Isha

Four days of absolute avoidance. What am I supposed to make out of this? To say I was hurt when I woke up at Fleurina, without Calix beside me, would be an understatement. Of course my worries were put to rest when Calix's bodyguard, Kev informed that the prince had to rush to Nirvana due to an uncalled emergency. He, along with Broody, had safely accompanied me back to Euthensia. The capital. Without any hitches. But the hitches and constant overthinking, which were stirring up my heart, was a different matter.

I scolded myself to stop being such an obsessive, doubtful girlfriend and not forget the fact that he is a prince after all, with duties to attend. And such situations will take place in the future as well.

However, to think straight and rational became out of the question when my calls and text messages did not go through. For three days straight. Knowing Calix, he should have called or, at the very least, texted me back, seeing my queries. But he did not. In fact, I was being shown all the time that 'the number does not exist'. When even after three days the issue continued to persist, I knew for certain that this wasn't a technical problem from my side.

Hence, I had to turn to the last resort.

Audrey. Calix's secretary.

My teeth sink into my lips as I pace around the living room of my apartment and hope desperately that at least the woman might pick up my call.

Thankfully, my prayers are heard and she does, as a soft voice speaks up, "Hello, who is this?"

"Audrey." I sigh in relief. "It's me. Isha."

"Oh." Her voice for some reason, sounds unusual, as if she is holding in her breath. "Miss Sen, h-how have you been?"

"I have been well...well okay-ish, I guess. Anyway, where is Calix?"

A nervous laugh comes from her. "Ah His Royal Highness..."

"Yes." I frown at her sudden change in behaviour. "Audrey, is everything alright? Is Calix alright?"

"He is. And yes, everything is fine, Miss Sen. The thing is..." she trails off as I wait for her to finish explaining what the heck is going on rather than beating around the bush. "I am so sorry Miss Sen for what I'm going to reveal."

My fingers dig into my pants.

"I cannot explain everything in detail because it is a confidential matter by King Richard's order. But please understand that for an unavoidable reason, Prince Carlos is no longer the Crown Prince. Prince Calix is. This will be soon announced to the citizens. As a result of which, it has been ordered for you to cut off any ties with His Royal Highness Prince Calix and Nirvana."

"What the heck?" I blurt out the words, a sarcastic laughter leaving me. "Is this what, 1st April?"

"Miss Sen, I apologize once again but my hands are tied. I am just doing what I am ordered to do and my job of informing you this, has been done. Please do not contact Prince Calix or anyone else associated with Nirvana, again. Also, Prince Calix's fiancée has been decided by His Majesty, himself. He will soon be engaged to her.

I am sorry and have a good day."

My mouth hangs open when Audrey declines the call and in an instant, blocks my number. Oh no. I am not letting anything go without an explanation to me.

Laughing maniacally, I sit down on the couch. I am not going to cry or forget everything and just move on. Isha Sen is not to be underestimated. If the Royal Palace does not want to let me meet Calix, then I will go there by myself. By any means. And what in the world is Calix doing by sitting back and letting everything happen?

Anger blooms inside my chest. Oh yes. I have turned into a psychotic bitch desperate for answers.

I am coming for you, Prince High Horse. You have messed up real time.

I am not a thief but I could always pass as one with the way I am on, Operation: Sneaking in to Smack Prince High Horse mode right now. There is certainly no way the guards will let me walk through the gates of Nirvana just because I was supposedly in a relationship with Calix. Hopefully my full on black attire would help me camouflage in the dark of the night.

I glance down, taking a view of the black pants, sweater, cap, and mask (the sunglass was added purely out of the desire to experience a cinematic, thrilling moment). A camera in hand to appear as a foreign tourist, photographer or news reporter, here to take pictures of the Royal Palace from outside.

No. I look more like a celebrity hiding from the paparazzi and fans, rather than someone trying to blend in with the surrounding darkness.

My entire body freezes when I notice from my peripheral vision, few guards pointing at me with suspicious frowns. Nerves increase when they begin walking towards me. Shit. They must have sensed something is wrong. I thought I was being a pretty natural actor; clearly I was wrong. Well, all this time pretending to be a loving couple in front of the media with Calix made me believe I was spontaneous at acting.

Or maybe, nothing ever was an act with Calix, after all. Initially, it could be, but after we started getting along. I am not so sure.

Panic gets the best of me and instead of standing there while the guards came to question me, I raise their suspicions even more by dashing out of there.

"Stop right there!" Three guards run after me but with the help of my quick agility and much distance between us, I manage to quickly take another route.

A gasp of air leaves me as I pant against a wall, catching my breath while my eyes glance over to the building of Nirvana. My lips tremble as I feel wetness of frustration, disappointment and hurt forming in my eyes. No. I will not give up and return without proper answers. What if Calix is being blackmailed, threatened? What if he needs me as a moral support? Yes. I shouldn't let the negative thoughts manipulate me.

Clenching my fists, I walk to another part of the Royal Palace, heavily guarded unfortunately in all parts. Even the guarded towers keeping a lookout for intruders are annoying. I can't believe I have to crawl through the bushes just to escape the meticulously inspected security breaches like a common thief. Sucking in a tight breath to control the tears from falling, I promise myself that once I meet Calix and help him get out of whatever situation he is in, I will smack him a thousand times so that he never not pulls such a stunt again without asking for my help.

My eyes lit up when I catch a glimpse of Broody through one of the high bars surrounding Nirvana. Fortunately no one is around. Hence I make a psst sound to grab his attention. The hunk of a man looks around in alert wondering from where the strange sound came.

I whisper yell this time from behind the high bushes covering me. "Broody! I am here!"

The man with great sense of hearing finally finds me and his eyes widen in shock immediately. He looks here and there before quickly coming over and crouching down to my level, since I am still in a crawling position. Only the thick bars are separating us.

