Another World

✨~7~✨

But this time was different. I lived in my own Palace and had the title of the Crown Prince. At least I could stand up to my mother in terms of power, to some degree.

Romania said nothing and just quietly stared at me. I looked down at the letter again and noticed the dried red stains which must have been Sylvia's blood.

I cleared my throat. "Also..." I began and noticed her eyes looking at me with open expectations as if she was expecting me to say something grand and profound.

"It wasn't your fault."

Her eyes widened and she looked taken back like she wasn't expecting me to say that. I watched her reaction carefully.

She tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear like it was suddenly bothering her.

"Okay." She sighed. "Logically speaking, I know that but...but I still feel guilty." She opened up to me.

Now that I knew that she wasn't a threat. I didn't mind her company at all.

I pondered for a moment so I could give her a thoughtful answer. "The presence of guilt doesn't always mean you have something to feel guilty about."

I looked at her and continued.

"It could simply show that you care. Even if you wished for things to have gone differently. Focusing on things we have no control over is simply a waste of time." I said it in an 'as-a-matter-of-fact' way, but I hoped she wouldn't take offense because of the tone of my voice or my advice.

This was truly the way I felt about things. Emotions, although unavoidable— sometimes feel unnecessary, especially when they cloud our judgment.

She reacted completely differently from how I expected. She had an honest and wider smile on her face this time.

"You're completely right. And I don't think Sylvia would appreciated me feeling guilty about her death. If anything she'd just want me to take care of Malakai's wellbeing, which I'll do." She nodded and clenched her fists as if she just developed some newfound resolve.

On the topic of Malakai, I wanted to talk about him and what had been brought up earlier, but I noticed outside that it was getting quite late, and I've kept her for too long.

"Thank you for explaining everything to me. I'm sure you're exhausted. I'll let you rest and we can talk about Malakai another time." I told her as I stooped up.

She followed suit and grabbed her things. "Yes, you must believe me when I tell you that I had no idea about his plan to leave the Kingdom or give up his rights to the throne." She quickly said to me while I escorted her to the door.

I nodded, believing her. "It's okay, we'll talk about it soon," I told her as I held the door open for her. "The Head maid will lead you to your room. Rest well." I told her.

She exited the room and smiled at me. "Goodnight, Your Highness, and thank you again." She said before leaving with the head maid.

I closed the door afterward and stood outside my door, thinking for some time.

She said goodnight to me even though it was only late afternoon. On that note, I thought of how hungry she might have been. I glanced at the tea area, where we sat. She barely ate anything. She just drank the tea she disliked, and I think she only did that because I offered it to her.

I chuckled to myself as I recalled her cheeks full of tea and her shocked expression of getting caught. I walked back to my desk and shook my head, snapping myself out of it. It has been an eventful day, and due to that, I didn't get much work done. I looked at my watch, it would seem I would have to work late tonight. I thought about Romania again and of my brother who was safe in my Palace and smiled.

"I'll have to remember to send dinner to them." I thought aloud to myself as I organised the documents on my desk.

*KNOCK*KNOCK*

"Come in."

I knew exactly who it was and sure enough Killian walked in, followed close by was Derrick, my personal assistant. The one carried a stack of papers and the other had a plain brown envelope.

I looked up from my desk and told Killian. "Lets see what you found."I said and he handed me the unopened envelope.

As soon as we arrived and met Malakai and Romania. I immediately told Killian to have a background check done on her to see if there was anything to be suspicious of and just to check her history.

I opened the envelope and a knot began to form in-between my eyebrows while I began reading the contents of the document.

***

A/N:

Okay, okay. I know. This chapter seemed shorter than the others, why?

I'm just beginning to wonder if my chapters are too long or if I write too much in single chapters. All along I didn't have any problems with this and I've always just thought to myself that more is better when I write a chapter but I've been reading more lately(on wattpad) and the chapters go relatively quick. Which made me question the length of my chapters.

Am I overthinking this? Probably.

What do you prefer? Longer or shorter chapters? Whether from my book or others. I'd love to know.

Again, Thank you for reading. Remember to vote and comment!

~Faith