07. What Is Right And Wrong

I wonder what it would be like to finally unravel such a mystery about our place and the world? I once more glance at the wholesome view and felt perplexed. "In this way, there is a God behind such artful craft?" I whispered to myself and gaze at the firmament.

"What could be His name?" I muttered.

I think boundlessly of it, why do I seem to be clueless about what is happening? Did it happen that I forgot about it, or did my Father never tell me about such a thing?

"Terra, you look spaced out, are you alright?" I heard Ezekiel, for this reason, I eyed at him and he is walking towards my whereabouts.

"The wind seems to flutter my heart," I told him yet he looks puzzled. "Their whispers echo in my ear as if they have something to say, it causes my heart to dance perhaps out of admiration."

He chuckled and handed over a basket of fruits, "You must eat these to regain your strength." I assume that he got those from the cropland for they also harvest vegetables and fruits.

"What would be our next destination to drop in?" I asked, simply he eyed at me before responding.

"I am taking you home, a messenger from the Palace encountered my way and he told me that he is seeking for you." I raised my brows at him to figure out if he is telling the truth yet he merely throw a gaze at me.

Now what? Why is the Palace seems to be looking for me? Am I that valuable? Kidding.

"Is it wrong to reject the Prince's request?" I jokingly uttered and glance at him but he just chuckled.

"The answer is quite obvious, Terra. Anyhow, why do you seem to be uninterested to meet him?" I heard him ask and so I glance at him once more.

"It is not that I do not like to see him, but I often feel idle whenever he orders to meet me," I told him and shrugged my shoulders.

I heard him chuckle yet a bitter one. Yea, I know how you feel, Kiel. My apology for rejecting your feelings.

"Kiel, I have a question," he seems to be baffled upon hearing the sudden change of my voice.

"What is it?"

"If I ever escape from his grip and be gone in this kingdom as somebody to be known as a rebellious one, would it be worth it?"

I saw how his complexion shifted and his brows met as he throw a glare at me, I want to laugh at his expression yet I remembered that I must keep my serious aura before him. "That would make your life at risk, Terra!" He blurted.

"You are right of course, I know how dangerous it can be yet there is something which pushes me to do it," right after I spoke, I let go of a smirk and I almost laughed at his reaction. He threw a glare at me and I shrugged.

I smiled at him and tapped his shoulder, "Well then, it is nice to be in this mountain… with you," I gaze at him and the next thing he did certainly surprised my soul. His arms gently wrapped me and pulled me into a tight hug, I felt the sudden sting of my wound yet it eventually covered me with a familiar feeling.

My heart began to throb hastily as I slowly felt numb.

"... What is that for?" After he was released from the hug, I felt my voice stutter and my eyes averted from his stares, now why does it appear to be awkward?

"I just miss you, Terra… and I will forever miss your presence," he whispered and smiled at me, a bitter one. "Please don't ever make something that you will regret later," I felt a pang of sudden guilt and I wanted to speak anything that could comfort his sorrowful heart.

"I'm sorry, Ezekiel." That's all I could say, and it is gradually tearing my heart. Why do I sense my heart aching?

"Shall we go? I can accompany you there," he retorted with a wide grin. I can't believe this man. Why is he behaving as if he is not even hurt? Why does he often act as if this entire situation seems to be alright with him?

I sigh, "Kiel," I called him and as he turned his gaze at me, his complexion shifted and hastened his way to touch my face and wipe my tears away.

At that very moment, there I realized that my tears were falling down my cheeks like a river stream. "Hey, why are you crying?" He asked and gently cupped my face, causing my eyes to look at him.

"Terra, why is it? Tell me," his voice became serious and no matter how I wanted to avoid his question, I could not. I recklessly darted myself into him and embraced him as tight as I could.

I could sense how he froze in his place and his breathing was heavy, "Could you please stay with me even if…" I felt a sudden ache once more within my chest and I could no longer finish my words. Why am I like this? Why am I in this kind of situation?

I heard him chuckling, "Calm down, Terra… we are best friends, I will always stay with you even if you seem to be far away." His phrases made my heart even sorrowful, and I wept bitterly.

Ezekiel, a man whom every lass in our town desires. He may not be living a luxurious life, playing his wealth on his hands as the Ambers but his heart is pure and he behaves as a hard-working lad, aiming for the best. He is different compared to the men in our territory for he does not act wickedly, I can say that he is enough.

"Let us keep going, the Prince might be waiting for your arrival," he stated and held my hands as he walked ahead of me. I simply nodded and followed him, I glanced at our surroundings and I saw the folk's stares as some threw a glare at me.

