Behind the doors

"Princess, I am really disappointed. I really

wanted you to find a prince. Its surprising

that there wasn't a single young man down

there suitable enough for you to court."I

shook my head in disbelief at Barbara's

words.

She had been rambling about this subject

from last night. She was really expecting me

to have some new male friends so that one of

them could be my love interest.

"Barbara, I know you really want me to find

the one. But believe me, no one was charming

enough to catch my attention.

"Although,I found someone mysterious.I didn't know why I wasn't comfortable in

sharing my feelings with Barbara this time.

From last night, I had been continuously

thinking about that man with green eyes. guessed I was afraid proving myself as dumb.

I danced so sensually with a man and didn't

even ask his name. He was already looking

handsome to me with that mask. I wanted to

know how the beauty would go beyond the

level after removing that mask.

Shaking my head, I started playing my violin

again. I was sitting in this big hall room, I used

specially to ignore the outer world. This room

was full of our family paintings. There were

some book shelves too, full of the books father

had gifted me every year. Some were from his

own childhood. The most special thing here

was my violin that mother had gifted.

Suddenly, Barbara stood beside me started

cleaning the case of my violin with a cloth."How can this be possible? No one caught

your attention? I will have to pray for Greek

god to come here for you. Princess, It is always

better to get acquainted and find your own

Valentine by yourself rather than getting

arranged with a stranger your parents

expect you to marry." Barbara's voice held

frustration but the scenario in my eyes was

really funny.

She looked adorable whenever she got

worried for me. When she was done with

the suitcase, she came closer and slipped

her hand on my head, lovingly. I noticed she

looked worried all of a sudden making me concerned.

"Princess, there is something you should know

but my loyalty for King and Queen doesn't

allow me to reveal. They have strictly ordered

us not to tell you." She said reluctantly.I was surprised.

She had never been so worried about sharing something with me. This subject must be really important which I now wanted to know soon. I stood up from the chair and looked at her with questioning eyes.

"If it is really that important, you should tell

me without any doubt. It wouldn't be a sin to

violate your loyalty for my good." I said softly.She looked at the floor and then back at me. I was looking at her with hope but she finally shook her head.

She held my hands in hers and said,"I can't

do that, Princess. I am just worried that you

should know about this sooner so you won't

get surprised later." I raised my eyebrows.

What was it that Barbara wanted me to

know?I worriedly looked at her and tried again.

Then, atleast tell me or you shouldn't have

mentioned it in the first place." She sighed

and looked at me with helplessness in his

eyes.

I crossed my arms and looked at her

with raised eyebrows. She blinked and finally

loosened her shoulders.

"Go to your father's reading room. Just don't

let them know, you are listening something

you shouldn't." My eyes lit up while she tiredly

looked at me.

I nodded and gave her a peck on cheek before

hurriedly walking out of my room. Running

through the grand corridors of the castle, I

reached the stairs.

Stepping down on each

one, I increased my pace in tension. What

could be so important that my parents didn't

want me to know?I had finally reached the King's wing of the castle. Walking silently through the corridor, I crossed every pillar and the guards standing near them. I turned left and luckily, saw the guards walking away from the reading room's door to talk with other guards.

I smirked and walked silently towards the big

doors. They were closed but I could hear the

voices. I slowly opened the doors a bit and

saw the fireplace active. Then, I saw father

and another man same as his age, both were

walking slowly in the room with worried

expression on their faces.

I was about to look back to check if guards

were coming back but something caught my

eye. King Edmund Cartwright? The king of

Ravernia What was he doing here in father's room?looked upset. But before I could think more,

a feminine voice reached my ears,"... Diana,

you don't know how much we had tried.

My boy, my little boy is now a spoiled man. He is careless. I had never thought he would betray

us like this."A sense of curiosity came inside me. I wanted to know why King Edmund was present inside with his wife. Why Queen Jeanna was crying for her son? What did she meant by betrayings them?

I was really not able to look at the ladies

as they weren't in view. But both the King's

pained faces were visible. The Queen's voice

had worsen as she sobbed again. I heard my

mother telling her to stop crying,"Don't be

worried, Jeanna. Your son has just walked

on the wrong path. He will soon realise how

wrong he is and will return back to you, his

family, his kingdom."I shifted my weight from one foot to another.

I looked back and guards had still not returned.

I had plenty of time for eavesdropping. I

focused back on the ladies' conversation. The

Kings were awfully quiet."How, Diana? How? My son is not like mine.

He had changed totally from when I had seen

him last time. He had these cruel expressions

on his face. He doesn't like us. He became

more cruel to everyone. He scolded us for

being polite to the maids. At first, he always used to object his father on showing mercy to

the criminals when he was firstly introduced

to the army. He had talked with his own

father so bitterly and how could we ignore

that he had murdered his own grandfather.

He is the reason behind the downfall of

Ravernia Empire."I felt my heart sinking. Who was this prince who had killed his own grandfather?The news itself was a shock to me. I pitied Queen Jeanna with heart. "I hope, your son return back with a golden heart and take up

his birth right to wear the crown of Ravernia's

King. He would return. We will pray, Jeanna,"

said my mother.

I was disappointed. What happened to her?

Why she was praying good for that murderer?

He doesn't even deserve to return to Ravernia.

But if he wasn't in Ravernia then where he

was?As if King Edmund had read my mind, he

sternly said,"He has been banned in Ravernia.

What could be worst then getting evicted from

your own home, especially when you are the

descendant of that same Empire?..." I could

feel the shame he was feeling while telling

deeds of his own son.". It was best for him to runaway rather than getting executed and make us ashamed. The whole Ravernia still wants justice for their.

former King's murder..." I put hand on

my mouth to muffle my gasp. Execution?

Ravernians must be really angry on this

murderous Prince."He will soon get his senses back, Edmund.

We

should focus on the war ow. Its time to take

action for that overly arrogant Empire, my

friend. The Calyptica Empire. Valona will help

you, my friend." There was amusement and

pride in my father's voice.

King Edmund nodded and smiled sadly at

him. But before I could hear him thanking

my father, I heard the sound of footsteps. The

guards were returning.I quickly jumped away from the door and hid behind the curtains decorated on the near by pillars. I surely was hidden now.

But what about the information I had eavesdropped?The whole secret was so much to digest.

The Prince of Ravernia was a dangerous,

ruthless killer. He didn't like his parents. The

worst thing was that he had killed his own

grandfather. How could someone lack that

much integrity?Suddenly, I heard opening of the doors and sounds of footsteps. I had already gotten alert and kept straight behind the curtains.

The four Royals were walking out of the room. I

snuggled more into the curtain.

". I had always thought of your daughter

and my son together. I wish my son could

deserve your daughter, Simon. I wished we

could be related through the marriage of our

children. But that son of mine, that disgrace

on humanity has shattered all my dreams. I

can't even think about the betrothal anymore.

I wanted it to happen but he just.."What? My eyes widen in disbelief.

I shuddered

behind the curtains. What was he talking

about? I felt my heart beats faster. Hearing

my father coughing, I peeked through the

curtain expectantly and saw him placing hand

on King Edmund's shoulder.

I had a feeling father would taunt him for even thinking like that. Me, marrying a killer? Why were they dragging me in this? I sighed and waited for my father to speak."Edmund, I had also been thinking about the betrothal from these past years."