A Prince's Warning

Mira’s POV

I had barely left the dining hall when I heard footsteps behind me. Slow. Heavy and measured. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

“Stop.” 

The single word made me freeze and I turned slightly. 

Prince Perry stood several feet behind me. His face was expressionless, his blue eyes cold and intimidating. He had his hands behind his back, his posture straight and commanding.

Two guards were walking farther down the corridor. The moment they saw him, they lowered their heads and stepped aside. That was the effect I had seen that he had on people. Nobody approached him unless necessary. Nobody spoke to him casually. And nobody dared make him wait.

I lowered my eyes. “Yes, Prince Perry.”

He walked toward me. His footsteps echoed against the marble floor. When he stopped in front of me, I could feel the weight of his presence. “You will not speak to my father about matters that do not concern you.”

I blinked. “I didn't—”

“Listen.” His voice was quiet. But it carried authority. I immediately stopped speaking. “My father asks questions because he wants answers. Do not give him more information than necessary.”

I nodded. “Yes, Prince Perry.”

He studied me for a moment. Then his eyes moved toward the dining hall. “He will continue investigating you.”

My heart raced. “Because of my father?”

“Yes.”

I looked down. “My father has never done what they accused him of.”

Prince Perry's expression didn't change. “I didn't say he had.”

I looked up and his eyes met mine. For a moment, I thought I saw something in them. Not kindness. Something closer to certainty.

“You believe he's innocent,” he said.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I know him.” Prince Perry said nothing so I continued quietly. “He raised me. He taught me everything I know. He wouldn't murder anyone.”

His gaze remained on me. “Do you trust him completely?”

“Yes.”

There was no hesitation in my answer as Prince Perry looked away. “Then hold on to what you know.”

I frowned. “What does that mean?”

“It means you shouldn't allow other people's accusations to decide what you believe.” His words surprised me as I stared at him. Was Prince Perry actually encouraging me?

Before I could speak, he suddenly pressed his fingers against his temple. His face tightened.

I noticed the gesture immediately. “Your head.”

His eyes snapped toward me. “Leave.”

The command was so sudden that I stepped backward. “Prince Perry—”

“Go.”

I hesitated. He looked like he was fighting something inside himself. His breathing had changed. His shoulders were tense. His jaw was clenched tightly. I remembered what had happened before. The pain. The strange way my presence had seemed to affect him.

I tried to take a step. “You're hurting again.”

His expression darkened. “I said leave.”

But this time, his voice wasn't as strong. I took another cautious step closer. 

His eyes narrowed. “Mira.”

I stopped.

“You don't understand what you're doing.”

“Then tell me.”

He stared at me. Nobody spoke. I could hear his uneven breathing. Finally, he looked away. “This happens often.”

“How often?” 

“Enough.”

I didn't back out. “Does anything help?”

“No.”

“Medicine?”

His voice was stern. “No cure.”

“Your physicians?”

He snapped. “No.”

“Then why don't you let me stay?” I asked, worriedly thinking of how one can be so stubborn. No one was helping and I was ready to give him one but he was refusing. 

His eyes returned to mine. “Because I don't know what happens when you get too close.” His words sent a strange chill through me.

I sighed. “Nothing has happened so far.”

“You don't know that.” He took a step backward. I watched him struggle with the pain.

Something inside me refused to leave him like that. I moved closer.

He immediately straightened. “Stop.” I stopped. “Just stand there.” I obeyed. For several moments, neither of us spoke.

Then I noticed something. His breathing was becoming slower. His clenched hand gradually relaxed. The tension in his face began to disappear. I saw his eyes narrowed as he seemed to notice it too. “The pain…”

He touched his temple. “It's fading.”

I looked at him. “Because I'm here?”

He didn't answer. Instead, he studied me as though I were some strange mystery he couldn't solve. I didn't know what to say. Neither did he. Finally, he said, “You will not tell anyone about this.” His tone was authoritative again.

“I won't.”

“Not my parents.”

I nodded. 

“Not anyone.”

“Yes, Prince Perry. I understand.”

He stared at me for another moment. Then his expression softened slightly. Only slightly. “You can go.”

I turned not without muttering, “Thank you, Prince Perry.”

I took several steps before hearing his voice again. “Mira.”

I turned around. He stood exactly where I had left him. “If my father questions you again, answer only what you know.”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“And don't let anyone frighten you into admitting something you didn't do.”

I stared at him and for the first time since I had arrived at the palace, his voice didn't sound like an order. It sounded almost like a concern.

I lowered my eyes. “I won't.”

He gave a small nod. “Good.” Then he turned and walked away as I watched him go. Just as I've heard of him. Very Cold. Intimidating. Distant.

I shook my head and continued toward my room. But I was satisfied. At least, being close to him made him calm. Was that why he brought me to his palace? Who knows? He was so impossible.