"Miss Sen, what are you doing here?" Broody whispers, trying to keep his raising voice as low as possible. "You will be thrown into prison if anyone sees you!"

My jaw tightens. "I wonder what happened in the span of four days that I am suddenly treated like a terrorist than Prince Calix's girlfriend."

"You are no longer His Royal Highness' girlfriend, Miss Sen," Broody says, his face full of sympathy, "I am sure His Royal Highness' secretary has informed you about it."

"Yes she has. And that is why I am here to know the reason because that jerk has been avoiding me like a plague." Angry tears sting my eyes as I snap at the man in front of me. "And I will not be going back until and unless I receive a proper answer."

Broody looks like he has something to say but he doesn't. He stares at me for a moment or two before sighing and mumbling. "You will get me fired for this, Miss Sen."

"What do you mean?" I wipe off the tears which had managed to escape, and question in confusion.

To my surprise, Broody offers me a gentle smile. "Unfortunately, this man here has a soft heart and cannot turn away a person being treated unfairly. I will help you reach His Royal Highness, Miss Sen. But that is the only help I can offer. I am afraid you must face the consequences on your own if you get caught."

I beam immediately. "No, that is enough for me. Thank you so much, Broody. But, how would I get in?"

"I have help. Well..." For some reason, Broody's cheeks redden as he mentions the name of the helper while scrolling through his contact list to perhaps call the person. "Kev will be of help."

It doesn't take a genius to understand what is happening here. I soon connect the dots and can't help but grin. It seems like Broody might have a certain type of affection for Calix's bodyguard, Kev.

I keep the decision of asking for more information from Broody, aside for a while. Because right now, my mission has officially begun.

Operation: Sneaking in to Smack Prince High Horse.

Calix

The words written on the pages of my favourite book, How To Be A Great Ruler seem nothing but, well, just words. I used to read and devour the chapters with the utmost interest and passion. It was the hunger for knowledge inside me that wanted me to find ways to appeal to Father, and thus, I had spent several sleepless nights reading through this thick book of 3500 pages.

All to impress the hypocrite father of mine, who never once cared about anything unless it directly involved him.

A defeated sigh leaves me as I rest in my night attire on a chair in my bedchamber. Being the Crown Prince should bring me immense joy.

It does not. Not when I have to sacrifice Isha in order to keep her safe. Not when I have to marry another woman, call her my wife and expect to have future heirs with her.

Never. I would rather adopt children than sleep with another woman who is not my Isha. I am supposed to meet my fiancée tomorrow. Crystal Veraya Moraxo, daughter of Duchess Leonora of Le Moba Nano, a town located in Eastern Syncitia. I should perhaps find an excuse of feeling under the weather, tomorrow morning.

As I drown in worries about numerous things, the door to the balcony of my bedchamber opens and in comes Isha. A very angry Isha. But my gorgeous Isha, nevertheless.

I grit my teeth. No Calix. You need to keep Isha safe from the harmful gaze of King Richard. She is no longer yours.

I force a cold gaze, which makes the woman halt her steps mid-way. "How did you get in here?"

Isha clenches her jaws and fists, while her entire being trembles to control the tears. I know sweetheart. I feel the same.

"Broody and Kev helped me sneak in through a secret passage. The one that you apparently use, to go out and have fresh air once in a while." Isha smiles, and my heart shatters seeing her trying her best to make the mood lighter when she is not to blame for anything.

"I see. I hope they will escort you out the same way. Please refrain from returning again, and contacting me further." I face away from Isha, for all I know I will break down and take her in my arms, the moment I see the raw hurt smearing her face. Please Isha. Don't say anything more and leave. Leave and cherish your life. Find a man who is not a pathetic coward like me.

"Why are you doing this?" Isha's voice wavers as she steps close. I can feel her stepping close. No, please don't. I cannot bear to say something more hurtful to make you hate me.

"Miss Sen, this is an order from the Crown Prince of Syncitia. Leave." I say, keeping my voice harshly stern while still having my back on her.

Isha does not speak. All I hear is a sharp inhale of oxygen as she delivers the next words. "I am not leaving until I receive a proper answer. Was everything we shared on our pool date, time spent at Fleurina, our first time...and all the moments before, did I misinterpret everything?"

No Isha you did not. Everything was real. Everything is real. Will always be.

"I was simply swayed by useless emotions that made me vulnerable momentarily and hence, distracted me from my goal. After I became the Crown Prince, I realised that my present and future partner needs to be someone worthy to stand beside me. A woman with a high status and title."

Lies. You are the most deserving woman on Earth and any man will be fortunate to have you as his partner. In fact, I am the one undeserving of your immeasurable, selfless love for me.

Hate me, Isha. Hate me and never love me again. Leave and don't come back, ever.

Isha stays silent. And I take the cue to continue speaking as I deliver my final words.

"It was merely an infatuation. A temporary infatuation."

An eerie silence stays between, with none of us speaking. Finally, Isha decides to make a statement. Her voice ice—cold but wet with emotions.

"I apologize, Cal—Your Royal Highness. This commoner girl forgot her place in the society and misunderstood everything. Well, I am glad to have experienced...the memories you gave me. Even if they were temporary and false. I am delighted we are no longer in need of maintaining a fake relationship for the sake of the scandal. Congratulations on becoming the Crown Prince and, I wish you a healthy and happy life with your bride-to-be."

The moment I hear the doors of the balcony shutting, I collapse on the floor and break down into hysterical sobs and uncontrollable tears. My hands find the expensive glass flower vase, gifted to me on the occasion of becoming the new Crown Prince. I push it away, the shards of glass piercing my skin and blood oozing out profusely.

However, the pain in my heart is much more excruciating and unbearable.