Trapped In Hisstory

Two days later, the Crown Prince left the palace to attend the After Coronation in Canopus. He had just returned and now he left again. It does not matter whether he leaves or not; I do not care. After that embarrassing moment in the library, I surely would prefer not to stumble across him.

To think that he saw me in such a state after not seeing each other for years… If I ever encountered him, I wanted to look like I was not bothered by him at all. But damn it, I cried in his arms!

I flopped down on my bed and buried my face into the pillows. I do not want to see him again. If he is going to disappear, then just disappear! Don't keep popping out of nowhere just to shake me up! 

I said I did not want to see him again, but fate seems to be playing with me. After a week, the Crown Prince arrived, returning from Canopus Kingdom. 

I made a turn but was startled when someone appeared. The two of us collided, making me drop the book that I was holding.

"Are you all right, Your Highness?" 

"Yes, I am all right." 

Ah, shit, it hurts. Are they not even going to ask if the person they collided with was all right? So annoying. I saw the person's hand pick up the book. "My apologies, here is your book-" he said apologetically, but he was not able to continue his words when our gazes met. Both our eyes slightly widened in surprise for a short moment.

Ugh, him.

"Oh, Clayton," he muttered. 

"Right, today was your return." I said, I almost forgot that His Majesty ordered him to return for his celebration. 

I noticed the Crown Prince grimaced, probably because of my tone., "You seem disappointed that I had returned." the Crown Prince said.

"Whether you return or not, I do not really care," I responded in a monotonous tone, unbothered by every word that comes out of his mouth.

I looked at the book that the Crown Prince was holding. "Could you please return my book, Your Highness?" I asked, trying to at least be polite in my request. Damn, how hard is it to give a book? He is wasting my time.

"Your brother has just come back to the palace, and you do not even take time to greet him?" the Crown Prince.

My brows furrowed and I could not even hide the annoyance in my face as I let out a snort. "Since when have you cared whether I greet you or not? What is wrong with you?" I asked with a scowl.

"Well, right now I care. You need to greet your brother whenever he arrives." Now he calls himself my brother? Funny.

I narrowed my eyes on him. Has he finally lost it? Did someone hit him in the head, causing him to change? Or has he really gone insane?

"I am waiting." Chance said, wanting me to hurry up.

I blinked. I cannot believe that I have to greet my 'brother' now. "Uh, uhm. Blessings from the Goddess, Glory to Antares. May your afternoon uh-" I greeted, but what the hell do you even say again when greeting the Crown Prince? I am not sure since I never talked to him since we were children.

"Just a simple welcome back is all right." The Crown Prince said with a smile.

"Welcome back, Your Highness." 

He put his fingers on his chin and narrowed his eyes, thinking hard. "Hmm, I think I would prefer it more if you call me by name," he said.

"I cannot do that. You are a Crown Prince." I responded with a furrowed brow.

I stared at him in disbelief and confusion. I almost let out an audible snort. He is actually using his title to command me. Great. "Welcome back, Charles."

"See? that sounded better." he said, clapping his hand.

Why do I have to do what he asks me to do? Even more annoying is that I feel like I am trying hard. "I would like to get my book back, please." I requested while emphasizing the please word even more than before.

I just wanted to get out of there. I do not want to stay with the Crown Prince any longer. I held out my hand, but the Crown Prince still did not give it to me. I approached him in surprise to startle him and steal the book from him, but I failed.

I took a deep breath to calm myself, "I just want my book and to go to a peaceful place."

"And where is that peaceful place?"

"Any place without you!" I responded and tried to take the book again. I could not hold back anymore. "You must be enjoying this, Your Highness!" I burst out, glaring at the Crown Prince with my brows forced together in anger.

It was obvious that the Crown Prince was surprised that I suddenly raised my voice. The Crown Prince extended his hand and finally handed the book to me, "I apologize, I did not mean for you to think that I am messing with you." he explained but I ignored him and took the book from his hand.

Everything is embarrassing. Every time I am with Charles, I feel like I am being mocked. I stared at my book, then back to the Crown Prince with an awkward look. I turned around and walked away from where they were.

I have always been sensitive to his siblings. Princess Carmilla, the warm and bright Sun, the one who should have been born before me. Especially Charles, the Crown Prince, a blessed star.

I have always kept my distance from them, not because I hated them, but because I hated myself. Would things have gone differently if I was not a son of a concubine? Would things have gone differently if I was not a prince? Thoughts like these always circle around my mind.

As I walked away, I shot one last glance at the Crown Prince quickly and returned my gaze in front of me. I still do not understand what it is the Crown Prince wants. Charles had never cared about whether I talked to him or not, so why was he wasting his time trying to talk to me? Talking to someone as insignificant as I am? Something inside me could sense that the Crown Prince had somewhat changed.

Although I do not know whether I would like that change or not. "What on earth made you like this, Charles?" I muttered and made my way to the library.

Even if he does change, the two of us would never be able to go back to how we were before.