3. Overnight With The Book Part 2

Not long after being irritated with the conclusions of the plots, some heart wrenching event occurred for Abatina, well not the same for Sally though.

It was when the second prince proposed Belladonna on a royal banquet prepared for his own birthday when she was in her late 19th.

'The moment I have known you to this day, my heart belongs to you! Princess Belladonna de Striver, will you marry me? I give you my words in front of all these respectable people and holy lord that I'll keep you happy for the rest of your life!'

Lilac's words resonated every corner of the banquet hall. Not only the nobles were surprised of this sudden proposal, but aristocrats also gasped.

The Lady they were betting their chances, who could have been the Crown Princess, is being proposed by the second heir to the throne.

And to make it more surprising, Belladonna accepted his proposal. Sources said that they have been seeing each other since her debut at the age of fifteen. And now that she's already above eighteen, it's only right for them to have the wedding.

"What should be my response? Earlier it said that Lilac Vese de Edelweiss will change Abatina's life! And now he's proposing to Belladonna?"

It was already past eleven but the curiosity mercilessly slaughtered her sleep. She had to read, even if it costs the whole night.

After that day, the rumours regarding the secret dating of famous princess Belladonna and the most worthy and kindest second prince Lilac started to spread like fire.

To fuel the fire, they got engaged the very next month with the emperor's and high priest's blessings. Whole Acanthus was happy with this most beautiful union between these two blooming youths, except Abatina.

On the birthday banquet, she was trying to seek an opportunity to get to talk with Lilac. Yes, she was in love with him all those years. And after listening to people talk about how Belladonna was going to be the crown princess by getting married to the merciless and tyrant crown prince, she was sure that her fate had given Lilac to her deliberately after knowing her struggles all those years.

But she forgot that beauty can change anything. Not only people's mindset but hearts too. After listening her loved one proposing to her very own sister, she felt a sudden shiver running down her spines. As if the rumbling clouds hit her with a thunderstorm.

Her legs became wobbly as she doesn't knew where to go now and what to do. She cursed herself for being not as pretty as Belladonna. If only she could have a tenth of her beauty. If only Belladonna had rejected the proposal. If only she had persuaded him earlier. On the day when Bella had her first debut, she should have gone with her. She shouldn't had refused her invitation to go to the ball.

She weeped all night. She had nothing to ask from life anymore. Life was too cruel. Even it was favouring the graceful Belladonna.

She never liked her to start with. But Bella never hated her, rather she had always tried to persuade her talk to her and to make up for all this time she had suffered because of her father's ignorant behaviour.

Not long ago, when crown prince had offered her the marriage proposal, she rejected it politely. People thought it must be because she wasn't ready to rule the throne with him. But after that day, everything was clear. Bella had also loved Lilac.

Abatina's fate tricked her into loving the one who was in love with someone else. And it was too late to give up. All her life, she had sacrificed everything and kept herself shut behind the walls of duchy because one day, she knew that her saviour would come and take all her miseries away from her.

But her saviour chose to save someone else. The person who doesn't even need to be saved. Her heart was dripping with hatred, jealousy and self destruction.

On the engagement day, Abatina was asked by the emperor to be the crown princess in stead of her sister. Not only people find it as a better option, crown prince also kept his silence. Sitting on the throne beside emperor, the crown prince glared at Abatina. His face wasn't visible clearly but the deep gaze of those amber coloured eyes were empty and lacking empathy indicating he doesn't care who becomes the crown princess as long as he's the one to get the throne of Acanthus.

Her whole world shattered in a blink. She had nowhere to go. Weighing the heavy burden of this unrequited love was painful enough but to witness the love to be shared with the person you despise is deadly.

Weakness and strength are two sides of the same card. It's interchangeable. When the empire was merry about this destined union, she lost her belief, rather stating there's no such thing called destiny. It's matter of choices. She has to make a choice.

One drunken night, she got her opportunity. She might have been weak and her charms were no match with someone like Belladonna, she would have tried to pursue her love if it would have been mutual. Or if it's someone other than Belladonna. Why Belladonna.....her heart cried.

Her dreams were already shattered like her heart. The body was the only thing remaining. She was willing to destroy this insignificant body just like how Belladonna destroyed her life. The window was open, the breeze was soothing and bunch of nightingales were singing sweet yet heart wrenching melodies.

The glass hour's sand seemed to slow down as if to conclude that it was the timing she should accept her defeat.

One step more, and she can already see herself getting rid of this ominous life.

"What now? She's going to commit a suicide? Just because of her unrequited love! What's so bad in being a Crown Princess? What kind of female lead are you Abatina? Why are you like this? I don't get you!"

She wanted to throw the book but since curiosity can't be defeated even in most stressful situations, she read further.

'I'm sorry dear deity! You made me like this and now I am coming back to you to get what I deserve! I hate this life!' she yelled.

And without any further ado, she let go of her body to fall free in hands of destiny..... although she never believed in it. But a firm hand pulled her back. May be, destiny was about to get changed after all.