"We've been looking for you, Princess. You
were not in your rooms or the pouch." Timothe said, his brows furrowed together.
Marcus was silent behind him, his piercing eyes glued to her. His hands were folded behind his back, his stance every bit of what a prince should be.
"O-oh, I'm so sorry.…. I got bored.... I was out
exploring the place. I went to the garden for
awhile and then started wandering around and I
sort of... Got lost..."
Meredith stuttered. After she had finished talking to Atlas he had held her for a while before she was teleported back to the city of the Arkaans.
She had told him about the mysterious man and his offer so they were just cuddling waiting for their moment to come to an end.
When she re-appeared on the pouch, the man was nowhere to be seen. She had sat there for a while until Timothe and Marcus appeared.
It seems they had been looking for her.
"You are not to wander without an escort
again. It is dangerous. The next time you get bored,
you are to call upon one of us to go with you." He said softly.
Meredith swallowed and nodded, "Y-es sorry."
Marcus just stared at her and Meredith avoided his gaze because she knew he could sense her emotions and know that something was wrong.
"It's alright. We wanted to take you on a tour but you weren't here. Your servant told us you were resting here so imagine our fear when we couldn't find you. Elvin would have my head if anything happens to you."
Timothe rubbed his neck and sighed.
"Sorry…I-I didn't mean for you to worry."
Timothe nodded in understanding, "It's okay. Marcus was the one going crazy when he couldn't find you. It seems he-"
Timothe paused when he felt Marcus's intense glare on him. A silent message seemed to pass between them and Timothe chuckled awkwardly, "Ah I forgot…I had an errand to run. See you later, princess."
Then he bolted out leaving Meredith alone with Marcus. Silence enveloped them for a minute before Marcus finally spoke
"You've been crying." He pointed out in subtle
concern.
"Leave me alone." Meredith whispered.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing. Just leave me alone."
He ignored her tantrum. Instead he stared at her
intently and contemplated out loud,
"Are you still sad over yesterday's conversation? Is that the reason why you refused to eat and spent the day in tears."
Horror washed over Meredith to think that he had
witnessed her conversation with the mysterious man. She gasped,
"Are there cameras here?!"
He shook his head. "No.'
"But, how did you..?" her voice trailed off in confusion.
"Maria told me about you refusing to eat and your eyes are red and puffy. Clearly, you have been crying."
He explained.
"Hmm…" Meredith murmured and pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them tightly. She remained quiet, staring at the vast forest as she rocked slightly.
After a long moment of my continued silence, he
repeated, "What happened?"
Meredith ignored his question as he stared down at her with furrowed brows.
"Tell me what has happened.Did someone do
something to upset you? Tell me and I will take care of it."
Irritation rushed through Meredith and she snapped at him. She just wanted to be left alone and he was getting on her nerves.
"Does it really matter?! I am sorry for roaming around. It won't happen again. Now leave me alone."
His eyes flashed. His voice was hard as he replied.
"No, not until you have eaten."
Meredith hands balled into fists as she glared at him. Now he was treating her like a kid? Gosh she hated him, hated being here.
He was unaffected by her glare, returning it with his own.
Their standoff lasted another moment, before she gave in but only because she was fairly certain from his expression, he would have forced her to eat had she not cooperated willingly.
"Fine! Happy? Once I'm done…Will you leave me alone?"
He was silent and then firmly nodded.
"Yes."
******
Meredith stared at the food in front of her and she swallowed.
The scent of the food had her mouth water instantly. Her stomach growled audibly, and she frowned at the pain that was beginning to grow stronger in her gut.
"Do you need help?" He commented when she just stared at the food without moving her spoon.
Meredith rolled her eyes and ignored him.
She shoved the vegetables into her mouth and began to eat.
Marcus leaned back, his palms resting on his thighs.
"I want to tell you a story. I want you to listen to what I have to say. I don't want you to say anything until I'm finished.
And I don't want you to repeat anything I'm about to say to anyone else, so long as you live. Okay?"
Meredith turned her gaze on him, her cheeks puffed out, her mouth full of rice and meat.
She eyed him suspiciously,she was curious about what he had to say.
Meredith nodded slowly in answer.
He gazed out the vast forest and any trace of humor on his lips faded away, and a look of extreme sorrow marred on his face.
Meredith raised her brows in shock because this was the most emotion she had seen on his face.
She waited, her curiosity running deep.
"I once had someone I loved, you know." He said quietly.
Meredith paused. He had told her last night and she had been curious about why they didn't work out.
"She was my first and only love. I loved her more than life itself. She was my everything and with her I felt happy and free.
My parents were abusive behind the scenes. I was the only son and had lots of responsibility. They wanted their son to be perfect, you know? A prince can't fail or slack."
Slowly, Meredith turned her face to look at him. She never thought a prince would be abused by his own parents.
She wasn't sure what to do, or how to feel, or what to think…
"Eat,Meredith."
Meredith lowered her head, feeling her cheeks burning, as she lifted the spoon to her mouth and continued eating, waiting for him to continue.
"Her name was Anastasia."