Rosangela: The Runaway Princess (Book #2)

Chapter 78



While my father and grandfather were preparing themselves for their duel, I was told to wait in one of the guest bedchambers. Since I set foot in this room, I couldn’t stop pacing the floor restlessly.

“Oh God, what shall I do? Neither my father nor my grandfather wants to listen to me. Now, how can I stop this duel from happening?” I asked myself in bewilderment.

“My grandfather always calls me stubborn, but in fact, he’s more stubborn than me. Even his stubbornness will try the patience of a saint. And my father is no different. He can be as stubborn as a mule if he wants,” I grumbled.

“It’s all my fault. I oughtn’t to have run away from the Kingdom of Clanbella in the first place. Now, I realize that I can’t solve anything by just running away. I should have gathered my father and grandfather in one room and helped them to settle their differences. Because of me, my father and grandfather want to kill each other, and there’s nothing I can do to stop them. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t acted recklessly,” I said regretfully.

“What am I going to do now?” I wondered aloud.

“I know what you ought to do, Rosangela,” piped up a voice at the opposite side of the room.

I spun on my heel and found Prince Xavier standing in the doorway. I hurriedly went over and asked him, “Do you really know what I have to do to stop my father and grandfather’s fighting?”

“Of course I do!” he claimed

“OK then, what should I do now?” I queried curiously.

“We can’t talk about it here,” he replied.

My eyebrows lifted. “Why?”

“In this place, walls have ears. That’s why we need to find somewhere else to discuss it,” Xavier explained.

“Oh,” I commented.

“Let’s go!” Prince Xavier walked out the door and gave a jerk of his head, indicating that I should follow him.

‘Don’t follow him, Rosanne! Xavier must be trying to lure you into a trap,’ my conscience gave me a word of warning.

‘You’re right. Maybe it’s only a trap,’ I thought.

As if he could read my mind, Xavier said, “I swear I am not trying to lay a trap for you. I really want to help you, Rosangela.”

My jaw dropped. “How in the world do you know what I am thinking about?”

“I do not have to be a mind-reader to know what goes on in that head of yours, Rosangela. The expression on your face said it all,” he answered.

I secretly let out a sigh of relief. ‘Whew! I thought Xavier is capable of reading other people’s minds too like Maximilian. Because he has never told me about his power before. But thankfully, it’s not.’

“Hurry—we no time to lose!” Before I could protest, Prince Xavier took my hand and pulled me along.

“Where are we going?” I asked out of curiosity whilst we were striding down the corridor.

“Wait and see!” Xavier answered, smiling mysteriously.

Prince Xavier ushered me out of the palace through the back door, then he led me to the flower garden, and lastly, took me to a maze that I didn’t know exist till today. Only after we reached the centre of the maze did Xavier stop.

The vampire prince turned and faced me. He fastened his gaze on my face. His vivid green eyes seemed to bore into mine. I shifted uneasily under his gaze.

We had been standing face to face in this maze for about five minutes, but Prince Xavier didn’t utter a word yet. I was getting impatient, so I decided to speak up, “Okay, the two of us are finally alone together now. So, tell me, what can I do to stop my father and grandfather from fighting against each other?”

Instead of answering my question, Xavier said, “Rosangela, a few days ago, you have ever asked me about my power. Remember?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I remember, but at that time, you refused to answer my question, right?”

“That’s right! But I am now ready to answer your question,” he stated.

“You can tell me about your power later, Xavier. Right now, we need to discuss what we should do to stop my father and grandfather’s duel,” I said urgently.

“I’m going to answer your question later. But now, you have to know about my power first,” he insisted.

I sighed. “Fine. So, what is your power?” To be honest, I was very curious to find out what Xavier’s power was. So I thought there’s no harm in listening to what he wanted to say.

“My power is I’m capable of erasing someone’s memory,” replied Xavier.

“Really?” I said in disbelief.

He nodded.

“Wow! That’s cool!” I commented in awe.

“Do you want me to demonstrate to you how my power works?” he offered.

“Sure,” I responded excitedly.

“But wait!” I added when I suddenly realized something, “How will you do it?”

Xavier’s lips curved in an evil smirk. “I’m going to erase your memory.”

“You will what?!” I squawked.

“You heard me right enough, Rosangela, so don’t pretend that you did not,” he said coldly.

“Y—you can’t be serious, Xavier,” I stuttered.

“Let me show you how serious I am, Rosangela!” Xavier moved one pace closer to me.

I took a step backwards. “Xavier, look! Whatever you’re planning to do, please don’t do it!”

“Why shouldn’t I do that?” he queried, taking another step forward.

Drawing back, I replied, “Because if you dare to hurt me, the results won’t be very good.”

“Oh yeah?” he said mockingly.

“Yes. My father and grandfather won’t just sit by if they find out that you’ve harmed me, Xavier,” I blustered.

Xavier gave a sardonic laugh. “Both your father and grandfather are too busy trying to bring each other down right now. So they won’t realize that something has happened to you until it’s too late.”

‘I hate to admit it, but everything Xavier said is right. Neither my father nor my grandfather can help me now. Oh God, please save me!’ I thought.

Xavier edged a little closer to me. I backed away. This went on. For every step he took forward, I took one step backwards. I kept on walking back until I hit the hedge wall behind me.

Prince Xavier moved nearer and pressed his body against mine, successfully trapping me between him and the hedge wall.

I tried to push him away, but Xavier grabbed my wrists with one hand and pinned them above my head.

“Let go of me, Xavier,” I yelled, struggling to get out of his grip, but to no avail.

Xavier passed his free hand across my forehead. All of a sudden, pain seared through my head. And then, I felt like the memories of the days I’d spent in the supernatural realm are beginning to fade away. Slowly, my knees buckled and I collapsed on to the ground.

I looked up at Xavier and asked tearfully, “Why are you doing this to me, Xavier?”

“I’m sorry, Rosangela. Your mother is the one who told me to do it. Believe me, this is for your own good.” It was the last thing that I heard before lapsing into unconsciousness.


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