Chapter 360: [Bonus chapter]Caught Red Handed
Still, Prince Theron was not convinced.
"As long as I returned to attending theroyal court sessions and meetings with the ocials, seeing that I am healthyand strong, the same message would also be delivered."The Queen raised a brow. "I have talked to your father about this.
Thiscelebration is symbolic in many ways.
We must show the enemies that we darethrow a banquet because we can aord to be arrogant, and that we do not fearthem. In fact, we are baiting them to react.
Also, it's only right to reward yoursaviour in front of everyone for what she had done for our family. She has savedmy life as well as your life.
The Ivanovs owe her at least this much recognition."Prince Theron understood who his mother was referring to and only then didhe reluctantly agree. Soon after, the Queen left and Prince Theron went towardsthe window of the drawing-room that overlooked the garden. He stared outsideblankly.Blurry images ashed in his mind. For the past week, he had been consistentlyhaving a recurring dream every night. The setting of the dream was alwaysinside his chamber late into the night.
He would be in his bed and wake upfeeling someone's gaze on him, only for the night visitor to leave before hefully opened his eyes. He was not sure who it was as he never saw the face, butdeep in his guts, he knew that it was Esther. No, perhaps it was more like heyearned for that person to be Esther.
'Sadly, even in my dreams, you won't even let me see you.'
Afterwards, he left for the Grand Palace to meet his father in the throne room.As the Crown Prince, there were many things he had to deal with, from helpingwith the investigations to his attack to the routinary work as the heir to thethrone, which involved talking to territory lords about smaller issues abouttheir lands that did not need the attention of the King. It was already nighttimeby the time he returned to his residence.
When he nally retired to his chamber, a royal physician came to him andoered him the medicine that he needed to take. Although it was announcedthat he had recovered, the royal physicians were careful to nurse his body backto full health, that was why they gave him nutritious tonics and medicine thatwould ease him to sleep every night.
"Your Highness, your medicine."
The royal physician held the wooden tray infront of him that had a bowl of herbal potion.The Crown Prince picked up the bowl and looked at the royal physician whoalways waited till he nished his medicine.
"You can leave," he ordered.
"Once you take your medicine, Your Highness—"
"I will hand the bowl to a servant after I nish it. You can leave now," theyoung prince instructed in a rm voice.
Once the man left, Prince Theron stared at the bowl with a frown.
Afterwards,he poured the medicine into a nearby ower vase, called for a servant to get thebowl and went to bed. His chamber was dark as the lamps were all put out, butthe curtains of his window were purposely drawn, allowing soft moonlight tosomewhat brighten his side of the bed.He felt like he was crazy, but he could not help but be suspicious.
The samedream every night? That never happened to him, therefore, he could not helpbut be suspicious. But then, his rationality told him it was impossible for thatyoung lady to sneak into his residence that was thoroughly surrounded by abrigade of royal knights.
'What if it's not a dream?'
Prince Theron closed his eyes and evened out his breathing, but this time, hewas waiting for a certain young woman to come.
Her soft voice that soundedlike gentle wind still lingered in his ears, saying words that up till now didn'tmake sense to him.
'I want to see you...'
By midnight, the door of his chamber slowly opened, causing his body to go infull alert.
With light footsteps, someone entered his bed-chamber but theyoung man remained silent and waited with bated breath for his night visitor toreach him.
He sensed the right side of his mattress sinking a little, andafterwards, someone touched his wrists, as if to check his pulse.Prince Theron opened his eyes and looked at the young woman who looked athim with equal shock.
She let go of his wrist and was about to move away butPrince Theron held her hand and pulled her back, causing her to fall beside himon his bed, their bodies facing each other."So it was not a dream," he murmured while gazing into her beautiful carameleyes.
His voice brought her back to her senses and only then did she realize herhands were resting on the rm chest of the young man. Although his handsomeface was serene under the moonlight, she could feel his racing heartbeats underher palm, which surprisingly mirrored hers.
In a split second, many questions arose in her mind. '
Why is he not sleeping?That sleeping spell puts everyone to sleep, then why is he awake?
Why am Inervous? Why is he nervous?
Why—
'"May I know the Lady's reason for sneaking into my bedchamber like this?" heasked, his dark eyes seemingly holding hers hostage.
"I-I..."
Under his intimidating eyes, she could not come up with a proper reply.
It was as if all forms of thought ran away in fear from those dark eyes, leavingher mind stark empty.
His hand did not leave her wrist, and one even snaked around her waist. N
otletting her move even an inch, he asked with a sly smile, "Do you know thepunishment for this?" His dark eyes seemingly glittered, as if they enjoyedseeing her ustered, like a thief who got caught red-handed.