AMOR — DEVIL OF CAMELLIA
**Alexander's POV đź–¤**
The door to my chamber suddenly swung open.
I walked inside, followed by a dozen palace guards and maids carrying enormous boxes, clothing bags, and several decorated trays.
My eyes immediately found her.
My Camellia was resting on the bed, leaning against the pillows with a book in her hands.
She looked comfortable until she noticed the unexpected crowd entering the room.
Her eyes widened.
One guard carried several beautiful dresses. Another held boxes filled with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other jewellery. Behind them were more maids carrying handbags, shoes, sandals, and elegant high heels.
The entire room was slowly turning into a boutique.
Aira stared at everything.
Then she looked at the guards.
Then at the maids.
Finally, her gaze landed on me.
One eyebrow slowly rose.
I slipped my hands into my pockets, trying to hide my amusement.
"What?" I asked innocently.
She looked at the mountain of belongings being placed around the room.
"Alexander… what is all this?"
I walked towards her, a small smile playing on my lips.
"Can't you see, sweetheart? These are clothes."
She gave me an unbelievable look.
"I have eyes! I can see that!"
I chuckled.
"Good. At least I don't have to explain everything."
Her mouth fell open.
I ignored her expression and turned towards the guards.
"Carefully place everything near the wardrobe. And make sure the jewellery boxes are arranged properly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The guards bowed and began arranging everything.
Aira continued watching them in complete disbelief.
After a moment, she turned towards me again.
"Alexander! Why are you bringing so many things into your room?"
I looked at her, then at the dresses.
A small smirk appeared on my face.
*What's so surprising about this?*
I walked closer to her bed and sat beside her.
"Well, my dear Camellia, a man has certain responsibilities."
She narrowed her eyes.
"What responsibilities?"
I leaned back comfortably, looking at her with an amused expression.
"Taking care of his girl."
I paused deliberately.
"And that includes making sure she has beautiful dresses, jewellery, shoes, and everything else she might need."
I smiled.
"After all, how can I let my Camellia run out of beautiful things to wear?"
Aira stared at me.
For a few seconds, she didn't say anything.
Then—
"WHO SAID I NEEDED ALL THIS?"
I burst into laughter.
There she was.
My little troublemaker.
I tilted my head, pretending to think.
"Hmm… nobody. I simply decided."
She folded her arms across her chest.
"You're impossible!"
I leaned closer, a mischievous smile appearing on my face.
"And you're my impossible little Camellia."
She rolled her eyes.
I laughed softly and glanced towards the enormous collection of dresses.
*I wonder which one she'll choose first.*
Then I looked back at her.
"Come on, sweetheart. At least have a look before you reject everything."
She shot me another angry little glare.
And I knew one thing for certain.
My peaceful afternoon was officially over.
**Because buying things for my Camellia was easy. Convincing her to accept them was an entirely different battle.**
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## **Rooha's POV đź–¤**
The enormous gates of Villin City finally appeared before my eyes.
After a long journey, I had finally reached the city of darkness.
The tall black walls, enormous towers, and dark royal flags gave the city an intimidating appearance. Everything looked unfamiliar, yet strangely fascinating.
I stepped down from the carriage, adjusting my dupatta as I looked around.
But suddenly—
**THUD! THUD! THUD!**
The sound of galloping horses echoed through the road.
Before I could understand what was happening, a royal carriage came rushing towards the gates at an incredible speed.
"Move away! Everyone, move away from the road!"
One of the guards shouted.
Another guard hurriedly announced,
"Make way! His Majesty, King Adamshah, is arriving!"
My entire body froze.
**King Adamshah.**
My expression changed instantly.
I slowly turned towards the approaching royal carriage, unable to believe what I had just heard.
*Adamshah?*
The same Adamshah…
The man whose name had been attached to mine through an engagement I had never wanted.
My fingers instinctively moved towards the ring on my finger.
I stared at it.
The beautiful ring suddenly felt like a burden.
Memories of the engagement ceremony flashed through my mind.
The crowded hall.
The smiling faces.
The congratulations.
Everyone celebrating a future I had never chosen.
And me?
I had stood there silently, with no one bothering to ask what I wanted.
A bitter smile appeared on my lips.
*How could I forget?*
I looked at the ring again, my eyes filled with disbelief.
"Why?" I whispered to myself.
"Why does everyone think they have the right to decide my life?"
