My arrogant ROYAL.

Chapter eight.

Chapter 8.

Simon's POV.

The memory of his touch lingered, sending shivers down my spine as I longed for more. Yet, guilt weighed heavy on my heart, for I knew that desiring a prince was forbidden. His unexpected visits left me in a state of constant questioning, unsure of where my true feelings lay.

Each time the thought crossed my mind, I'd berate myself. I wished I could banish these feelings once and for all—the pain of desiring something unattainable was unbearable. Why couldn't my heart simply let go of what I knew I could never have?

As I soaked in the bathtub, my head pounded from last night's fall. The incident didn't make sense—I wasn't clumsy. I'd been with Prince Evan, yet he hadn't come to check on me. But I didn't want him to; our recent encounter had ended on an uncomfortable note that I preferred not to revisit.

The incident continued to gnaw at me, and an unsettling thought surfaced—could I have been pushed? It didn't make sense that I would simply slip. I was certain I felt a hand against my back. But it couldn't have been Prince Evan, could it? What possible grudge could a prince hold against a lowly servant like me? The notion seemed absurd, yet I couldn't shake off the lingering doubt.

The more I pondered, the more my anger rose. Prince Evan's absence confirmed his guilt in my mind, and I seethed at the injustice. Just as I was about to lose myself in a sea of resentment, a knock at the door snapped me back to reality. Was it Prince Melus again? I hoped not—after this morning, I had no desire to face him.

"Little servant boy," the voice called from behind the door.

Recognizing the voice, I replied, "Prince Evan?"

With a hint of annoyance, he responded, "Yes, it's me. Now, hurry up and come out. I don't have all day to waste here."

The nerve of this guy! He acted as if I'd summoned him, when I was perfectly content without his presence. Frustration bubbled within me, but I took a deep breath and regained my composure. Hastily drying off, I donned the humble clothes the maid had provided. I ran my hand through my curly locks, knowing I wouldn't be able to wash them for a while, but it would have to do.

To my surprise, I found him perched on my bed as I stood by the door. An unsettling smirk graced his face—a menacing expression I'd never seen him wear before. He looked like a different person compared to the Prince Evan I'd encountered weeks ago. The sudden hostility he harbored towards me was jarring, and I couldn't help but wonder what had caused such a change in demeanor.

"Your Highness, is there anything I can do to assist you?" I asked, trying to maintain a semblance of respect despite his abrasive demeanor.

He let out a laugh. "Help me? No, I came to check on you, as per Melus' insistence. Thank goodness you didn't die," he sneered, rolling his eyes. "So when he asks, make sure you tell him I came, alright?"

As he surveyed my room, a look of disgust crossed his face. Rising from my bed, he brushed off his clothes as if my mere belongings were contaminating him.

"And one last thing," he said, his tone laced with contempt. "What exactly did you do to my brother? He seems utterly infatuated with you, and I can't for the life of me understand why. Melus never showed such attachment to the other maids he's been with, yet he's never even touched you, and he's neglecting his duties to check up on you? It makes no sense."

Embarrassment and fear washed over me. I lowered my head, unable to meet his gaze for fear of saying something that would jeopardize my position. If I were to lose my job, I would have nowhere else to go.

"I don't know," I murmured.

Suddenly, a hand gripped my chin, forcing me to look up into the prince's cold, hateful eyes. A hint of obsession glinted within them as he spoke of his brother, and I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"Remember to tell him I came," he remarked before walking out, his voice trailing off.

As the door closed behind him, I exhaled deeply, unaware that I'd been holding my breath throughout the tense encounter. Something didn't add up—I was certain I hadn't slipped, and the fact that no one seemed to question it only added to my suspicions. I'd been a servant here for years, familiar with every nook and cranny of this palace. It didn't make sense that I would suddenly lose my footing. There was definitely more to this story than met the eye.

Feeling the beginnings of a headache, I reached for my medicine, hoping to alleviate the pain. Despite my throbbing head, I decided to take a walk, figuring some fresh air might do me good. As I wandered through the palace corridors, my footsteps seemed to guide me without conscious thought. Before I knew it, I found myself standing before the chamber of Prince Melus.

My knock on the door was met with reluctance from the guards, but eventually, they granted me entrance. The scene that greeted me was a familiar one—a naked maid in the prince's bed, scrambling to cover herself as our gazes locked. Time and again, I found myself stumbling upon situations that left me feeling hurt, and this was no exception. Would he ever change? Probably not, I mused. After all, he was a prince, and his own desires would always come first.

"I apologize for the intrusion," I began, feeling uncomfortable and wishing I hadn't forced my way in. "I just wanted to..." But before I could finish my sentence, the prince interrupted.

"Servant boy, what are you doing here?" he asked, his gaze shifting between me and the maid. He looked at her sternly, and she responded with a smile before he barked, "Get out!"

The maid hastily gathered her clothes, dressing as quickly as she could before scurrying out of the room.

Clearing my throat, I said, "My name is Simon, My Prince But I'll leave you to whatever it was you were doing," I added, motioning towards the bed.

In an instant, he grabbed my arm and pulled me into a passionate kiss. I felt tainted—how could he be with someone else and then kiss me like this? Yet, despite my inner turmoil, I couldn't bring myself to pull away. I tried, but found myself surrendering to the moment as he led us to the bed. His body loomed over me, predatory and commanding. My shirt vanished without causing pain to my aching head, and I desperately wanted all that he was offering. But guilt continued to nag at the back of my mind—was I merely a rebound for him? Perhaps he hadn't been satisfied with the maid and saw me as a convenient means to quell his hunger.

With all my strength, I managed to push him off and escape his grasp, snatching up my shirt as I fled from the room. My hair was a tangled mess, reflecting the chaos that swirled within me.