The Royal Revenge
Chapter 47: Goldy

Chapter 47: Goldy

Elys relished and admired the beauty outside their window. Soft pinkish coral hues of the skies were blending with blazing reds, yellows, and oranges emitted by the sun. Wisps of white clouds formed around, creating a magnificent painting of the heavens.

"Beautiful," she murmured under her breath.

"It hurts my eyes," Aleksander grimaced.

To the princess’ dismay, Aleksander pulled the curtains shut with a swift flick of his hands, blocking the view she was having fun watching.

"That is just completely rude," Elys frowned. "I was enjoying the view just a second ago."

"I don’t really care much for sceneries," Aleksander said without a drop of emotion.

"Well, if you cared to ask, I do," Elys retorted. "It’s like a breath of fresh air compared to the chaos of the manor - and you."

Aleksander reached to the other side of the carriage window, pulled the curtains down and gave Elys a disinterested side glance.

"I will take a nap," the prince said as he leaned his head slightly backwards, shimmying his body in a comfortable position – as comfortable as a bumpy ride to the countryside would be. "Now be a good woman and keep your mouth shut."

Elys stared at the prince, contempt rising in her mind.

He had closed his eyes entirely, his arms crossed over his chest. The carriage had dimmed now, with an occasional sliver of light creeping in when the curtain swayed too much as the carriage moved.

Several minutes passed, and the steady rise and fall of his chest surprised her - Aleksander slept in seconds! She stared at him for awhile. The prince looked so serene when he wasn’t spouting negativity.

The princess recalled the portrait that hung up at the manor, and thought to herself, ’If only he had better temper. His handsome face is such a waste when the expression he always wears on his face is a frown.’

In the end, Elys decided to stay quiet as he requested.

It was quite funny though, and amusing as well. After just less than two weeks, she was able to work herself into the cracks of the prince’s armor.

Although he didn’t fully trust her yet, somehow Elys had significantly improved their relationship to a tolerable level of banter.

He still insulted her as always, but unlike dancing around broken glass, Elys could at least be honest and insult him in return too especially when it came to last night’s issue.

She had never thought the bastard prince was that much vulnerable in the first place. Elys clutched her chest, remembering the last words her father left her with – a dying wish in which she must fulfill no matter what.

’I am slowly moving forward, father,’ Elys thought silently, ’one day, vengeance will be ours to claim.’

Elys failed to notice, but it might have been due to the dimness of the carriage that made her eyes heavy. She became drowsy with the silence between her and the prince, all the while the steady canter of the horses and the knights’ armor clanking lulled her to sleep.

After what seemed like several hours on end, the carriage stopped moving. Elys woke up to a series of soft knocks on the door. She scrambled to sit straight, quickly fixed herself, wiped her dripping saliva, and then asked, "Why have we stopped?"

"Princess, Sir Teo found a little spring for the horses to take a quick drink. You might want to step outside for some fresh air," Cordelia called out to the princess.

Elys glanced at Aleksander.

"Husband," Elys called out to him, "are you awake?"

The prince didn’t stir from his slumber.

The princess shrugged her shoulders – best to leave him alone to rest. Maybe his attitude would be better once he was well rested.

Elys decided to step out without him, and as soon as she opened the door, Teo’s hand shot out to help her down. The princess was surprised with the genteel manners the knight showed her.

"Won’t you take my hand, your highness?" Teo smiled at Elys.

"That smile again," Elys blurted out, "it creeps me out. No matter how hard I try to give you the benefit of the doubt."

Teo chuckled and withdrew his hand, "You are so independent, a knight can’t even be a gentleman."

"Go away, goldy," an irritated voice suddenly spoke behind the princess.

Elys turned her head to see the prince had awakened from his sleep. He scratched his head and ruffled his dark raven locks into a messy bush.

Aleksander stared at the golden-haired knight. He couldn’t quite put a finger into it, but ever since Teo brought Elys to his manor, Aleksander had formed hostility in his heart for the knight.

"You don’t need to be too possessive, your highness," Teo teased the prince. "Fear not, I have not set my heart for the princess. Although I do apologize if my eyes already had."

"Piss off," the prince growled at the knight.

Teo raised his hands in mock defeat and then promptly retreated to where the horses drank by the spring. He proceeded to chat animatedly to the other knights, his eyes glancing every other second back at the royal couple.

Aleksander pulled Elys back to her seat and stepped out of the carriage first, grunting as he set foot on the ground.

He scowled as the bright rays of the sun hit his eyes, cupping his hands over his eyes for shade. Henry immediately grabbed an umbrella, rushed over to the prince, and opened it just in time before he became more irritable.

"Someone woke up with an attitude," Elys said as she stepped out right after him.

"I don’t trust that knight," the prince scrunched his nose as if disgusted by the mere sight of Teo.

Elys chuckled.

"You mean you don’t ’like’ that knight," she corrected him.

"That too," Aleksander said as he began walking away from the carriage, seemingly trying to find a place that would get him further away from the knights, but still close enough to the carriage.

Putting aside the fact that she herself didn’t trust Teo, the corner of Elys’ lips lifted into a grin.

It looked like she just discovered something quite amusing.