10: A Nagging Woman

Prince Keith's POV

"What did you mean by it was a nice day with Princess Heather? Are you beginning to love her? Will you leave me?" Nyles asked, her voice growing louder with each word. I shook my head at her and downed the contents of my cup.

The liquid left a burning sensation down my throat but it was nothing compared to the burning feeling in my chest. It was not like I cared about Heather or anything but I could not begin to assume how hard her life had been before she got here.

"Look, Nyles, you know I love you and would do anything for you right?" I asked her, willing to say anything to just get her to shut up. I loved her and she knew, it was almost like she didn't believe I loved her. Sometimes I wonder why because I was the one going against the whole world for her while all she wanted was for me to throw her on the table.

"I used to think so but after what I saw this afternoon, I am not going to be fooled any longer. You are going to dance to the tune of your uncle and grandmother, forgetting all they have done to you and I was the only one that stuck to your side, I know you will dump me along the way! I am not going to let that happen, Keith" she threatened and I dragged a hand through my hair in frustration. She was really in her element today but I understood her concerns.

"Nyles, I am going to reassure you but you know that you have nothing to worry about. We both know who I want, hell, everyone in this kingdom and even beyond knows that it is you. Princess Heather knows this too and she has accepted her fate. She doesn't want me, never do I and we are only doing this to get our parents off our backs. I have a responsibility as the prince of this pack and sometimes, I expect you to show me more understanding of my situation instead of seeking to make it worse with your overreactions" I said and she gasped.

Some of my words had been used intentionally so she understood that we had to stop thinking beyond just ourselves. Heather had taught me something today, I understood where she came from now and how much importance having her peace held for her. She must have experienced so much chaos in her life that this might actually be her first time living.

"No way! You actually want to start thinking about your responsibilities for the kingdom? You, Prince Keith? This is actually surprising, but isn't this the same kingdom you let your uncle take over? Or are you forgetting what had happened in years, do I need to remind you? Are you going to fight your uncle now? In this state of yours?" She asked me and I shook my head.

Today was definitely not going to be a good day for us and I knew the only way to shut her up. She was not going to stop talking about this even long into the night when I was supposed to be sleeping. I wanted to roll my wheelchair and leave her here. I didn't think I would have the strength for her right now.

“We are done talking about this Nyles, I don’t want to talk about this with you any longer,” I said and she stood akimbo refusing to leave.

“But I am not done talking about this Keith! It seems most times you forget I was the one who was there for you when no one else did, you want to obey and please the same family who has put you in this state, the same family that doesn’t truly care about you and have put you in the west wing of the palace to wither away, only to just wake up one day and decided to give you a wife!” She yelled and all I did was watch her.

I was tired, there was no way I was going to say anything else to her, this was something about Nyles that I never liked, she always I mean always reminded me of what she had done for me, of how my family had abandoned me and she is the only one who stood by me. I have appreciated her, I have appreciated her kind gesture but still, it felt like it meant nothing to her, I have always shown her love and go against my family for her, I don’t know what else she wants me to do.

“I know why they marry you off to her Keith, it’s all because of me! They are looking for a way to send me away from you, they know that the moment I am away from you, they are free to do whatever they want to do to you, they are free to kill you, knowing that you can’t really fight back because of your state.”

I groaned clearly frustrated by Nyles, I hate when she is angry, she can go on and on without stopping, just when I wanted to tell her to leave I needed to rest for the night, we heard some sounds next door, like three or four people speaking. I was not expecting anyone and I knew that no one came to this side of the palace except Ezra, my cousin. He was not around currently and had gone out this afternoon to do some official business since he was the one who headed the trade and economy of the kingdom. He was really good at it and the kingdom had seen its best times with him heading that part of things.

"What is that noise?" Nyles asked, we were used to being the only one here with not even a guard here to secure my entrance and exits. I immediately rolled my shell forward. Quickly, I made my way out and was stunned by the sight in front of me.

Heather, alongside my grandmother, Lucinda, and Ella was standing in front of the room next to mine. It seemed to have been cleaned and prepped for use and I wondered when they had the time to do it and how exactly I had missed such a thing happening right next to me.

She caught my sight and smiled warily at me, she subsided attention drawing that of the rest people to me. I stood there shocked, not knowing what to do because I was not expecting them there. I wondered if they had been coming to my room and made the mistake but when I walked over to them, I could see a maid, assisted by Ella hanging up female clothing.

"Oh, there you are. Your wife's room has been moved here, you know you both have to give us a child soon to further seal the bond between both families," my grandmother said and I stood there stunned.

"Did you know about this?" I asked Heather and she nodded her head.

"I wanted to mention it to you this afternoon but our day was interrupted. Trust me, this changes..."

"It's fine. She can stay" I answered but then Nyle's voice, hard and icy came from behind me.

"What do you mean by she can stay?"

My grandmother turned to look at Nyles with a disgusting look, “And who gave you permission to talk?” She asked and Nyles stepped forward

“Grand Luna…” my grandmother raised her hand to stop her.

“You better save your words, I have no ears to listen to them.” She shut her up immediately, Nyles looked furious and turned walking back to my room. I glanced at Heather who definitely didn’t look okay with the arrangement too but said nothing.

I rolled my wheel and joined Nyles in my room, making sure I shut the door as I stepped in.

“Nyles?” I called and she was busy pacing about in the room, clearly angry at the way my grandmother had spoken to her.

“They will send me out of the palace soon Keith!” She finally spoke and I rolled my eyes.

“No one is sending you out of the palace so relax, I am here for you, Heather staying the next door means nothing trust me, I hate seeing you like this,” I said softly rolling my wheel towards her, I held her hand and she let out a deep breath.

“You need to promise me something Keith, I am scared and slowly losing my mind,” she said and I nodded.

“What do you want me to promise you?” I asked

“You will never step into her room or let her come into your room,” she said and that sounded ridiculous, there is no way that is going to happen. “Promise me, Keith!” She insisted and I let out a deep breath pulling her closer to me.

“Go and rest Nyles, we will discuss this another time,” I said instead, there was no way I was going to promise her something that was likely not to happen.