9 : THE GUEST

CHAPTER 9

LUKE

*dream*

It was dark and cold.

"Hello?"

My voice echoed around me as I struggle to stand straight. And suddenly, I was filled with confusion as I felt pain on the side of my stomach.

"Where am I?" I didn't have the time to hear the echo of my voice as I found myself staring at myself and is that--?

"Neo?" My words echoed again to myself as I look at her wide blue eyes that have taken me away the moment I met her at the hospital five years ago.

"It was you? I knew it!" I tried to back away from the image only to find myself getting dizzy as the world around me blurred. I can see Neola and me looking at baby Jacob as he sleeps. Those nights we spent together at the hospital, drinking our coffee is all that I could keep as good memories.

But the rejection and hurt I felt when I left is unbearable.

I was about to touch Neola's face but when I opened my eyes, I saw my father looking at me, his hands holding my mother's hand as I felt myself sinking on the water.

"Pa? Ma? What's the meaning of this?" My father smiled at my question before he pulled me up from the water and hand me the crown. He gave me a tap on the back and I was surprised to see them fade in the never ending darkness.

*end of dream*

NEOLA

"I'm so sorry, Argus. It was my fault. I didn't listen. I am so stubborn..." I hugged myself closer as I look at him-dressed only in a casual hood and pants seeing as it's his day off-and sigh.

They have patch up my wound. To conceal it from the media, Argus lend me some hoody to wear over my blouse. "The prince could be very impulsive most of the time..." Argus laid his hands on my shoulder as his voice washed away my guilt, but not all. I still know that I am one of the reasons why Luke is in the operating room right now.

I shrug again before I muttered, "But still..." I sighed, shaking my head as we both waited. My gaze was drawn back to the ring on my palm as I held it close to me-The sapphire on the middle gleaming as I twirl it around and around-making me think about the happenings.

I was about to stand up and get myself a coffee when the doctor came out of the doors. He removed his face mask before he said, "The crown prince is stable now. I would like you to sign a couple of papers before we proceed on transferring him to his private room. " he smiled at me before handing me a stack of documents.

I look around and bit my lip. I didn't bring a pen with me nor could I ask Argus for a pen. He just had ran the way from the park to the hospital. I won't expect him to have a pen with him all the time. But because of my desperate self, I look at him and pretended to scribble something on the air in Argus' direction.

"What?" His question made me slap my hand over my face. "Well?" He raised an eyebrow at me before I squeaked, "I don't have a pen..."

I bowed my head as I felt the blush covering my cheeks. "Here..." I look at the doctor as he push the pen towards me. I took it rather suddenly and signed the papers before I give it to him.

The doctor just smiled at me before he disappeared behind the doors. I look behind me and saw Argus snickering, "What?"

"Nothing. I'll just go get your coffee..."

•

"Mademoiselle?"

"Madame?" I felt a light tug on my elbow before I opened my eyes. Argus was standing really close that his shadow made it impossible for the light to reach my seat. "The king asked for your presence. He was by the door..." I wipe a nonexistent drool on the side of my face before I look at Luke. He's been out of the operating room since last night and we are just waiting for him to wake up.

Without any reply, I stood from my seat but was surprised when a hand held me back. "Neo..."

I could feel Argus as he shuffled on his feet and called out for a doctor.

I just stood there on the side of Luke's bed, biting my lip as I tried to avoid his gaze. "Neo," he called back again and I look at him this time. I frown at him before I decided to crouch and hold him, "It's Lou, not Neo." I whispered at his ears.

He just shook his head before saying, "No. I've seen you. I--" he suddenly stopped only to try and sit up yet Argus stopped him as the doctor arrived and check his vitals.

I was about to turn around and speak with the king when I realised that he was just behind me, "Loisa Dayle or should I say, Neola West?" The king whispered on my ear that I felt myself stutter for an answer, "My king, I am--"

He held out a hand which made me stop. He look at Luke's bed before he whispered at me, "I know, child. I know that you love him and you wanted to stay with him so I'm giving you the opportunity to marry him..."

"But I'm not born to be a royalty. I do not know how to rule and act as highly as you and Luke could..." I muttered the last part with envy as the king pat my back and held me close, "You love him, that's what matters. But I warn you this won't be so easy." He smiled before continuing, "Luke hadn't have a proper training but look at him. It was just two months and he acts so great now." He put a hand under my chin and look me in the eye. "I will be watching you in every step. Remember that every action you do from this day and on, will be reflecting the kingdom. I will be here to guide you both but I can't assure you that I am on your side. It takes more than love to win my trust." I just nodded at him, still unable to grasp everything.

With a swift move, he lets go of his hold at me and took a stride to Luke's bed, "Grandpa..."

"Son. We have so much to discuss." Luke glance at me before he look back at his grandfather. "Indeed. Grandpa, about the ring..."

"Yes. Yes. I know about that." With the king so close to me, I could hear his sigh as his shoulders sagged. "I know full well that she never wanted to be your bride and I understand that. She can go after you've healed. As for you, I will give you another month to look for a bride and if you did not, you know the consequences of your action." With my brows furrowed, I glace at Luke only to see him staring at me, his face so dark that I'm afraid any minute now, he would lunge and kill me.

Luke just nodded at the King's words and soon a doctor came in to announce that Luke could go home with us. In a matter of minutes, we found ourselves travelling back to the mansion. The king didn't join us back because he left earlier for France to arrange a meeting about his retirement and the passing of throne to Luke.

It took me a moment to realise that I am going to stay with Luke until he was completely healed which made me nervous. He already told me that he knows who I am-That I am Neola-the girl who rejected a prince.

Well, I was too young then and too afraid and he left me without any explanation if he really did love me. I don't even know if what we had was even important to him.

I stared at Luke as he lay asleep on his bed, Argus stood across from me now dress on his uniform. With the confusion and agony eating me out, I decided to just call Elle and update her about my situation.

She answered the first ring and I was surprised to hear Jacob screaming, "Aunt Neeeeneee! "

"JACOB! Hello, baby.." I whispered on the phone and can't help but laugh as I hear him giggle. "I miss my little boo!"

"Oh my god, Neo!" I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the scream and the blabber. "Where've you been! We're looking for you for the last three days. Oh my, I'm very thankful you are still alive." I just sigh before I stole a glance at Luke and Argus and decided to stroll outside the mansion.

"I was asked to return, Elle." A long paused from the other line made me almost regret the words I said but a small 'and' oppose that idea and urge me to continue. "I think he already knows who I am which endangers your--"

"Miss Dayle." I turn around to see a maid about my age-clad in blue checkered skirt and white blouse-smiling at me. "There is someone who is asking for your presence inside the mansion. They are hoping for you to come in soon as to not waste any time..." She bowed before scurrying off at the back part of the garden.

"Elle, I'm so sorry but I have to end this call. There is someone who wants my attention inside. Do you think you could maybe, call me later? Or should I be the one to?"

"But I have so many things to tell you. Who is that person to be more important than us?" I momentarily stopped listening to her as the maid from earlier usher me in with her hands. "I'm really sorry but I really need to go now, Elle."

"Fine. Go now. I will be waiting for your call. Jacob miss you so much..." I just nodded at the maid before answering Elle. "I know..."

I dash for the doors as I slipped the phone inside my pants unable to stop the giggle. Geez, I almost collapse because my doll shoes are far too slippery. Hearing the voices echoing on the floors, I reach the main arches only to see two people standing across me.

The two people I hated and also loved the most.

계속