[PRESENT DAY]
Archer was different than I remembered.
His dark curly locks were shorter than the picture in the magazine, indicating he had just trimmed.
They fell in shorter strands, perfecting his face.
He had grown taller too, and his jawline was much more defined but, he retained those piercing diabolical blue eyes that kept my panic only a breath away, my heart a tumbleweed inside my chest.
The warmth in his gaze was missing but I wasn't too surprised about that. It had left before I ever did. However, the darkness seemed to have grown on him, or in him, I couldn't quite tell.
Trapped in his cold icy stare, with no recognition of the young prince that I had once been so close to, I couldn't help but feel little.
He certainly looked like the King he was now.
Much like his father, Archer didn't need to have a crown on his head to look like he played the part. His expensive uniquely tailored suit, the gold watch on his wrist, and the air of authority in his dry aura were enough.
Perhaps unlike his father, there was no smile to adorn the greeting of seeing an old friend.
I couldn't take my eyes off of him as his stale gaze drank me in from the bottom up, lingering on my face.
I couldn't help the embarrassed heat that traveled to my cheeks. I could picture what he was seeing. Even after 5 years, my hair was still an untamable wildfire.
My cheeks were puffed, and I just knew my eyes had reddened since I had fallen asleep courtesy of the RSS, and good God, my skin!
My eyes dropped to the floor.
I had a breakout only a week ago, it only just started healing. I stood there looking like I was taken off the streets, and to be fair, I was more like abducted off the streets, while he stood there with clear porcelain skin-
I cleared my throat, straightened my dress, and gathered up the courage, trying to put a bit more confidence in my shaky breath, "w-what am I doing here?"
Silence loomed between us in response. His eyes remained steadfast on my face as if he hadn't heard a word I had said. I felt so self-conscious as his eyes drew me in.
"Archer -"
"King Archer." He corrected, eyes finally meeting mine.
He stood upright with perfect posture, his tone an intimidating blur.
I gulped at this. King. He was letting me know his rank.
We were not the people we once were. I was not the person I had been for him. He was making it clear as he had five years ago.
I clenched my jaw burying the hurt feeling growing within me, bowing lowly instead, the way my mom taught me to do.
"Your majesty." My eyes swept up to meet his, and he held my gaze, his jaw ticking slightly.
When I spoke again I disposed of all familiarity.
It was clear he was making a point of his status, and I would make a point of my own.
"As much as I am humbled to be brought here, I do not know why I was summoned so inhumanely and I do not wish to stay here a further second."
His eyes narrowed on me, probably sensing my tone.
2 could play his game, and we could play it quite well.
"The RSS informed me of your failure to comply and the measures they had to take to ensure you did. You were informed fairly and yet you chose to run."
"Unless I am a fugitive, I believe I have the right to refuse even the Crown's invitation." I countered bravely.
"This is not a democracy." He gritted out, his tone spiteful, "You have a duty to your King. Anything else is considered treason."
I held his gaze searching, searching for any signs of familiarity. Of the prince who once meant the world to me. But there was nothing but coldness. My eyes dropped to the floor, my breath cold within my chest, quite aware of the tension between us.
Closing my eyes, I realized all I wanted was for this to be over.
I didn't want a big confrontation, I simply wanted to leave this godforsaken place. No, I wanted to close my eyes and open them to an empty room.
I wanted all this to be a bad dream.
I never wanted to see this face again. This face made my heart thud a million miles per minute. Being here with him was the last place I ever wanted to be.
"Why am I here?" I asked softly, feeling a panic develop within me.
The room temperature seemed to drop, and my eyes flashed to him. He seemed to be staring right back at me again, making me feel uneasy and squirmish.
"Rolan."
My eyebrows arched at his abrupt statement. "Rolan?" I echoed.
"As the day of the Royal wedding draws, Rolan has been ... problematic." He continued with a soft sigh, "News of his endeavors is riling the public, and it can not continue, not when the Kingdom is naked to the world." He spoke to me poshly, not with the kindness I had grown up with, but as if talking business with an investor.
The coldness he displayed only made me think of the night I left, of all the things that had been said. I always hoped that if one day, I did meet him again, I would not meet the version of Archer I had seen back then, but it was the version that talked to me this very instant.