My fingers trembled slightly as I slowly removed the engagement ring.
I held it between my fingers for a moment, staring at its sparkling surface.
Then, without another word, I slipped it into the pocket of my dress.
**I didn't want that engagement. I didn't want that marriage. And I certainly didn't want to spend my life with a man I had never chosen.**
The royal carriage continued towards the gates, surrounded by armed guards and horsemen.
I stepped away from the road, keeping my face turned slightly aside.
I didn't want to see him.
I didn't want to speak to him.
And most importantly, I didn't want him to know I was here.
But fate seemed to have other plans.
As the carriage approached the enormous gates of Villin City, I stood silently among the crowd.
My journey had brought me to the very city ruled by the man I never wanted to marry.
And I had no idea what would happen if King Adamshah discovered my presence.
**Sometimes, the people we desperately try to escape are the very people fate places in our path.**
*________
# **Rooha's POV đź–¤**
After leaving the city gates behind, I finally entered the mansion.
The enormous building stood before me, surrounded by beautiful gardens, tall pillars, and royal guards. Everything looked unfamiliar.
I was still observing the surroundings when suddenly—
"STOP HER!"
A loud voice echoed through the mansion courtyard.
I turned towards the sound.
A young girl was running as fast as she could, lifting the edges of her long dress to avoid tripping. Several guards and maids were chasing her.
"Catch her! Don't let her escape!"
"Your Highness, please stop!"
I raised my eyebrows.
*What on earth is happening here?*
The girl glanced behind her while running.
"Don't you dare catch me!" she shouted.
One of the guards yelled,
"She's the General's daughter! Her marriage arrangements are already completed. Her carriage is ready to take her to another city!"
I blinked.
*Marriage?*
The girl suddenly noticed me standing near the wall.
Our eyes met.
Without thinking twice, she rushed towards me.
"Please! Help me!"
Before the guards could reach us, I quickly caught her hand and pulled her behind a large pillar near the wall.
"Shhh!" I whispered, placing a finger against my lips.
The guards rushed past us, looking around desperately.
"Where did she go?"
"Search everywhere! She couldn't have gone far!"
Their footsteps slowly disappeared.
I looked at the girl standing beside me.
She was trying hard to control her laughter.
Once the guards were gone, she peeked around the pillar and let out a relieved breath.
Then she turned towards me.
A playful smile appeared on her face.
"Well… that was close!"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Are you always running away from people like this?"
She giggled.
"Only when they're trying to get me married!"
I couldn't help laughing.
She extended her hand towards me.
"By the way, I'm Ziya."
I looked at her hand and shook it.
"Rooha."
"Rooha?" she repeated, smiling. "That's a beautiful name!"
"Thank you."
She looked around dramatically before spreading her arms.
"Anyway, welcome to Villin City!"
I smiled mischievously.
"Yeah… thanks for inviting me."
She laughed.
I tilted my head and added,
"And what a wonderful welcome you've given me! I barely entered the mansion, and I've already become an accomplice in someone's escape!"
Ziya burst into laughter.
"Oh, come on! You should be happy. At least your first day here won't be boring!"
I shook my head, laughing.
"You're unbelievable."
"And you're officially my new friend!"
I looked at her amused expression.
"That was quick."
"Well, I don't waste time making friends."
I smiled.
"Apparently, you don't waste time escaping from marriage either."
She immediately pointed a finger at me.
"Exactly! Finally, someone understands me!"
We both laughed.
After a moment, Ziya gently caught my hand.
"Come on, Rooha. Let me show you around before those guards find me again."
I followed her as we began walking through the beautiful mansion corridors.
She kept talking, telling me about the mansion, the city, and the people living there.
For the first time since entering Villin City, I found myself smiling genuinely.
I had arrived here carrying a heart full of worries, an unwanted engagement ring hidden in my pocket, and no idea what awaited me.
But unexpectedly, I had met someone who seemed just as determined to escape the life others had chosen for her.
Perhaps this city wasn't going to be as lonely as I had imagined.
I glanced at Ziya, who was enthusiastically explaining something about the royal gardens.
A small smile appeared on my lips.
*Maybe this is the beginning of something new.*
**Neither of us knew that this unexpected meeting would soon connect our lives in ways we could never have imagined.**
And just like that…
A new friendship was born in the city of darkness.
**Rooha & Ziya.** 🦋
*To be continued…* 🖤