Expectations and Reality

49 messages

25 missed calls

I've been pretty occupied the previous night up until morning, despite my objection we have gone to another few rounds together.

'I can't believe a person can have that much stamina!' I usually find it unreal when I read novels talking about the deeds, but to experience it on hand, I am very sorry to the other authors if I have doubted you. I have received retribution for calling it exaggerated and not believing it.

I was finally let go when he received a call, I think it was something that he can't ignore since based on the caller ID it seems to be an international line. That's when I ran to the bathroom and cleaned myself, I was shocked to see the vivid marks on my body. Luckily I have a jacket to cover up from neck to my arms. He is a beast!

"Juri, you seemed tired, would you like me to drop you off?" Oh, why do I keep thinking of that 'man'? I forgot that I am with Alex right now.

"I just slept late since dinner last night ended late."

"I see, you must have drunk so much that you woke up super late?"

"Ahaha, yeah I got more than my usual bottle of drink last night."

"You should be careful, next time give me a call so I can give you a lift."

"Oh it's fine, I shouldn't bother you." Alex is such a nice friend that he offers too much for consideration to me, like referring to part time jobs, reserving seats at the cafeteria and like this one.

"I heard you went home together with the guy from the other drama team."

"..!" Did someone see us together?

"Huh?"

"Well, I bumped into one of the drama teams earlier and heard your name. It seems like the one I referred to is a nasty one that you ended up joining the other team. That I heard you walk the same way with the guy."

"Oh yeah, that happens." Luckily it is not that clear and I can slip through his questioning.

"We happen to just walk, that's all." Giving him a reassuring answer, somehow it is odd, why do I need to justify or explain things to him? It's nothing wrong if I decide to sleep with a guy I like or if I get drunk with friends. Thinking of Alex, he must have been worried. I remembered him having three or four sisters. He must have brought his brother's instinct to me.

Later that day, I focused on my academics. The next day I have to meet two deadlines for my projects, go to my part time job.

A week has passed.

And not a single strand of Kallistos hair has been seen.

Somehow it disappoints me, do I expect more of our one night stand? Since we repeated and continued, do I think that he likes me too?

"Hey, have you heard of that popular guy from the drama department?" I heard from the other students behind me, I am at the lounge area, my back facing them. I scribbled something on my notebook and listened to the rest of their conversation.

"Yeah, it's a pity, another handsome guy will be leaving the campus."

"It's just a month and a half, he should have finished the semester, I was hoping to confess to him after all."

"Geez, you're funny, you are not even on his calibre, just keep on dreaming girl!"

"Why? My family has a business, we are quite well off, and I am pretty, he will think I'm a catch ya know?"

"Apparently…" The other girl lowered her voice so that I had to pull my ears to hear her.

"There's been a rumor that he is a prince from another country."

"...!?" I am stunned and so are the rest.

"Really? How come such information got leaked? The University will be on fire if that were to be discovered." It is true, one of the reasons I applied here in Amsonia University is because of their high confidentiality of personal information, though it is well known that other royalties or from a conglomerate were admitted to this University, their profiles were all kept as a secret.

"It's true, but I have watched the recent news about the Sangue Empire's Emperor." It clicks in some sense, 'Sangue Empire'.

"What of it?"

"Well, the emperor has not been feeling well, and there is news of succession, whether it'll be the Prince or the Crown Princess."

"Then?"

""Well his name appeared, though the photos shown were blurred, I think it was him."

"Oh come on, it must be that they only have the same build."

Their conversation raises a question in my mind, I stare at the ceiling of my room having blank thoughts. A sudden memory popped, the shirts he is wearing, the pants, shoes and even the underwear he wears were all branded names from the Sangue fashion.

I grabbed my tablet and went to incognito, where I started typing the name of the Sangue Prince. It is true that he is all over the internet due to the succession news, so it was easier for me to look for his updated photo.

At that moment, I felt like I was splashed with cold ice water. Though the picture was blurred, I saw something that confirms everything. The header photo is a close up one that shows the neck of the prince, it was the same birthmark that Kallistos has.

'Don't be a fool Juri.'

I dropped the tablet, and I woke up myself from this reality.

Meanwhile…

"Your Highness, we have prepared everything."

"Georg."

"Yes, your highness?"

"I'll leave everything up to you."

"Of course, I will take a look into it."

I am reluctant to go, however, the imperial family required each royal descendant to return back to Sangue.

'The emperor is old and is on his deathbed.'

Upon hearing that over the call, I immediately bid farewell to Juri at the hotel room. I never wanted to leave her alone, she looked cold and sad as I closed the door behind.

'Kallistos, you should have gotten her number.'

That is why I assigned Georg to get all the information about Juri Meryll, she is a flower that I obtained on my own. The night we spend still lingers vividly in my mind, feeling as if she is still right beside me.

"The first prince Alexio Kallistos la Sangue has arrived!" Arriving at the lion's den, shooting their glances at me. This is not a heartwarming family reunion, but a competition to aim for the throne.

"Brother, you've arrived." and the biggest of them all has finally greeted me.

"Greetings to you as well, sister Oriana."

"It was sudden, but the senate has called all the descendants of Sangue, you must have been in a hurry and left your university life in a haze." It was a clear sarcastic remarks, Oriana, the first princess who has always aimed to be crowned.

"It is not, as long as we see how the emperor, our grandfather, is faring."

I will admit it, that both my father and grandfather wish me to be the next crown prince, however, Oriana, who has a strong sense of power and ambition, wants the throne. Long after the meeting adjourned, I returned to my palace and took a rest.

My phone rings, which is unusual for someone to call me, when I check it was Georg, he must have the information I need.

"Sir, I apologize, but since she is a citizen of Vanda it'll be harder for us to dig further."

"What do you mean?"

"Ms. Juri is from Vanda, and the country has forbidden the act of intel gathering due to politics and she just left Amsonia that it is harder to track her down."

"What do you mean she just left?"

"Well sir, I have received word that she filed for an early graduation and none of the department knows where she went.

"Didn't the teacher get her address?"

"Sir, Vanda has strict coordination with the campus staff, that would be futile." I still wanted to insist but the current situation can't be helped.

"Just where did you run off Juri?"