Benita walked toward Pablo with a bright smile on her face. He stood outside Prince Dario's chamber, guarding the entrance as usual.
"Hello, Pablo," she greeted sweetly.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Pablo bowed respectfully.
She nodded. "Hmm."
"Prince Dario has not yet returned from the King's court," Pablo informed her.
"I'm not here to see Brother Dario," she said calmly. "I came to see you."
Pablo lifted his head in surprise. Their eyes locked instantly, and he quickly lowered his gaze again.
"How may I be of service, My Princess?" he asked carefully.
Benita stepped closer. Too close,She raised her hand and gently touched his cheek.
Pablo shuddered, swallowing nervously.
"Look at me, Pablo," she whispered.
"I dare not," he replied.
"That is a command, not a request."
Slowly, he raised his head. Their eyes met again.
"I desire you, Pablo," She confessed softly.
"My heart belongs to you. My thoughts are filled with you. I know this is not the proper way for a princess to confess… but I cannot keep silent any longer."
Pablo's eyes drifted briefly to her lips before he forced himself to look away."I cannot accept your feelings, Your Highness," he said with difficulty.
Benita pouted."I know you feel the same. It's written in your eyes."
"Even if I do… this is wrong. I am only a no—"
"Shhh."
She pressed a finger against his lips.
"I will wait for your answer tomorrow," she said with a playful wink before turning and walking away.
Pablo stood frozen, mouth slightly open as he watched her leave.
He liked her. He truly did.But a guard and a princess?Impossible.
"No… this can't work," he muttered, clutching his racing chest.
Thana lay on her bed, refusing entry to everyone,even Benita and Benito.
Dario's words echoed endlessly in her mind.You must learn to hate him, Thana.
She closed her eyes… and immediately imagined herself kissing Dario.
Her eyes snapped open.Tears streamed down her face as she sat up.
"But I can't forget him!" she cried.
A knock sounded at the door.
"I want to be alone!" she shouted.
"Thana, open the door. It's me."
Her father's voice.
"Father…" she whispered.
She hurried to open it. King Henrik entered, arms already open.
"My baby."
She ran into his embrace, breaking down completely.
"Oh, my child," he soothed, stroking her hair. "They are only rumors. Rumors are not meant to be believed."
He assumed she was crying because of the scandal surrounding her and Dario.
I wish the rumors were true, she thought bitterly.Pulling away, she placed a hand over her chest.
"I'm not crying because of rumors, Father… my heart hurts."
King Henrik immediately looked alarmed."Did someone hurt you? Are you injured?"
She shook her head."It's my heart."
He studied her carefully."Is my daughter in love?"
She nodded slowly."Who is he?"
She lowered her gaze and shook her head.
"You're not ready to say?"
She nodded.
"He rejected me, Father," she whispered through tears.
King Henrik hugged her again."Who dares reject my beautiful daughter? Tell me his name so I may punish him."
After she calmed down, they sat together on the bed.
"The rumors about you and Prince Dario are fading," he said.
Thana barely reacted."What about Prince Dario?" she asked quietly.
"He is still at the King's court."
Her head snapped up. "Still?"
"Yes."
"What is he doing there?"
"Serving his punishment."
"What?!"
She jumped to her feet."I'll be back, Father!"
Before he could stop her, she rushed out.She ran through the palace corridors.
Benita spotted her passing."Thana—!"
But she had already gone.
"A princess isn't meant to run," Benita grumbled while trying to follow.
Lost in urgency, Thana collided with a solid chest and she looked up.
The Solid chest was Prince Javier's.
His eyes roamed over her with unsettling interest.
"Princess Thana… What a coincidence. I was just on my way to see you."
Uncomfortable, she stepped back quickly."My apologies, Prince Javier."
He smiled, touching her cheek."You've been crying. Is it because of the rumors?Don't worry… I believe you. You would never disgrace yourself with my little brother. Prince Javier is here for you."
She forced a polite smile and stepped away."Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I must go."
She hurried off before he could stop her.Javier frowned and followed at a distance.
She entered the grand hall and her heart clenched instantly.
Dario knelt before the throne, head lowered, long strands of hair hiding his eyes.
Has he eaten at all today? she wondered painfully.
"Princess Thana," King Basmus called.
Dario lifted his head slightly at the sound of her name.Their eyes met briefly.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," She bowed.
"What brings you here?"
"I came to declare that the rumors about Prince Dario and myself are false."
"I already know that," the king replied calmly.
Thana hesitated, then asked,"Then why is Prince Dario still being punished?"
"Oh? Him?" King Basmus smiled faintly. "I have my reasons."
She inhaled deeply."I plead with Your Majesty to release him."
Dario looked at her, expression unreadable.
King Basmus laughed."What courage. You resemble your father."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"But I alone decide when punishment ends."
Thana bit her lip.
Then she walked forward…Step by step and stopped beside Dario…
She instantly dropped to her knees.
"Then punish me in his place, Your Majesty."
Dario's eyes widened in shock.A tear slid down Thana's cheek as she met his gaze.
"Have me punished instead."