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"Darling... " My nanny called me gently and she see how I hold Travis hand.

I remove my hands from him slowly and turn to my nanny who called me for an unknown reason. Noticing a tall dark figure beside her, a very familiar face that I haven't forgotten. He was taller and muscular compared back then. But it didn't change the fact that he was still handsome as ever. That's the fact I will not deny.

My every senses is telling me that I hate him so much, but the love I've been hiding in my heart is still getting out of control. It's still screaming the word love every single time.

Detesting myself hardly because of this adoration for him.

It's been so many painful years and the truth still lingers over me. Always... I have always falling in love with him, again and again. Thinking I'm done and was already recovered but I'm not. I'm still helplessly in love with this person.

My eyes widened realizing I was in front of him. I suddenly hide towards Travis back unknowingly. Why am I humiliating myself so badly. Getting tense for the first time.

"Zelene..." Travis called my attention and I look at him in the eyes.
"I'm sorry, I was daydreaming out of nowhere and I didn't notice."

I was even shock myself because I was holding his side clothing so tight. Making a mark on his very tight uniform so I immediately remove my hands. He turns to me and gave me a warm smile. Patting my head delicately which he always do and everytime it happens I close my eyes without any worries. I'm very comfortable in his presence. If nanny didn't fake cough maybe I'm still staying like this and I'm still feeling his hand on my head. I blush hardly thinking about it.

"Prince Travis? I hope I can borrow Princess Zelene. King Everard wants to talk with her if you don't mind." My nanny asked to Travis.

Travis stared Everard without any hint of emotion and he ignores him. This kind of attitude is immoral due to different status in hierarchy. But Travis didn't care about it, he gives all his attention to me.

He smiles. "Well, I will take my leave, Zelene. I really want to stay longer but someone ruin it." Glaring at Everard which the latter didn't mind and still giving me a look. "I will come again tomorrow." I nod as an answer to him.
"Okay, take care." I speak softly to him.
"I will... "

He touch the side of my neck with his two hands and kissed me on my forehead. These is a gentle way of him to say goodbye to me. Releasing me, he turn his back without looking at me. And graciously, leaving this room with his head held high without looking anyone. I walk towards the window and wait. Until I saw his back, slowly getting little out of my sight.

There is a flower path inside of our kingdom. The pavement I have taken care since I was young. It is my special place and I see him walking there everytime he is leaving our kingdom. I asked him curiously and he said that the flowers I planted are so beautiful. A simple words from him but it makes me smile. Because he appreciate something as little as that.

I always dream and wish to fall in love with him.

Breathing deeply to calm myself. I need to face the reality now and that reality is talking with Everard.

Gracefully, I take a few steps forward and I stop a few meters from him. I gave a lower curtsy as proper greeting in which I didn't do awhile ago.

"I'm Zelene Carrington, King Everard. It was really nice having you here in our humble aboard." I gave him a practice smile. "I was quite shock seeing you. I'm sure there is more interesting kingdom than us but still visit this place. So, I want to give you my deepest gratitude, your highness." I said sarcastically making my nanny gasp.
"Mrs. Evergreen. Can I talk to Princess Zelene in private?"

Princess Zelene? The way he said those words gets an awful ring to my ear and I look at him sharply. I loathed him for calling me with that endearment, in which he always said to me back then.

"No one will call me princess except to my parents, my nanny who takes care of me and my parents people." Making my voice much colder than it is.
"Zelene!" My nanny scream with warning.

When she called me in my name, for sure she wanted me to fix my manners. But I don't have any intention to speak to him appropriately, this hatred in my heart is still here no matter how much I love him.

"Please leave us alone, Mrs. Evergreen."

He asked to my nanny authoritatively. My nanny even gave him a bow before leaving and I despise it. How can he command someone outside of his territory.

She glance towards me in the door and gives me a last warning look before she walks outside. I grimace in the thought of us alone.

"Let's talk properly Ms. Carrington without you getting mad."

This is a mistake and I need to correct it. I'm Zelene and not Leanne so I need to speak to him as a princess of this country.

"Sorry, I just don't like a stranger calling me princess. So please excuse my manners." Hoping he will believe my words. Using his pointing finger, he touched my chin below and lifted it. I clench my teeth tightly to what he did. "I want to talk to you about something." He said seriously without any hint of a smile.

Releasing his finger, he walks toward the chair where Travis seated awhile ago. Then offers the seat opposite to it, like he owns this place. I want to remind him that this place is not his kingdom, so he has no right to act so powerful inside this place.

But still I choose not to speak in an ill-manner. And I follow his command by sitting to the couch he offers.

"I just want to ask you something. About the proposal you have rejected and those 2 paintings that you have send as an apology." I knew it. He came here because of the paintings.
"Your highness, I didn't mean anything bad when I reject your proposal. As I said to my parents. I want to marry someone I love and someone I can trust with all my heart and soul." I look at him in the eyes while saying the truth

My only wish right now is to live differently in this new life that was given to me. And that is to choose the person I will marry in my own accord. That's my only purpose now that I want to achieve.

But sad to say I was getting played badly and I get to meet you again in this lifetime.

"Do you think I believe that?" He ask suspiciously.
I raise my eyebrow and speak. "So what if you don't believe me?" I saw his intense glare towards me. I called one of our maids so they can bring us a tea. "I don't plan to marry you or be with you, your highness. It doesn't matter to me if you believe in my words."

The maid pour a tea in the cup she has prepared for us and I accept it gladly. This Earl Grey Tea makes me relax just by smelling it. I lifted my cup and drink the tea while ignoring his presence for a little while.

"I was being hated and I don't know why? May I ask if you read that book about my so called betrayal?" Obviously, I especially wrote it back then so I know all of the contents without reading it.
"What if I read it? Is there any problem with that?" I ask curiously.

What's with the reaction? He is getting mad at my answer. Why? What I written in that book are all true, he betrays my parents and me.

"WHERE IS THAT BOOK?!"

I heard his loud voice echoing inside the room. Our maids even turn in our direction but they ignore us afterwards and return to their works. Maybe, because they don't want to be involve in this.

"I burn it." I said while drinking again my cup of tea. His face lit up when I say that. "You look relief, your higness."
"Why did you burn it?" He also drink the tea that was served.

I glance at him and give him a meaningful smile. His face twisted confusingly to what I have said and I love to throw him off in his dignified look. And I'm also sure he didn't believe in any reincarnation because he believes in something much more realistic.

"Because I'm destined to burn that last book."

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