Chapter 33

News of Richard and I spread like wildfire. Everyone in the palace knew that we were a thing. In just two days, I have received some congratulatory messages from servants or dukes. 

"I'm so happy for you love," Victoria said. 

"How many times have you told me that?" I laughed a bit. 

My motherly figure laughed a bit. "To be honest, I have always wanted the two of you to be together. I mean, many people have also wanted the same thing."

"Really?" I asked. "Who wanted that?"

"The servants, also a few dukes, wanted you to end up together and become beloveds," she said. "So tell me, how do you feel after finding your soulmate?"

"I don't know. Happy, sad, surprised and thrilled," I responded. 

"Sad, why so?" she inquired. "Aren't you happy with Richard?"

"Of course I'm happy it's just that there is a part of me that hopes this bond will not weaken Richard. He has a lot of things on his plate." I uttered out. "I don't want to be his weakness." 

"Princess having a beloved is not a weakness, but believe it is a huge gain," Victoria assured. "You can never be his weakness because you have always been there to support him throughout." 

"I don't know Victoria." I sighed. "What if I bring him down?"

"You won't, princess," Victoria said. "Richard is your beloved, which means the two of you complete each other."

"If you say so." I sighed, although not completely conceived. 

"Listen, love, since you and Richard are now beloveds, there will be a lot of disagreement and problems, but the two of you need to work together in order to overcome them all," Victoria advised. 

"I know and we will try to do that," I assured her with a smile. 

"Much better." She returned my smile before giving me a big hug. "I should get going." 

"Sure," I said. "See you later. I love you."

"Love you too." 

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"Hello, sweetheart," Richard said before burying his face in the crook of my neck. He kissed it sweetly "How are you?"

"I'm okay," I replied. "Stop teasing me."

"I can't help it, you are so amazing." he chuckled. "How is your arm?"

"It feels better." I lied, but deep down, I knew he could see right through me. 

Richard raised his brows. "Lying are we?"

"I'm sorry, to be honest, it still hurts badly. The sword was quite heavy to carry and the worst part was when I used it to attack." I admitted. 

"You will get used to it, baby," he muttered. 

"I hope so." 

Richard laughed at my despair. He always does that. 

"Why do you always laugh at my despair?" I asked. 

"I don't do that," he said in his defence. 

"Yes, you do," I repeated, before rolling my eyes at him.

"Baby, don't be mad at me." Richard pouted before dragging me closer to him. 

"Leave me alone," I said as I desperately tried to free myself from his arms, but it wasn't possible. 

Richard sat down on the couch, then pulled me towards him again. "I'm sorry, love." 

"I'm not hearing you." I lied. "So let me be." 

My boyfriend only chuckled. "I will make you forgive me." I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but wonder what he would do. 

'What is he up?'

Strong arms carried me from my sitting position to my bed. I could feel shivers run through my veins. "Richard, what are you up to?"

"You will find out," he smirked. 

RICHARD'S POV

She's mad at me, but I know how to make that change. 

"Richard.." she stated, but I silenced her with a sweet kiss. She loves it when I do that. 

'I love it too.'

My hands found their way to her hips, and I clenched the soft skin she possessed. I massaged the area slightly, which caused her to moan into our kiss. 

'Keep that up, princess.'

I grasped my love's hand and brought it to my lips, leaving a gentle kiss along with her palms. "You are amazing in every way and I love you so much. No matter what happens, I honestly care about you. There is no other person who I love so much, nor is there another girl who makes my heart skip a bit every time. I love you princess."

"I love you too, asshole." She laughed before hugging me, pressing her body into mine. 

"So I'm forgiven, right?" I asked. 

"Yes, I guess." she rolled her eyes. 

"I love it when you are mad," I admitted. It was the truth. 

"Shut up!" she yelled.

"Calm down, love." I requested. "You know I enjoy troubling you." 

There is no way I wanted her to become mad at me now. 

"Whatever," she said. "Where is my grandfather?"

"In his room." I guessed. 

"I feel like seeing him," she said. "Can I?"

"I don't know besides I think he will feel stressed out by now." I sighed. "The preparations have been stressful."

"What preparations?" she asked. 

"The death anniversary of your parents and grandmother," I uttered out before quickly covered my mouth, but it was too late. 

"Anniversary." she mouthed with glassy eyes. 

'Why did you talk about it, you stupid boy?' the voice in my head chastised me. 

"I'm sorry Annabelle, it was your grandfather who was supposed to break the news to you, not me," I said. 

"It's not a problem because I knew already," she muttered. "I always celebrated this day with my aunt and uncle, but this time it will be with everyone in the kingdom." 

"It's not important to attend. Your grandfather will not force you to attend it," I informed her. Seeing tears swelling up in her beautiful eyes hurts me deeply. 

"I want to attend because it is the right time to do as a daughter and The Firce Princess." she monotone, but I could sense a lot of pain in her voice. 

"Your feelings are important so think not only about rights and responsibility." I reminded her. "There is no way I want you to endure the pain of losing your loved ones." 

With a big smile, she intertwined our hands together before giving me those adorable baby doll eyes.

'Not the eyes.'

"I will be fine throughout the event, I promise. Please don't think I'm a weak person," she said. "I will be perfectly fine throughout the entire ceremony besides it will be weird if the daughter of the late royals is nowhere to be found during the ceremony." 

"But all this will stare up pain in your heart," I complained. 

"Which is good." she smiled. "I want them to see that I'm happy with my beloved." 

"Annabelle," I muttered. "If this is what you want, then fine, you will always have my support throughout." 

"Thank you," she said before kissing me gently. "I love you." 

"I love you more," I whispered. 

'Please let this day not cause any problems for Annabelle, the king or Firce.'