The Crown Prince's Love

"Your Highness, please answer my question."

I clenched my fists and sighed deeply, trying hard not to tear her head off.

She was disrespecting me in every way while using my weakness against me, knowing that I couldn't do anything about it.

"Desmond is..." I paused and closed my eyes while reminiscing about what happened two years ago. "I am not gay!" his words resounded in my head, and when I fluttered my eyes open, I saw Ana waving her hands in my face.

"Are you alright, Your Highness?" she asked, and that was when I smelled him. I knew that Desmond was around, and when I looked forward, I realized he was standing at the cafeteria entrance.

He waved at Ana and headed towards us.

"Desmond is different from you, Your Highness. Please let him be with the one person he wants, and that is me, Your Highness," she smiled. "I will keep your secrets safe because there is no reason to reveal them, but then again, you must help me with Desmond as I want to get him back. This birthday ceremony is when I will confess my love to him, please, I need you to play a major role in supporting us," she said and smiled at me. Then she bowed her head yet again. "Hey, Ana!" Desmond called her name as he walked up to meet us. "Your Highness, we have another class now,' he announced, not sparing me a glance while his eyes were on Ana.

You stupid fool! My inner voice rang out in my ears.

Will you let her dictate to you when you are the crown prince? Desmond is your crush, no matter what you do, it won't change.

I frowned at these words, and even when they started walking away, I remained where I stood until Ana turned back and called me. "Your Highness, we have to get to class now," she announced.

At this time, Desmond's eyes met with mine, but not for long as I stared down to realize that they were holding hands.

I felt a knot tied in my stomach, a form of rejection.

Maybe Ana was right when she said that Desmond was different from me because he had not shown any sign of letting go of her and instead continued to hold hands with her. "..." I forced a smile on my face and walked up to meet them.

I believed I could pretend to be happy because I had done it two years ago when I had disappeared.

If it were too much for me to bear, then maybe I would disappear again, and this time, I wouldn't do it without telling him about how I feel about him.

You are a big fool! My inner voice shouted in my head.

Stop acting like an Idiot and do something about your crush!

Fight for him!

Maybe that is not what he wants. I don't want him to be forced to be with me. I don't want a one sided love!

Giving up so quickly?! It taunted.

You are pathetic! It added.

"Your Highness," Desmond called for my attention again, and I faced him with a smile.

"Let us go," I told him.

The three of us walked silently to the next class, and even when they started talking about Ana's birthday party, I ignored them and instead thought about what Ana had said.

It was all I could think of throughout the class, and as if that was not enough, the lecturer in charge gave us a teamwork pairing, all three of us together.

"Prince Randy Anderson is paired with Desmond Baile and Ana Kudra for the project."

Hearing that alone disappointed me, but for Desmond and Ana, it felt like it was the best thing as they both expressed their happiness.

When I returned to the dormitory that night, I didn't say anything to Desmond and just lay on my bed, hoping to sleep, but I couldn't. Ana's conversation with me was not ordinary, it was a threat. ~ Desmond~

I stretched and blinked my eyes open to the morning light flooding the room.

Glancing around, I noticed Randy wasn't in his bed, instead, he emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed. I was surprised he was already prepared for class and hadn't bothered waking me. If it was in the past, he would have called my name or even asked me to wake me up, but I was surprised to see that he was already up and dressed.

It was strange, unexpected of Randy. He would never do something like that.

Standing up, I greeted him with a lowered head, "Your Highness." He didn't reply, as if I didn't exist. I couldn't blame him for following the rules, but I couldn't figure out why he was treating me with silence. He had been acting differently since the previous day, and I was worried, unable to understand the cause.

Randy was never the type of person to give the silent treatment.

When we were younger, he always apologized even when he was right, but now, it was different.

"Morning, ready for class?" I asked.

Randy's gaze briefly flicked in my direction, but there was no response.

Confused, I tried again, "Everything okay?" Silence hung between us, laden with unspoken words.

He continued to get ready, tension thick in the air. "Did I do something wrong yesterday, Your Highness?" I queried, yet again ignored as he walked out.

I sighed deeply, rubbing the ache forming on my forehead. It was too early for such complications, and I didn't want my morning ruined. Heading to the bathroom, I pushed open the door, the hinges whispering. Steam billowed from the shower, creating a warm, hazy atmosphere.

Droplets clung to the mirror, distorting my reflection as I stepped inside.

Standing under the water, confusion swirled in my mind, wondering if something had changed.

Thoughts of Ana crossed my mind.

Was Randy's attitude related to her?

What did they say when they were alone?

With a determined exhale, I turned off the shower, wrapped a towel around my body, and dried off before leaving the bathroom.

Returning to the room, I quickly selected a pair of blue ripped jeans and a brown hoodie, then rushed out in search of Randy.

Opting for the stairs to avoid a crowded elevator, I hoped to catch up with him.

I wanted to halt him and inquire why he was ignoring me, the rhythmic thud of my shoes on the steps synchronized with my heart pounding. Questions and doubts about what could be wrong with Randy clouded my mind. When I reached the last stage, I heaved a deep sigh and placed my hand on my chest.

My heart pounded so fast that it felt like I could have a heart attack at any moment.

Upon entering the lobby, I found Randy conversing with Hilda. A sigh of relief escaped me, at least he was there.

However, his words made me stop in my tracks.

"I need a change of room as soon as possible. I no longer think I can share a room with him."

Frowning, I watched them continue to speak, and then my legs carried me forward towards them. "Your Highness," I called, and they both turned towards me.

When Randy saw me, he quickly averted his eyes and started to walk away. I ran after him until I caught up with him.