CHAPTER 9

A red dress wrapped her curves as she bowed to Rawin who just entered the room after attending the state matters.

" I told you not to wear those flashy dresses," he settled down on the bed.

" I'm advised to do so," she settled down on the floor on her knees in front of him.

" The Queen said that I must share bed with you tonight."

Wrinkles appeared at Rawin's face and he frowned, " stop with this nonsense and go to sleep!"

" I heard that the spell is weakening your heart!....

" I said stop," Rawin's voice thundered as his breath trembled.

She slowly grabbed his hands, " But I want to help you, I was being too selfish and ignored aftereffects. I'm willing to give birth to uplift the curse."

" Milan! Do you think giving birth is the solution to everything," his words had weird heaviness, " You will be banished once you give birth and they will snatch your offspring."

He pushed her hands away and stood up, " if you want to stay here safely forget about sleeping together."

He removed his gown and went to the bed , " Blow out the lights."

Her weak yet steady blow turned the lights off. Her eyes looked at the dark light sources as they were her. She turned around to look at Rawin's back.

She slid into the bed and hugged him from the back, " isn't that difficult to bear up with your emotions. I know it's painful. I saw you struggling."

[Flashback]

Rawin was walking through the long alley of the palace. His steps were graced with the long white pillars around his way.

Milan was escorted to the Queen for daily lessons she was receiving as to serve the Crown Prince well.

She glanced at him. He looked so elegant and sophisticated.

" He is so cool," she smiled at the thought warmly, " Can he hear me!"

Rawin froze as he snapped to grab his chest tightly and collapsed at the floor on his knees.

Milan smile disappeared and she stopped to turn around.

" Stop!" Lady Omin voice was sharp and clear, " don't even think of going there."

Milan breath fastened , while her footsteps froze at the instructions.

Rawin curled up in the stabbing pain in his chest.

The servants dragged Milan away. Milan kept looking back at Rawin with desperation.

They entered the Queen's chamber.

" Your highness! The Crown Prince collapsed again!" Lady Omin informed.

The Queen stood up from her seat and stood in front of Milan, " Did you sleep with Crown Prince yesterday?"

" He said he was busy...

A hard slap across Milan face prompted Milan to grab her cheek.

" He!" The Queen growled, " How dare you call a Crown Prince like that?"

" My apologies your highness," Milan voice was soft and weak.

" He will die at this rate , you must sleep with him often to reduce the pain in his chest. Giving birth is the only way to keep him alive," the Queen's words were firm.

" Die! From a spell?" Milan said as her eyes wandered on the white tiles on the floor.

" Yeah from the spell! Because it's consuming his heart," Queen's voice was filled with hatred.

[End of Flashback]

Tears came out of Milan's eyes, " please! Let's have a courtship," her voice was desperate.

Rawin held onto her hand that was wrapped onto his waist, " Milan! You don't know that White Palace is responsible for your demise. And what you are feeling right now are the emotions that aren't meant for me."

He pushed her hand away and closed his eyes.

" I know I was supposed to love someone else but you have taken over my heart. I am willing to lose everything for you. I don't even have anything to lose except myself."

Rawin's eyes remained shut and he woke up on the pounding sound at the door.

" It's Queen! Here is your gown," Milan whispered.

He quickly grabbed the gown and wrapped it around his body.

" Mother!"

" Your Highness!"

The Queen took a closer look at both of them and turned to Rawin, " Your pale skin suggests that you two haven't slept together."

Milan glanced at Rawin.

" Mother state matters tire me out, I have no leisure to go to bed with the princess."

" Princess! Tsk," The Queen looked at her, " she is there to take your tiredness away, and if she can't do that she will be punished severely," her words cut through as she glared at Milan.

" I will try to get to my chamber earlier Mother, you don't need to worry about it."

" Then I will leave it to you," The Queen displayed a smile and walked away. The footsteps faded slowly.

" Am I going to be punished?"

" She can't punish you, because you have to give offspring to uplift the spell. Don't worry."

He was about to leave that a gentle grip of Milan stopped him and he turned around to look at her.

"So ! How long are you planning to ignore me!"

He held onto her hand softly and slipped it away, " Have a good day."

He walked out with strong and steady steps leaving her looking at him from behind.