AMOR — DEVIL OF CAMELLIA
Chapter: The Memories Beneath the Rain
Isa's POV 🖤
Rain.
The sky had turned dark, and raindrops slid down the palace windows like tiny streams.
I stood near the window, my fingers resting against the cold glass, watching the rain fall over the royal gardens.
I don't know why, but something about the rain always made my heart feel heavy.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
And suddenly…
Memories rushed into my mind.
His smile.
His laughter.
His voice calling my name.
My breath caught in my throat.
And before I could stop myself, I was transported back to a time when everything between us had been beautiful.
A time when I had loved him without fear.
A time when I had believed that he would always be mine.
---
FLASHBACK
Somewhere in the royal countryside…
The sound of horses galloping echoed across the open fields.
I laughed as I rode my horse faster, the wind whipping through my hair. The green fields stretched endlessly before me, and for once, there were no royal responsibilities, no expectations, and no one telling me what to do.
Only freedom.
And him.
Damon was riding behind me, trying to catch up.
I glanced over my shoulder and grinned mischievously.
"Come on, Damon! Is that all you've got?"
He shook his head, laughing.
"Isa! Slow down!"
I laughed even louder.
"If you want to catch me, try harder!"
I urged my horse forward.
"Catch me if you can!"
"You're going to regret saying that, Princess!" he called back.
"Then come and make me regret it!"
I heard his laughter behind me.
And I laughed with him.
For those precious moments, we were just two foolish young people enjoying the world together.
No kingdoms.
No enemies.
No promises that would eventually turn into pain.
Just us.
But suddenly, the sky darkened.
A loud rumble of thunder echoed across the countryside, and heavy raindrops began falling from the sky.
"Oh, no!" I exclaimed, looking up.
Within seconds, the rain grew heavier.
I spotted a small wooden shelter ahead, almost hidden beneath climbing vines and wildflowers.
"There!" I shouted, pointing towards it.
Before Damon could answer, I urged my horse towards the shelter.
I quickly dismounted and ran beneath the roof, laughing as I tried to escape the rain.
The little shelter was surrounded by flowers. White blossoms, delicate pink roses, and tiny purple flowers climbed along its wooden pillars, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.
It was like a secret garden hidden away from the rest of the world.
I turned around, shaking the raindrops from my hair.
And there he was.
Damon.
He had followed me, his clothes damp from the rain and his hair falling messily across his forehead.
He looked at me for a moment before shaking his head with an amused smile.
"You!"
I burst into laughter.
"What?"
"You made me chase you through the entire countryside!"
I raised an eyebrow innocently.
"Did I ask you to follow me?"
He stared at me.
I stared back.
Then we both burst into laughter.
"You are impossible, Isa."
"And yet, you keep following me."
His smile softened.
"Maybe because you're worth chasing."
For a moment, I forgot how to respond.
My teasing smile slowly faded as I looked into his eyes.
He stepped closer.
I took a small step backwards, my shoulders brushing against the flower-covered wooden pillar.
"Damon…"
He smiled.
"What happened, Princess? Where did all your courage go?"
I narrowed my eyes.
"I have plenty of courage!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Then why are you blushing?"
"I am NOT blushing!"
He laughed softly.
Before I could argue again, he stepped behind me and gently wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into a warm back hug.
I froze for a second.
"Damon!"
"What?"
"Let go!"
"Do you really want me to?"
I opened my mouth to answer.
But no words came out.
He rested his chin lightly near my shoulder, smiling when he noticed my silence.
"That's what I thought."
I tried to glare at him, but the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me.
Outside, the rain continued pouring, drumming against the wooden roof.
Inside our little flower shelter, the world seemed to have stopped.
I slowly placed my hands over his arms.
And leaned back against him.
He held me a little closer.
For once, neither of us had anything to say.
We didn't need words.
His warmth was enough.
After a while, I turned around in his arms.
We stood face-to-face, the space between us disappearing as he gently tucked a damp strand of hair behind my ear.
His playful expression softened.
"Isa…"
I looked up at him.
"Hmm?"
He gazed into my eyes as though he were trying to memorize every little detail of my face.
"What?" I whispered, suddenly shy beneath his intense gaze.
He smiled.
"Nothing. I just want to remember this moment."
My heart skipped a beat.
"Why?"
"Because I don't think I've ever been happier than I am right now."
My teasing expression disappeared.
"Damon…"
He gently took my hand.
"I know our worlds aren't simple. I know there are things waiting for us beyond these walls. But right now, I don't want to think about any of that."
His thumb brushed over my fingers.
"Right now, I just want to be with you."
My eyes softened.
I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around him.
He hugged me back, resting his cheek against my hair.
For a little while, we stayed that way, listening to the rain and the quiet beating of our hearts.
