XXIII

I was awake, but my eyes were closed. I felt my tears dripping. Is it possible for your own father to do that?

I still feel the pain in my chest but I ignore it. The way my father treated me is more painful.

I felt someone wipe my tears on my cheek. When I opened my eyes I saw a man. The man who makes my heart beat.

"Does it still hurt?" He asked me worriedly. I could see the concern in his eyes. "Don't cry anymore, it will hurt even more,"

I closed my eyes again and took a deep breath even though my chest still hurt.

"I'm still tired," I whispered. "I'm tired of pretending to be a perfect daughter and crowned princess. I'm tired of pretending to be happy. I'm tired of hiding all my resentment. I'm getting too tired, Sverre." Moments later I heard myself sobbing.

When I opened my eyes he was just looking at me seriously. He reached for my hand then held it tightly.

"I'm here," he said calmly. "I'm just always here for you," Then he kissed my hand.

I feel sincere in what he said. Why in my whole life have I heard the words I want to hear from my parents?

"It's okay with me if you don't want to talk," He looked down at my hands then gently caressed you. "But I'm sure everything will be fine too. Trust yourself."

I raised my hand then touched his cheek. I caressed it then smiled at him.

"I'm tired but I'll just rest and I'll be fine again."

He just smiled at me then he slowly approached me. I closed my eyes then he kissed my forehead.

I thought only on the forehead but his kiss went down my nose until he kissed my lips.

He stroked my hair until I fell asleep again.

Do I just need a break to get rid of fatigue and pain?

Feeling ko ang gulo ng buhay ko. Masyado na akong nasasaktan, sinasaktan.

"Neriah," I heard a call from the darkness. I can see no one and I can only hear the voice.

"Who are you?" I asked and looked around to see where that voice was coming from.

"Beware of people you trust. You can turn into ashes if you trust too much."

"What?" I curiously asked him.

"I can only advise you one thing. Harden your heart because it will pull you all the way to your pit."

I was about to ask another question when I heard someone shouting from outside my room. That's why I woke up.

"Leave Keturah!" I heard the king shout at the queen. I hurried to the door.

I even touch my chest when it hurt. I winced in pain. I heard Sverre's footsteps approaching me.

"You're stay here. You're not leaving," His looked sharply.

did not listen to him and immediately opened the door of my room.

"I said leave!" the king shouted again. "I don't need you here anymore!" I am the one who is hurt by what he says to my mother.

"Yes, we're leaving," they fell silent because of my sudden presence. "You want her to leave, I'm leaving too. You don't need her, and she doesn't deserve you!"

I immediately went down the long stairs and hugged my mother. Gradually I heard her every sob.

"Shh, he doesn't deserve your tears," I whispered to my mother then hugged her tighter. "Everything will be okay, trust me."

I took her to her own room and I faced the king again.

"What are you doing?!" He was startled by my sudden scream.

"I don't know Athaliah. I love your mother you know that,"

"Then, why are you doing this?"

"I-I, I do not know," He even messed up his hair. "When I face your mother I suddenly have a headache and I suddenly get annoyed or angry to her."

It's like a puzzle that's hard to solve.

But i think, I can solve it on my own.

"Do you know why that happens?" I seriously asked him but he only shook his head.

"Do you think someone is controlling you?" His eyes widened because of my question.

It was as if someone had just answered my answer.

"Do you really know the people you meet?" I frowned at him.

"Yes, I know everyone," he replied directly.

"Do you really know the people here in the palace?" He was stunned by that question.

"Behind their masks there is a hidden evil. So my question is do you really know everyone?"

"I know everything but I'm confused by  your question,"

"You only know their name and their appearance on the outside but you do not know them behind their masks." I told him emphatically then I left him alone.