Chapter 15: Weakness

A giant, magnificent carriage pulled by two elegant black horses halted its motion in front of the golden entrance gate of the royal castle. Holding his dignified elegance, Xanthus calmly walked out of the gate towards the carriage when they opened wider. As soon as he reached close, the coachman hopped down and slide open the door of the carriage.

A tall, muscular, middle-aged man with a broad physique and groomed in royal lavish attire walked down first. He had sly smug on his handsome bearded face, as well his dark black hairs were styled above his forehead. Flaunting the long black silk embroidered cape on air, clipped on his shoulder, he moved sturdily towards Xanthus.

As soon as they laid gaze on each other, a cold small smile etched on his crimson lips as Xanthus slightly tilted his head before addressing his greet, "I cordially welcome you to our castle, Alpha Raven."

Raven was the ruler of their adjacent small kingdom, however, he was always renowned as a ruthless, sharp-skilled sword fighter. Cruelty and cunningness were his specialties whenever it involved internal politics and battles. The smug on his face grew wide as he reached close and patted Xanthus's on his shoulder.

"You don't have to be so formal with me, Xanthus." He smirked, holding a cryptic gaze in his dark onyx eyes. "Pretty soon, you are going to be my only son-in-law as well as the ruler of this kingdom. I must say, I am fortunate enough to hand my Melissa to you who is dignified and exceptional in every possible skill."

His shimmering golden eyes grew a bit dim at his remark, however, Xanthus forced himself to put up a difficult smile before him. As soon as he concluded, from inside the carriage, a person stepped out slowly.

A tall, gorgeous, ethereally beautiful young woman, with glass-white fair skin and long wavy brown hairs curling down her shoulder, stepped her right foot down with a calm look on her oval face. Dressed up in a royal, red silk gown embellished with ruby and pearls, her flare-long silk cape flaunted with the breeze as she gracefully walked closer to Xanthus.

"Accept my greetings, Crown Prince Xanthus." She bowed her head a little before lifting up her small face to peer a deep gaze into him. Her big, hazel eyes shimmered with glee under the morning sun, with a slight smile curved on her soft cherry lips.

Meeting her gaze for a second, Xanthus frowned and tilted his head at her cordial greeting. Unusual darkness grew apparent in his rolled golden eyes, making him look stern as he responded, "Welcome here, Princess Melissa."

Even though Xanthus tried to forge a difficult smile on his face, the tender smile on her face vanished as Melissa didn't fail to notice his obvious reluctance. She leaned her face down, with a sad gaze in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Randall walked a few steps close and stood behind Xanthus as he bowed his head to offer his respect to them. "It's a pleasure to welcome you here in our castle. Alpha Raven, please allow me to escort you inside and Your Grace shall accompany Princess Melissa accordingly." His proposal sounded much genial from his tone.

"Oh, that would be wonderful." A sly smirk crafted on his face as Raven immediately agreed before he glanced at her. "Melissa, Prince Xanthus will be the one to accompany you. Both of you met after a long time, so take your time. I am heading inside first." He tapped her shoulder once while concluding his remark, to which she silently nodded.

As soon as Randall escorted him inside with a few guards, Xanthus exhaled a long sigh before he lifted his gaze at Melissa. She was standing silently, leaning her face down with a grim look prominent in her hazel eyes. For a moment, Xanthus couldn't find the right words to break the uncomfortable silence between them.

With another sigh, he uttered before turning around, "You may follow me inside--"

"Prince Xanthus," before he could turn behind and take a step forward, her soft murmur paused him for a second. Holding a stiff expression, Xanthus turned around at her and answered, "Do you have something to say?"

"Is it so hard for you to even look at me properly once?" In a fidgety, shallow voice she inquired, lifting her chin up to peer a deep gaze into his golden eyes.

Putting up a pained smile, she conversed. "We have known each other since childhood. I had hoped, our relationship would strengthen more with time, but why do I feel as if you are only drifting far apart from me, Xanthus?"

Gawking intensely, Xanthus narrowed his gaze at her with a tinge of bitterness prominent in his eyes. His vein popped out on his neck, making him seem irked as he mumbled, "If you are already aware, then shouldn't you have refused the marriage proposal, Melissa?"

Squinting her pupils, she marched a step closer as her low voice shivered a little. "We were friends since childhood, Xanthus, that's why I thought we could be happy if we were bound together as mates."

"You are naive enough to dream of a happy life with someone like me." A small, scornful smirk curved on his face as Xanthus passed off the remark sounding cold as ice. "For me, futile emotions like love and trust are only considered a weakness. And, you must know, that I despise weakness." This time, his voice turned stiff and hoarse.

Peering deeply into his obscure gaze, Melissa gulped and huffed a sigh before she answered, "But I don't wish to see you living a tormented life forever, Xanthus. I wish to see you happy, I had hoped, I could be the reason for your happiness someday..."

"Your acceptance of this marriage was enough to ruin the relationship between us, Melissa," Xanthus grumbled in a cold voice as he turned around to move ahead.

"My opinion was never asked for this marriage. Even though I can't go back now, always remember, you are not supposed to expect anything from me, other than the title of being known as my Queen.

Now shall we head inside?"

As soon as Xanthus proclaimed his cold answer, he marched a few steps ahead with a brooded, glum look on his face. As if acting such way towards her was hard for him too. Yet still, he intently chose to be harsh.

Standing behind alone, Melissa gazed still at him moving forward, especially at his broad back with her eyes filled with despair. A faint ache stirred deep in her heart.

'After so many times you have pushed me away, yet still, I stand and wait for you with a hope that one day, you will look at me. Love may be just a weakness for you, but this hopeless weakness of mine is the only string that lets me hold onto you Xanthus.

I must be pathetic, aren't I?'

A sad smirk sliced her lips as she pondered, slowly following Xanthus from behind in slow steps inside the castle.

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SPECIAL NOTE:

My dear readers, last day I noticed a reader of mine had commented in the latest chapter but after a while the comment wasn't showing >_< Please, Author-nim requests you don't delete your precious comments. It might be a small action for you but it means a lot for me. Also, I will be posting two chapters everyday very soon so you have to gift my book with lots of your love and support.

I treasure you all :*