Rosangela: The Runaway Princess (Book #2)

Prince Xavier’s Point of View:

I was completely stupefied by the news of my mate’s sudden arrival. I wasn’t expecting Estefanía till next year. So, why did she come here earlier than I hoped for?

With an impatient gesture, I dismissed the maid, who had informed me about her arrival, and then quickly shut the door behind me. After that, I marched over to Angela and told her to wait for me in my room until I came back.

Angela found it difficult to hide her disappointment when I had to leave her, but she didn’t forbid me to go.

After taking leave of Angela, I rushed out of my bedroom and hurried to my study which was located on the floor below. I yanked the door to my study open, disclosing Estefanía who was sitting on one of the sofas. I stepped in and pushed the door to.

When Estefanía saw me coming into the study, she rose to her feet and walked over to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. Reluctantly, I hugged her back.

“I missed you, Xavier,” Estefanía said softly.

To be honest, the feeling wasn’t mutual. But if I told Estefanía the truth, it would certainly break her heart. So I lied to her, “I missed you too.”

After a while, I detached myself from our embrace and asked truculently, “Why didn’t you tell me that you wanted to come home, Estefanía?”

“Because I want to make it as a surprise for you, Xavier,” she beamed.

“You should have given me a notice if you wanted to return home from your trip, Estefanía. You know I don’t like surprises,” I protested.

“Why do I get the impression that you are unhappy to see me again?” Estefanía asked sharply.

‘You guessed right, Estefanía. I am not pleased to see you now,’ I thought. But I knew there would be hell to pay if I said that to her, so I denied it, “What are you talking about, Estefanía? Of course, I’m glad to see you again. It’s just your sudden arrival upsets me because I can’t arrange a party to welcome you home.”

I thought this was the perfect excuse for me. Usually, Estefanía told me a week in advance if she wanted to return home, and then, I would have spent days preparing for her homecoming. But now, because she came without notice, I couldn’t prepare anything to welcome her.

“I really don’t feel up to a party this time, that’s why I didn’t let anyone know that I wanted to come home. I just want to celebrate my homecoming with you, Xavier. Just two of us.” Estefanía suddenly insinuated her right hand under my arm and leaned her head against my shoulder.

I gently let go of Estefanía’s hand from my arm and hastened to change the subject, “I’m forgetting myself. I haven’t offered you a drink yet! What would you like to drink?”

“No, thanks. I am not thirsty right now,” she refused.

“OK then, let’s just take a seat!” I took Estefanía’s arm and steered her towards one of the sofas in this study. The two of us lastly sat face to face on the sofa.

“Tell me, why did you suddenly decide to return home, Estefanía? I thought you still want to travel for another six months,” I asked as casually as I could.

“After ten years travelling the world, I feel it is time to put down roots somewhere,” Estefanía said.

I gasped in astonishment at her answer. “So this time you’re going to settle in the kingdom of Nightshades for good?”

“Yep.” She nodded.

“But why?” I queried curiously.

“It’s because of my parents,” replied Estefanía, “You know what? My parents kept pestering me, ‘When are you going to get married and settle down, Estefanía?’ I’ve had enough of their endless moans and groans, so I finally decided to give in to their demand this time.”

‘Why now, Estefanía?’ I wondered hazily, ’10 years ago, when I kept begging you to stay, you insisted on going around the world. This time, you decided to stay when I didn’t expect you to. Let’s be honest, it’s too late for you to come back now. Because all my feelings for you have withered away.’

“Why didn’t you say anything, Xavier?” Estefanía asked in mystification.

I shook my head. “It’s nothing. I am just too pent up to speak. You know what, Estefanía? I’m over the moon that you eventually decided to settle down.”

“Yes, I am happy too, Xavier, because start now on, I can spend more time with you.” She beamed.

I only replied with a smile.

We then stayed talking until well into the night. Correction--only Estefanía who was talking while I remained silent. It’s not that I didn’t want to talk with her, but when Estefanía started talking, no one else could get a word in edgeways. Thus, I decided to just become a good listener.

For the umpteenth time tonight, I stifled another yawn. Frankly, I was tired of hearing about Estefanía’s trip to all kinds of exotic locations all over the world. However, I tried hard to look interested. I didn’t want Estefanía to know that I wasn’t enjoying her story.