Then I lifted my face to look at him.
He was already looking at me.
Our eyes met.
His hand gently touched my cheek, and he paused, searching my face for an answer.
I smiled softly and leaned closer.
He kissed me.
It was a tender kiss, filled with all the words neither of us knew how to say.
I closed my eyes, holding him a little tighter as the rain continued to fall around our little shelter.
When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine.
A mischievous smile returned to his face.
"So, Princess…"
I blinked.
"What now?"
"Does this mean I finally caught you?"
I stared at him for a second.
Then I playfully pushed his chest.
"DAMON!"
He burst into laughter as I chased him around the little shelter, the sound of our laughter mixing with the rain.
And for that one beautiful afternoon…
I was happy.
Truly happy.
Because I believed his arms would always be my safe place.
And I believed his promises.
I never imagined that one day, the same man who held me beneath those flowers would become the reason for my tears.
---
PRESENT DAY
A raindrop slid down the window beneath my trembling fingers.
I slowly opened my eyes.
The memory disappeared, leaving me alone in the silence of my chamber.
My lips trembled as I remembered that kiss.
That smile.
That promise.
And the boy who had once looked at me as though I were his entire world.
A tear slipped down my cheek.
I quickly wiped it away.
"No…"
My voice cracked.
"No, Damon. I won't cry for you."
I turned towards the bed, where my sword lay waiting.
My fingers wrapped around its hilt.
The girl who had once laughed with him beneath the flowers was gone.
Or at least, that was what I wanted the world to believe.
I stared at the rain once more, my heart aching beneath the anger I had built around it.
"I loved you, Damon."
My voice was barely a whisper.
Then my expression hardened.
"But now…"
I tightened my grip on the sword.
"I will kill you."
Outside, thunder roared across the dark sky.
And somewhere beyond the palace walls, fate was already preparing their next meeting.
Aira's POV 🦋
The room was unusually quiet.
I sat on the edge of Alexander's enormous bed, my legs swinging slightly as I examined the mysterious book in my hands.
Its dark cover caught my attention, especially the beautiful golden letters written across it.
नफ़रत
इश्क़ • प्यार • जुनून
I slowly read the words aloud.
"Nafrat… Ishq… Pyar… Junoon?"
Hatred. Love. Affection. Obsession.
A small frown appeared on my face.
"What kind of book is this?" I murmured, turning it over in my hands.
Just then, a palace maid entered the room.
"Your Highness, is there anything you need?"
I looked up.
"No, thank you. I'm fine."
But the moment her eyes fell on the book in my hands, she froze.
Her expression changed so quickly that I couldn't help noticing.
I raised an eyebrow.
"What happened? Why are you looking at me like that?"
The maid took a hesitant step forward, staring at the book.
"Your Highness… where did you find that book?"
I glanced down at it.
"This? It was lying on the shelf. Why?"
Her eyes widened.
"Your Highness, that's Princess Isa's personal book!"
I blinked.
"Princess Isa?"
"Yes, Your Highness. She brought it with her when she arrived at the palace. She never allows anyone to touch it."
My eyebrows rose.
Never allows anyone to touch it?
Now, that was interesting.
I looked at the book again, running my fingers over its golden title.
नफ़रत — इश्क़, प्यार, जुनून.
"Why is she so protective of a book?" I asked curiously.
The maid hesitated.
"I don't know, Your Highness. But I've heard that it holds some very personal memories."
Personal memories?
My curiosity grew.
I opened the book slightly, intending to look at the first page.
But the maid immediately spoke again.
"Your Highness, please be careful. Princess Isa might become upset if she discovers that someone has read it."
I quickly closed the book.
"All right, all right! I won't damage her precious book."
The maid bowed before leaving the room.
As soon as the door closed, I looked down at the book again.
A mischievous smile appeared on my lips.
"Princess Isa… what exactly are you hiding?"
I turned the book over, examining its beautiful cover once more.
नफ़रत. इश्क़. प्यार. जुनून.
Hatred, love, and obsession.
Strange words for a book that its owner guarded so carefully.
I was about to place it back on the shelf when something caught my attention.
A name was written on the first page.
DAMON.
My smile slowly disappeared.
"Damon?"
I stared at the name, my curiosity growing stronger with every passing second.
Who was he?
And why was his name written inside Princess Isa's most treasured book?
I glanced towards the closed door, then back at the book.
"Oh, this is getting interesting…"
I had come to Alexander's palace expecting trouble.
But I never imagined that a book belonging to Princess Isa would become my next mystery.
And knowing myself, I wasn't going to rest until I discovered the truth.
Little did I know that the name written on that page belonged to a secret capable of changing everything.
To be continued… 🖤🥀