Rosangela: The Runaway Princess (Book #2)

I breathed a sigh of relief when Prince Xavier finally left my bedroom. It was very fortunate for me that I returned to my room on time, or else I would be done for.

I casted my minds back to the sequence of events that happened a few hours earlier.

Flashback

After releasing Randolph from the dungeon, we sneaked out of the palace, slipped past the guards on the gates, and finally made a break for the forest.

I and Randolph had run through the forest for about an hour when all of a sudden Randolph came to an abrupt halt. I had no choice but to stop running too.

“Wait, Rosanne!” Randolph said.

“What’s wrong, Randolph?” I asked in bewilderment. I wondered why Randolph wanted us to take a rest when he knew we were in a rush right now.

“Rosanne, I think you should go back to the kingdom of Nightshades now.” He pointed to the direction of where we came from.

His statement took me by surprise. “What?! No Randolph. I don’t want to do that. Why do you want me to go back the place we’ve just escaped from?”

“Look! King Bellamy’s soldiers are still searching for you. And if King Joaquin found out you escaped, he would send his men to hunt you down too. You’re in danger out here. Moreover, Ivan isn’t here. I can’t fight them alone if I have to protect you too,” he said.

“I don’t need anyone to protect me. I can take care of myself. I am a half-blood vampire, remember? I have supernatural power that I can use to defend myself,” I said confidently.

“I know you’re not that weak, Rosanne. But I just don’t want to take the risk. The vampires chasing you are much stronger and much faster than you are. However strong you are, they can overpower you easily. That’s why you need to hide in the kingdom of Nightshades for the time being, okay?” he tried to convince me.

“I understand your anxiety, Randolph. But you have to understand me too. I don’t want to go back to the kingdom of Nightshades.You know, they considered me as the crown prince’s pet. I don’t want to be treated like a pet because I am not an animal,” I snarled.

Randolph looked at me with a hurt expression. Only later did I realize my mistake.

“Oh shit! What have I said? I forgot that Randolph is a werewolf. In other word, half of him is animal,” I thought.

I tried to explain, “I am so sorry, Randolph. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. What I was trying to say is—”

“It’s okay, Rosanne. I understand,” he butted in.

I felt a sudden surge of guilt. Randolph said it was okay, but I knew that he was clearly offended by my remarks.

Randolph squeezed my shoulders. “Listen to me, Rosanne! I will go looking for your father myself. As soon as I find him, we are going to come back here to pick you up. But until I can find him, you have to stay in the kingdom of Nightshades for a while, okay? It is safer for you to stay there since no one recognize you as Princess Mirabelle. And I am sure King Bellamy won’t be able to find you there too.”

I sighed in defeat. “Fine. I will stay in the kingdom of Nightshades for the time being. But you promise you will come back for me, right?”

“Yes, I promise you,” he avowed with absolute certitude.

“I keep your words,” I said with a smile.

“Here. You have to wear your locket again.” Randolph took off my locket, and then he put it on around my neck.

“Remember! No matter what happens, never ever take off your necklace, okay? It will cover your vampire scent. And it will also protect you from King Bellamy’s trackers. Do you understand?” he cautioned.

I nodded my head in understanding. “Yes, I got it. And here is for your change of clothes.” I shoved the tote bag that I was carrying into Randolph’s hand.

“Okay, thanks. And one more thing, Rosanne. You must not use your power again while you’re in that kingdom!” he warned me.

“I can’t promise you that,” I said frankly.

He let out a groan of frustration. “Oh Rosanne, you have to know that it is too dangerous for you to use your vampire power. You don’t want to get caught by your grandfather, right?”

I shook my head.

“And if they didn’t hand you over to your grandfather, they would surely take advantage of you. You don’t want to be used by them, do you?” he continued.

“Okay, okay. I promise I won’t use my power again unless I am in a state of emergency,” I uttered.

Randolph glared at me. “Rosanne!”

“Don’t gawp at me like that! There are times when I have to defend myself too, right?” I scoffed.

He heaved a long sigh. “You’re right. Then, only use the power when you’re in danger! Is that clear?”

“Yes, I know,” I said.

