Unloving His Majesty

Her gifts

“I would, Your Highness, but I have the castle of May to manage,” Lady Celia responded, turning down the prince’s invitation. She had become fond of the prince, but everything was too confusing. She had never heard of someone being reborn or gone back in time before and did not know what was real and not anymore. Whatever the truth was, the only thing she was certain of was her friend’s love and loyalty.

“I am certain that we can find a good and competent stuart to care for the castle of May. My queen and I will also be there often,”the prince suggested, his words taking the princess by surprise. He never cared about her castle before. It got so debilitated, her people were fixing it themselves. He also never visited her castle in their previous life. He even banned her from visiting it.

“The castle of May is our second home. We will spend a week or two every month there,” the prince added when he noticed his wife’s surprised look.

Princess Zania was once again conflicted. The prince sounded sincere, but the suffering and trauma of their previous marriage was enough for her to overcome her treacherous heart. She had no intentions of ever risking her friend’s life again.

“I only trust Celia and Lord Blake with it,” she said firmly.

“Anything for my queen,” the prince conceded with a sinking heart. It was clear to him what his wife was doing. He flashed her a smile with determination in his heart.

“I hope you will come by to visit, Celia. My queen adores you and I would not want this union to be the reason she is separated from her best friend,” he responded before making himself a vow.

“I will capture your love and trust eventually, Zania. Even if it’s the only thing I ever do.”

Lady Celia had just left when the prince took his queen around. Princess Zania could not help but steal glances at him as he led her all over the castle to show her around. It felt strange to have all his attention. Her heart almost jumped out of her throat when he led her to the stables and presented her with a snow-white mare.

“Is this mare acceptable as one of your wedding gifts, my queen?”

The princess looked at him, puzzled.

“Mine?” she asked in disbelief while he nodded.

“I can get you another one if you don’t like this…”

“This is the most beautiful horse I have ever seen! It’s perfect!” she beamed before running to his arms.

He chuckled, and embraced her with his heart full while she beat herself up inside. What was she thinking running into his arms like an infatuated little girl?

“I am glad that you like it. An instructor will come and teach you how to ride,” he teased with a straight face.

She lifted her head to look at him. “Seriously?”

He burst out into laughter at her expression. The princess shook her head and laughed, his infectious sense of humour she had no idea he possessed, pulling her in.

He knew that she was a good rider and loved horses. She had moved to his castle with her own horse in their previous life. He thought it got sick and died and only discovered later that Mary had it killed and his wife was made to believe that he ordered it killed. It was the same with her beloved golden retriever. Her wife not bringing along her favourite horse and dog like she did before was another reason why he was getting convinced that she knew about their previous life.

Princess Zania could not help but run her hands over the majestic beast that was her present. The royal collar on it with her name as the owner, melted her heart.

“Now, what shall we call you?” she asked the mare as if it would respond while her husband watched her with admiration. Even when he thought she betrayed and cheated on him, he was never able to keep his eyes off her. He was always in awe of how at ease she was with all animals.

“Unity,” he blurted out while she squinted her eyes to process the suggestion.

“Unity it is. I am looking forward to our adventures, beautiful lady,” she declared before getting ushered to the courtyard where an exquisite replica of the Daimler Mail Phaeton was parked.

“Oh my goodness!” she exclaimed at most likely the second car in their island.

“Please accept this as your second gift, my queen.”

“You…you…” the princess could not formulate her words.

“I know that you would have preferred a red one, but black was what the manufacturer had in stock.”

“Maxwell,” she called to him with a shaky voice before burying her face on his chest. Red and blue were her favourite colours, but she did not care about that now. She would be the only queen in history to own such a car. Even amongst the kings around the world, only a handful of them owned such a machine.

“I take it you approve?” he asked with a voice laced with amusement. He still could not help but be reminded of how stupid he was in their past life. He bought her the same car even then. It was his apology gift after he decided to break up with Mary, but that was when he received the footages of her with another man. The car stayed in the garage untouched for over four years. Until both their ends.

“Are you going to teach me to drive it?” she asked with sparkling eyes, unable to hold back her excitement.

“Of course, but you will be driven by guards most of the time.”

She frantically shook her head. Bad memories of his guards flooding into her.

“I will drive myself. I prefer it,” she said sternly.

“You still need guards,” he pointed out while she shook her head.

“I don’t want guards.”

“Zania,” he called to her softly. He, unfortunately, knew exactly why she did not want guards.

“I have lived all my life in this island. I don’t think I am in danger from anyone out there,” she said with the same firm tone, exposing more than what she intended.

“But here?” he asked, sweat breaking from his back, but she remained silent.

“You are in danger from someone in here?” he asked again, her silence confirming his suspicions…