02.

ERENDINA.

My heart is pounding too loudly in my chest. Not just because of the familiar face I had seen but also because of the chest that’s pressing to my back. Because of the heat of another’s body and the sound of heartbeats that aren’t mine. Because of the voice that had spoken and the words that had left their mouth.

They called me Princess. Do they know who I am? How did they discover…

I try to turn to check who my holder is but I’m secured tightly in place, unable to twist to look at the figure that’s shadowing me. When I finally manage to fight out of the strong grasp, they’re gone and there’s nothing in sight other than pitch darkness.

My brows furrow, uneasiness clawing at my nerves as my head snaps from side to side as though waiting for the person to emerge from wherever they had previously done. After a few minutes of waiting and nothing, I let out a breath as I turn my gaze in the other direction. I confirm the face I saw is nowhere in sight before moving out of the alleyway. I make my way down the streets with my mind racing with thoughts of who my stranger could be.

The parading guards are striding across the front of the castle when I arrive and I carefully make for the spot I usually use. I use the wood I have stacked up to lift myself and latch onto the wall. I climb over it and jump into the building landing on my feet. I remove the scarf that’s covering my face and take the sides to the back entrance.

The door is opened to me after I place three knocks at it and my maid Mia is waiting for me with a torch in hand. Suspicious eyes roam my face when I step inside but as always, she keeps her questions to herself. Instead, putting on a smile as she says, “You’re early.”

“How was it? Did anyone notice I was gone? Did father ask of me?” I raise my brow as I pass her the scarf and she shakes her head in response. “No. They’re all too busy with the preparations.”

Right. The preparations.

My jaw ticks at the reminder that it’s indeed happening tomorrow.

“Shall I prepare a bath for you, Princess?” Mia asks, pulling my attention back to her and I jerk my head. “No, Mia. Thanks. I’ll be in my room if anyone asks.”

“Of course.” She lowers her head as I walk out of the room. The hallway is filled with guards and maids as I stride down, confirming Mia’s word about the preparations.

There’s just no escape from what’s happening and what’s about to happen.

I walk to my room and slam the door behind me. I remove the dress I have on before making for the bathroom. I step into the tub after tugging off my panties and I close my eyes as I relax into the water, letting it wash off the dirt of cum and sex while I try to relax my mind.

Only I’m unable to relax my mind. My thoughts are filled with the event that’s to take place tomorrow. I’m too aware of my surroundings, unable to slip out and hide from the reality I’d rather not face. The reality that tomorrow is really happening. I’ve tried to ignore it, but it’d be here. The worst day that I’d ever live would come into existence.

“Fuck!” The water splashes around as I slam my hand in it, the sound of my heavy breathing echoing around me.

I thought going to do what I usually do would help ease the ache that’s in my chest. I thought letting another man touch me and pretending it was just me and him would make this bearable for me but it isn’t working. Not this time. Not when we’re almost at the brink of dawn and all that’s mine is about to be taken from me.

I push out of the tub and take a towel with me as I walk back into the room. I wrap the towel around me as I stand in front of the mirror, my miserable reflection staring back at me.

It shouldn’t be hurting this much. It’s not like he was ever truly mine anyway. But I can’t get him out of my head. I’ve let myself be too consumed by him.

I tilt my head as I trace my fingers across my face while a thought comes to mind.

Perhaps… I should go see him.

No.

I shake my head and straighten my back. After another look at my reflection, I stroll to my closet and take out my nightgown. I let the towel drop to my feet as I put on the dress before sauntering to my bed.

I move under the covers and close my eyes, trying to find rest amidst the chaos of my thoughts. But sleep doesn’t come. And I grumble under my breath as I turn again and again.

After tossing for what feels like forever, my eyes open to the ceiling and I let that dangerous thought linger on my mind once more. This time, I don’t snap myself out of it.

Before I can think twice about it, I’m climbing out of my bed. My feet slide into my slippers and I walk out of my room.

I take the hallway that leads to the door I find myself before some nights. Only tonight, I don’t just stand by it and try to get as much of him as I can before leaving to my room. Tonight, I put my right foot forward, taking the step that I’ve always kept myself from taking—the step that erases any space between me and his door.

My hand shoots out to grab the knob but before I can, the door is opened and my heart skips a beat when he appears before me.

Hazel eyes which have been the objects of all my fantasies stare down at me, accompanied by a small smile that always makes my heart beat like it’d burst out of my chest.

“Erendina?” Sinful voice that speaks to me in my dreams and many imaginations calls my name and I’m surprised my voice doesn’t crack when my lips part to call his, “Dom.”

Dominic. My adopted brother. And the one I’m shamelessly in love with.