62

Noah
I pushed the man who was trying to rile up Ashley and eventually he ran outside with fear written in his eyes. When I turned at first, I was a bit unsettled seeing how Ashely was almost yelling at him and a raw primal instinct enveloped me. I later heard from Emily that he was her older sister’s ex-husband and that he was being silly.
I heard her thank me in a soft whisper and I acknowledged it with a nod. My heart was still bleeding by those words she told me. Did she really not remember what I told her?
Or did she want to push me away?
I settled for the former instead, seeing how she was quick on her feet and resumed serving. I sat at the counter, my eyes still looking at the people in the bakery. My eyes occasionally darted towards the fried chicken store that was situated across the street.
I remembered that I hadn’t seen Rose earlier in the morning. I let out a sharp inhalation, thinking of how I was going to get into the cottage.
“Are you alright? You seem to be thinking?” Emily noticed and I placed my hands by my sides.
“I’m alright. ” I promptly answered.
Walking with my apron thrusted into my hands, I went towards the rest-room, opening the faucet and letting the water pass through my naked palm. I looked at myself through the mirror and never did I imagine that I , the Prince of Midon would be working in a bakery.
“James would flip if he heard about it. ” I uttered to myself.
I remembered the letter that Daniel delivered to me from James. He told me that he was alright even though I was already aware of what had happened. He couldn’t speak about it, it was forbidden.
I walked out of the restroom, almost bumping into Nadia who was returning from the counter while holding a tray, she shot a glare at me and I wondered maybe if she was still angry about what I did.
But I was the one who got slapped across the face.
But I was still skeptical about her. She was the only one I found suspicious. There was no way Eugene would have found out about Ashely unless she was stalking my every movement.
I moved towards the counter and sat, throwing every customer a quick smile. Emily moved closer to me and asked;
“Are you interested in Nadia?” she asked.
“What?” Her words caught me off-track as I whipped my head around.
“Alfred told me you got rejected by Nadia. ” she shrugged.
“That is not true-” I was about to explain when Emily cut in.
“So, Nadia is the one interested in you?” Emily placed a palm under her chin.
“Why are you asking me ridiculous questions?” I whispered to Emily, noticing that Ashely was coming towards us.
Ashely sat without saying a word while Emily tried to engage me in a conversation. I let my hands run by my sides and I adjusted my spectacles. Somehow, a thought ran through my mind, what would happen if I ended up being the King and all these people managed to recognize me?
When it was almost evening and time to sign out of the bakery, my legs kept hitting the ground constantly in nervousness.
“Where do you live?” Emily asked when it was time to go. The sun was beginning to set and I knew I had to leave before anyone noticed.
“Somewhere quite far.” I promptly responded before hurriedly removing my apron and racing through the door. Daniel made it a routine to stay at a particular alley. I kept walking quickly, unaware of the pair of eyes that were following me.
When I entered the yellow cab, Daniel greeted me with a bow while I was still trying to catch my breath.
I leaned against the head rest, my mind drifting far away from reality. I remembered the words Ashley told me and I felt an ache in my heart.
The drive was filled with empty words as I made no attempt to remove my spectacles.
***
The moment I walked into the palace, finally removing my spectacles and putting it into my pockets. I let a yawn escape from my lips. I ventured towards my chambers, greeting the servants who walked past me.
I entered my chambers and was about to start removing my clothes when I noticed a figure sitting on an antique chair by the window side.
“Noah,” My mother called out, “Where have you been?”
“Hunting.” I lied.
“I know my son. You hate hunting.” She retorted sharply as she sent a piercing gaze towards me.
“You don’t know where I went? I thought you had the royal secret service, watching my every movement. ” I uttered while sitting on the bed
“I told them to stand down,” My mother answered.
I was a bit taken aback by it. But if she told them to stand down, then it means she knew nothing about what I was doing in Mrs. Ping’s bakery.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because you wanted freedom. You wanted to learn about Midon by yourself.” she answered.
“Coming from you, it sounds strange. I thought you would prefer for me to be locked up here. ” I told her, my eyes searching hers.
“You are my son, Noah. You’re not an animal.” she answered.
“But you won’t let me see Rose, ” I told her, “And you won’t let me marry anyone else from Matilda.”
My mother let a sigh as she walked slowly towards the bed, taking my hands in hers.
“You can’t see Rose until she gets better and you’re making it worse by being disrespectful to your aunt, Noah,” she started, “You have to marry Matilda. You know that already and for the last time, stop throwing tantrums like a child. ”
I swallowed a globe of saliva and slowly removed her hands from mine gently.
“Rose doesn’t need to be strapped like an animal. She needs a doctor. She needs someone to talk to her, ” I told her, “And why can’t anyone listen to me? Why can’t I marry on my own terms? I’m thirty years old, Mother. Other adults have a choice in my life but I don’t, over my own life.”
“Your grandfather was arranged to your grandmother. Your father was arranged to me and that has been happening for generations to generations. ” My mother explained.
“But that is not what I want.” I told her, covering my eyes with my palm.
My mother rose to her feet and looked at me, “I heard you were quite cold to Matilda. You should spend some time with her during the festival because it would be announced to the public anyways. ”
“What do you mean by announcing to the public?” I asked, panic beginning to set in.
“Your identity as the Prince of Midon is going to be revealed since Matilda would be coming here, the newspapers will get a snapshot of both of you at the palace and then your wedding date would be set. ” she spoke.
“Isn’t that too quick? Why are we rushing it? Why can’t Ruby get married first?” I rambled on.
“Your father is sick, Noah. He’s not getting better. He’s getting worse and he asks of you, everyday. You don’t talk to him, respect him as your father and the King of Midon. You’re turning your back on your father.” My mother spoke.
“My father?” I stated, “All he does is berate, insult and never respects me so why does he demand anything from me?”
“You are his successor. You should know this better than me, Noah.” My mother yelled.
I mashed my lips and bit the lower one, realizing where this conversation was headed.
“I am aware that my title as the future heir of Midon matters a lot. ” I tilted my head, a sad smile sweeping across my lips.
“Are you going to throw another tantrum like you did? Your aunt was right, this has been going on for too long. ” My mother hammered on.
“Eugene has been talking about me, hasn’t she? That is not unusual at all.” I let out a laugh.
“Try treating your aunt with respect and stop calling her by her name. ” she demanded, red tainting her eyes.
A smirk landed on my face as I struggled not to let out a laugh.
“Should I also respect Eli? You want me to treat him with respect?” I asked.
My mother looked at me with a despicable look on her face as she shook her head and let my chambers without saying a word.
I sprawled on the bed, taking off my shoes as I looked at the rack where a large amount of booze was kept. I was exhausted and tired but I resisted the urge to grab a bottle.
Talking to my mother never helped but at least, I tried to and she remained obstinate. I was certain that it was Eugene who was getting into her head.
I placed my hand above my head and then realized something. If my mother stopped the secret service agents from following me, then what was Eugene’s misson.
The festival was in two weeks time. I needed to know who it was. I had a single suspect and that was Nadia.