Chapter 5: Are you sure that he's the beasty prince?

Serina's POV

Ever since I entered the palace, I can feel someone's long gaze, and it'll vanish once I turned my head to see whose eyes is gazing me. Was the King going to assassinate me inside his territory? Then start a war? Well that's possible.

"Is something troubling you, Master?" I shake my head, "Just leave me alone, I'm sorting out my thoughts." he nodded and leaved the room...I'm at the veranda, and I'm dying out of boredom, "I'm suddenly remembering all the nag Albert gave me." that I shouldn't act impertinent towards His Majesty.

"So he can mock me all he want? haa as if."

I'm suddenly thinking of jumping down the veranda, but it's not like I was stuck here. I'm really bored, but at the same time, I can't help to be wary of my surroundings. Something feels off. But I wonder what it is, and who's the person behind that letter.

"Since it's boring to use the door--" let me play hide and seek with my guards. I jumped from fourth floor, and I ended up in the second floor, and jump down again, no one has seen me yet. Everyone is busy prepping inside for the banquet tonight.

My feet lead me to the garden with black roses. It's fascinating, it has a tantalizing scent, yet its thorns are filled with a poisonous chemical. Also its scent is dangerous. It can make you dizzy and addictive.

As to how, I 'm pretty familiar with all types of poison. I can tell just by looking at it. 

"Why are you here Princess Serina of South?" that voice startled me...I didn't feel his presence, and he's wearing that pretentious smile again. "The roses caught my attention while wandering around."

"Oh, I see."

He's restraining his breathing, "Do you mind if I'll pick one of your roses?" his eyes widened and he showed his pretentious smile again, tsk I'm sick of this, "Go ahead." I pluck it and intentionally prick my thumb on its thorn. 

"Well, let me see you at the banquet later, we will have some business to discuss." I nodded, and he left me with a smirk. My actions will surely mislead his thoughts about me. They believe I'm a foolish saintess. Well, let me change that impression tonight.

"Your Highness!"

Ches's mood suddenly change, a menacing aura to be specific. He's glaring to the King. "However, it's me who prick this poison to myself." he face palmed, "And why would you do such a thing? I need an acceptable reason Your Highness." His face is serious and his tone is worried. I didn't expect him to be this kind.

"I need it."

"And for what reason?"

I frowned, I hate being questioned of my actions. "I have my reasons, shut your mouth or I'll shut it myself." he has a displeased face, so am I? I hate this, I'm hating this life more. Who are them to prohibit me from doing what I wished to do? I walked away and threw the rose I'm holding on the bush.

I'm clenching my fists in deep anger, I can feel my eyes raging in wrath. I'm like a walking ticking bomb. While I'm starting to feel the side effect of the poison, however I'm mentally used to this. I want to run away, and do whatever I want.

"Your Highness! You need to dress up now." I followed my assigned maid, she's sweating because of my terrifying aura...She's also nervous because she's the only maid I brought along. "I'll wear it myself." I said and locked the door. I hate being touched the most.

"Ughh, I need to calm down, calm...calm"

I do some couple of inhale and exhale thinking it'll work, but it's not working at all. "Whatever, if someone pissed me off, it's their fault that they didn't cherish their life." I grab the gown and wear it on my own. I was the one who designed the dress I'm going to wear at this banquet. 

I just make it simple yet elegant looking. I wear some gloves  But of course, even if I didn't want to, I have to wear a full set of accessories. I put on a lipstick, and some dust of powder, and it's all done for me. I now let my maid to enter the room to tidy up my things.

I saw Ches outside my room, "I'll escort you, Your Highness." he's definitely sulking with his eyes averted.

"You don't need--fine, whatever, but I won't forgive you."

"As if I'll ask for forgiveness tch."  

I hate this bitch, "From now on, just call me Serina."

He rolled his eyes and bowed again, "I don't want to YOUR HIGHNESS" he even emphasized Your Highness, psh, I want to beat him up...this punk. I bump him purposely and walk ahead of him.  

