Silly Katherine

Prince Xavier didn't know whether he should laugh at his sister, or console her. At this moment, the words struck him as odd. He had always thought Princess Katherine loved their cousin, Zachary. But she mentioned falling in love with a scumbag? There's no way Katherine would call Zachary a scumbag. She had adored him and even treated him like a God equivalent. There's no fault in her eyes with everything regarding him. 

"A scumbag? What're you talking about?" He couldn't help but ask.

"Is it possible to fall in love with someone you disliked before?" She asked him. 

"Well, feelings are complicated. Depends on circumstances, even the person you loved the most might end up being hated by you in the next second. So, liking someone whom you disliked before is also possible." Prince Xavier said after a thought. 

Princess Katherine sighed deeper after she heard this. At first, she was angry about what Lord Benjamin had done to her. But after she came back that day, her mind constantly drifted back to his kiss, and the feeling of his body against her. She remembered how beautiful his eyes were, staring into hers. Her heart pounded so hard whenever she thought of him. At night, she dreamt of him proposing to her with the most beautiful set up and she had agreed. She was so happy that she cried. Princess Katherine woke up to find dried tears on her face, indicating she had actually cried in her sleep. 

And true enough, she couldn't stop thinking of him ever since she woke up this morning. To her surprise, never once did she think of Zachary, like before. Lord Benjamin had occupied her mind and her heart. 

"Who is that person? Did he do something to you?" Prince Xavier was slightly alarmed. 

"No, nothing like that. It's all just me. Don't worry Brother. I won't do anything stupid." Princess Katherine assured her older brother. 

Prince Xavier nodded and finally left the room. 

When he reached the drawing room, he realized only his brother and nephew were there. Both of them were drawing intently and the room was quiet. If William was here, that means Zachary is also here! Where are they now??

Prince Xavier went nearer to where William was and saw that the boy was drawing a scenery. He asked him casually, "Where's your father?" 

Lord William looked at him and greeted him before replying, "He went back to the Estates to take care of something. Mother is with Queen Grandma."

Prince Xavier's eyes brightened at this news. Usually an aloof uncle to William, this time he actually patted the boy's head, earning him a shock look from the young boy as well as a grunt from Prince Xander. Prince Xavier then went to find Melissa. Now is his chance. 

When he saw Melissa coming out of the Queen's inner chambers, he strode over to her and pulled her hands, indicating for her to follow him. Melissa was surprised but didn't stop him. She was earlier disappointed that Duke Kensington didn't stay after sending William over. She was actually looking forward to see him today. 

Prince Xavier pulled Melissa to the Crown Prince's chambers and guided her to his art room where he stored his paintings. Melissa instantly realized some new paintings in the room and went near them. 

"What do you think?" The Prince stood behind her and whispered in her ears.

Melissa was too immersed in the paintings and didn't realize how close Prince Xavier was to her at the moment. She nodded seriously and stood there without moving, studying the beautiful drawings.

"It's amazing how you drew it using these kind of strokes." She said. 

When she turned behind abruptly to speak to the Prince, she was shock to find how close he was to her and she almost staggered backwards if not for him holding her steady. She found herself staring at his icy blue eyes and she was amazed at how blue the iris was. She had never seen anyone with this eye colour before. 

Prince Xavier stared at Melissa, his faces inches away from her. He leaned in to give her a quick kiss but received no response from her. Unsatisfied, he kissed her again, this time with more force. His hands went around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

This time, Melissa who had gone out of her trance, realized what's happening and tried to push Prince Xavier away. However, the Prince who was consumed with his own emotions, didn't let her go. Suddenly a strange feeling enveloped Melissa's heart and her memories of him long ago surfaced, causing her reluctance to crumble and she kissed him back. 

Prince Xavier was elated when Melissa returned his kiss. He pressed his lips harder against hers and conquered her entirely. At the same time, Melissa's own conscience tried to fight with the emotions she's feeling for this man. Her mind knew whatever she's feeling was not her own, but the original Lady Melissa's. However, it was as if another soul had taken over her body and doing things against her will. 

After a long time, Prince Xavier broke the kiss and hugged her tightly. When he let her go, he saw a confused looking Melissa but didn't think too much of it. She must've been overwhelmed by the kiss. He smiled at her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. 

"Xavier!" A cold voice rang aloud in the quiet room. 

Duke Kensington's face was grim and he looked unhappy. He walked over to the two of them and pulled Melissa towards him. Prince Xavier didn't let her go and instead he pulled her back to him. Both men glared daggers at each other.

"Stop it, both of you." Melissa's soft voice came in between the two men. However, they didn't seem to hear her but somehow their grips on her became stronger unknowingly. 

Melissa wasn't in the right state of mind at the moment. She just wanted to get out of this place, away from everyone. However, she was trapped between the two of them. Feeling the pain from their grips on her arm, Melissa suddenly shouted,

"STOP IT!" The Prince and the Duke were startled and their grips automatically loosen. Melissa broke free from them and walked quickly towards the door.

"Melissa!

"Melissa!

"DON'T. Just don't." Melissa's cold voice sounded, stunned both men into silence. She then left resolutely without turning back.

"How dare you!" Duke Kensington angrily said after a moment had passed.

"It's not your place to reprimand me." The Prince retorted.

"Did you hear the sound of her voice? You've made her angry, Xavier."

"Angry at you! You were the one barging in and started shouting." Prince Xavier blamed the Duke.

"Forget it, I'm not going to waste time here arguing with you." Duke Kensington realized he needed to get to Melissa quickly.

"I'm going to make her mine, Zachary. Whatever it takes." The Prince challenged his cousin.

"Good luck with that. I'm not letting her go." The Duke said, his hands balled into a fist.

Duke Kensington left the room immediately, determined to find Melissa.