Pulling my thoughts back in order, I swallowed dryly, shaking my head, "I do not see what that has to do with me, I haven't talked to Prince Rolan in years."
"Precisely."
My eyes flashed back to him, slightly confused. He held my gaze for a moment before abruptly clearing his throat, looking away as he spoke.
"It is no secret. Rolan has always been difficult but his behavior spiraled after Father's death and .... Your departure."
I stared blankly at the king at this information, trying to piece the two together. His eyes snapped to me, cold as ice. Gritting out each word.
"You are the only one he will listen to, the only one who can keep him in check. The royal wedding is going to be the biggest of the century. Everyone will be watching in every country and every free state- the last thing I need is his theatrics when I wed my Queen."
My fingers fisted and I hid them behind my back, as I held his gaze whilst inwardly trying to stop the sinking feeling diving within me.
His Queen, he said.
He once said I was his queen.
I looked away for a moment, the wind from the balcony blowing my wild strands dramatically before something clicked.
"You want me to be his babysitter?" I pressed, a realization growing, accompanied by a deep-seated panic, "U-Until the Royal Wedding?"
His eyes held mine, letting the silence linger for a moment, his breathing seemed to deepen and his tone was notably slower when he spoke.
"I am aware of your internship in Canis. " he notified me.
I registered this, listening attentively.
"Since this is a royal request, they have agreed to delay your internship till after the wedding per my request."
My heart thudded within me, his voice a low echo as I spiraled in a panic.
"Y-you did what?"
"It is nothing to worry about." He huffed looking away, "As payment, the Royal Estate will fund all your endeavors and expenses, and you will be compensated accordingly for any shortcomings and inconveniences caused... You won't have to worry about your internship expenses. This compensation will practically set you up for life. All I request is Rolan be kept under tabs."
My heart only pounded harsher within me as I stared at his face.
He was not doing this to me. Taking liberties over my life so freely and why this very moment? Just when I was about to truly begin living, truly begin healing?
I gasped in disbelief, shaking my head, and running a hand through my tangled locks. I chuckled rather madly.
So he expected me to be here, trapped within these very walls as he said his I do's.
As he broke his promise to me yet again for the millionth time without even as much as a proper explanation.
I grinned, shaking my head, turning to him with a growing madness in my eye and he seemed to be surprised at my sudden switch, but not as surprised as he was about to be.
"You are such an Asshole," I cursed, loud and clear...
He raised an eyebrow at this, seemingly taken off guard.
I pushed my hair back, placing a hand on my waist.
"You think," I began my madness growing, "you're gonna trap me here? I'm not staying another goddamn minute in this hell hole! And certainly not another moment with You! Ever Again!" I chuckled, moving past him to the bed, searching for my stupid bag.
"Take me to jail for treason! Do whatever the hell you want, but I will not suffer in silence!" I grunted, tears stinging my eyes
. I couldn't believe he could be this cruel. He would drag me back here, and keep me here within these walls until...
My breathing was heavy, and my hands were shaking as I searched for my phone. Where was my stupid phone? I grabbed it off the pillow.
Why can't I have this one thing? Why can't I be rid of him? Why was he doing this to me?
Fuck him.
I was not going to let him ruin me more than he already had. I paused, searching my bag to make sure everything else was intact, whilst fighting the feelings inside me, that hurt to the bone.
"Suffer in silence?" He repeated, his tone loose and breathy.
I froze at his words, my fingers shaking, but I was unwilling to look back at him. I let out a loose breath, composing myself before turning around.
I was caught unaware by the peculiar look in his eye. I had seen it many times before, in many eyes.
Lust.
His eyes dropped to my lips, staring at them momentarily.
"You do not know what it means to suffer," he grunted, eyes flashing back to me.
He seemed to pull himself back together, adopting his cold rigid stature once more.
"There is a car waiting outside. Once you're done packing, it will take you to Ridgeway."
My eyebrows arched at this, but before I could ask, he walked past me, leaving nothing but his scent.
It caught me and wrapped around me. It was familiar and it was calm...but one thing echoed in my head, eyebrows arching...
Ridgeway? That was the opposite of the airport.