Chapter 442 - 435. Shapes of Love
"She loves her," Zein said in the empty pavilion with just them and the closed chest. "She still does."
Zein could tell that Princess Devika wasn’t the type to use a soft approach like her stepmother, the Queen. She could not bring herself to feign a smile and disdain as she spoke sweet words to entice others. She did not want to stay in the shadow; she wanted to be the light.
She wanted to be the Queen ruling the kingdom, not a consort for some rich businessman.
In a way, she knew it was her fate. She probably looked upon Svadeva, who had to receive the same treatment. She wanted her Aunt to show her that there was a way out. And yet, she was left in disappointment; the only answer she got was that...she had to run away.
But a runaway could not become the Queen, and so she persevered. She fought her way to escape political marriage, even after she was in her thirties. Her young look helped curb the criticism, but she knew her clock was ticking. As her time was running out, her love was marred with disappointment.
"Haa..." Bassena exhaled heavily. "It’s not like I don’t understand her, but..."
"She’s not the one who did all of this, anyway," Zein stroked the back of Bassena’s head. "If anything, she wants you out of this place as much as you."
If I have to ask for something as payment, then just promise me one thing; that you will never accept the offer to be a part of the royal family.
"Well, that’s a very easy payment," Bassena shrugged as she recalled the Princess’s one condition.
"She even threw a promise that no one will disturb us anymore during our vacation," Zein chuckled. "Doesn’t it mean her influence is pretty big?"
"I heard she’s a member of the court too," Bassena replied, despite saying he didn’t care about the royal family.