The Chaos Keeper. Part 3.
As I prepared to leave the room, a maid knocked on the door and offered her help. I politely thanked her but told her I had already packed everything. Then, I asked her if she knew where I could find Prince Sebastian.
But the maid's response felt like ice-cold water, extinguishing my last glimmer of hope. "Prince Sebastian is in the Garden with his fiancee," she chattered. I was stunned. "fiancee?" I repeated with disbelief.
"Yes, Countess Alicia Lindwood," the maid clarified, seeing my surprise. "There hasn't been an official announcement of their engagement yet, but they've been in love for many years, and she's been considered his fiancee for quite some time. Even the King treats her as almost a member of the royal family," she rambled on, and for a moment, everything seemed to fade away. So, for all this time, Sebastian didn't just have a lover, but a full-fledged fiancée. But then, why? The maid interrupted my thoughts.
"Is there anything else I can assist you with, Lady de Savoyar?" she chimed in.
I sighed in disappointment. "No, thank you. I wouldn't want to distract the prince. Just lead me to the stables; I need a horse," I replied, trying to maintain composure. I had to reach Savoyar as quickly as possible and find a way out of the situation with the king. I would contemplate Sebastian later.
The maid nodded and guided me through the castle's corridors towards the stables. My mind was swirling with thoughts of how everything had changed. The support I hoped to receive from Sebastian had become unattainable.
In the stables, the maid pointed me towards an elderly stablemaster and bid her farewell. I approached the man, introduced myself, and explained that I urgently needed a horse to travel to Savoyar. However, he refused, claiming it was not proper without an order, and informed me that the carriage was waiting at the gate. I felt irritation rising; with no other choice, I headed for the gate.
As I exited the stables, I noticed a couple walking towards the entrance of the castle. Countess Alicia was hanging on Prince Sebastian's arm, and he was smiling at her. They looked like a love-struck pair. My heart clenched with pain. Compared to Alicia, I felt ridiculous in my riding attire, with my hair down and emotions so turbulent. The blonde exuded regal grace that matched Sebastian's. I tried to push the bitterness deep inside, deciding that now was not the time or place for such thoughts.
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It seemed my confident strides on the cobblestone path caught their attention, and they stopped, observing me. Alicia regarded me with superiority and pressed even closer to Sebastian. As for the prince, he replaced the smile he bestowed upon her with an indifferent gaze. Only for a second, I noticed a flicker of surprise in his eyes when he saw me, but he quickly composed himself.
At that moment, I realized I had a chance to avoid the discomfort of the carriage. I approached them, feigning a shy smile, and said with strained politeness, "Prince Sebastian, Countess Alicia, I apologize if I'm interrupting your walk with your fiancee, but Your Highness, I believe only you can help me. I've received an order from His Majesty to travel to Savoyar, and I need your horse." I tried not to look directly at Sebastian, shifting my gaze as if feeling embarrassed, though inside, disappointment was burning fiercely.
I emphasized the word "fiancee," hoping to catch his reaction to my newfound knowledge. Throughout all the time we spent together, I never suspected he had serious intentions towards someone else. Initially, he acted distant or flirtatious, and then the ritual and my birthday came. But it was only now that I realized he never made any promises or declarations of his feelings. The family artifact was with me all this time, remaining a silent witness to our moments together. Sebastian's games.
But now everything became clear.
Their appearance and how Alicia held onto his arm, and he covered her hand with his, remaining unruffled, not even attempting to withdraw his hand upon my arrival, explained his behavior during breakfast. He didn't hide our connection to protect me. He concealed his own affairs from his fiancee, not wanting to upset her or raise suspicions. A sudden realization left a bitter taste in my mouth.
My emotions were a mix of disappointment, hurt, and embarrassment. However, instead of allowing these feelings to take over, I decided to restrain them and maintain my dignity.
Sebastian, smiling at Alicia, kissed her hand and said, "Until lunch, Foxy." Alicia nodded with a strained smile, expressing her displeasure at being interrupted. Then, Sebastian turned to me and, pointing towards the stables, said, "Come, Duchess, I know which horse to offer you."
Suppressing another surge of bitterness from his tender "Foxy" directed at the blonde, I followed him to the stables, outwardly keeping my composure.
In the stables, Sebastian quickly gave the stable master the order to prepare two horses and personally ensured that the saddles were securely fastened. With a cold and composed demeanor, he stated that he would accompany me to the border with the Borderlands and helped me mount the horse.
I felt his attentiveness and care, despite everything that had happened. Looking at him, I mumbled words of thanks, trying to conceal my emotions. Sebastian took the reins of his horse and made an inviting gesture, indicating the way forward.