Chapter 10 Framed 2

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"Athena, apologize and we will forget this ever happened, "King Aaron said returning the pearl necklace to the general who carried it back to Edith.

"I can not apologize for something I did not do, your majesty," Athena said and everyone turned to her. The girl who was shivering and stuttering was no more she looked like someone who had suddenly been possessed by something and the aura of a warrior lingered around her causing everyone around her to get goosebumps.

what was this sudden change of atmosphere?

'Is she defying the king?' were the question running through everyone's mind.

"Athena, just apologize"The general ordered and she turned her gaze to him

"No General, I would not apologize for something I did not do."She said, the general instantly clamped his mouth shut, there was something strange about Athena at the moment and they couldn't just pinpoint what it was that changed.

The king raised his brows in astonishment and nodded before standing up"General K since she has refused to apologize punish her severely but do not whip her"King Aaron said firmly.

"I humbly accept any punishment you give me," she said.

"Are you mad red?"Xavier asked but was ignored.

"Come with me"the general said walking ahead and she trailed behind him clutching her skirt, the general took her to the courtyard and told her to kneel there which she did without hesitation.

"you are always welcome to leave once you've apologized to the lady," he said but she didn't say a word, he look at her for a while and then turn to leave, she knelt there that morning hungry and exhausted but her determination was stronger, afternoon came and the general came to check on her and was astonished at her will, he went back and came back later in the night when the rain fell heavily, he still met her there kneeling under the heavy downpour drenched and weak, he shook his head and turned away.

Athena was exhausted and looked like a corpse, her skin turned paler because of the cold, and her weight was pushed by the heavy wind due to her weakness and low stamina, A few more hours and she would probably be down and unconscious, she might get sick if she stayed any longer. she saw someone approaching her it was a blur at first but when the person came closer she recognized him instantly.

"Silly Prince?"She called in a weak tone.

"Hmmm, it's me, "He said, squatting down to level himself with her, he tucked the stray strands of hair on her face behind her ears then she slumped to the ground, unconscious.

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I woke up only to find myself in a strange room, it was so early in the morning, I felt pains all around my joints and my legs were weak. I turned to my right and saw someone next to me, it was Xavier, and he was sound asleep inches away from me. My eyes grew wide and I sprang out of the bed with a scream. he jolted awake and sat up, his upper body was revealed and he was half naked, only wearing pants but no shirt. He stood up and walked towards me, my attention was on his upper body, I had seen guys bare chests before and was never affected by it since they took off their shirts to train in the courtyard almost every day but seeing Xavier half naked froze me in place, my eyes were glued to his body and I can't seem to advert my gaze.

His shoulders and chest were broad, those abs were amazing, and his body was glistening under the morning sun that was streaming from the window directly on him as he stood up, he was muscular and had the perfect male figure his hair was disheveled falling on his face and he was easy on the eyes, staring at me with those piercing blue eyes, very appealing and suave, my mouth was hunged open and I was drooling.

"If you keep staring, I might get shy," Xavier said with a smirk, I caught myself and regained my senses then I looked away. He approached me slowly and I subconsciously stepped back until my back hit the wall, he didn't stop and instead came closer until he was an inch away from me, he leaned forward and slammed his hand on the wall I tilted my head to the left, he carefully grabbed my chin and turned my face to look at him, as soon as our gaze met I felt my heartbeat race.

"Achoo, achoo, achoo"I sneezed three times and he pulled away. I bit my lips in embarrassment, he suddenly touched my forehead.

"You caught a cold," he said retracting his hand.

"Where is this place?"I asked despite knowing the answer.

"My room," He said and I quickly looked down at my body.

"What...what happened to my clothes"I asked.

"They were damp... so I changed them," He said suddenly bringing his face closer to me again making me jolt and clutch the cloth I was wearing, it was his Shirt and it stopped at my thighs. I gulped and stared at him like the pervert that he was.

"Why...why would you touch my clothes without my consent you pervert !!"I roared in anger.

"Hey easy, I was just kidding, I asked Sarah to do it," Xavier said as he chuckled.

"What, Sarah saw me here, ugh you just gave me a lifetime of tease," I said with a pout then sat back on the bed.

"Then would you have preferred I do it myself?"Xavier asked with a smirk.

"Wait here," he said and then went out of the room. I looked around in awe at the interior of the prince's room, it was just so large bigger than the cabin back home. It was painted white and had deep blue curtains hanging on the wall, covering the windows. the walls had designs of knights and some other strange images, there was a gold-colored shelf hanging up on the wall with weapons on it, swords and arrows, spears and shields even knives.

The king-sized bed was covered in blue sheets and a wooden headboard with sexual carvings on it. I saw my uniform hunged neatly on the iron bar where his coats were hung, it was dried and well ironed. I heard no one enters the prince's room easily but here I was seating on the prince's bed. A blush crept to my face and I grinned brightly and squealed into his pillow, the door opened and I immediately sat upright. He walked in with a tray in his hand, there was a cup of hot tea and some loaves of bread placed on it.

"Prince Xavier, no you shouldn't be doing that," I said and he halted in his tracks.

"Prince Xavier, what happened to Silly Prince?"Xavier asked lifting a brow. he placed the tray on a stool and sat next to me.

"I...I didn't do it, Xavier, I didn't steal that necklace."I said.

"I know, and the king also knows, "Xavier said.

"The king?"I asked.

"Edith was caught, she had framed you and it has been proven," he said.

"Really!!"I yelled in astonishment and threw myself at him for a hug, he lost balance and we both fell on the bed and our eyes locked, I was resting on him with my hand on his bare chest and our faces just inches apart, My heartbeat raced again and I didn't know if I was the only one feeling this way or he was also feeling the same way.