep inside the gardens. No one would hear me.

I closed my eyes. Somebody! Please!

All of a sudden, the weight on top of my body lifted. I heard a crash and a thud, followed by Philippe yelling and uttering a curse word.

My eyes flew open.

Philippe was sprawled on the ground. A figure was standing behind him, holding onto the back of his collar.

It was Alexandre.

By some miracle, he had found us. He must have yanked Philippe off me and then threw him to the ground.

“Are you okay?” Alexandre asked me in a tight voice. His eyes were burning with anger, but relief passed through them once he saw the state I was in. A little roughed up, but unharmed.

“Y–yes,” I squeaked.

I scrambled to sit up, panting hard. My limbs were shaking. I glanced at Philippe, who was still sitting on the stony ground, clutching his stomach in pain. He tried to get up but Alexandre pushed him back down.

I hadn’t seen what happened, but I suspect the thud I heard earlier came from the toe of Alexandre’s boot making contact with Philippe’s stomach.

At that moment, I didn’t know if I hated him or pitied him. I was so overwhelmed. And confused.

“I suggest you go back to the palace, Lena,” Alexandre said curtly, without taking his eyes off of Philippe.

“R–right. Yes. I should.” I got up, using the hedge to steady myself. My legs still felt like jelly so I stumbled the first few steps, but Alexandre caught my arm. “Thank you, Alexandre,” I said quietly, lowering my eyes in shame. “You should come back too.”

“What should we do with him?” he asked, jerking his head at Philippe’s crumpled form.

“Leave him,” I said quickly. “He’s just drunk. He’ll be back to normal in the morning.” I hope, I added silently. “Don’t hurt him, please.” The words just came out of my mouth. I don’t know why I even cared after what he just did.

Alexandre scowled, but he nodded. “Go on ahead.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I hurried out of there.

The party was still lively inside the great hall. Apparently, no one had noticed me missing. I hesitated outside the entrance. I couldn’t bring myself to go inside. It was too suffocating. I just wanted to be alone.

But Cece had seen me and was rushing up to me before I could leave. “Lena! I’m sorry, but Prince Alexandre went out to look for you!” She took one look at my disheveled appearance and frowned. “But what happened? You look—“

“I’m fine, Cece,” I said curtly, cutting her off. I forced a smile on my face. “I just need to touch up my face, that’s all. Stay. I’ll be back soon.”

I walked away and left Cece standing by the entrance of the great hall, hoping she wouldn’t follow me. I hastened up the staircase and ran in the direction of my bedroom.

But instead of going to my room, I kept on running with no clear destination in mind and somehow found myself in the western tower. A rush of chilly air greeted me. It was windy from being so high up.

I collapsed against the window, leaning on the ledge for support as my mind recounted and tried to make sense of what had just happened. I still couldn’t believe what Philippe did.

Did he really intend to do it? It was his plan to be alone with me, wasn’t it? But why did he have to force himself on me? I remembered how it felt, held against my will without the power to do anything. I shivered.

But maybe it was just the wine. Surely, it was only the alcohol that made him do it. Maybe he just wasn't used to drinking. My sweet, tender prince would never do that if he was in his right mind. I remember his smile. His caring words. He even told me he loved me!

Oh no!

What is wrong with me? Was I being indulgent? Or am I really that gullible? Why am I still caring for him, making up excuses for him, when what he did was unforgivable? Maybe I’m just plain foolish.

My mind and heart were a confused mess. I started hyperventilating.

I clawed at the back of my dress, trying to unlace my corset as I struggled with breathing. It was futile. I couldn’t do it by myself. I fell on my elbows on the window ledge.

My breathing got raspy. The lack of oxygen in my blood left me disoriented. I was suffocating. My panicked thoughts were mingled with the dark realization that I was going to die because of a stupid corset. Just because I wanted to impress some prince who ended up almost assaulting me.

I collapsed, my cheek touching the cold stone of the ledge.

You’re an i***t, Lena.

Was that my dying thought? Maybe it was.

My eyes closed on their own as I began to sag to the floor.

Suddenly, I felt someone shaking me from behind.

I couldn’t see who it was. My vision was dimming. That person must’ve been yelling, but their voice sounded a million leagues away. Like listening through a thick wall. As if I were underwater. As if my ears were plugged and all I could hear were low vibrations.

Still, there was someone who could help me. With the remaining strength I had left, I reached behind me and desperately pulled at the laces.

That someone understood immediately.

A pair of hands tugged at my back, trying to unlace the corset that was killing me. But it was too tight. It seemed they couldn’t untie it on time. The tugging sensation on my back disappeared. Maybe the person gave up. Or maybe they left to call for help.

Regardless, I wasn’t going to make it.

But suddenly, I felt a quick pressure on my back, and the corset just fell apart. The cursed garment fell off my body and slid to the floor.

Air!

I breathed!

It felt painful as the cold, blessed air entered my lungs, but I could finally breathe! I panted and coughed a few times. I was wheezing.

My senses were coming back. My vision was clearing; the deafening sensation in my ears disappearing.

“Breathe,” I heard someone say.

His voice sounded familiar. Very familiar.

“Come on. Breathe, Lena.”

I missed that voice. So, so much.

I turned around, and I felt like crying right then and there.

“Luca?” I whispered.