Chapter 8: I'll keep it in

Hunter's POV

It's been a week, and she's surprisingly busy. Are princesses normally like that?...I whistle and a chilly breeze entered the room. I feel comfortable here, it's like I finally have my space. But I have this dejected feeling that lies inside me...I think she has forgotten that I'm here. 

I always had my meals alone for almost a week. She hasn't visited me since that incident. But I overheard from the maids that she is having a hard time because of me. It's my fault. *sigh* "I lost my appetite again." 

"Same, but we need to eat." 

I immediately turned my back and..."W-why are you looking so shocked?...Now you're smiling? Ohh I knew it." she walked towards me while I'm stepping backwards. "What do you mean by you knew it?" was it obvious? that I want to see her?

"Next time don't hide it, okay?"

"Does that mean I can whenever I want?"

She nodded, "Why would I prohibit you from eating?" she held my hand, "Let's go I'm hungry." she said so casually. I chuckled, I thought we have the same thoughts /what's funny? Am I wrong?/ I shake my head and put an assuring smile. I tighten my grip on her hand.

"I'm feeling hungry too." I smile from ear to ear. /his smile is not convincing at all/ 

"I thought you said you have lost your appetite." pfft what's with that cute glare? "I did?" she rolled her eyes and my left hand suddenly move on its own to pinch her rosy cheeks. "Ugh let's eat, I want to sleep early today." I nodded with a big smile. 

While dinning together, I noticed that she seemed tired. She also don't seem to enjoy her steak today compare to her reaction the last time she ate it. "Want me to give you a massage later?" I offered and she thumbs up without a single thought.

"Next month will be our engagement ceremony, and the coronation itself. Also...The head butler is planning on making you do half of the paper works, so from tomorrow onwards you'll be coming with me in the office." She's grinning. Her eyes are so fierce, and she has a menacing tone.

/You'll finally undergo with the same treatment as I/

/You don't know how demon Albert can be/

/Once I am entitled as the queen, I will definitely issue a retirement form for him./    

I like how she outburst her frustration and anger in her mind. She's like a pouting fish. Adorable. "You seemed to be having fun..." she's even glaring while uttering her words. "Whatever, bring in the desserts." she ordered and the maids came in with pudding.

She dig in first and she gave a soothing expression on her face. "Ugh I love this." she murmured and I stared on the pudding in my front. She love this thing? She probably like this pudding more than me.

"You want mine?"

"Definitely! Give me that!" 

She's smiling from ear to ear, she even go all the way here to get my pudding. "Taste it first." she scooped a spoonful of it and offered it on my mouth. "How did it taste?" she excitedly asked. If I say it's good, she will feel bad, won't she? "It's creamy, but I'm full."

"Full or not, you've given it to me so it's mine." 

I'm speechless. I'm out of words. That pout is cute. Absolutely cute. She ate them real fast and now, we're heading to her room. I'll give her a mass--"You don't actually need to escort me back, ah and I didn't mean that thumbs up." tiredness is all over her voice and face. 

/I just want to sleep, sorry./

"Want me to carry you to your room?"

"We just ate dinner, pfft stop being a worrywart, your fiancée is not a weakling." 

"But--" she suddenly hug me and buried her face on my chest that made me pet her hair, "No buts, you will carry a lot of duties tomorrow so take a rest and gather all our energy for tomorrow, okay?" she lifted her head up in that 'okay' and while nodding she yawn.

*chuckles*

"Damnit I really am--whatever." she finally gave up and hop on my back on her own. /Was his back always this huge?/ she put her head on top of my shoulder /it really is comfortable.../ and carelessly fell asleep. Her room is so far from the dining hall, it really is hassle. 

 The maids didn't enter her room, they let me go alone with her on my back. The moonlight is passing through the window, and she's sleeping defenselessly. I don't know anymore. I'm starting to contradict myself. 

"I want to save the empire..." I took a glimpse of her, "But, I also want your attention being drawn to me."  I want to know you more. Even if it's just a little bit, since I don't deserve you.

"Will you forgive me of being greedy?" I grab the opposite sides of her blanket and put it on her. "Be greedy as you want." she extends her hand to caress my head, "I'll make your wishes come true, so tell me, okay?" she seemed to be half asleep.   

I gave her a sweet smile and kissed her forehead. "That's something a man should say."

"I'm your fairy." she also toned down.

"Seeing a beautiful fairy everyday is enough." 

"I ain't a fairy, I'm...actually a reaper before, whose hated, despised, and everything that's not nice." she closed her slightly opened eyes and smiled. A beautiful one. I don't get what she's saying, but her words feels true.

"Sweet dreams...Selena."

 ______

"Hunter! why are you sleeping on the sofa when there's bed?" she's sitting beside me with a big smile on her face. "Did I disturb your sleeping? hehe" my hand moves on its own and grabbed her hand. I was shocked myself and immediately let it...go. 

"Let's go, breakfast is waiting." she's offering her hands, "But aren't you going to change first?" her expression suddenly become dull. "Darn that stupid customs." she nodded, "Yeah, right...You can go ahead, wait me in the dining hall." 

I nodded. From the outside you will be stunned by her beauty, you will also think that she's a fragile gem, but surprisingly she is tough and can be vulgar at times. "Yes, I will." I stepped out and the maids entered her room. 

While walking on the busy hallway I can feel someone's gaze on me, I opened an empty guest room's door and went to the balcony. Someone's there. As I open the glass door he's already kneeling down before me.

"Are you spying on me?" I directly asked and he shake his head. "Then why are you keeping your eyes on me for almost a week?" he lifted his head up, and his face remind me of--"I'm sad that you forgot your only friend Your Highness." 

"Chester?"

"Yes Your Highness? or rather...Your Majesty?" he's a childhood friend and also my... "I have found your beloved bride, I won the bet." my eyebrows frowned. "Are you saying that i-it was her?" he nodded. "Want me to test it out?"

"N-no, you better not."

I turn my back on him, "Excuse me, I'll have a breakfast first." 

"Prince Hunter Reign Lincoln, you can't love that person no matter what." his words are like a million of arrows that struck me all at once. Why? Just why? "Of course..."