Blame

Yoddal could feel how much he hated her father. This made her more scared to tell him who she really was. Although she had decided to tell him one day about who she was and about her family, the story he just told her made her not want to say anything to him. She was confused whether to tell him or not tell him.

She didn't know what to do.

Steve finally raised his head from her chest, feeling quite embarrassed about crying. He made himself vulnerable before her. That was something he had always avoided and now look at him.

He looked at her and noticed that she was not here, though physically but not psychologically.

"What is wrong?" He asked her, worried about the sad and worried expression on her face. He saw her still lost in her thought so he shook her and asked her the same question.

She slightly jumped at his voice. "Hmmm?" She asked him, not quite getting his question. "I asked what was wrong?" "Oh! Nothing. Why do you ask?" She asked him, agitated as she thought that she had maybe let him know what she was thinking.

It does not sound logical though but still, she could not help but worry. She was worrying so much right now.

"You have this sad expression on your face which made me ask and I am not convinced with your "Nothing." so, tell me what is on your mind." He said.

"Uhmm, well , I was just really saddened about the story you told me about." She said. She felt bad for lying to him but she told herself that it was not completely a lie. 'It is at least the half truth.'

"I'm sorry for bringing your mood down with my pathetic story. I am... such a... sorry man. Allowing his sister to... die... in his place. I am the worst brother ever, I mean, it really is all my fault. If onl-"

"No. Don't say that." She cut him off. She did not like the fact that he was blaming himself for his sister's death. "Don't ever say that. It never was and never is your fault. I'm very sure that your younger sister-" "She is my older sister." He corrected her.

"She is older? See what I'm saying? What type of older sister would love to see her younger brother die? A bad one, I would say. And she was a good sister. Moreover, you did not see her coming-"

"I should have seen her. I was not blind. What exactly is wrong with me that I could not see her?" He said exasperatedly.

"There was no way you could have seen her." She said, trying so hard to convince him. This must have been all of the things he had blamed himself for. "You were at the brink of death. You were young too. How on earth would you have seen her coming? Stop beating and blaming yourself for what you did not do. If there is anyone you should blame, it should be my fath... uhmm, I... I mean that King Miraj." She said, quickly correcting herself from making a huge mistake in her words.

Steve heaved a deep sigh, looking more sad. "I just wish things were different, you know. I... I just wish she did not have to die in my place. I wish I had just died my die."

"What!" Yoddal exclaimed. "You wish you had died? I am more than grateful for your sister doing what she did. I know that I might sound irrational right now but if she did not do what she did, I would not have been able to meet you." She said. "You tell me, are you happy to have met me?" She suddenly asked out of nowhere.

...

The party was now tense and awkward. The place was filled with distasteful mutters.

Richard and Rita could not leave the throne room as a result of the first-hand embarrassment that they received not long ago. They were sure that the people's mutters were about them.

Soon enough, people started leaving. Many did not bother going to greet them, Richard and Rita, goodbye. And the few that went to them, greeted them with disgusted looks on their faces.

As the people were moving out, Lilac came in. She went straight to King Nixon and bowed down to him.

"Yes?" He said in a question form. "Your Highness, I have seen her although-" "Is she alright and safe?" He cuts her off with a question.

"Yes she is but-" Her words were cut off by King Nixon again. "Tell her to see me later tonight." He said.

Lilac was a little confused by his statement. "Tonight? Are we not leaving now?" She asked him, tilting her head. "No." He said without any hesitation. "Why? I think we should leave since we have found the princess and she is doing well. I mean-" "Whatever decision I take is none of your business, Lilac. You have no influence on whatever decision I am to take. Know your place and stay there. Are we clear?" He reprimanded her sternly.

He was angry for not respecting his decision. She even had the guts to question it. He was so annoyed that one could see it with the expression on his face. Even the tone he used demanded respect and no questioning.

Although there was no real threat in what he said but still, the way he said it was not to be played with.

"Yes , your highness." Lilac quickly said with her head bowed down very low. She was frightened by the look on his face. 'Does he have to be so scary all the time? I hope you know I am going through all of these because of you, Princess. That man of yours better be worth all the sufferings on my part.' She thought quietly.

...

"You tell me are you happy to have met me?" He heard her ask him. She looked at him with an intense gaze. How did they get here? She was just comforting him on what happened to his sister, and now she is asking him this question? This girl was quite something.

He could tell that she was the type that could go from zero to hundred real quick!

She waited patiently for him to answer her question. As he opened his mouth to say something, she saw people coming out of the hall. 'Is the party over? Already?'

She was surprised that the party was already over. The party usually goes on till midnight. So why was it over now? 'Does it have to do with my brother?' She thought to herself again.

What if he comes out now and he sees her with Steve? It could cause some serious damage. He might ruin her relationship with Steve. That was the last thing she wanted. In fact, it was the one thing she didn't want.

She decided to leave before he comes out and see her.

She stood up abruptly. "I'll be leaving now." She said urgently and he was confused.

"Why?" He asked her. "Uhmm... I suddenly feel dizzy. I think I need to rest. I'll see you later." She said and started to leave, walking towards the maids chamber.

She suddenly stopped, turned and then started to walk towards Steve. When she got to him, she bent and placed a kiss on his lips. It lasted for few seconds.

She withdrew from him. With her hands still on his cheeks, she whispered to him, "Good night." She then rushed off.