| Your P.O.V |

Several weeks later..

You sat down at the long dining table lightly with closed eyes. The Prince sat down right opposite of you. He was dressed in a formal attire made of expensive fabrics and materials. You on the other hand wore a greenish-blue empire dress made of soft, satiny fabric, long and loose. A semicircular, high collar made of silk-like materials headed the ankle-length robe.

You took a glance from the six manservants in-line at both sides of the room, all in the grey house-jackets, all clean-shaven, neat, with neat black hair, they were unmoving, but not as stiff as the ones in the castle. You looked back at the table, eating your dinner as if they were poisoned. You didn't have much of an appetite these days because of the lingering thoughts about returning back to the castle. Each bite and spoonful was tinier that you'd feed a baby and even then you nibbled on your food, pausing after hearing him speak.

"I have assigned a personal maid for you, she will be taking care of you from today onwards" Prince Ren suddenly broke the silence by speaking out of the blue, his brownish gold orbs were fixated on you, staring at you with eyes that seemed to smile.

"She will be arriving from the west wing of the Manor soon, I'll be leaving you in her care" hearing him say that with lack of sentiment as if your well-being as a princess didn't matter made you furious. Anger boiled deep in your system as hot as lava. You knew it was too much for you to handle. The pressure of the raging sea of anger would force you to say things you do not mean, or to express thoughts you have suppressed for weeks. Then you thought that shouting or getting angry at him would make things worse. You slowly emerged from the anger you possessed.

"Forgive my rudeness, your highness, but shouldn't I be coming back home? I have already stayed in your Manor long enough. Why are you going through such lengths as far as assigning someone to be my attendant as if I will be staying here for so long?" When your eyes locked over the dining table as you held your spoon and for, his soft expressions of only a few weeks ago have evaporated. Ren held your gaze, but instead of the warmth it was with an icy hostility along with an impassive face.

"Princess [Y/n], inspite of the favor I have done on letting you stay here until you're ready to depart, I cannot allow you to leave. I know you won't be able to forgive me, but I don't plan on letting you out of here" he then flashed a sweet smile with closed eyes, yet the prince still looked as if he wanted to kill you.

"What are you implying? I need to go back home, otherwise I will trouble them searching for me throughout my homeland" you slightly raised your voice, acting calm as if unbothered by him.

"This is home, princ-" you cut him off before he could even finish his sentence.

"You call imprisonment, home?!" You furiously shouted, hitting the table with a hand causing your glass of water to spill. You sat opposite to each other deep in silence for a moment, when all of a sudden he had this burning hard stare as he got out of his seat and slowly walking in your direction. You could feel the fear in your chest waiting to take over. Perhaps it only wanted to protect you, but there really wasn't any danger, was it? It sat there like an angry ball propelling you towards an anxiety you just didn't need.

Ren stood menacingly before you, looking down at your figure seated on the chair. He slowly bent down then brushed you hair. "You are too precious for the world, fragile and beautiful. I won't allow you to wilt in that corrupted empire of yours just because it is your duty as the first in line to succeed the throne. You will stay here with me. Forever, are we clear?" You nodded out of fear. You felt your pulse quicken, your heart thudding like a rock rattling in box as his beautiful inched closer to yours.

"If you try to escape, I might as well cut the tendons of your arms and legs. That way you'll look like a beautiful doll" he whispered in a terrifying tone, his breathing turned sharp and the corners of his mouth began to form a disturbing smile. The blood drained from your face, before you were even aware of making a conscious decision your legs were shaking furiously.

A woman of 5'5 in a maid attire suddenly barged into the dining hall, interrupting both of you. Her cherry-red curls fell down her back. Her lips were carefully tinted red and her skin was flawless. Her silver eyes shone like twin moons, then she bowed excusingly. "Pardon me for disturbing you at a time like this, your majesties, but I have finally arrived to aide princess [y/n]. I apologize if it took me long to get here. I had to prepare for a few things that are necessary for the princess" her voice was stiff, yet showed politeness.

The Prince rose up and stormed out of the room, ignoring the woman who arrived in a . He had a way of walking that made him seem perpetually in a hurry, the butlers followed, leaving only your head maid and yourself.

She then took that opportunity to introduce herself, "My name is Almari Von Duch, I am the daughter of a Duke and was sent here to work for his majesty and now under you" the well-mannered maid was still bowing, unwavering. You got out of the chair only to fall down on your knees. Almari rushed towards you, placing her hand behind your back as she knelt down with you, she then asked in a concerned voice, "Are you alright, milady? Would you like me to get you a glass of water?"

"It's alright" you patted her arm in assurance and sat back on the chair. Your whole body just gave out after the events that occured earlier with the Prince of Qerian.

"Might there be a way for me to escape this place? If you can help me I will do anything in my power to reward you greatly" you spoke barely audible, though you sounded desperate.

Almari stood up with her hands clasped together. "Unfortunately, I am unsure, your majesty" she quickly responded.

"Why is that?"

"His majesty is a hybrid and the only one of his kind. It might be almost impossible for you to escape"

You tilted your head. "What do you mean?"curiosity etched into your voice, while Almari did not respond after that and just looked at you as if waiting for death. Silence hung in the air, for in that void of sound the shallowness of their conversation was laid bare.

Until Almari broke the silence herself, finally talking. "I am sorry, but I am not allowed to tell you anything further than that. He might hear us" she gulped.

"If it's alright with you, please call me Mari" she added, changing the subject. You quickly caught on and paid no mind about the previous topic since she might get in trouble.

You smiled, "I would be pleased if you can call me [y/n]" Almari's face washed blank with confusion, like her brain cogs couldn't turn fast enough to take in the information from her wide eyes.

"I-I cannot do that! A low person such as myself is not allowed to call you by such a name!" She stuttered and faltered for a moment. She brushed her hair behind her ear that had been hidden among the messy curls of her hair, you could see that they were as rosy as her face. Who knew she had this cute side of her?

A small smile played on your lips, "I don't mind at all. You can call me by my first name if you're comfortable enough around me. You see, I may be a princess, but I don't have any friends" when she heard you say that her soft expression died faster than wisps of smoke dissipated after a candle flame has been snuffed out.

Then you felt something odd which caused you to look around. You saw a young man's face pushed against the window and stared blankly at you with wide eyes. Frightened by his expression, it must have also matched yours as you took in a sudden intake of breath and looked over at Almari whose shoulders were slightly shaking. She wasn't facing the window, but she felt it. You looked back at the window another look was when you noticed he wasn't there anymore.

"Ren?"

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I will be updating once or twice a week, since this is my most treasured book. I will also change the name of the reader's siblings. I missed you guys!

~ author-kun •ω•