Allison's POV
"She thought she could get away with that? Hmmm, I'm looking forward to her downfall," I sneered.
The next day.
I was cleaning one of the tables in the throne hall when a guard suddenly announced, "Prince of Wales Kingdom has arrived!"
"Ohhh… Son, your friend is earlier than I expected," the queen smiled.
Elijah? That's Ethan's friend? Wait, he's also a prince?
As soon as Elijah entered, the queen stood from her throne and walked toward him.
"Oh my… welcome, son. I've been waiting for you," she said, hugging him warmly.
Elijah bowed shyly and let the dramatic queen hug him. From the look on his face, I could tell he already knew she saw him as her life saver at that moment and wanted him to talk to Ethan.
"Allison, go bring tea for him."
Elijah glanced at me then quickly looked away, showing no expression. I sighed in relief. The queen was secretly watching his reaction, maybe seeing that would finally make her believe my ex-boyfriend wasn't her son.
I made the tea quickly and came back to the throne hall. I moved to where he was sitting and knelt, carefully pouring the tea for him.
"Elijah, thank God you are here," the queen said. "Talk to your friend and get him prepared for my upcoming ladies' party. He must choose a wife before we crown him."
Elijah took a quick glance at me and forced a smile. After standing up, I picked up my rag from the table and quietly left. It's good he pretended not to know me.
I headed to the kitchen to find something to eat, on my way back
"Allison?"
I flinched at the voice, placing my hand on my chest.
"Did I scare you?"
I sighed and shook my head. I didn't need to look back, I already knew the voice.
Elijah stepped in front of me, blocking my way. I quickly bowed, but he said, "Hey, cut the act." He glanced around, then grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked, surprised.
He chuckled. "A secret place," he whispered.
"But the Queen…"
"She left. Don't worry, she's already forgotten whatever she was thinking."
He led me to a quiet balcony facing the huge palace fence.
I tried to bow again, but he held my shoulders. "Stop, Allison. I had to act like that because…"
"I understand, you don't have to explain" I smiled faintly. Ethan must have told him to ignore me, which was fine by me.
"I'll talk to Ethan," he said.
I frowned. "Why would you talk to him? About what?"
He laughed. "Chill, okay? He's just mad…"
"No, please," I cut him off. "Let him stay mad, okay?"
"Don't you want to know why he's mad?"
I shook my head quickly. "No. I don't have much time here anyway." I chuckled at his confused face. "I signed a three-month contract, and it ends next month."
Elijah stared at me in disbelief. "Wait, what?"
"I didn't want to stay here in the first place. I want some money to chase my dream and take my mother away from here."
"Your mother's one of the senior maids. She can't just leave easily. She's been working for the Queen for years."
"I know," I nodded. "That's why I don't want to know why he's mad. He changed and made me suffer for nothing. Loving him was my biggest mistake."
"Really?"
That voice….. I sighed, it's him, he's here too?
Ethan stepped out from the corner, smirking.
I chuckled and nodded. "I don't want to know anything about the past. The past is always the past."
I glanced at Elijah and nodded politely. "I'll be on my way." But before I could go, Ethan grabbed my hand and pulled me back.
I rolled my eyes. "Please, I'm begging you, Prince Ethan. I don't know you anymore," I said coldly.
"Wait, Ethan, what did she do?" Elijah asked.
Ethan's cold eyes never left me. "She was dating someone else behind my back."
I burst into laughter, shocking both of them "Ethan, what are you even talking about?" Elijah asked in confusion, he knew I was loyal and he trusted me.
"Someone sent me evidence," he said darkly. "A man carried you into a car and kissed you,"
I looked at him, stunned, then I remembered that night. I was drunk… and the man who carried me was my uncle. I chuckled and nodded. "Oh right, I remember. His name is Joshua."
"Allison, stop lying," Elijah said, shaking his head at Ethan.
"Elijah," I smiled softly. "Thanks for trusting me. But please, don't tell him anything, okay?" I said and walked away happily. I was glad he still hated me.
But for some reason, I stopped and listened when I heard their voices again.
"Ethan, you misunderstood that girl!" Elijah said.
I shook my head, closing my eyes, and I went back and pulled Elijah away.
"Elijah, stop! Do you want me to die young? Whether he knows the truth or not doesn't matter anymore."
He paused, then smirked. "But I'm the one who called your uncle that night when you were drunk. Everyone knows you're his favourite. He loves kissing your forehead."
I sighed. "I knew the person who sent him the picture. It was Katherine. She's the one who took me out for a drink. Let him believe whatever he wants until I leave."
Elijah nodded. "You hear that, Ethan? You really misunderstood her."
I sighed again. Elijah and his tricks… I grunt and leave, walking faster."Even if he knows the truth, nothing will change." I sneered
When I got back to the kitchen, I saw Mom watching the fruit, I watched her back and sighed.
"Mom," I said as I joined her. "I don't like how much you're working for them," I said. She should be resting in bed by now.
Mom chuckled. "It's the only way we survive, Allison. The Queen is like our angel."
"Humph. Angel, indeed. She's the reason her son thinks I shamelessly called him my ex and it was Monica that gave her the book!"
"Please, be careful," Mom warned. "Stay away from the Crown Prince. Ethan is more powerful than Thomas, but his chances of becoming king this year are slim."
I nodded. "Not my concern anyway."
"What do you plan to do with your money after leaving?" she asked.
"I'll use it to start a small business."
She frowned. "You know, starting a business in the Silver Kingdom isn't easy. You'll need some connections, not easy dear."
"I know," I said softly. "That's why I won't stay here." Why would I? Watching Ethan marry someone else will be annoying.
Mom stopped what she was doing and looked at me worriedly. "Travelling overseas will cost all your savings, Allison."
I nodded. "Don't worry, Mom. I don't mind working again to earn more. I just don't want to stay here. I only came because we had no home and because I missed you." I smiled.
Mom sighed. "I wish I could give you more…"
"You already did," I smiled warmly. "When I leave, I'll take you away too, okay?"
I picked up the cleaning tools beside her. "I will help you clean the King's study." I quickly left before she insisted.
On my way there, someone suddenly grabbed me and covered my mouth. Before I knew it, I was pulled into a dark passage.
I looked at the person in shock. "You…" then froze. "Ethan?"
"Come," he said, pulling me deeper into the hidden hallway.
"Where are you taking me?"
He didn't answer. We stopped in front of an old door. He opened it, pulled me inside, and shut it behind us.
The room was old and abandoned but cleaned, yet beautiful. "Okay… what are we doing here?" I asked.
Ethan trapped me against the wall, staring deep into my eyes.
My lips parted. I had a bad feeling. I knew this look. It's familiar…."No, Ethan," I whispered and tried to escape, but he caught my waist and smiled.
"Where are you going?"
"E-Ethan, hmph…" Before I could finish, his lips covered mine. My eyes widened in shock.
He took advantage of my parted lips and deepened the kiss. He sucked my tongue and bit my lower lip.
"Hmm…" I didn't dare respond. Then he finally pulled away, breathing heavily..
"This is forbidden, my prince," I cried. How did I even end up in this situation?!
He wiped my tears with his thumb. "It'll be even more forbidden if I kiss you again and you don't respond."
He chuckled and bent, kissing me again, this time deeper, rougher. He wrapped my hands around his neck and held my waist tightly. Slowly… I started to respond.
Did I even have a choice?