Our territory happens to be one that contains people who behave wickedly. And sometimes, I can say that I am one of them. Thornsfrost, a place where people steal, kill, and are detestable. We know nothing about God, yet Ezekiel told me of such a thing. He is the one who causes my eyes to be open and recognize how evil we are.

The entire walk we had, both of us remained quiet. A bunch of questions was coming out of my mind, yet I chose to keep still.

As we arrived at the Palace, the gatekeepers didn't bother to stop us and entertain us along our way, they let us pass by and so we proceeded to walk towards the entrance of the hall.

"I guess this is it," Ezekiel muttered, I glanced at him and sigh. "It is not the end pal," I retorted and let a smile escape from my lips. "See you tomorrow!"

"Yeah right, I shall pay a visit. Make sure to be careful, your arm might bleed again,"

We bid our goodbyes and as he departed from the area, I turned my back to see the wondrous hall of the Palace. I sigh once more as I think of the possibility that may happen, "I wonder what we must do for today?" I mumbled to myself.

I began to traipse my feet along the gravel and I beheld the prismatic blooms on the grassy ground. I let my sight wander in the hallways and I momentarily paused upon recognizing a figure of a man. His Caribbean irises which cause my heart to pound fast… they look more different, they are filled with a dark aura.

It was too late for me to notice that my feet were walking across the grassy ground, hoping to see the man's face yet I halted the moment I heard a voice calling for my name. "Terra!"

I turned my head to see, and behold, I saw the eldest Prince waving at me with a smile on his face. "What had occurred? Why is your arm wounded?" His expression falters when his glance lands on my arm.

I felt bothered by his reaction and even if I wanted to speak anything, my mouth could not enunciate any phrase to reason out. "Mayhaps I have the right to act this way, milady? May I know the truth behind this?" I saw him having a deep breath and gazing at me.

Prince Gohan looks so worried and I keep on wondering what are the things he sees in me? I am nothing but an ordinary lass who strives to be better. I am not a princess, just a speck of dust on this earth seeking my real purpose.

"... Prince Gohan, it is just a slice of injury. Sage Williams and I had a little misunderstanding and she did this to me," I muttered and his stares began to be piercing enough. He gently held my arm and examined the part where it was wrapped with bandages.

I wanted to laugh at his expression but I rather shrugged my shoulders. "You seem to be worried, I am alright now, Ezekiel assists me, no need to be anxious, my Prince."

Yet his aura became even gloomy as how it appears lately, "My heart barely flutters upon how you called me yet hearing the name of another man seems to be displeasing in my ears. Who is that?" His voice became pressing and I could not gulp my saliva considering that his presence became serious.

"... Ezekiel is a friend of mine, Gohan. We have been pretty close since we were kids, and there is nothing much to be jealous of."

"Anyhow, I invited you here to have a cup of tea with me," he changed the topic and that made me feel relieved.

"Where is your family?" I asked.

"Prince Timothy is inside the music gallery, probably having his practice. Mother seems to be occupied with her gardening," he responded and began to walk while holding my hands as if he was afraid of losing me.

Why is the Prince even behaving possessively sometimes? I dislike such behavior.

"What about the King?"

"... He is inside of his throne room,"

We entered another hall towards a vast field and as we arrived, I saw a table not far away from the entrance. There are a variety of flowers which surround the place and I am astounded at how peaceful the area could be.

Before we could proceed to have our table, an escort came and whispered something to the Prince. His complexion changed and he took a glance at me. "My apology, Terra. The King wants to see me, probably he is thinking of having a bit of discussion about the turmoil that invades the city. Will you hold on and wait for me here?" Gohan faced me and apologized, I simply nodded and smiled at him.

Based on what I have seen and heard, the Kingdom has been bothered by the threats that we are receiving from the other territories and kingdoms. It is certainly disturbing, it might cause huge damage to the cities and towns of Thornsfrost.

I shifted my gaze and chose to admire the beauty of the field. Okay, so this is inside the Palace and I always desire for such an aesthetic view to behold every day but having the fact of marrying the Prince shall never be a nice decision for me. All my life, I never thought that my father would bound me with a man I do not wish to be with.

I doubt I would feel love in his embrace considering that in the first place, I never felt such security in his arms.

Once more, I let my irises wander in the wholesomeness of the room and the beauty of the dancing flowers never failed me. I noticed that the guards were no more at the entrance, I felt lonely anyhow and my heart began to throb recklessly as if a sudden disaster would occur any moment.

"You seem to be discomposed, Terra." I held my chest as a voice full of authority surprised me. A king reached for the gate and entered the place, with a gentle smile on his face.

I bowed my head and greeted him, saying, "Good day, your highness."

