Hellbound Heart

Three days later…r

Sebastian was standing by a floor to ceiling window, overlooking a beautiful harbor. His expression was grim, and a disbelieving smirk was gracing his handsome face as Lucas went on to report on his daily account. It was all mostly on Izabelle's situation and the daily activities that she was keeping herself occupied with. r

"So, you're saying that she had not asked anything about me at all?" Sebastian's deep voice echoed in the thick silence that had followed after Lucas took a breath. His face had darkened even more and seemed to be covered with a layer of frost. The atmosphere around him was so chilly to the point that even Lucas could not help but shiver a little – even if he was over the phone. r

"The princess had been pretty busy, Your Highness. She's actually been quite dedicated in carrying out her royal duties already, even though you both have been hardly married for a week. She has even attended a few important events on your behalf as, coincidentally, there had been quite a number of events happening during this period." Lucas blabbered on without pausing on the other side of the phone as if he did not want to give Sebastian a chance to interrupt in the middle of his report. "But don't worry Your Highness, I believe the reason she had not asked anything about you is surely because she's too busy. Also, she might still be a bit shy to ask me on when you will be heading back. The princess is also such an animated lady. Everyone could not help but adore her with her bright and approachable and graceful character. I can assure you that she's pretty comfortable and happy carrying out her duties here. So I don't think there is anything you need to worry about. I believe she's truly enjoying the last few days on her own, despite your absence. It does not seem as though she's putting up a front." Lucas mentioned to Sebastian in a reassuring tone.r

Sebastian's jaws clenched as he heard Lucas' words and his eyes closed tightly. "Are you telling me that she's actually happy and comfortable? Because I'm not there?" he snapped at Lucas after keeping silent for a couple of seconds. His voice remained calm, but his face was even darker with displeasure now. Thankfully Lucas was on the other side of the phone. He could not have imagined how scary Sebastian would look right now, going by his calm tone.r

There was a short silence before Lucas managed to speak again. "Err… I don't think that's what my entire report meant, Your Highness. I mean… that's not the point or I should say that I don't think that's the case. Well anyway, why don't you call her if you miss her so much, Prince Sebastian?" Lucas straight up asked Sebastian the question that had been on his mind the past few days. He did not know why Sebastian was going through him to check on the princess. r

Sebastian rubbed the back of his neck. He ended the call and threw the phone onto the couch, but it did not help vent his irritation. r

He had left abruptly that night hoping to cool his head. He had thought that he was just still high on her or something. He had thought all of those feelings were only temporary. And that he only needed some time off to cool his head and everything will return to normal. He was confident that her potent effect on him would eventually dissipate over time. r

But three days had come and gone, but there was no cooling down happening at all. He still felt the same as that night he left her! In fact, it was as though the feeling had intensified! As if three f*cking days had not passed at all. And the worse thing was that he could not seem to bear it any longer. r

A buzz pulled at his attention, and he went to pick up the phone he had just thrown onto the couch. It was a notification of an incoming text. r

[Lucas: Just to remind you, Your Highness that tonight is Elijah's birthday celebration. Her Highness had been invited to attend in your place. Though I tried my best to discourage the princess from going, she did not listen to me. She told me that she was obliged to attend because Elijah is her brother-in-law and an important member of the royal family. Sorry, I did my best. But don't worry, I will not let anything bad happen to her.]r

Sebastian's expression immediately changed upon reading this text. His eyes widened and as soon as he grabbed his coat, he quickly disappeared from the room. r

…r

In one of the most famous and luxurious hills in Quesa, proudly stood Elijah's, the fourth prince's modern mansion. r

It was not designed to look like the olden castles or palaces. In fact, it was a home with the most advance architecture one would find comparable to the best in world. If one looks at it from above, they would see massive pools situated tastefully around the grounds and even on some flat-topped roof of the house. It was nothing but an elaborate display of modern wealth. A mansion that could accommodate a huge number of guests and even more cars. r

When Izabelle and Lucas arrived, the first thing Izabelle noticed was the luxurious top-of-the-line cars parked around. That alone was enough to tell her what kind of people Elijah's guests were. r

The truth was that Elle had been feeling a little hesitant in attending this party. She could not help but feel curious at how everyone in the family had unanimously told her she did not need to attend it. And then, even Lucas had tried to persuade her not to go. Even when she told him she would go, the man had continued trying to convince her to turn it down. When she asked Lucas the reason why, the man went silent for a moment before saying that Sebastian never attends Elijah's birthday. r

Of course, she had asked again, but Lucas did not want to answer her anymore. He only said that the two princes did not get along well. Elle also remembered that Sebastian had warned her about Elijah previously. But in the end, she still decided to go. It was not because she was disregarding everyone's words, but she just thought that it would not be good for her to decline such an important invitation. Elijah was one of the princes of the Reign royalty. She had gone to many other events and even attended a Duke's daughter's birthday just the night before. So it would definitely come across as disrespectful if she now rejected the prince's invitation when she did not have any good enough excuses at the moment. r

So, she could only go. She had never met Elijah yet, but she wanted to meet him, nonetheless. At least once. She could not help but be curious on why this one particular prince seemed to be kind of disliked not only by Sebastian but by everyone. r

"Your Highness," Lucas leaned on her as the two walked down a black carpet. She had raised a brow seeing that instead of a red carpet, a black one was used. "Please don't forget what I told you, okay? Please make sure to never stray away from me. Everyone's wearing a mask at this party, hence making it harder for me to trust anyone for your safety."r