When I enter the hall everyone's eyes on me, they all went silent. I just ignore them and walk towards the King, I bow my f*cking head and greet his majesty. He has this amusing smile on his face. He is definitely looking at my hand. Heh this is getting exciting.

"Please lift up your head." When I lift up my head, the Queen is also looking at me with an amused face. Do I look like a clown to them? Let's see. "I'd like to greet His Highness the Second Prince, it's his birthday after all." let me pissed you up a bit.

I heard he's locked at the tower right after being born, his eyes were cursed, and he has a beastly appearance. Celebrating a birthday without the birthday celebrant is meaningless. He just used this opportunity to make me go here.

 "If you wish to see him, he's on the garden." the Queen replied, I bow my head gracefully. "Then please if you'll excuse me." they all have this smirk on their faces. Even the guests knew what the King is planning on me.

I step out of that suffocating hall. I also escape at Ches's eyes. While walking at the hallway I felt that same gaze again. I ran outside and ended up on the black rose garden, and he's following me. I  stopped, and same goes for him. When I turn my back I saw a--

A man in a prince's clothing with a mask. But I can see the color of his eyes. It's him. "Staring too much is bad, you know?" I said with an arrogant tone, and...I can't believe his reaction. He blushed? What the hell is going on? My temper is now on its edges.

"I-I'm sorry." is he really the prince?

"Ye...yes I am."

Huh? What's he--oh so you can read my mind huh?

"W-was it obvious?"

"Weren't you supposed to be scary? I seemed to be the scary one though." I can't help but to smile. Monster my ass. I'm the monster here. "Let's talk over there, breathing the pollen of these roses are dangerous." I nodded and he suddenly grab my hand, he sighed, and removed my glove.

"Miss, you also didn't fit the rumors about you." I chuckled, "Is that a compliment?" I teased and he averted his eyes. "I-I guess?"  he placed a kiss on my index finger where I prick myself, and the puncture instantly vanish, even the poison itself.

While he's so focused on my finger, my hand suddenly move on its own and removed his mask. He's shocked, and I'm amazed. He covered his face quickly with his hands. Wait, something's wrong here. My eyes widened. What the heck? That handsome face is considered as monster's?!

"Please don't look."

What the f*ck?!

"Miss v-vulgar words...please stop saying them."

I suddenly don't know what's happening here. "Why are you hiding your face?" I ask and he replied with nonsense. "But weren't you scared?" how do I get scared? he's such a fluffy guy. Wa--wait...my thoughts. My mind is completely blown away. "Other than scared, I'm impressed." I smiled again.

"Hey listen, you're not ugly at all."

He has an attractive red eyes, a messy black hair, snow-like skin, red lips--how can this guy be called a f*cking monster?! He's definitely more handsome than the King. Hiding this beauty is a crime. Was it jealousy that he spread those rumors?   

He has this restless  face, and on top of all, this guy...is a total..."handsome" 

"Miss, you have to leave this place immediately."

"What are you implying?"

"My brother is going to use you, and if he offered marriage, please decline, no matter what happened." He's thinking for my sake. "Why are you saying this to me." he covered my mouth on nose, "Before that, you've inhaled too much pollen here." he suddenly carry me like a bag and run away.

I let him carry me like that, haa- I must be out of my mind these days. "S-sorry." I shake my head, "I'm doing this because I want to lessen the wrongdoings of my brother, and...nothing."

"It's pretty tough huh...protecting the empire on your own, with them who acknowledge you as a monster." they're cruel. "You don't want to be engaged with me because you don't want to leave your country." it's not like I want, I just empathized.

"You're impressively smart Miss."

"But, you won't be able to protect your country with just this." I'm giving him a serious face. Well this kind hearted man is just hard to leave with this pathetic state he's in. "I'll accept the marriage proposal, I'll kick that King off his throne, then let's get divorced and live in peace."

I offered my hand and he's hesitant at first, but he took it in the end.

"Rather than Serina or miss, call me Selena"

"Selena." he said with a genuine smile, and caress my hair.