Chapter 2: SLAP!

"You dare! You are a soon to be wedded man! And you are standing with the wrong bride."

"No."

"Please don't argue anymore. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have fallen in love with you. We shouldn't love each other. You're already a married men. Just go. Go to her. Leave me be," said Samantha who was faking her innocent look and shimmering tears. 

"I will never marry her!" shouted Prince Eric, who was pointing his finger at Ruby. 

The wind blew and a ping of thorn pierces Ruby's heart of his cheating words.

"Oh... Oh my love," said Samantha who was reaching her hand out to Prince Eric. He took her hand and pulled her to him. She purposely rested her head on his shoulder. Leaning closer into his embrace she stared at Ruby and sneered wickedly. 

Ruby was shocked. This wicked woman, she planned it all. She clenched her fist tightly. She then look at Prince Eric. She was disappointed in him. Seeing how he treated this woman in front of her with love and care. Tending to her fake tears. Ruby's heart ached painfully as she watches them. She couldn't believe with her own eyes that the man she love, is embracing another woman in front of her. Even after promising to not get involved with his childhood sweetheart, he still went back to her. She feels the invisible blood dripping down her cheeks. 

"You are being ridiculous!" exclaimed the Emperor.

"Father please, I can't live without Samantha," said Prince Eric. 

"Are you trying to cause TREASON with the previous Emperor?" 

Shocked at his words, Prince Eric let go of Samantha's waist and hand. For his father to threaten him with his grandfather's decree, he must be really angry with him. This time, Eric really overstepped his boundary. He made a big mistake. 

Trying to hide her anger as she was frustrated with the retreat of Eric's hands, Samantha faked her whimpering voice. “I-I-I..." Then with tears flooding from her eyes, she wiped her tears.

Feeling guilty, Prince Eric said, "Father please, it was all my fault. I brought her here."

Samantha continue to wept.

Prince Eric clench his hand into a tight ball. 

"It's true, Prince Eric. You are already engaged and yet to be wed. Don't let me ruin your marriage. Please let us go our separate ways." Sobbing and trembling she wept even harder. Soon, the whole crowd bought in on her act. 

Some of the soldiers were commenting about how prefect a couple they are. Compared to Ruby who was out of proportion for the prince. 

"Please, Samantha," said Prince Eric, trying to pull her into his arms. 

"ERIC THOMPSON! In front of me and your fiancée!" shouted the Emperor. "You dare overstep your boundaries!"

"Father..." Prince Eric's voice echoed with shock. Eric couldn't budge from where he was standing to hold the woman he love in his arms.

Prince Eric's father had never yelled at him before. But due to Ruby, his father raised his voice and shouted at him in front of so many people. Thinking to himself, he said, "This jealous woman have caused me trouble again. Every single time this woman is around me, there is nothing but argument. Why couldn't she just leave me alone with the woman I love."

"After all I told you! You still dare to disobey me!"

The argument caused such a huge commotion that his three brothers came to see what was going on. Crown Prince Adam Thompson, who is the eldest, is nineteen years old. Adian Thompson, the third son, is fifteen years old. Lastly, the youngest, Elijah Thompson, is eleven years old. They all looked puzzled.

The Crown Prince jumped in and said, "Both of you two calm down. What's going?" 

Prince Eric couldn't understand why he have to obey his grandfather's decree and marry a woman he didn't love. He should have the right to choose his princess consort. Irritated Prince Eric said, "I would have been engaged to Samantha instead of that ugly fat girl right there! Everyone knows she's trash, so why should I be with her?" 

Shocked at his statement everyone became silent. 

Ruby's face paled and she dipped her head lower. 

Slap! The Emperor's hand came across Eric's face. 

Everyone gasped as they stared at Prince Eric. 

"Father, calm down," said Crown Prince Adam. He stepped in between the both of them.

Everyone could see how furious the Emperor was as he was trembling with rage. 

Crown Prince Adam turned to Prince Eric and said, "Eric apologized to father right now." 

Prince Eric's eyes was still widened in shock. His father had never hit him before. Ever since their mother died after giving birth to the Elijah, his father loved them unconditionally. He loved and adored each and every one of them. He have never once punished them. No matter how spoiled or mischievous they all get he would never yell at them. His father have never laid hands on them no matter how bad their behavior was. However today, his father struck him, due to this ugly fat girl who calls herself his fiancée. Tears stung his eyes, but he refuses to let it fall due to this pompous woman. 

"I'm sorry for my behavior, Emperor," said Prince Eric calmly bowing to his father. 

"You are to marry Ruby when she turns seventeen. However, looking at this situation, it seems you need to be wedded sooner," said the Emperor. 

"I won't marry her," answered Prince Eric. 

The Emperor whipped his head to him and said, "If you won't marry Ruby, then you are to be deported to the frontline. You are not to return until you win the war!" 

Clenching his fist together he bowed and walked away glaring at Ruby. This girl have ruined everything! She did it all for her own selfish desires. She is alway using despicable ways to win against him! He won't let her have him. And he won't let her tear him away from his lover. 

Purposely walking pass Ruby, he said, "I WILL NEVER MARRY YOU NOR LOVE YOU!" and he walked away.

Ruby was startled by his words and lifted up her head to stare into his amber eyes. The man she have fallen in love with, is in love with another woman. He cheated on her after their engagement party and was already infidelity before their wedding vows. She was dumbfounded.

Prince Eric walked away from her stomping angrily. 

Even though this isn't the first time she caught him being unfaithful, she was still hurt. Tears were now shimmering in her blue eyes. She was madly in love with him and knew she couldn’t part from him. She was hoping that through her patience, he would see the better of her. And that one day, he will love her. Sighing, she hopes that somewhere in her drowning heart he will grow to notice her soon. Holding herself steady, she thought, "There have got to be another way to make him fall in love with me."

For a mere eleven years old girl, she can wait. She can wait until she turns seventeen to marry him. Through their marriage, she will do everything a perfect wife shall. She will patiently wait for him, care for him, tend to him, and love him unconditionally. Maybe someday through all her hard work, he will see her as his loving wife.

Ruby turned to look at Eric. As she watch Eric walked away from her, she felt pain but also sorry for him. Almost as if she pity him, she was willing to let him atone for his mistake one last time.