360 [Bonus chapter]Caught Red Handed
Still, Prince Theron was not convinced. “As long as I returned to attending the royal court sessions and meetings with the officials, seeing that I am healthy and strong, the same message would also be delivered.”
The Queen raised a brow. “I have talked to your father about this. This celebration is symbolic in many ways. We must show the enemies that we dare throw a banquet because we can afford to be arrogant, and that we do not fear them. In fact, we are baiting them to react. Also, it’s only right to reward your saviour in front of everyone for what she had done for our family. She has saved my life as well as your life. The Ivanovs owe her at least this much recognition.”
Prince Theron understood who his mother was referring to and only then did he reluctantly agree. Soon after, the Queen left and Prince Theron went towards the window of the drawing-room that overlooked the garden. He stared outside blankly.
Blurry images flashed in his mind. For the past week, he had been consistently having a recurring dream every night. The setting of the dream was always inside his chamber late into the night. He would be in his bed and wake up feeling someone’s gaze on him, only for the night visitor to leave before he fully opened his eyes. He was not sure who it was as he never saw the face, but deep in his guts, he knew that it was Esther. No, perhaps it was more like he yearned for that person to be Esther.
‘Sadly, even in my dreams, you won’t even let me see you.’
Afterwards, he left for the Grand Palace to meet his father in the throne room. As the Crown Prince, there were many things he had to deal with, from helping with the investigations to his attack to the routinary work as the heir to the throne, which involved talking to territory lords about smaller issues about their lands that did not need the attention of the King. It was already nighttime by the time he returned to his residence.
When he finally retired to his chamber, a royal physician came to him and offered him the medicine that he needed to take. Although it was announced that he had recovered, the royal physicians were careful to nurse his body back to full health, that was why they gave him nutritious tonics and medicine that would ease him to sleep every night.
“Your Highness, your medicine.” The royal physician held the wooden tray in front of him that had a bowl of herbal potion.
The Crown Prince picked up the bowl and looked at the royal physician who always waited till he finished his medicine. “You can leave,” he ordered.
“Once you take your medicine, Your Highness—”
“I will hand the bowl to a servant after I finish it. You can leave now,” the young prince instructed in a firm voice.
Once the man left, Prince Theron stared at the bowl with a frown. Afterwards, he poured the medicine into a nearby flower vase, called for a servant to get the bowl and went to bed. His chamber was dark as the lamps were all put out, but the curtains of his window were purposely drawn, allowing soft moonlight to somewhat brighten his side of the bed.
He felt like he was crazy, but he could not help but be suspicious. The same dream every night? That never happened to him, therefore, he could not help but be suspicious. But then, his rationality told him it was impossible for that young lady to sneak into his residence that was thoroughly surrounded by a brigade of royal knights.
‘What if it’s not a dream?’
Prince Theron closed his eyes and evened out his breathing, but this time, he was waiting for a certain young woman to come. Her soft voice that sounded like gentle wind still lingered in his ears, saying words that up till now didn’t make sense to him.
‘I want to see you…’
By midnight, the door of his chamber slowly opened, causing his body to go in full alert. With light footsteps, someone entered his bed-chamber but the young man remained silent and waited with bated breath for his night visitor to reach him. He sensed the right side of his mattress sinking a little, and afterwards, someone touched his wrists, as if to check his pulse.
Prince Theron opened his eyes and looked at the young woman who looked at him with equal shock. She let go of his wrist and was about to move away but Prince Theron held her hand and pulled her back, causing her to fall beside him on his bed, their bodies facing each other.
“So it was not a dream,” he murmured while gazing into her beautiful caramel eyes.
His voice brought her back to her senses and only then did she realize her hands were resting on the firm chest of the young man. Although his handsome face was serene under the moonlight, she could feel his racing heartbeats under her palm, which surprisingly mirrored hers.
In a split second, many questions arose in her mind. ‘Why is he not sleeping? That sleeping spell puts everyone to sleep, then why is he awake? Why am I nervous? Why is he nervous? Why—’
“May I know the Lady’s reason for sneaking into my bedchamber like this?” he asked, his dark eyes seemingly holding hers hostage.
“I-I…” Under his intimidating eyes, she could not come up with a proper reply. It was as if all forms of thought ran away in fear from those dark eyes, leaving her mind stark empty.
His hand did not leave her wrist, and one even snaked around her waist. Not letting her move even an inch, he asked with a sly smile, “Do you know the punishment for this?” His dark eyes seemingly glittered, as if they enjoyed seeing her flustered, like a thief who got caught red-handed.