The Most Powerful Prince Crown

Behind the Wall of the New Palace (18+)

Arachlea hurried from window to window, gazing at the palace grounds from various vantage points. Her joyful laughter followed by sparkling eyes could not lie that she was very happy.

"Look, Your Majesty. It's already blooming when it's still daytime. Isn't it magical?" pointed Arachlea to a corner of the garden on the side of the newly built palace building for the two of them.

Prince Hillarius, the Crown Prince of the Eufibutla Kingdom, appeared disinterested. He just sat on the edge of the bed with a gloomy face and occasionally looked at Arachlea who was admiring everything.

The new palace, made of giant stone sculptures with beautiful carvings in every corner, was the building that Crown Prince Hillarius and Arachlea would be living in after their marriage in a few weeks. The outside was made even more beautiful by Arachlea's request for a flower garden and fish pond. Several large, shady trees were planted, making it even greener when viewed from above.

"Our daughters will love living here," Arachlea murmured again, now turning to her fiancé.

"Your Highness?" Arachlea was surprised as it was unusual for the man to be daydreaming and sitting with such a blank look.

"Did something happen, Your Highness?" asked Arachlea to make sure the man who was supposed to be the father of her children was alright.

"Come here," said Prince Hillarius, nodding with his gaze fixed on Arachlea.

The prime minister's daughter and King Aerius' right-hand man hurried over, her hands gracefully gripping the sides of her gown at the waist to ease her steps.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" she murmured with a worried face as Prince Hill was not usually like this. This was the first time the man had shown his sad face in the dozen years they had lived together.

"Arachlea, I have something to say," he said as she sat down at his side.

Arachlea waited, but only a sigh was heard from the man and then a short time later he exhaled again.

"I just want to hold you," she whispered. He wrapped his arms around Arachlea's shoulders.

"Your Majesty can hug me anytime. Is this it?" Of course, this surprised Arachlea, usually Prince Hill did not need her permission to simply hug.

"I love you, Arachlea," he whispered. Prince Hill's face came closer to her head. Now, he was looking at her right in front of her face, even as their sharp noses bumped into each other.

"I love you too, Your Highness," Arachlea whispered.

"Say my name, darling."

"Hill, Hillarius!"

The peck on the lips continued to be an intense squeeze and focused all their concentration, forgetting the beauty of the flowers in the garden that were beginning to bloom. The air was warm around the room despite the breeze rushing through the window.

Arachlea gasped as Prince Hillarius stole a moment to catch his breath. But time seemed to be running out that afternoon, as the two of them unleashed their passion. The satin covering the shared mattress bore signs of wear and stains from their intimate moments. There were no witnesses to stop the Crown Prince's enjoyment with his lover, the wind only blew silently.

"Hmm, finally," Arachlea murmured.

"Hmm." Prince Hillarius murmured back softly.

"Shall we stay here for the night? The once-beautiful sunrise in the east lost its allure, and every crew member scrambled to secure the ship's safety," Arachlea pointed to one side of the window.

She waited for the prince's reply, but he was exhausted after sweating it out. For a few seconds, the two just lay there, letting their minds wander freely.

"Arachlea," Prince Hill murmured in a weak voice.

"Yes, my dear Prince." Arachlea pecked the man's cheek affectionately.

"There are more important matters, I hope I won't disappoint you this time." Prince Hill said in a flat voice.

Arachlea pursed her lips, hoping that Prince Hill's words were just a prelude to more surprises. She denied all the bad possibilities that would come out of the prince's lips. The prince had never disappointed her.

"Our love comes to an end here, I'm afraid. We can't proceed with our wedding plans."

Suddenly, Arachlea looked up, staring at the man before her in disbelief. She had just had a dream, hadn't she? They had been engaged for a long time and a lavish wedding was just weeks away. She would be the crown prince's bride and become a princess of Eufibutla.

"Why, does His Highness not love me?" Arachlea shook her head in disbelief, her voice low and hoarse.

"My father loves your mother," Prince Hill said, not answering her question.

Prince Hill's words shocked Arachlea even more, like a thunderbolt on a sunny afternoon. It seemed impossible; King Aerius was a devout believer, a revered leader, and a role model for his people. There was no way he would love another man's wife when he was married.

"They made love in this palace, where we lie," Prince Hill hissed before Arachlea could speak.

"We must stop our parents, Your Highness!" hissed Arachlea, not wanting to hear any more of Prince Hill's words because there was no need to tell.

"There is no need. You just need to leave as soon as possible," Prince Hill retorted.

"But why should I go?"

"Only temporarily, Arachlea. Please, my mother's illness is getting worse." Prince Hill reminded Arachlea of Queen Claudius' condition. All of Eufibutla's mothers had been spending more time in bed lately.

"We will marry when my mother's condition improves a little, I must see to it that she does not learn of my father's affair, so as not to burden her mind. I promise, Arachlea."

Love is not always beautiful even though it is sincere, sometimes it must be stuck on a road that is far from smooth. While their love was blossoming, Prince Hill had to settle other matters for the continuation of their life plan.

"Alright, I'll wait for you, Your Highness. Heal the Queen Mother, whatever illness she is suffering from I am sure good fate is on our side," said Arachlea soothingly to her future husband.

"She was poisoned, the culprit has not been found, but your father has found the right scapegoat." Anger flashed in Prince Hillarius's eyes.

"Poisoned? Who, who poisoned her?" Arachlea was furious, she was also sorry that Prince Hill was telling her only now.

"Your father, his prime minister and right-hand man, accused by his king." Prince Hill's breath caught in his throat, his fingers trembling as he pointed at Arachlea's face.

"No way! That's so evil. Why does it have to be like that, Your Highness?!"

"This is the reality, and some within the palace have become aware of it, Arachlea. Your father's reputation has been tarnished. No one will allow your father to enter the palace grounds safely anymore."

"The truth will always prevail, Your Majesty. The people love my father, please forgive me, without my father His Majesty the King would not be as famous as he is now," Arachlea said in a denying tone. She could not accept anyone demonizing her father including a crown prince.

"If you are a commoner, who else do you believe brought down his king other than those closest to him? Eufibutla has no enemies, the only thing that can destroy him is Eufibutla's circle," Prince Hillarius responded with a more reasonable argument.

"You must know what the punishment is for the murder of the Queen, King Aerius' beloved consort Arachlea," warned Prince Hillarius.

"That will not happen to my father," Arachlea murmured with trembling lips. Her father was slandered to cover up the King's infamy and then sentenced to death, how heinous!

"Yes, death to the perpetrator and his family," grinned Prince Hillarius.

Tears streamed down Arachlea's cheeks. She couldn't believe such a terrible fate, it had all happened so quickly. When she sneaked away from home to meet Prince Hill, her father had just returned from the palace. Little did she know that behind her, King Aerius had prepared a painful surprise.

"I'll send you somewhere safe of course," Prince Hill said soothingly, but in vain, how could he be calm when his little heart had been broken?

"And my mom and dad?" Arachlea narrowed her eyes at the Prince. The man was none other than the crown prince of a depraved king, the fame he had borne was false.

"Leave before the palace soldiers hunt you down, Arachlea. Tonight your ship will set sail, I have already determined the perfect place for you to hide." Prince Hillarius hugged Arachlea tightly, while the girl was speechless. Her parents were about to be put to death for a crime she had not committed, while she was about to leave. No, not gone, but saved by the prince by being expelled.

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