Chapter 45 - The night before

Finally, I went downstairs to the dining hall. The king met me halfway and took me by the arm so that I would enter by his side to the hall. My father was acting strangely protective that night, and I didn't understand why. When I arrived at the hall, I noticed that the guests were seated in a different order. The prince was at the table's opposite end from my father, but Luke was at his right. 

It was strange to be sitting so far away from the prince, but I felt that there was something wrong. The king was going to make an announcement. He told me about his intentions as we walked through the palace corridors until we reached the hall. Phillip looked with some disdain at Luke, who, despite being in front of me, always sat to the king's left, not receiving my attention. Just before we began the meal, the king stood up and began: 

– Tomorrow, my daughter, the sole heir to my throne, will marry. I will have a son, Prince Phillip, who will also be crowned King of his kingdom tomorrow. The wedding was the last detail that was needed for him to be entitled to his title. We will have both ceremonies together. Today, after the meal, the gentlemen are invited by the king to a separate celebration. – After finishing speaking, the king sat down and began to eat.

I felt tense. Celebration only among the gentlemen? I could barely eat, although the king did not seem to notice my tension; he noticed the almost untouched plate.

– Are you feeling unwell, my daughter? – said the king, looking directly at my plate.

– No, Your Majesty. Forgive me, I was lost in my thoughts. – I replied, going back to eating.

– Oh, good! – said the king, looking into my eyes – I will not accept any more postponements, nor will I accept my daughter fainting in the middle of tomorrow's celebrations. As soon as you empty your plate, your maid will take you to your room to rest.

– But, father, what celebration is this that you are planning for today? – I asked, dropping the cutlery, and the sound of it falling onto the plate echoed throughout the hall, bringing a sudden silence and making everyone's eyes turn to me.

The king made a slight movement with his hand so that everyone could go back to eating. He looked straight into my eyes and replied:

– Never do that again! I have planned a night of games and drinks for the male party guests. Yes, only for the men! I shouldn't share this with my daughter, but I'm afraid you won't finish your plate if I don't explain what I intend to do. By the way, you will leave after the party with King Phillip for his kingdom tomorrow night.

– But I still need to prepare something. How will I do that? I haven't even said goodbye... – Before I could finish my speech, Luke interrupted me

– You know you need to finish eating and that the king is worried about your departure tomorrow because the last time you were there, you couldn't handle the trip? – he asked, pointing to my plate, still full.

– You're right. – I replied, going back to eating. I stopped asking questions and also stopped looking around, looking only at my plate and emptying it.

As soon as I finished, Anna positioned herself behind me. I asked the king and the other nobles for permission and realized that Phillip had already left the table. Where was he? I took a deep breath. I needed to sleep, but where was my fiancé? My head wouldn't stop questioning.

I asked Anna to leave me alone when I got to the room. I heard my maid's footsteps disappear in the hallway, and I left the room silently. I reached the last step of the stairs without being heard. I watched from outside the hall, and all the ladies had already gone to their bedrooms, but the prince was not there. I went out to the garden. The night was beautiful, but I was looking for Phillip.

I passed through the gates. Had he gone to the cabin? I thought as I walked quickly through the forest. I felt my weakness return when I got to the cabin. I sat down on the bed before going down to the crypt. I went downstairs and realized that the crypt was lit by torches as always, and from a corner I hadn't noticed a familiar silhouette appear.

– Your Highness shouldn't be here. – I heard Luke's voice say.

– What are you doing here? – I said, unable to keep the tension out of my voice. – No mortal can see this cabin. And the crypt is hidden!

– But you see, don't you? – he replied with an ironic tone.

– Yes, Phillip built it like this so that I could see him, find him. – I said, holding back my anger.

– In other words, all this time, he manipulated you so that you would love him. – I saw a dagger shine in his hand.

– What do you want here, Duke? – I heard Phillip's voice behind me on the steps.

– I wanted to explain to the princess how creatures like you act. Working your entire web to seduce your prey! – I saw anger in Luke's eyes, who began walking towards me.

– If you hurt him, you will only push me further away from you, Luke! – I said threateningly, but he came closer and grabbed my arm

– I will keep explaining to you, my princess, how these creatures have all their actions calculated; they are cold beings, they do not fall in love and do not love. – He pulled me close to his body, holding my wrist and making a slight cut on my hand.

I could see Phillip's eyes change color when he saw the cut. It hurt a lot. I don't know if it was because of my anger or because of the weakness or maybe the pain, but I kicked the Duke. 

He fell to the ground, and I ran up the stairs and out of the cabin. All the tension Luke had put me through only made my condition worse. I was weak, but I needed to get back to the castle.

I ran through the forest and finally saw the guards and the gate. I got very close to the gates and called for help. The moment one of the guards reached me, I fainted. Everything went dark so quickly and became so silent. I wonder if Phillip had left there. I wonder if he was okay. I dreamed about the wedding the whole night.

The next morning, I woke up with the sun streaming through the windows and Anna bringing me coffee on a tray:

– Your Highness shouldn't venture into the forest on the eve of the wedding. – She said, leaving the tray on the table near the window. – The King said he'll be waiting for you after breakfast in his study.

Anna's words seemed like knives, another scolding, or maybe bad news right after breakfast. I looked at the place where Luke had cut my hand, and there was a bandage. I didn't remember how I got to my room, much less who changed my clothes. But as soon as Anna walked out the door, Phillip came out from behind the curtain in the room and sat on the edge of the bed.

– It was me. I came to find you falling in the arms of one of the guards, and picked you up and carried you to your room. Then I took off your shoes and part of your dress, but I didn't do anything inappropriate, don't worry. I put a bandage on your hand, I think it will leave a scar... – He said, holding my hand

– What are you doing here? Are you crazy? If the king finds you here... – I whispered.

– We are a few hours away from our wedding and my coronation. And your father will ask what you were doing outside the gates, and I am worried that he will question whether you would be able to get married today, because I think that was Luke's wish, to postpone it once again.

– I don't want to! – I said, standing up quickly and almost falling

– The king will not want to know your opinion and will call me. I need you not to tell him what really happened. I need you to make up a silly excuse. When I am called, I want you to remain silent and allow me to answer the king. This could postpone our wedding, so I need you to do as I say, okay? – he said, standing up and walking to the door. Before leaving, he turned and said – I love you!

I was left alone with my thoughts and those three words wandering in my mind. Anna came in when I was already finishing my breakfast. After helping me get dressed, we went to the king's study.