His eyes landed on my arm and he felt disappointed upon what he had seen, I lowered my head and waited for his words yet those who eventually came out from his lips somewhat discouraged me. "You must be waiting for my eldest son, I am sorry for letting you know that he has something to do at the field, you can either wait for him to come back or you can simply leave and go home."

"... Pardon me, your highness. I can wait for his comeback, but if you wish to send me home, it would be displeasing to disagree with your request."

I began to turn my back to walk away yet to my surprise, he pulled my arm and I flinched in pain. His next move left me dumbfounded when he dash me into the wall, pinning me over it.

I could not move and all I had in my heart is fear.

"... Let go of me!" I felt baffled by what happened yet I saw a smirk on his face. I glance at the entrance door and I could not see the guards, what is he trying to do with me?

He signals me to be quiet and my eyes widened the moment I heard his voice. "You caught my attention, Terra." My knees weakened as if I am about to tremble, and I felt a sudden warmth from the edges of my eyes—I was sobbing.

"Stop what you are about to do," I warned yet my voice stuttered.

I do not want to think of this as a trap, there is no way that Gohan would agree with this act.

I attempted to escape from his grip yet unfortunately, I failed once more. He is stronger than I, "No!" I shrieked in pain when he began to near his face at me and arise to kiss my neck.

Damn this life! The folks might think of this as normal, yet I shall not allow anyone to stain me!

I lose hope, but due to fear and disgust, I took the courage to kick his leg as hard as I could and I recklessly punch him right straight to his face. I felt my other arm arises to bleed, my feet rush their way to the entrance and I eventually got out from the hall.

Stupid. Killing will never be viewed as something to be forbidden in our territory yet it is unfair to guess that ending a king's life is not included in it.

"Get back here, Terra! You are being disobedient!" I heard him call and I cussed in my mind.

I was about to run when he caught me and pulled back my hair, he anyhow cause my hair to fall on my back and his eyes sighted the portion which was chopped. "You are cornered now," he threaten and I recklessly attempted to get away from him.

"You will be tormented for this," he warned me and let go of a smirk.

His hands were about to grab me but he stopped when he heard a familiar voice. "Father," he slowly gaze at the man who called him, and of his surprise, it was Prince Timothy.

He walks near us and he pulled me closer to him, "If only I knew that this will happen, I should have at least remained there to be with her." His words were firm and I saw how he gritted his teeth in resentment.

The king only laughs, an evil one. I hid behind Timothy's back and my breathing was heavy. I could not believe what had just happened to occur. He is deceptive.

"Do not meddle with somebody else's, Timothy. I never taught you that way," the king asserted yet the Prince only turned his back from him as he tightly hold my hand.

"You are a ruler, act like one." Those final words which came out from the Prince's mouth made the King left dumbfounded.

As we got out from the hall, Timothy never bothered to speak. I felt awkward upon his sudden behavior, yet I won't let myself become a victim of the king's hands.

"Be careful next time, Terra," Timothy whispered and his feet stopped from walking, he glance at me and sigh. "He is always like this, I cannot believe it that even his soon-to-be daughter-in-law can also be his victim."

My lips parted and I wanted to speak, "... You have no idea how grateful I am for saving me out there," I mumbled which made him gaze at my countenance.

"Allow me to accompany you home," and he smiled.

"Thank you, Prince Timothy."

"Just call me Tim," I gaze at him and I saw how he twitch his lips. "What happened to your arm?" I felt the authority from his voice and I could sense the sudden tension of me.

I try to calm myself, "Sage did this, you know her…" I replied with a sheepish smile yet upon seeing his countenance, I lightly shrugged my shoulders now that I saw him throwing a deadly glare at me.

"It is not a big deal, Tim. I can still come home with the—Whoa! What are you thinking?!" I almost fell my heart out of my chest the moment he carried me into his arms. My eyes widened out of shock and I could not help myself but feel anxious. Once Gohan sees this, we will be absolutely dead.

"No, please Tim. Put me down," I was overreacting and I could not calm down. I tightly clasp his neck as if I was afraid to fall over. I am enduring the pain which continually stings on my branch. All I could think of is to escape from being carried in a bridal style.

"No, I will not." My lips parted with his simple reply and I barely breathed when he put me inside the carriage.

"Why do you have to carry me in?" I asked out as I glanced at him with my eyes wide open.

"Bring us to the town," I heard him order before he finally sat beside me. "Calm down, Terra, you seem to be frightened. Do I appear to be a monster?" He muttered, which made me confused about his expression. I cannot comprehend if he is being serious or if that is his way of joking around.

"Let me assist you at home," he insisted.

"Why are you doing this?" I questioned him and that made him momentarily pause. He gazed at me and his dusky irises met mine.

"I am doing what is right and just," he simply retorted, which made me feel stunned in my seat.