Beyond control

Demitri led the way downstairs, to the hall, then eventually to the grand exit. The curious glances from every palace servant didn't escape me. I could almost hear their thoughts screaming in their faces: Who is she? Why did the crown prince brought her to his chamber and received such a special treatment? How is he related to the prince?

Didn't know you can read minds now, my lady, Raja interrupted.

The questions are obvious in their faces, Raja. No need to be a mind reader.

"Here," Demitri offered a hand to support me upon entering carriage.

"Thank you," I said a bit coldly and settled myself inside at once. He then sat beside me.

"You could have just let the coach send me home. It is an honor to receive such privilege but I guess it is too much," I said, low enough for both of us to hear.

"You said it is an honor, right? Focus on that part then and enjoy the privilege I'm giving you," he replied cooly.

"As much as I want to think that way, I suppose people might misinterpret your kindness. Have you seen the faces of the palace servants? They were obviously jumping into conclusions. Why would a decent man suddenly bring a girl in his chamber anyway? People are malicious in nature, if Your Highness is not aware."

"Why would a decent man suddenly bring a girl in his chamber?" he echoed my question with an obvious teasing. "Because she has no place to sleep and the decent man is kind enough to share his?"

I grimaced. How humorous that is!

"Didn't know you are quiet good in humor."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Who says its a compliment? If Your Highness haven't noticed the sarcasm, I was being sarcastic."

"Indeed?"

"Indeed."

I cleared my throat. "As I was saying, it is quiet unbecoming for a crown prince to be seen around with a lowly lady like me."

"So?" He raised a brow. "If being a crown prince means living by the expectations of the people around me, I'd rather rather be nothing. I was raised not to reach my people's expectations but to reach my own expections and do the right things in the ruler's perspective. So in simpler words, I don't care about that matter at all."

I was lost for words. I can't help but be amazed of the principles he grew up with. For His and Her Majesty to instill such principles in their son's minds, I was impressed.

"Doesn't the king suppose to follow what the people want?"

"Is doesn't mean every other kingdom follows that norm it is the basis of what is right."

"So you believe you shouldn't care about that matter because it doesn't make sense?"

"Precisely."

It wasn't long before we arrived in front of the tavern. Demitri lend a hand for support as I went out.

"Thank you very much for sending me home, Your Highness. You may leave now," I dismissed him because there were people passing around and I don't want them to recognize him as the prince. I don't want to be the center of gossip in the next days.

"Very eager to get away from me, are you?" His scrutinizing stare was giving me difficulty in breathing.

"Let's just put it this way. I'm a lady who only wants a life far from complications. I'm sure Your Highness understood what I mean?"

"I do understand that, Ophelia. That means I should not see you again, am I correct?"

I smiled. "I'm glad you got my point."

His face became stoic, blank, as if he doesn't want me to see through him. Gone the lights in his eyes. His orbs were in total darkness now as if it never tasted light in the first place.

"If that is what the lady wants, then how ungentleman of me to decline."

And without further ado, he went back to the carriage, and never looked at me again.

Even when the carriage was gone, I remained standing there, looking at the same direction where I last saw him, unmoving.

He was clearly hurt, Raja said.

Was I too harsh? But that was the right thing to do! Being close to him is another potential complication. I have so much in my plate now. I want to be close with him I admit. I want to get to know more about him. To be someone in his life. But what if in the long run I would want more and so does he? What if being close together as friends would not be enough? I am no clairvoyant, nor I am ignorant. So before things escalates into something serious and out of hand, I should stop it from happening as early as now.

You said yourself you're no clairvoyant. What if his presence doesn't mean complications? What if there's a purpose why you met him? What if he is the one who can help you?

And should I risk on those what ifs, Raja? Would it be worth it?

You would never know unless you try.

"Oh Ophelia! You're back!"

I turned around and was welcomed by Thiara's hug.

"I was worried sick, you know that?! You just disappeared last night after you danced with Prince Ares! Oh precious heavens, don't tell me you spent the night with him?"

My whole face heated.

"Lower your voice, Thiara."

"I was so worried, but then I realized the crown prince also suddenly went missing shortly after I saw you two danced. So I was under the assumption that you two went something more private."

"I was in the palace last night," I whispered and her eyes widened.

"What. Did. You. Say?" She looked at me with disbelief. "You mean you really slept with him? With the crown prince? Are you serious, Ophelia?"

"It's not like what you're thinking, okay? Let's get inside first so I can tell you the whole story."

She pulled me urgently and we went to the table meters far from the nearest person around.

"Come on. Spill it now. I'm dying in curiosity here! What do you mean by it's not like what I'm thinking?"

"I didn't sleep with him. Nothing like that happened at all. It's true, I was in the palace and I spent the night in his chamber—"

"His chamber?!"

"Let me finish, will you?"

"But you ended up in his chamber, correct? That is a big deal! How did it happened? The crown prince never had a history when it comes to girls, so I was really shocked that he brought you himself to the palace, most importantly, he let you sleep in his chamber!

"What do you mean by he never had a history with girls? Does that mean he was never with anyone before?"

"Yes, dear. As in, never in his twenty one years of existence."

"That... couldn't be accurate. What if he had a relationship before but he just kept it hidden for the sake of privacy?"

"Which is very unlikely of him. The first prince is known for being always straightforward and honest. He doesn't like the hiding thing. If he wants to do something, he shows it and would not care if people will see it as ethical or unethical. He is the kind of man who lives by his own principles, not by impressing others nor keeping his image clean."

Beyond adequate, isn't he? Raja in the background. And yet you hurt his feelings just like that. Pardon for my words, but I guess you should be condemned.

Again, it is the right thing to do, I told him.

Right thing to do or right for you? That is two different things, my lady.

"So what exactly happened?"

I went back to Thiara and then went in detail on what really happened last night. She was shocked and horrified of what I've went through and how I was suddenly in the brink of death after a joyous night. Though, I didn't completely tell her everything. Just minus the detail of how I managed to defend myself at the last minute with my newly discovered ability.

"Thank heavens Prince Ares followed you! I can't imagine what could have happened to you along with all those injuries if he didn't find you! I am deeply sorry for what happened, Ophelia. I should have watched you—"

"No," I cut her. "Nothing is your fault so you have nothing to apologize for. It was an unforeseen event. Something beyond our control."