2: Will you marry me

~Laith~

"Instead of throwing Zakishi out of your son's life perhaps I could interest you in a better idea," I proposed.

My words surprised me. Replaying them in my head over and again brought me out as some cunning villain plotting to destroy the second's prince love story.

I admit that my feelings for him at times cloud my judgment however I could never stoop so low as to keep him from the one he loves.

Pacing up and down, I wondered whether it was a good idea to feed the queen the idea to let Princess Zakishi stay with the prince. For unknown reasons, I doubted the princess and I were going to get along.

striding down the manicured lawns of the palace. I gathered my thoughts. Shuddering with dread at the fact that the prince was putting a ring on someone's finger at that given moment.

My feet stopped glued to the ground as my eyes lifted to meet the sight I was thinking about. Right before my eyes in front of the palace, Prince Caelan was on one knee before Princess Zakishi. He held the ring in his left hand as his eyes locked with the princess. My blood ran cold. My eyes moistened out of the blue and a tear streamed down my cheek.

"Zaki, will you do me the honor of being my bride?" the words flowed from the prince smoothly. "Will you marry me," he added. His words fell on m like ice-cold water. It hit me, the moment the princess accepts the proposal, the prince will belong to her. A thought that made my insides tie into knots.

"Yes," Princess Zakishi beamed with joy. The happiness she was feeling reflected on her face. Till that moment the talks of them becoming one were merely talks inspired by the king's wish. But the second prince turned it into a reality.

Princess Zakishi stretched out her left hand and let Prince Caelan help her put on the ring. Caelan slid the ring into her ring finger softly, as though he wished not to cause her harm. The sight left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Hot tears streamed down my cheeks. My heart shattered into pieces and scattered in my chest.

It was the longest moment in my life. Standing on the sidelines watching the man I love to belong to someone else. It hurt.

There was so much I wanted to say, to get out of my chest but in the end, I remained silent. The second prince was far from my reach. For a million different reasons the two of us can never fit in each other's world the way I wish we did.

"You haven't the idea how happy I am, your highness," the princess blushed. Her cheeks turned crimson as she shied away from meeting Prince Caelan's eyes. Her ladies-in-waiting exchanged smiles joining their princess in celebration of her engagement.

My heart felt heavy.

Her happiness brought tears of sorrow to my eyes. A part of me saw this coming however I couldnt resist feeling betrayed and hurt.

The prince rose from the ground. He embraced Princess Zakishi in a hug. The ladies in waiting and the court ladies that escorted the prince turned away. Granting the two privacy to express their affection to each other.

I remained still unable to turn away or break contact with the sight before me. Pain pooled in form of tears in my ears, expressing the feelings I would never dare to utter out loud.

Biting down on my lower I tried to break my trance. Resisting the urge to keep watching the toxic sight that was tearing my insides apart.

My mind refused to accept reality. The second prince and I have stared at each other for too long to be nothing more than friends. He had drawn my eyes to look only at him, it was impossible to accept that it meant nothing to him.

"We should head inside and share the news with everyone," the prince ushered.

Princess Zakishi nodded in acknowledgment of the idea. The prince broke the hug and reached out his hand to her. The princess hooked her hand at the crook of Caelan's hand and let him lead the way.

The prince and princess turned their heels in my direction. I froze.

Prince Caelan halted in his steps after sighting me. His hand holding on to the princess dropped as he nervously stared at me.

"Incirion Laith, my greetings and well wishes to you," Princess Zakishi greeted with her head slightly bowed.

The court ladies lowered their heads to show their respect but I could hardly react. My eyes were glued to the ring in Zakishi's hand. Seeing her wearing it made my heart squeeze in pain.

"I have started a new journey in my life today. I hope that I shall receive your blessings, Incirion Laith," the princess went on to say without raising her head.

Her words echoed in my head as a reminder of the harsh reality that had become of my life. "Laith," the second prince called out to me. My name sounded so sweet on his lips.

The look in his eyes told me that he knew of the pain in my heart. It was evident in his eyes that he understood the impact his actions had on me. Yet he didn't seem regretful of his choice.

The realization hit me like ice-cold water. I found the energy to wipe away my tears. I glanced over to the princess and blinked away the tears in my eyes. I raised my right hand above her head and spoke, "My blessings are with you. May this new journey bring you happiness and endless love?"

A bright light shone from my hand granting her blessings. It was the first time I blessed someone with tears in my eyes. The blessing I bestowed on her would aid to bring her closer to the second prince who happens to be the man I love.

"Thank you, Incirion," she uttered and lifted her head.

I found the strength to walk away.