"Oh, Frederick, what would I ever do without you?" She locked eyes with the prince, her thick and long eyelashes fluttered seductively that made him smirk.

"You will worry not, love," Machlan kissed her deeply before uttering another word. "Once the crowning ceremony ends, I will surely have the entire Rivercrest in my grasp, and you will be by my side to witness my glory."

From the small opening of the door, I saw them embrace each other, something I never experienced with the prince himself. My chest fumed as I clenched the hem of my dress, suppressing the tears from falling down that welled up for a long time. He was using my love for his selfishness.

"Your highness,"

I flinched at the voice that was near me. It was just my most loyal and trusted maid.

"Oh, Angel, it's just you." I spoke softly.

"Your highness, your meal is ready," she announced with her smile that matched her given name.

I nodded weakly and walked along the long and white marbled floor. Angel followed behind me and for a few moments before reaching the dining table, she spoke.

"Feeling blue, princess?" She asked, concern was evident in her tone. "Must there be something that I can do?"

I continued walking until we reached the dining table while I was composing my answer to the question she had asked. I sat on the chair and began eating the meal. Angel was standing still behind me, waiting for any command. After a long silence, I grabbed the white cloth on my lap and tapped it gently on my lips, then placed it on the table beside the plate.

"Angel, where's mother?" I asked.

"The queen is in His Majesty's bed room."

I stood up from the seat and walked, heading to father's room.

"Let's go." I said.

Angel scurried to my side with a worried expression. "Where are you going, your highness?"

As I ignored her question, my paced quickened, the heels of my silver slippers producing a loud clicking sound every time it's against the marbled floor. We passed the grand staircase and reached to my father's room. There I saw my mother sitting on the edge of the bed, where the deceased king used to sleep. The queen sat there serenely, her hand touching the pillow with a stitched flower, the one she made for the king when they were young and so in love.

I slowly walked up to her back and stood still, not wanting to disturb her moment, just patiently waiting for her to notice my presence. She sniffed and wiped her cheek gently before facing to me with a smile.

"I'm sorry you have to see me like this," she said as she gestured me to sit beside her, and so I did.

"You really miss father," I said, resting my head on her shoulder.

I felt her nod and her arm around me. "There won't be a day that will pass without me thinking about him."

"So do I. But mother, I have something to tell you," I said as she removed her arm from me and looked at me straight in the eyes.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked, her brows creased in worry.

I shook my head and assured her. "Nothing's wrong. It's just that..."

I don't want to marry Frederick, is what I would like to tell her. But she would be furious, since tomorrow is already the crowning ceremony and the next day will be our wedding.

If only there was a way to escape.