CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE VICIOUS PRINCE

"My Lord, I seek your permission to visit my parents". Chila, who bowed before Dryan, echoed with her gaze glued to the ground.

Dryan, who was already fuming in anger, suddenly felt like strangling her after she sought his permission. "Is this also one of your silly games to get away from me?"

The question made her shivered as she held firmly onto her gown for support. "Do you still think of me as the girl who always wants to run away from you?" Chila, whose gaze was already on Dryan, asked. Her rainbow coloured eyes speak of fear!

"What else will I think of a low witch that always intends to run away from me? Do you think there is any difference between now and then?" He smirked before he asked.

His question made her trembled on her knees. This time, he squatted beside her.

She has been married to this heartless prince for more than fifteen years. She married him to save her kingdom, which is the smallest in the universe.

At first, she hated him, and always wanted to run away from him without caring about the consequences her family, loved ones, friends, and people will face, but now it's different. She is ready to stay with him, sacrifice her life just for her people, family, and could do extra more if there is need to.

"Is my ten years of staying with you not enough to change that definition of me? What about our daughter? Will I leave her to die? What about you?" She dare not question him, but she has to. Even though she was scared of losing her throat, she summoned some courage to question him.

What he hated was questions! But he definitely needed to answer this woman, who grew some courage overnight. "What can witches not do? Cast spell to manipulate? Isn't that your first plan after I destroy your energy flow?" He paused, and stared at Chila whose eyes were already filled with tears which she managed to hold back.

"Did you think about our child when you poisoned me? Do you even know the reason I still keep you alive?" Dryan asked again, this time, his voice sounded scary.

Chila, who already knew what he was up to, swallowed back the question that almost flew out of her mouth. "I'm sorry for seeking your permission".

"You are just as annoying as your father! I will keep you all alive because of your late brother, and your sister, Tani!" "I promise you this; next time you come to tell me this rubbish, you won't go back to your chamber with your head still intact". His masculine voice hit her ear as she walked out.

"Brother, did she annoy you again?" Taliyah, who stood by the entrance for a while, asked.

"She dare not. How have you been?" His face, which was brightened from the smile, said it all. 'He isn't the typical quick to smile'.

Taliyah, who noticed her brother was trying to lie this time, parted her cute lips before she took his arm. "You are the future king of Bel-Hir, and the burden you will be carrying will be heavier than this."

"I know, but nobody is on my side aside from you, and mum. Everyone is either on my side to save their skin or for personal interest". This time, the sincerity in his voice was obvious as he stared at his sister, who knew how he felt.

"I have felt this way too, and each time I think about it, I feel miserable." She paused and swallowed the saliva formed in her sore throat.

Taliyah was the simple-minded girl until she was marked royale at the age of eighteen. She used to be the jovial, and kind lady anyone in the kingdom will want to associate with. Her beauty was never a thing of proudness to her, nor was her family. She made friends with virtually everyone, without minding their family wealth and status.

As a young girl, what she dreamt of was playing with the young boy who was maltreated by his family. Sing those wonderful songs like every other little couple, play under the moonlight, and combat at the river bank, rather than being a royal princess in a royal gown.

"It must be hard for you to adapt to the ways of royals for eight years". The voice of Dryan made her shove away the thought of her past.

"Ye… Oh." She stuttered hastily. "Yes. It's hard without him, and my friends". Her reply came with chills.

Dryan, who already knew what his sister was up to, patted her shoulder gently with a visible smirk on the corner of his lip. "I promise you will live the life you want if I become the king. For now, take away every memory of his if you want him to live, and focus on destroying Dasya".

"Dryan, I have told you times without count, I will rather die than omit those wonderful memories with him". Her golden eyes immediately turned dark as she stared at her mischievous brother, who is only good at using people's weakness as mockery when he has the chance.

"I will see to that. Besides, you deserve a day with him as my little way of appreciation". With that from him, he walked out of his study room.

He isn't the type to make you know his plan, he is cunning, and mischievous when it comes to politics, and dirty games.

'What did he mean? Am I really going to have the chance to be with Mel openly?' her dazzling eyes rolled before her moving body followed.

~~~~

"Did he really say all that to you?" Tani who sneaked out of princess Luciana's chamber since Chila, who was ill, and not in her chamber.

"Yes". Chila, whose eyes were already swollen, managed to answer.

She knew her sister had a short temper issue, and did not want to cause more trouble for herself, and her parents. "Tani, please just do whatever he wants and just act like what i said today does not exist. Who knows, if we might get our day of payback?" She hugged her sister, who was already fuming in anger.

"I can't. I will kill him today!" She echoed as tears rolled down from her eyes. She can't bear the pain of being a witch any longer!