As the evening wore on, I became more and more bored because Estefanía kept blabbering on about her trips. At last, I decided to stop paying attention to her and started thinking of Angela. It was a relief to be able to declare my love for her. But the problem was Angela hadn’t given a response to my confession yet. Because just as she was about to say something to me, out of the blue, Estefanía came along and fouled things up. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what she wanted to tell me. Would she accept my love, or would she spurn my love instead? I just hoped my love for her was reciprocated so that I could spend the rest of my life with her. Because I couldn’t imagine life without her now.

“I think they’re really weird. What do you say?” Estefanía’s question suddenly brought me out of my reverie.

I started at her in bewilderment. “Pardon?”

“I asked for your opinion about the people whom I met during my journey, Xavier,” she explained.

“Sorry, Estefanía, I wasn’t really listening,” I said frankly.

“So you haven’t been listening to a word I’ve said? Great!” Estefanía snorted with annoyance.

“I am sorry, Estefanía,” I apologized.

“What were you thinking about until you didn’t pay attention to what I was saying?” Estefanía demanded furiously.

I hesitated for a second before replying, “I was just thinking about our wedding, Estefanía.”

“Oh yeah?” Estefanía stared at him in disbelief.

“Yes, Estefanía,” I said, “I was just wondering, now that you have come home, shall we start planning for our wedding again?”

Estefanía’s face cracked into a smile. “You are right. We need to start making plans for our wedding, Xavier.”

“We are going to discuss about our wedding plan tomorrow. Now it’s almost dawn. You must be knackered after your long journey, right, Estefanía? So, why don’t you try to get some rest now?” I suggested.

“Yeah, I’m feeling rather tired now,” she said, her eyes glazing.

“OK then, I’ll have a maid tidy up your room so you can take a rest soon.” I rose to my feet and was about to take a step, but Estefanía placed a restraining hand on my arm.

“No, no, no, I can’t stay the night at the palace because I want to visit my parents. I am going to talk to my parents about our wedding plan,” she said excitedly.

I was relieved to hear that Estefanía didn’t want to sleep over at the palace. It meant that she would not disturb me while I was with Angela. But I tried not to let my emotion show. Instead, I faked sadness. “It’s a pity that you can’t stay the night here. But if you insist to go, I can’t stop you.”

Estefanía closed her hand over mine. “Thank you, Xavier. I’m so lucky to have a very understanding mate.”

I sketched a smile and offered, “Do you want me to drive you home?”

“No, thanks. I prefer to drive my own car,” she refused.

“OK then, let me see you out!” I said.

“Okay.” She nodded and finally stood up.

At last, Estefanía and I walked out of my study arm in arm.

“Be careful, Estefanía!” I said after we got to her car that was parked outside the palace.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Estefanía queried archly.

I frowned. “I think I haven’t forgotten anything.”

She gave me a playful punch on the chest. “You usually give me a kiss before I go, Xavier. But how could you forget it now?”

“Sorry, Estefanía, I don’t know why I have become very forgetful in recent years,” I made up an excuse.

“Maybe, it’s because you’re just too old,” she said teasingly.

“Okay. Come here! Let this old man give you a kiss!” I said jokingly, then bent my head, and kissed her forehead.

To my surprise, Estefanía kissed me on the cheek as a response. “I love you, Xavier,” she whispered sheepishly.

“I used to love you, Estefanía, but you’re nothing to me any more,” I was tempted to say it but thought better of it. Thus, I responded, “I love you too.”

At last, I opened the car door for Estefanía. After she settled into the driver’s seat, I shut the car door again.

“See you later, Xavier,” said Estefanía.

“Later, Estefanía!” I gave Estefanía a wave as she drove off.

‘Was I pleased to see the back of her!’ I said inwardly once Estefanía’s car disappeared from view.

‘Now, I can finally come back to Angela,’ I thought excitedly.

‘Wait! Speaking of Angela, I think I have forgotten something. But, what is it?’ I mused.

I racked my brains, trying to recall exactly what I had forgotten about Angela.

“Blow!” I cursed loudly after I remembered it, “I forgot to tell Angela I’d be back very late. She must be waiting up for me now. I must rush to get back to my room!”

I ran into the palace like the wind and headed straight to my bedroom. Opening my bedroom door, I found Angela sitting in her usual sofa. While I was making my way towards her, she quickly turned her back to me.

I raised my eyebrows. ‘What’s wrong with her?’

“I’m very sorry to have kept you waiting, Angela,” I apologized.

She whirled around to face me. I noticed there was a streak of tears on her face.

I frowned in puzzlement. ‘Has she cried? But why?’