“Okay, I must get moving now. Take care, Rosanne! I’ll be back soon with your father,” Randolph promised.

“Okay. See you soon, Randolph. Be careful!”

With a nod and a reassuring smile, Randolph took his leave.

As soon as Randolph disappeared from view, I turned around and went back to the direction of the kingdom of Nightshades.

When I reached there, I saw the guards combing the area around the palace in search of the escape prisoners. I was right. Those prisoners could be a perfect distraction for me and Randolph. I just hoped that they couldn’t catch Randolph and the other prisoners or else I would meet my doom.

Slinking into the palace, I crept stealthily along the corridors, evading the guards and maids that I past by. No sooner I entered my bedroom than the door suddenly flew open and Prince Xavier stepped in.

Prince Xavier asked where I had been. I lied to him that I had been in my bedroom the whole time. Unexpectedly, the prince knew that I was lying because it was apparent that he had gone and checked on me half an hour ago, but I wasn’t here.

Lastly, I got into an argument with Prince Xavier. But the vampire prince soon gave in and decided to change the subject. He told me that many prisoners had escaped from the dungeon, including Randolph. I feigned surprise and said that I was so sad because Randolph had left me behind.

I didn’t know how Prince Xavier suddenly figured out that Randolph wasn’t my mate. Thus, I had to make up a story that Randolph and I loved each other even though we weren’t mates, and we decided to elope because his pack members were against our relationship.

Prince Xavier burst out laughing.

“What are you laughing at?” I queried.

“You said you’re not his mate but he fell in love with you?” he wanted to make sure.

“Yeah. What’s so funny about that?” Confusion was written all over my face.

“I think you’re being ridiculous. Is it even possible for a werewolf to fall in love with someone who isn’t his mate?” he questioned.

“Yes, it’s possible,” I answered in my mind, “The proof is me. I’m the product of love of two people who weren’t mates. But I can’t tell you that, Xavier. Not now.” So, I just said, “Nothing is impossible in this world.”

“What if one day he finds his true mate and decides to abandon you?” he enquired.

Quite honestly, I didn’t care if Randolph found his mate. But because I was pretending that I was madly in love with Randolph now, I finally replied, “No, I know Randolph, he will never do that.”

“But he already did it. He has just abandoned you here, and ran away alone. Such a coward!” he sneered.

“I am sure he did it for a reason,” I countered.

“And what’s his reason?” he inquired.

“How can I know? Why don’t you ask the swaying grass?” I teased him.

He faked a laugh. “Haha very funny.”

“Look! Even if he left me now, one day, he is going to come back to take me home. I am sure of that,” I said with certitude.

“Let’s just wait and see if your werewolf can take you away from me, Little Pet!” he challenged.

I grunted in annoyance.

“Don’t think you can escape without punishment, Angela! You must be punished for leaving the palace without my permission,” he stated.

“Hey, why do I have to be punished? It’s not fair!” I protested.

He chuckled. “Life is so unfair sometimes, Angela.”

“Fine. You can punish me as you please. I don’t give a damn about it,” I spat.

“Okay then, I’ve decided that your punishment is you must stay by my side 24/7,” he said.

“What?!” I squawked.

“You heard me. Now go pack your clothes because start now on you are going to sleep in the same room as me! I won’t let you out of my sight ever again,” he stated.

Before I could argue, he slammed out of my bedroom.

I was glad Prince Xavier didn’t know that I had tried to escape with Randolph. But I had to face another problem now. The prince said that he would punish me by not letting me out of his sight the whole time.

What sort of punishment was that? How could I stand being with the annoying prince all the time? His mere presence always succeeded in making me angry.

I couldn’t imagine what it must be like to spend my days with him. I’d rather rot in the dungeon than stay with Prince Xavier.

“Okay, be patient, Rosanne!” I told myself as I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down, “It’s only for a while. Your father and Randolph are going to pick you up soon.”

“I’d better start packing now before the annoying prince comes back and gets me into another trouble,” I decided.

I quickly stuffed my clothes into a duffle bag, then piled my shoes and other things into another bag. At last, I headed to Prince Xavier’s room as he had instructed me.