25 Green With Envy

Victor Marshrider had been getting on my nerves from the first day we met in his untidy den, and vice versa. Still, we were able to maintain a mutual understanding because of the benefits we got from each other. Since our personalities were drastically different, it can be considered a symbiosis in terms of biology. Moreover, none of us dared to break this balance since we were massively dependent on each other, or at least it was what I thought.

But love is a hyperpower beyond our reasoning. So when I went through the second phase of this majestic process of falling in love, I considerably destroyed the already existing balance between us resulting in a new bond between us.

What worried me the most was that after this shift, he became the dominant one in our relationship, as expected. I started to go through a few new concepts. For example, shyness.

Now let's get back to the story of how I deteriorated from the princess who controlled him to the one who grew shy just by seeing him!

On the second day after Flora's farewell, I visited the prisoners in the evening with Merlin and Henry. At that time, I wasn't aware of the fact that Victor was also there. But when I reached almost half the way, my weak heart started to beat faster as I get more and more excited about nearing the prison. At some point, I understood that I was hoping to see him there in the dungeon!

Though I was annoyed with myself, I went to the dungeon and Victor was there with Nilo. Once again, my heart rate levelled up and was frenziedly beating when I saw him.

When I was about to enter the dungeon, Nilo's question stopped me from doing so.

"Cheif, have you ever loved someone?"

I stayed by the entrance and shamelessly eavesdropped on the conversation since I was too curious to ignore it.

I heard a soft sigh leaving the other's mouth. Though he didn't answer with words, it was a yes. The fact he didn't deny it surprised me.

"What is she like?", now Nilo seemed a little excited.

"Don't you have any other works?" the grumpy guy protested.

"Please chief. Please tell me about her!" he insisted.

"Pretty, kind and a bit stupid!" he said.

I never realized that Flora could be described with just three words but this guy made it possible.

"How pretty she is?"

"So pretty, especially when she smiles," said Victor. 'Cringe' I thought.

"Prettier than Flora?" Nilo asked. Probably Flora must be the prettiest girl he has ever come across so he wanted to scale Victor's lover's beauty on the scale of Flora's beauty without realizing she is the one Victor was talking about.

"What? That... can't be compared" said Victor. 'Of course, how can he compare her with herself?' I thought. Nonetheless, his words confirmed his love for Flora. At that moment, I realized something breaking inside my heart. Or maybe the whole heart was breaking little by little?

"Chief, I too have a girl in my mind," said Nilo.

'Wait!' something clicked in my brain then. The excitement I saw in Nilo's face the day before flashed in front of me. 'Could it be he too...,' before I could think further, Victor continued.

"Be careful when choosing the girl. Not every girl will reciprocate your feelings. A few may be out of our league" said, Victor.

"Why? Is..."

"Yes," Victor annoyedly replied understanding the question. "She is out of my league!"

"Why? You... You are a duke" Nilo reduced his voice when he said the word 'duke'. "You can marry any girl you want"

"Not her!" Victor denied. "She wouldn't want to marry me when she can marry a crown prince," he said. I understood that he was talking about my beloved brother, Edward.

"Really? Is she that famous?"

"..." he didn't reply probably because he didn't like the word 'famous' since it may contain a different meaning.

"Is she more popular than our princess?" Nilo asked. At that moment, I understood that Nilo was checking Victor's replies since he was dubious about his relationship with me. I sharpened my ears as I stepped closer to them so I can hear clearly.

"The princess?" Victor questioned.

"Yes!" said Nilo.

"Is she popular?" Victor asked. At that moment, I felt like it was not going to end well today. I was so sure that I'm going to catch them backbiting and badmouthing me soon. Since Victor was involved in this, it hurt me a lot.

"She is well known for her beauty and intelligence"

"Mn"

"And her mental illness!"

I gritted my teeth as I witnessed Victor's lips curling up a bit.

"What else?" Victor asked with a smile.

"People say she is very brave and strong" Victor nodded as he encouraged Nilo to say more.

"And she is rich too," said Nilo.

"You've missed something important" Victor spoke this time.

"What is it?" Nilo curiously asked.

I too was curious so I gritted my teeth and waited since I wanted to know what he thinks of me before I kill these two with my own hands.

"Well... the princess... she..." Victor seemed to be enjoying this and took his own time to say it.

Nilo's eyes widened expecting something great. I frowned expecting him to ask for his death wish.

"She loves to eavesdrop!" Victor finished.

The sachet I was holding in my hand fell to the ground.

Victor effortlessly turned to me with a smirk, "Your Highness!" he bowed.

"You... Your... High... Highness!" Nilo stammered in fear. I glowered at him once then turned to Victor.

Victor was still looking at me with a smirk. It was the same one I saw in my dream last night. An arrogant smile which he used to declare his victory whenever he won against me. I didn't like it.

Also, I didn't like the dreamy look in his eyes when she described Flora a moment ago. I didn't like the soft chuckle that left his lips when he spoke about her qualities. I liked none of them.

'I hate this guy from top to toe' I told myself again and again. 'I can't stand him' I thought.

'He can love whoever he wants. I don't care, not even a single bit,' I thought. 'But he should not be doing in the working hours. Definitely not! That was not at all professional!' I finally found a loophole to punish Victor.

With these evil intentions, I turned to Victor, who was still looking at me with a smirk. "Seems like you're having fun here?" I asked. I purposely looked at Nilo to scare him more.

"Not bad" that arrogant idiot replied.

"Ok. You don't need to be my guard anymore" I said as calmly as possible.

This time, Victor didn't immediately reply. He frowned as he stepped forward "Why is that?"

"I just don't need you anymore" the anger and jealousy in me had already thrown away my rationale. I wasn't thinking straight then. All I wanted to do was to let him know that he is not of any importance to me. I was not sure to whom I was trying to prove it. Maybe it was for me!

"Are you sure?" Victor looked straight into my eyes. I was on the verge of crying then. I didn't know why. Still, I didn't lose my composure. I knew how strong my opponent was so I tried to be braver.

"Yes!" I said at last.

"Ok then. I'll take care of the prison duty" Victor shook his shoulder once then started to walk towards the cells.

"Victor, that's not... that's not what I meant"

I tried to explain the situation. "I'm releasing you from the promise," I told him.

With this Victor's legs paused. He turned to me with a frown. "You're the one who started it," he said as his eyes glistened in that ill-lit area.

For a moment, I witnessed that great villain mentioned in the novel from his demeanour.

I blinked twice in horror as I gulped once waiting for him to finish his line!

"And I'll be the one to decide when to end it," he said then stormed inside one of the cells then disappeared.

'What was that?' I was left alone with Nilo who was so scared because of the two of us. I couldn't understand Victor anymore.

Even after leaving the dungeon, I was not feeling well because of the recent events. My life hand drifted from my plan a long ago because of this guy. If this continues, I wasn't sure whether I can survive here. Now I did not even have an idea of what am I doing. I was in a dilemma when it comes to Victor's relationship with Flora.

That whole evening, I was roaming around the palace, without any target. Merlin, Henry and Nilo were following me. I only went to my chamber when my legs felt sore.

I was so tired so I slept on my bed without taking an evening shower. That day also, I dreamt of him. This time, he was not alone. Flora was standing beside him with a smile!