Chapter 58 Princess Espin
“Your Excellency…”
Veronia’s face grew redder and redder, and more distorted at the same time. Thump, thump, thump, her heart pounded like a bat out of hell. Her heart was beating so hard that her chest ached.
“Maybe I… been drawn to you, Nia, from the moment I first saw you.”
“…”
“It just happened, I couldn’t help it.”
Nia confessed, half-heartedly, half-sincerely, tucking the other half away.
It was for the best, Killion thought, the only way he could keep her, keep her by his side, without losing her.
He reached out and gently took her hand in his. Their gazes locked, dizzying each other.
Unable to bear his intense gaze any longer, Veronia bowed her head deeply. And then she saw his hand covering mine.
His large hand was rough but warm. Tears welled up in Veronia’s eyes at the familiar yet unfamiliar touch.
‘I tried to… to get away from this hand, but…’
Killion’s hand was gentle from the start. But Veronia didn’t have time to enjoy it, so she struggled to get away.
Eventually, she succeeded. That was enough, she thought.
But she couldn’t help but feel a sudden twinge of longing, and she hopped and hopped that it would go away.
‘But then… like this again…’
She was caught by his hand. She liked the feel of his big hand in her, the familiarity of his callused, rough hands, the warmth of his warmth.
‘But no! Never… no…’
She needs to get rid of that hand. There was no time to hesitate.
Veronia pursed her lips, picking and choosing her words. But she had no idea what to say in this unexpected situation.
As she hesitated, Killion spoke again.
“So we…”
“No!”
Veronia said, almost shouting. She couldn’t hear his next words, because she felt like if she did, she wouldn’t be able to push him away anymore, and if she did, she wouldn’t be able to let go of… his hand forever.
Killion, startled by the outcry, turned to her, his mouth agape.
“I beg your pardon, Your Excellency, but I’m different; I’ve never thought of you as the opposite sex; to me you’re just a high nobleman and a man of great character. Just like everyone in the Empire thinks that way.”
“…”
“And I’m still in love with my child’s father. I know he’s already dead, but I miss him every night and it drives me crazy.”
“Ah…”
Killion’s mouth fell open, as if all the energy in his body had been drained from him at once.
“So… sorry, Your Excellency.”
Veronia bowed her head stiffly to him, then turned and walked away, her hurried footsteps fading into the distance.
Killion couldn’t hold on to her. He had no energy left, no rationale.
“Hahhh…”
He buried his face in his hands and let out a long, groaning sigh.
‘You still haven’t gotten over Jediel’s father, dead and still loving him. A dead man… can never win, can he…’
For a while, Killion sat still, looking up at the sky. He sat there, oblivious to where he was, how long he had been frozen, and why he was doing this. His heart sank into his chest.
When he woke up, it was too late. The red sunset was gone, and darkness had taken its place.
He rose wearily to his feet and began to move his legs slowly. The night air was cool against his cheeks.
***
It was not his godmother who greeted Killion upon his arrival at the mansion, but Lady Espin.
“You’re late, Lord Killion.”
Killion stared in surprise at the pink-haired woman before him; he had completely forgotten about his dinner with the Princess, and didn’t even recognize her.
‘Who…?’
He stared at her for a moment before remembering that she was Princess Espin and that she was staying at the manor tonight. And that he had failed to honour his promise of dinner tonight.
Killion bowed his head respectfully, unable to hide his embarrassment.
“Good to see you, My Lady.”
“It’s been a long time, Lord Killion. Ten years? You look as handsome as ever.”
The violet eyes that looked up at Killion shone brightly. A wide grin broke out on the still-girlish face of the princess who had just turned 20 this year.
“I’m afraid I couldn’t keep my promise of dinner tonight. I apologize .”
“You’re a busy man, I understand.”
“I know.”
“But apart from understanding, I’m a little disappointed.”
‘Oh…’
Espin pouted her lips, making her feelings clear, and Killion was stumped.
“…I’m sorry.”
“If you are truly sorry, will you do me a favor, Lord Killion?”
Violet eyes looked up at him expectantly. It was a look he couldn’t refuse, especially now, when he was so sorry he couldn’t keep his promise.
“Of course. What can I do for you?”
“Oh, you did just say ‘of course,’ did you? You’re really going to do it, aren’t you?”
“Sure…”
Espin giggled, her shoulders heaving as she asked what was so good about it.
“I want you to come with me to the Coronation Eve festivities, which start tomorrow.”
“Ah…”
“Very well, join us for the festivities tomorrow.”
“Wow, yes! Thank you, Lord Killion!”
Espin exclaimed, clapping her hands and singing. She’s like a child, Killion thought.
***
Late at night, Empress Sandra came to visit her youngest son, Caspian.
“You’re going to have to sort out your womanhood. You will engaged to be married.”
Caspian scowled at Sandra’s nagging, but whether he listened or not, Sandra continued.
“I’m looking for the best woman I can find, so you’ll have to be especially careful of your behaviour in the future.”
“Are you engaged to be married just because the Emperor has been dead for so long? Isn’t this a time for self-restraint, my dear?”
Caspian tried his own retort, but it didn’t work on Sandra.
“Is it self-restraint to carry a different woman on your arm every day?”
“…”
“Now that you’re old enough, you should settle down with one woman. Listen to me, you’re an adult now, and you should be able to take care of your own plate.”
Caspian cringed at the mention of ‘plate’ and raised his voice.
“Oh my God, am I going to have to go off to war now, like Tate, is that what you mean?”
Fear washed over he like a tidal wave.
He knew he would have to leave the palace someday, but he had never thought it would be now.
“Of course not! The only place you belong is here, in the palace. Don’t worry, you will always live here, just as you always have.”
“But what about…?”
It was customary for princes and princesses who were not heirs to the throne to leave the palace when they came of age. But to live here forever? Caspian didn’t quite understand what Sandra meant.
“Don’t worry. I will never let you leave the palace.”
“Ohhhhhh…”
Caspian’s expression softened at Sandra’s firm voice. It reassured him that he wasn’t going to be thrown out of the palace anytime soon.
“I hear that Princess Espin of the Kingdom of Hisric is so beautiful, would you be willing to meet her?”
“Princess Espin, you mean the one who is staying at the Duke of Drea’s residence?”
Sandra nodded her head slightly instead of answering. The corners of her red mouth curled up in a pleasing way.
“Beautiful?”
The corners of Caspian’s mouth twitched upwards. It was a sinister-looking smile.
“But there must be a reason why the Duke of Drea invited Princess Espin to the ducal residence?”
“There must be a reason, but nothing has been decided yet, has it? It’s not over until it’s over, Caspian. Remember that.”
“Yes, mother.”
Although the Kingdom of Hisric was only a quarter of the size of the Empire of Asnatham, its economy was no less powerful.
The kingdom’s vast reserves of pure minerals and its location as a transport hub meant that trade was brisk.
‘A princess from such a small kingdom cannot be lost to Killion, especially when the king is so fond of his youngest daughter.’
It was obvious that if a cute little princess from a wealthy country could be Caspian’s mate, it would be a chance for Caspian to shine, after all, he’d been stuck in the background with his older brothers.
‘As the youngest prince of Asnerdom and the youngest princess of Hisric, …would make a great picture…’
Sandra’s mind was racing with ideas.
