One moment there’s only happiness and the next moment it’s all gone. Life is fickle like that. One moment my life is everything I could dream of and more and the next moment, I wake up.

Brandon is not what I expected him to be. He’s legit carrying Uncle Isaac’s DNA, but his behaviour is nothing like the king. His words, shallow. His behaviour, childish, reckless, with a touch of violence. And the worst one? There’s no reasoning with him.

I’m willing to give him a chance, but personally think he’s simply unfit to be Primavara’s next king.

And don’t get me start on Raphael. He turns out to be my Monday!

“I’m very disappointed in you, Raphael.” I hiss sharply, trying my best to look the angriest a bedridden patient could possibly get.

“Look, Jenny. Please excuse your entourage and I’ll explain everything.” Raphael whispers quietly.

How shameful! “No, what you need to say to me, you can say in front of them.” I raise my voice stubbornly. “Let them know how much of a snake you are, brother-in-law.”

I see Katya and other maids grimace uncomfortably.

Raphael sighs, “Jenny, please ... just trust me.”

He can’t actually mean it! “How on earth could I possibly trust you, Raph? You lied to my whole family. You betrayed my Anne! For a long eight years, you’ve wasted our time with your bull! In fact, tell me one good reason why I shouldn’t put you in jail for treachery!”

Raphael looks exhausted. Damn right you should, you snake. After all our blind trust in him .... “Look, leave Anne out of it.”

“Because you’re just using her to get close to me, while she loves you earnestly? Did you get her to answer my 20 questions, too? I can’t believe you, Raphael. Your noble knowledge is wasted on you.”

Raphael presses his finger on his temple. “Jenny, please ... Don’t say words you’d regret.”

“You think I’d regret telling you off? A betrayer? A freaking swindler?”

“Can’t we just ... please, make it a bit civil? I swear, Jenny, I bear no ill intentions toward you. Not now, not ever. And they ...” He waves to other people in the room. “Don’t need to make it their business. Please, make them leave, Jenny.”

“Don’t go around telling me what to do! You know what, I’m so done talking to you. You, Sir Raphael, are the one leaving. And don’t you dare set foot in our palace ever again.” I fold my arms and break our eye contact.

“No, Jenny—”

“Now.” I add, harshly.

Raphael doesn’t budge, at a loss for words.

“Or should they make you?”

Raphael sighs, then leaves quietly.

A while later, Anne barges into my chamber. “Jenny, it’s not what you’re thinking. You have to listen to his reasons. He’s desperate, Jenny, can’t you see? Just—”

I raise my hand to stop her. “Is it about Raphael? If it is, I don’t want to hear any of it.”

“But, Jenny—”

“Please, Anne, I beg you. Just leave it.”

Anne stares sadly at me before turning around. “I’m sorry, Jenny.” She says as she leaves.

“No, I’m sorry, Anne.” I answer to the closed door. This has gone from suck to heartbreaking.

Before I realize, my fingers have moved to dial Raul’s number.

“J? You okay?” He answers on the first ring, his voice worried.

“I... How can you tell?”

“Call it sixth sense.” He eases into soft laugh. “And you never find me first.”

Oh, how I miss his laugh. “Can you come?”

“Are you decent?”

“What?” He’s here already?

A knock on my chamber answers my question.

“Come in.” I study his composed posture for a moment before asking, “Do you camp outside my chamber by any chance?”

He laughs, sitting next to me. “Maybe. Want to take a guess?”

“Never mind.” I pout.

He chuckles, poking playfully on my leg wound. When he finds me not moving, he says, “Looks like you’ve been safe to walk around ... for some time.”

“But Raph said ....” I stop short reminiscing our last encounter. Didn’t go well to put it lightly. I can practically taste the bitterness in my mouth. “I should probably ask for another doctor.” I scowl.

“Would it be a wise choice, though? I’d wager your uncle won’t be too happy.”

“Oh, trust me he will after hearing about my day.”

Raul sighs. “It’s an open relationship, J.”

“Well, last I checked he’s not in an open relationship with my sister, or worse, an open engagement.” I say defensively.

“I just think you’re a bit exaggerating.”

“Seriously, Raul? You too?” I sighs loudly. “Why does everyone side with me and not my sister? This is unfair!”

Raul shakes his head. “It pains me to see you sell yourself short all the time.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? He cares about my sister, he just apparently prefers my title over love!”

Raul folds his arms, thinking. “Think you know why? You’ve known him for a long time.”

That’s what frustrates me the most, actually! I can’t even think of anything. He never pegged me as ambitious nor money-oriented. He never failed me, period. That’s what hurts the most, I guess. My complete trust, crumbled into pieces .... Now how should I know who to trust? How should I trust my judgment if it proved to be wrong?

“I’m scared, Raul ... I can’t read him at all. I thought I could, but after today—”

Raul hugs me tight. “Do you trust me, princess?”

I try to release myself from his embrace in vain. “Raul?” I prompt warily.

“Do you trust me, no questions asked?” He whispers dangerously.

Now how could I probably do that after this morning’s rude awakening! He’s asking for too much, truly.

But as he releases me, his eyes searching for mine, I feel the most bizarre feeling of calmness. Of secureness. His deep, steady gaze, staring straight at me, unwavering. I just ... I can’t see him betraying me.

Oh, what do I know? I only met him last Thursday. I thought I knew Raphael from years of friendship, but the reality just hit me hard in the face.

I really shouldn’t just trust my judgment.

Raul sighs wistfully, breaking our gaze. “You’re too selfless for your own good, J.”

Isn’t it convenient how he happened to be around when the chandelier fell down on me? Isn’t it dangerously convenient how I have bruises all over my body while he’s just have to immobilize his left arm for some time?

He moves dangerously close and whispers in my ear, “Make them all excused, princess. Even the bodyguards behind your balcony’s door.”

This again? For what, truly? Some time to get on with whatever evil plan he’s having and leave no evidences behind?

It’s a long minute before I finally say, throat dry, “Katya, please excuse everyone for today. Sherry, too, please.”

TBC