Chapter 10

Princess Liviana's POV

After two more days of resting, I was able to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Prince Elias went back to our kingdom yesterday. I remembered I was crying as I hugged him when suddenly 'your highness' dragged me away from my brother. I was shocked by what he did and furious at the same time. What a heartless jerk!

"I pity those flowers." I was knocked to my senses when I heard a familiar voice. "Stop crushing them, will you?" I let go of the flowers that I didn't know what I am doing to them. I stood and turned to him.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"I think you just lost respect for your highness." He said mockingly and grinned.

I sighed as I rolled my eyes. "Is there anything that I can do for you, your highness?" I said as I bowed my head.

"Come with me." He said, and I raised my head to look at him. "Let's go downtown."

"Really?" I asked, confused. "I mean, I'm coming with you? Why?"

He looked away before speaking. "You looked bored, so I thought if you're interested to buy books." He said as I processed all the words that he spilled. What has gotten into this guy?

"Are you sick?" I asked innocently. He's acting weird.

"What?" He yelled. "Do I look sick to you?" He suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me as we walked. "Stop asking and follow me." He commanded. I tried to snatch back my hand from him but to no avail.

He made me ride a black horse while he's on a brown one. I smiled as I caress my horse's body while we're on our way to the town. "You like horses?" He asked.

I nodded as I smile. "I love it. I have a white horse back at our kingdom. I always ride on it whenever I trained with Prince Elias." I told him.

"What training?" He asked again.

"Archery." I answered. "By the way, I noticed you have a training ground, but you don't have swords, bows, arrows, and some other equipment for fighting."

"We don't need that equipment." He suddenly stopped. A bunch of men wearing nothing but trousers is passing by. I diverted my gaze and busied myself caressing the horse as he talks to them. "No one's allowed to roam around the kingdom without proper clothes. Spread the word." He commanded them.

They looked at each other first before answering. "Understood Al—" The guy beside him covered his mouth. "We will do, your highness." He said as he grabbed the other men and walked away.

"What was that? Do you have another name?" I asked, confused. He's going to address him with the word starting with A and L.

He just ignored me and decided to continue our way to town. "It was nothing, don't bother yourself." He said. I nodded, and we stayed quiet until we reached our destination. I was amazed at how organized their market is. They're selling mostly clothes. Despite busy surroundings, once they recognized us, they're bowing their head to pay respect. I noticed some of the ladies looking at me from head to toe as they whisper to each other. I just ignored them, and I keep looking at different merchandise.

We stopped in front of a book store, the store looked old and packed with books. I got excited all of a sudden. I hurriedly walked inside and started checking all the books piled on every shelf. "Why do you love reading books?" I glanced at him, then back to the books. I didn't know that he followed me inside the store.

"When I was a kid, my mother didn't want me to go outside of the castle. I was curious about all the things beyond the wall. I made a way to know more about the things outside, and that is through reading books. That's why reading became my habit." I told him. I picked two books about history and one book about documentaries.

"Was your mother that protected towards you?" He asked.

"Not really, she has other reason." I walked where the owner is and asked how much should I pay. The owner smiled and did not let me pay for the books. I said my thanks and leave his store.

"What's her reason?" He asked while we're walking on the aisle between stores. I'm looking for a gift for Connor and Colten.

"Her reason was that she was ashamed to have me. She didn't want other people to see me." I smiled at him though I failed to hide my true feelings. "It's kind of a complicated story. For sure you hate drama, so I don't want to tell it in detail." I said, he did not speak and ask any further.

We returned to the castle after I bought my gifts for those two. Once I get off the horse, I heard someone speak. "I'm waiting for you, Prince Conrad." There was Thalia who looks gorgeous in her yellow floral dress.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, looking surprised.

Thalia looked at me instead and smiled. "It's good to see you, Princess Liviana."

I smiled back at her. "It's nice to see you again, Thalia."

"What's happening here? Do you know each other?" He asked, confused.

I smiled at both of them. "I'll go ahead, your highness, Thalia." Then I walked inside the castle. I breathe out once I was meters away from them. That scene feels so awkward and suffocating.

"Lili!" I looked at the two Princes running towards me. "We're looking for you." Colten said.

"Why? What's happening?" I asked worriedly.

"Where have you been? You suddenly disappeared." Connor asked while raising his one eyebrow. I chuckled at his reaction.

"The almighty your highness took me downtown to buy these." I showed them the three books I bought. The two looked at each other bewilderedly.

"He asked you to go out?" Connor asked.

"Well, he thought that I am bored, so he took me out of the castle." I said.

"Wait…" Colten's nose crinkled and sniffed the surrounding. "That's Thalia." He blurted out. My eyebrows knitted on what he just did.

Connor sniffed the surroundings as well. I got more confused and bothered by what they are doing. "What are you guys doing? You sniffed like a dog." I stated.

"It's her. Did you see Thalia anywhere in the castle?" Connor asked while looking in a different direction.

"I did. Thalia and your brother are talking over there." I pointed in the direction where I left them.

"What?" Connor reacted and immediately ran in the direction that I told him.

Colten crossed her arms on her chest and looked at me. "Aren't you supposed to stop Conrad from talking to that girl, Lili?"

I was taken aback by what he said. "What? Why would I?" I said, chuckling. "Thalia said she's your brother's mate."

"Did you believe her?" He asked as he shook his head. "Only Conrad can tell who's his true mate is."

"Soul mate or not, I don't think I have the right to interfere as long as they love each other."

"You're his wife and our Crown Princess, Lili. She's the one who has no right to interfere." He said furiously, then he marched towards where Connor went.

I just shook my head and smiled bitterly. Why I always ended up in a complicated situation? No matter what happens, I will protect my heart from now on.