Chapter 3: Swindle the Heart

The Emperor turned to Samantha and said, "What are you still doing there? Return to your home."

Samantha, still pretending to be innocent, bow quietly. She gently said, "Yes, Emperor." She turned to walk away. Biting her lower lip, she couldn't believe that her plan didn't work. It didn't go accordingly to how she wanted it. She looked at Ruby. Irritated that the ugly fat girl ruined her planned. Her well thought scheme would have worked if it wasn't because of her. Ruby ruined it all! She worked too hard to get close to Prince Eric and she's not going to him go. She couldn't let all of her hard work go to waste. She couldn't miss this last opportunity. Trying to think of a way to turn this event around she frowned. Thinking of something sinister, she faked her cry and spun around. Running to the Emperor she said, "Please, hear me out. Don't hurt him. Not, Prince Eric."

"What?" question the Emperor looking at Samantha with curiosity. 

"Please. He's innocent."

"He's my own son. I wouldn't do anything to harm him."

Samantha looked at him, and then to his sons and soldiers behind him.

As if he understood, he told everyone to leave. 

Ruby was also getting ready to leave. As soon as she turned, she saw a smile from Samantha. She saw the evil look of that woman staring at her. Shocked, she pretended not to see Samantha, hoping she didn't notice her. She knew that Samantha was up to no good, and even now it seems she had already come up with another plan. Ruby must find out what she's planning so she can counter her wicked plans. 

Slowly, she purposely fell behind. As soon as she went unnoticed, she stepped back and vanished. Following the same path, she hid behind the trees. She was leaning out of the tree to listen to their conversation. 

There were rustling noises and Samantha saw Ruby was hiding behind the trees.

"This stupid girl, really did sneak back," thought Samantha. Smiling as another evil plan was submerging in her head. "Today I'm going crush your heart and soul. And break that naive heart of yours." 

"Go ahead, Miss Wild," said the Emperor impatiently. 

"Prince Eric, summons me here to talk about our secret affair."

"Secret affair?"

"Yes, our liking for each other."

"Oh."

"He says he couldn't bear to be without me anymore."

"He did?" questioned the Emperor. 

"Yes. He said that with Ruby following him around-" Samantha purposely paused. Then she started to fidget her fingers around to look innocent.

"Go on, she's not here. Nothing to be afraid of."

"So, in order to avoid her, we have to hide here in the bushes."

Throbbing pain hit Ruby in her heart. In silence she thought, "He lied to me." She couldn't believe that Prince Eric lied to her. He told her that he was going into seclusion not because he was avoiding her, but to practice his magic and spiritual powers. A tear streamed down her face, and she wiped it away quickly.

"Oh."

"When we got here, he confesses his love to me."

"Really?"

That is true. Ruby heard it loud and clear as they moaned out their heart's deepest desire when they're embraced in each other's arms.  

"He couldn't hide his feelings anymore." 

"So, you say."

"He told me how he was forced into marrying Ruby." 

Ruby was shocked. She couldn't help but have a heart ached. Tears was slowly dripping down her face. This was a secret only the royal family knows. For Prince Eric was indeed forced to marry her. But for Samantha to know, Prince Eric must have told her. Her heart felt like it was being scorched by fire. 

Ruby thought, "How could he have spilled the beans about our arranged marriage? About me. About us. How could he make me look so bad. Make me so... so desperate? How could he make it look like he WAS the victim to this marriage? When he agtreed as well. Didn't he like me at least one bit? For him to tell her the secret he must fully trust her. And not just anyone he told, but his lover." Ruby clenched her fist tightly against her chest. 

The sky started to thunder above her.

Covering her face, she was trying to stop the tears that wouldn't stop coming. Her heart ached painfully. 

"He also said that I am his true love," said Samantha shyly.  

Ruby's heart pounded rapidly.

"Did he really say that?"

"Yes, he said he would marry no one but me. So, if he claims me, then you won't force him to marry Ruby Scarlet."

Ruby was trembling as she remembered Prince Eric and Samantha's mouth going at each other and their tongues slurping at each other. Uncontrollable pain was stabbing her heart. No matter how much she wipes away her tears, it won't stop falling. 

"Don't worry about today's event, I will talk to your grandfather."

Samantha got into her carriage. As the carriage was moving, she stared out the window. She said to herself, "I will make you pay for ruining my chance of getting married into the royalties. My fame, wealth, and being the princess consort is all ruined because of you! For today's humiliation I will make you pay! I will make that prince fall in love with me even more. Making him head over heels for me that he won't care about you. When his love for me becomes undying, I will make sure he never looks at you! You will die by my hands Ruby Scarlet!"