Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

NEOLA

The taxi stopped after ten minutes of travel from the suburban place I've came from to this building which I've been led to by that mystery caller.

It was just a small diner in the middle of the city. The bright green lights blinded me for a moment before it change to a dull yellow , almost comforting to my nerves. I entered the diner by pushing open the glass door and marching about

I am about to take my phone out of my jacket pocket to call the mystery voice when a hand bolted from my side and snatch it from my grasp. "What the f--"

"Bon soir, mademoiselle..." I was surprised to see a middle aged woman bow down in front of me. She straightened up right after and offered me a smile before she speaks, "I am Lizzy Caine, I'm the one who called you."

I just nodded at her, still observing the way she carry herself around with undeniable confidence of a true soldier. I am very aware that she was a woman but she acts like a man-Specially with the way her eyebrows furrowed as she clutch her hands on her sides, her red hair glints as it catch sunlight. 

She led us back on a more secluded area and to one of the tables. We both took our seats, the attendants sliding the mahogany chairs smoothly after we sat. "The Queen asked for me to tell you this myself..." Her voice held reverence bringing me a slight shudder down my spine. Geez, her voice is full with raw emotion.

She really honours the Queen so much that it seem like she would offer her life for the Queen. But, isn't she not present at the ball? 

"It was unlikely for the Queen to ask favours like this but it seems to be really necessary. She is very anxious for her grandson. She wanted to make sure that you and the prince will be married soon as to assure her of the safety of the prince and of the King." She said all these words while she stare at me with her blue powdery eyes; her eyebrows furrowed. "I'm sorry but, can you please repeat it? I didn't quite catch it that well..."

She sigh before she held both of my hands, which surprised me. "Dear, the Queen wanted you to stay with his grandson. She wanted you to marry the prince so as to not worry the king anymore. Her majesty wanted that to happen very soon so he will--"

"No. Absolutely not!" I stood up before I tried to yank the ring off from my finger, yet it didn't budge. "I'm just twenty two! I just finished attending college and this? It's just one drunken act. Seriously, there is no harm done to both parties." I try to yank the ring off my finger again and huffed. "You know what? You can just look for a lady out there and I promise you, they will be all too willing to be a princess. It's every woman's dream but not for me. I'm happy tending to the patients and being an aunt for Jacob." 

With that, I stood from my seat and left her there, her mouth turned to a frown. I hastily leave the restaurant and slipped into a dark alley. My thoughts are running wild inside my head as my fingers ran through the cold metal circling my finger. "Why can't I remove this fucking ring?" I pulled at the platinum band and sigh as my finger protested, the flesh turning bright red. 

"Oh, fuck this!" I scream but biting it back when I hear the footsteps getting nearer my hiding place, "Shit...shit." I whispered, my knees scraping the pavement as I crawl deep. I was about to stand from my position when a hand pulled me up on the side.

"Mmpph."

"Hush. Hush, child." I stared at the old woman in front of me. Her face pale as she stared at me with those wide green eyes, "I need to really talk to you. Real quick!"

"Oh my God! How many times should I hear that phrase today? And I don't even know you!" I push myself away from her, looking around to make sure that no one is here to snatch me again. "What is the problem with all of you, people? What am I? A celebrity? I'm not cut out for this . I'm just a drunk person who has unfortunately stumbled upon a prince. I don't even know that it was his engagement party!" I remove her hands that is holding me down before I turn away. 

"But you need to listen to me," The woman slide her coat back and said, "I am the queen. Queen Monica. I am listening to your conversation with Lizzy awhile ago and I know how desperate my Husband could be just to save his empire, which is why I needed to really talk to you ." The woman pulled at my hands again before she continue, "I am the reason why you are there that night. I am the one who sent you the invitation. I know the history between you and my grandson which is why I did this. My Husband, Henry, cannot wait for another year. He wanted to see his legacy to continue and to do so, his heir must take over the throne..." my confuse eyes darted back from the ring and to her. 

"It was all in the past. Everything that happened to me and Luke is done. I do not want to complicate what I have so please---" I was interrupted as she held unto my hands, her velvet soft gloves warming my frozen hands. "No. Please, dear. Bear with our plan, marry my grandson and I assure you that once you wanted to get out of this, I will help you..." her gaze lingered on me before she continued again. "For Lucas, for him, child. I know it is selfish of me to think like this but knowing Henry...he will just force Lucas to marry a woman Henry chose once he founds out that Lucas hasn't found one. This will probably urge Lucas to rebel against the king like what his father did and I do not want a tragedy like that to happen again. It broke me, can't you see?"

Her words are like bricks falling on my shoulders. I just shook my head at her and said, "Why do you want me--no, let me rephrase that. Why did you choose me to be his bride? I don't even know if he really wanted me. He left me five years ago, for crying out loud. He did not even say goodbye! No explanations on why, on what I have done wrong, or what had happen. It was like, poof!" I made an exaggerated sound with both of my hands before adding, "Don't you know that I even told him that I am a different person? God!" 

I stomp away only to hear her departing words with her pale hands pulling me back," Your life is in danger now that you are tied to the crown prince. You might not like it but the ring had chosen you. You need to be the pawn that will protect him. Please, my child, you need to listen to me."

"Can't you get it?" I turn around only to be surprise for Lisa is beside the old woman. "This is just overwhelming for a normal person like me. I am not cut out for this. I do not know how to handle a situation involving kingdom and people...plus, that invitation you sent me doesn't even say that it's a royal gathering."

"It was not just for royals!" Lisa inserted before she earned a pinch from the queen. The queen glared at her before she cleared her throat, "It was not intended for royals but for all ladies that has a social standing for centuries and your family is one, because you are a West. Given that you and Luke have a history and Elle knows you, I kind of hope that this will be a best shot for both of you." 

I direct a glare at her before saying, "I can't believe how desperate you all could be" 

With that, I turn away from them and run the opposite direction. I could feel my legs trying to make the distance farther from the queen as I broke into a jog. I couldn't stomach the fact that they wanted me to be a pawn just so they could save their empire. It won't be too easy for them to convince me to join their force, though. No matter what, I won't give in. I shan't

I chanted it inside my head, trying to believe every word of it as it comes out of my mouth. 

"I won't be. I will get away from this mess. I will--" I momentarily stopped from mumbling to myself as I collapsed with something.

Or should I say, someone?

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