Rosangela: The Runaway Princess (Book #2)

Rosangela’s Point of View:

A few minutes earlier...

After Prince Xavier stomped angrily out of the bedroom, I felt scared, my heart was hammering in my chest. I never knew how Xavier was going to react after he discovered my real identity. What if he told Maximilian and then those two friends schemed to torture me together? No, I couldn’t let them do that to me. No matter what happened, I ought to make a break for it tonight. Now that Prince Xavier had recognized me, so I knew that the game was up. Therefore, there’s no point in staying here any longer.

“But how am I going to escape from here?” I mused, “All the approaches to the palace were guarded by troops. And they certainly won’t let anyone in or out easily.”

I cursed myself for my stupidity. I should have left while I had the chance. But foolishly I preferred to stay here a few days longer because of Xavier. Now, when I really wanted to leave, I was stuck here instead.

‘Oh I’ve really fouled up this time. What should I do now?’ I wondered.

I beat my brains out, trying to formulate an escape plan. But I totally blanked now; I could not think of any plans.

“It seems that I have no choice but to try and escape now even though I don’t have any plans,” I thought, “I might get caught but that’s a chance I’ll have to take. And if I am cornered, I will try to use my power. I just hope my compulsion will work this time. Because the last time, it didn’t work on the vampire who attempted to attack me.”

I tumbled out of bed and tiptoed over to the door. As luck would have it, I overheard Benny say he was going to leave and Xavier said he wanted to see him out.

“Maybe this is my only opportunity to escape, so I mustn’t miss it,” I said to myself.

I waited until the sound of Xavier and Benny’s footsteps died away before I carefully pushed the door open. I stuck my head around the door and looked up and down the corridor. When I was sure the coast was clear, I slipped out of Xavier’s bedroom and pulled the door shut before running down the corridor.

Much to my relief, I managed to escape out the back way. Every time I ran into some guards who were patrolling the palace, I would use my power to compel them so that they would let me past. And I also succeeded in slipping past the guards on the gate and, and at last, made a dash for the forest.

After running for about twenty five minutes straight, I became out of breath. Therefore, I had to stop to catch my breath.

“Where do you think you’re going, Rosangela?” I froze with terror as I heard Xavier’s familiar voice behind me.

I spun around to face him. Xavier was standing squarely in front of me now. His face clouded over with anger.

“H—how come you find me so quickly, Xavier?” I stuttered.

“In case you forget, you’re still wearing the necklace from me, so I can easily find you wherever you’re going,” he retorted.

‘Blow! I forgot about the necklace!’ I cursed inwardly.

Xavier seized me by the arm. “Let’s go back to my bedroom now! You still need to rest, Rosangela.”

I shook him off. “No! I don’t want to!”

“The doctor told you to stay in bed, Rosangela, and he knows best,” Xavier growled at me.

“No, Xavier! I won’t go back there!” I said petulantly.

“Yes, you will go back to my room now!” Xavier held my arm in a vice-like grip and pulled me along.

“Let go of me, Xavier!” I yelled as I tried unsuccessfully to twist myself free.

“No, I will never let your go!” he emphasized.

“Even though you refuse to let me go now, Sigmund will come here to pick me up in the next few days,” I said. That stopped Xavier short.

He looked at me in confusion. “Who is this Sigmund that you’re talking about?”

“Sigmund is my grandfather, I mean King Bellamy’s right-hand man. A few days ago, I managed to sneak a letter to him. So now, it’s only a matter of time before Sigmund comes to bring me home,” I explained.

Xavier heaved a long sigh. “Fine. If Sigmund really comes here to pick you up, I will let you go with him. But now, you have to stay here and wait until he comes!”

“No, I want to go now!” I insisted.

“Don’t be stubborn, Rosangela! You’re not in a fit state to go anywhere now,” Xavier hissed.

“But I can’t stay any longer, Xavier. I must get out of here before your father finds out what I’ve done to Mariana,” I blurted it out before I could stop myself.

Xavier stared at me with wide eyes. “So the guard is right? You’re responsible for what’s happened to Mariana?”

I clamped a hand over my mouth. ‘Oh me and my big mouth!’

“Answer me, Rosangela! Are you really the attacker or not?” Xavier snapped at me.

“I...” My voice trailed away to nothing.

“Don’t be afraid! I won’t get mad if you want to tell me the truth,” he convinced me.

I hung my head in shame. “Yes, I am the person who have attacked Mariana.”

After hearing my confession, Xavier’s eyes glinted angrily.

“Look! I know you think I did it deliberately, but I assure you that I did not,” I tried to explained.

“Tell me what really happened that night!” Xavier ordered. He was clearly struggling to keep his temper in check.

“I had a blazing row with Mariana that night,” I began, “I was so furious when she started to speak ill of my parents until I couldn’t control myself and I ended up hitting her with all my might. The next thing I knew, Mariana was already lying unconscious in a pool of blood.”

I paused to gather my breath and then went on, “I admit that it’s my fault for I was unable to suppress my anger at that time. But I swear Xavier, I never meant to hurt Mariana. It was purely unintentional.”

There was a long silence before Xavier rebuked me, “You should have learned to curb your temper, Rosangela! You know, you could have killed Mariana.”

“I know, Xavier. I genuinely remorseful for what I had done to Mariana. But please don’t sneak on me to your father! King Joaquin will kill me if he finds out what I’ve done to Mariana. Literally. Please Xavier!” I begged as tears poured down my cheeks.

Xavier stroked away my tears. “There, there! Don’t cry! I promise I won’t tell my father.”

My heart lifted at his words. “Really? Do I have your promise that you won’t tell anyone about my true identity and about what I’d done to Mariana?”

“Yes, I promise you I’ll never breath a word of this to anyone. My lips are sealed,” he said firmly.

“Thank you very much.” I hugged him.

Xavier patted me on the back. “Don’t mention it.”

Xavier detached himself from my embrace and said, “Let’s go back to the palace now, shall we?”

I nodded.

“Let me carry you! I don’t want you to tire yourself out,” Xavier offered.

Before I was able to react, Xavier already swept me up into his arms.

“Put me down, Xavier!” My fists pummelled at his chest.

“There’s no use protesting, I won’t put you down, Rosangela,” said Xavier.

“But Xavier—”

“Shut up, Rosangela!” Xavier cut me in, “You are in no condition to walk alone now.”

I rolled my eyes. I knew it’s a waste of time and energy to argue with Xavier, thus, I let him carry me back to the palace.

As soon as we reached his bedroom, Xavier settled me on the bed and tucked me in. “How’s that? Comfortable?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Go to sleep now! It’s late,” he told me.

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Good night, sleep tight!” said Xavier. He was just about to walk away, but I grasped him by the wrist, holding him back.

“Xavier,” I said.

“Yes?” he asked.

“Your father really won’t find out, will he?” I inquired apprehensively.

“Oh, no, there’s no danger of that,” he convinced me.

“I hope so,” my voice dropped to a whisper.

“Don’t think about it!” Xavier advised me, “Just try to get some sleep! You need it, Rosangela.”

I nodded. “Fine. Good night, Xavier.”

“Good night, Rosangela,” he responded.

I shut my eyes and was asleep in a twinkling.