CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
Her thoughts were divided. She found it difficult to come up with a decision that sounded good to her ears.
She thought of the artifact, and then, Liam. She either returns home without the artifact, or remains at the palace as a maid, without making an attempt to steal from Liam.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
The torments in her home would worsen if she didn’t lay her hands on the golden artifact which they needed direly. On the other hand, her heart would be shattered to a thousand pieces is she stole from the palace, even after discovering that the man she loved was the prince.
She was arranging the clothes on the cloth line when she caught sight of Liam approaching her. She quickly rounded it up and started walking out of the premises, with Liam walking behind her.
Her heart was in great fear, because it was broad daylight and anyone could see them together.
At this, she stopped and swirled to face him.
“Can you stop following me? You’re a prince and I’m the maid. What do you think people would say if they see us together?” She asked with a serious look on her face.
“What do you even think that your mum would say if she finds out that I’m seeing her son? She wouldn’t forgive me for any reason!” Alyssa barked and made to walk away when Liam grabbed her on her arms.
“I don’t care about any of those reasons. The world can see me with you and I won’t give a damn about whatever they utter!” Liam said defiantly and Alyssa’s face turned soft for a moment.
He was truly in love with her, but she didn’t see it being a blissful ride.
“I give a damn about a lot of things. You are the prince whom everyone would bow and respect. I’m a maid who would be opened to great ridicule and insult”, Alyssa said and swallowed hard.
“Have you forgiven me? Would you forgive me?” Liam asked, peering piercingly into her eyes and searching for an answer.
Alyssa yanked her arms away from him and swiftly walked away, leaving him lost in thoughts.
She went about her daily chores, with a stern look that made everyone wonder what might be wrong sigh her.
Tiffany tried to talk to her at several points, but it was clear that she was not ready to hold a conversation with anyone yet.
Alyssa walked back to her room after carrying out her chores for the day. She had successfully ignored every advance Liam made towards her.
At a point, Liam because pissed and almost raised his voice at her. Alyssa on the other hand became angry at his reaction, because to her, he is not meant to be angry for any reason.
Alyssa walked into her room and met Tiffany sitting on the bed. She felt a sting of guilt when she thought of how much she had shunned and ignored Tiffany.
Tiffany quickly looked up at her and for the first time, felt the need to open up to someone she considers to be her best friend.
***
“You said that I shouldn’t feel the way I do? Do you even understand what it feels like you he lied to for a long time?” Alyssa asked and Tiffany kept mute.
“Do you have an idea of what it’s like to be hanging out with the prince when you’re merely a maid?” Alyssa asked again and this time, Tiffany nodded in affirmation.
Alyssa was taken aback for a moment after which she broke into a sarcastic laughter.
“You have no idea! How would you know if you’ve never being in such situation?” Alyssa asked Tiffany who took in another deep breath.
“I know because just like you, I’m in love with a prince”, Tiffany said and Alyssa’s jaws dropped in shock.
“What?” Alyssa screamed, quickly rushing to sit beside Tiffany.
“I’m in love with Ryan…”, Tiffany divulged with a small smile.
“The second prince?” Alyssa asked and Tiffany nodded hastily.
“I’m sorry i didn’t tell you earlier”, Tiffany apologized to Alyssa who was still in shock.
“It’s okay!” Alyssa said in excitement, beaming at Tiffany and winking at her.
“We are in love with each other, but most times, I’m scared of what the queen might do if she comes to learn of it”, Tiffany said as her once bright face fell into a frown.
“Well, don’t think about what is yet to come. You knew from the beginning that he was a prince. Unlike mine who kept it hidden from the first time we met”, Alyssa said and lowered her eyes to the ground.
Tiffany hugged her calmly after she gave her a questioning gaze.
“What are your plans now?” She asked Alyssa the one question she had in her mind.
Alyssa paused for a moment after which took in a deep breath.
“I think I’m over with him”, she said with a look of uncertainty in her eyes.
“Do you think I should keep up with it?” Alyssa asked Tiffany who also drifted away in thoughts.
Tiffany was someone who believed that one’s attitude from the beginning determines how far they would go in the relationship.
To her, it was unfair for Liam to hide his identity to someone he claimed to be in love with.
“I would advise you to take your mind off Liam. He lied to you and does not deserve your love or attention!” Tiffany said defiantly and Alyssa nodded her head in affirmation.
She was ready to do that. Right from when she discovered the truth about him, she was certain that it was time to end everything.
“I would do just that…”, Alyssa mumbled and wiped off the tears that clouded her eyes.
Tiffany finally stood to leave since she needed to go see Ryan. Alyssa hugged her passionately, whispering some sweet words into her ears and silently hoping that things would work out between her best friend and the prince.
“Have some food. Drink a lot of water and avoid thinking about him. He isn’t worth your thoughts”, Tiffany joked as she left while Alyssa chuckled.
Indeed, Liam was not worth her thoughts, but despite how hard she tried, she couldn’t get him off her thoughts.
The moment Tiffany left, Alyssa sank into the bed and drifted off in thoughts.
She had no idea that her best friend was in love with the prince and now that she did, a lot of things had to change.
First, her quest to lay her hands on the golden artifact…
For the past few nights, her need to get it have lessened greatly. And now, discovering that Tiffany was in love with the prince heightened the need to kick off the plans.
She wouldn’t want to put her best friend in trouble, especially because she would be out of the palace once she places her hands on it.
The only suspect would be Tiffany. Everyone at the palace would lay the blame on her because of her closeness with the prince. They would all conclude that she either helped Alyssa with it, because she was close enough to the prince to learn about it’s whereabouts.
Alyssa felt a cold shill run down her spine. She would never want to hurt her best friend in such manner. It would haunt her for the rest of her life…
She finally laid on the bed to have some rest, trying to shut her mind off Liam, but failing woefully.