CHAPTER THREE

“Because this is a private place. No one is allowed to enter this place except for the next in throne.” He answered. “The guests were already told about the places that they could roam around and the off-limits. I should have known that there would always be a stubborn guest who didn’t care about the rules.”

Cockiness was heard in his tone, slightly offending Hannah.

She grew up full of rules and somehow followed all of them like a good girl. Yes, there are instances when she can be hardheaded, but it still irritates her when someone calls her a rule-breaker.

“So, what brings you here, princess?”

She felt him sit on the other side of the bench where she was sitting. Knowing that there was no point in avoiding him, she just sighed and turned her head to watch the fountain. Silence enveloped them, only the orchestra playing in the inside of the ballroom and the crickets was heard.

Until she breaks the silence. “Do you think commoners also have a difficult life?” He seemed taken aback by Hannah’s question since he didn’t answer immediately.

“Everyone experiences a difficult life. It is just in a different manner for everybody.” Hannah hummed, considering his answer.

When she didn’t reply, the unknown man continued, “Some have lived a difficult life because of money. Some have money but live a difficult life because of their relationships with other people. There are many situations that are worth mentioning, but let’s just say, we’re thankful that we didn’t experience dealing with both problems at the same time.”

 Hannah can’t help but be amazed by the man. She looked at him even though it was still dark. She can say that he was also busy staring at the fountain.

“It's easy to think of a solution to other people’s problems, but we forget that we have different capacities for how to handle things.” She whispered. “Do you also feel suffocated?”

Hannah didn’t know where she got that question, but it just slipped into her mouth. Unable to forget the question, she just waits for his reply, which takes a while.

“Yes.”

He said in a small voice that if she didn’t wait for his answer, she wouldn’t hear it. The way he says it somehow breaks her heart. It's familiar.  too familiar. The tone of his voice was like it was reaching out to her for comfort. But, unable to do anything, she was just looking at his side.

“Same.” She whispered.  

They said it is easy to open up to a stranger, and they were right. Hannah is confident in talking about her feelings and thoughts to this stranger because she knows that he doesn’t know her. It was as if this mysterious man possessed a button that, when pressed, caused everyone to reveal their darkest secrets.

Part of her mind wants her to stop talking because she doesn’t know who she is talking to and there is a high possibility that it will be used against her.

 However, her heart was already full of anguish and sadness that she didn’t stop pouring out and letting it out.  

“Sometimes, I wish I was a commoner. Or even having different parents.” She started. “Is it bad to wish it?”

 She didn’t wait for his reply and continued.

“Did you know I always feel so jealous when I eavesdrop on our maids’ room, talking about how they are so excited to go home and celebrate their daughter’s birthday? When they receive their salary, they will buy something for their son or daughter as a gift.

It’s pathetic, I know, because I can buy the things I want with just a single click, but I just can’t have that parent's love. My cousins were lucky. They were loved by their parents so much that every now and then I felt that they didn’t deserve it because they were such spoiled brats. They should be thankful and act like it's right at their age because they don’t have to feel what I have experienced.”

She jolted when a rough-skinned hand was reaching for her palm, unclenching it. Hannah then realized that she was clenching it hard when she felt the pain. The man who was initially seated on the opposite end of the bench was now on her side.

It sounds impossible, but the way his hand softly caresses hers sends a soothing feeling that reaches her heart, making her forget the feeling of a painful wound in her hand. However, it gives her goosebumps as if a gust of wind is blowing in her side.

Instead of avoiding it, she welcomed those hands and those unnamed feelings, letting herself feel the calmness of his touch that was sent to hers.  

“Did they hurt you?” His voice became hard, but there was still softness that she could identify, like he was afraid that it would scare her. It was as if she had become crazy, but she just answered it by caressing his hand that was holding her.

“It’s actually fine for me. I became acquainted with their hands every time I made them upset. But do you know what’s silly? Every time I feel the sting in my body from their abuse, it makes me feel alive.”

His hold became unconsciously hard and his breathing became rugged, as if he’s the one who feels the right emotion during those situations.

“It was the only moment that made me realize that I was still alive. Pain makes me realize that. Because as foolish as it sounds, that’s the only feeling I can recognize. Most days I feel numb doing all those same routines.”

Hannah looked down at their hands when she felt something fall. She just smiled, realizing what it was.

“Why am I crying? I don’t cry.” She attempted to pull away her hands in order to wipe her face, but the mysterious man beat her to it.

The way his calloused hand wiped the tears even though he couldn’t see a single thing, made Hannah close her eyes and seek comfort. A gasp escaped from her lips when she was pulled towards his side.

His hard chest welcomed her soft ones, while his arms covered her body as if protecting her from the bad memories.

It was like the last straw for her to brawl her life out. She didn’t know that it was possible for someone to cry all of a sudden.

A cry that didn’t need a long story or imagination. A simple hug just made her like that. It was like she was safe in between this man’s huge body and hers.

How humorous. She was here in the middle of the darkest part of the garden, sharing her burden with a man she barely knew. A man who just answered her question but made her burst with all her struggles.

A man who lets her cry all her heart out, and who silently comforts her. A man who made her feel those emotions so she didn’t realize she had one. A man who actually listens A man who cares.

“If you’re a commoner,” she looked up when he spoke. The rumble of his voice was heard while she lay on his shoulder. She can also feel the tiny scratches of hair, so her man has a stubble, “What do you want to do?”

“I always dream of becoming a cook.” Her smile immediately appeared on her face. “I can imagine myself experimenting with new foods. The maids would always tell me that I was a picky eater because I always commented on their food.” The man’s soft laugh made Hannah feel giddy inside.

“I can tell.”

Silence enveloped them. But it is a comfortable silence. She could imagine herself asleep as the man caressed her hair, the cold wind enveloped them, and just being in the dark surroundings, oblivious to the party that was happening behind them.

“Who are you?” she whispered. The man stopped caressing her hair, seemingly realizing that they didn’t know each other.

“Does it matter?” Hannah smiled softly at his question. No, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter who he is or if he knows her. But she does have a clue. Even in the middle of an emotional breakdown, she was still in her right mind. She still remembers the clue.

When she felt herself calming up, she carefully pulled away from the man’s arms. Disappointment covers her being without the presence of a warm feeling from the muscular body of the man, but she shakes it off.

“It's already late. They must be looking for me right now.”

She stands and starts to walk away when she remembers she needs to end this night with a memorable one.

“So, you’re the next in line, huh?”

You just made it so simple, boy.

He was taken aback when she asked that.  

“N-no. I wanted to unwind and my feet brought me here.” Liar. She heaved a sigh, then faced him. She could see how the outline of his body became stiff.

“You know what I hate the most? Lying.” She just smiled at him wickedly. “Anyway, I'd better get going. I bet my parents are looking at me by now.”

She then walked past him, then stopped midway.

“You know it is not a good practice for the person next in throne to lie, Prince Flint.”