Hellbound Heart

Elle spent the rest of the day playing and getting better acquainted with Abi and her adorable and incredibly smart twins. She made sure to keep herself occupied and not have any free time to think and be depressed. To her relief, Abi's company and the children had her completely enjoying the day. The twins were just too precious and precocious that it was impossible to not enjoy being in their presence.

But evening came around too quickly for Elle and before she knew it, it was already time for Abi and her family to leave and return to their own residence. They were supposed to leave earlier in the afternoon along with Prince Skyler and his wife, but Abi decided after their morning tea and had Alex postpone and rescheduled their flight to later tonight. Though she felt a little bad for the trouble, it was something Elle was so thankful for. That way, she would not be left alone and to her own devices too early in the day.

She really liked Abigail and her family. Even after enjoying the entire day with them, she still could not get enough of her and the little ones. And now that they were leaving, she could not explain how sullen she felt. This was just a little too unbelievable, considering the fact that she had just met the woman only yesterday. It somehow felt as though she had already known Abi for a long time. Was it only a little more than 24 hours that they were introduced to each other?

But here she was, holding back her emotions as Abi hugged her goodbye. "We'll definitely visit again as soon as possible." Abi whispered to her, obviously being emotional as well while giving the younger woman a tight squeeze.

And soon, they finally left, with Alexander tactfully dragging his wife away, claiming that they would miss the flight if they were any later. That goodbye left her standing there next to Sebastian, waving at the car that was getting smaller as it drove towards the horizon.

…

The steam from the hot shower curled and spread through the bathroom. Elle had her eyes closed as she relaxed her muscles, letting the warm water cascade down her face.

It had been a joyful and busy day, but now that Abi and everyone else were no longer in the castle, it was like she had taken away the sun along with her departure. Now the castle felt dark, cold and kind of gloomy.

Elle knew that this feeling was also due to the thought that had been niggling at the back of her mind. Now that she was alone, and had all the free time to think, the matter that she had been forcing out of her heart and mind since she woke up at dawn have now reemerged to occupy her mind. Causing an abundance of chaos and messy thoughts to clutter her mind.

Thinking about it, Elle remembered their talk this morning about Keria. She had not wanted to go to that place. That paradise of a place was a place she would never want to visit ever again. Because that place held a nightmare, one that she knew she never would be able to forget for the rest of her life. Just the thought of her going there was enough to make goosebumps writhe and crawl all over her skin. And that was why she had tried her best to stay quiet and hide her emotions when Alexander suggested that she could go there with Sebastian for their honeymoon.

And that was not the only reason. She also did not want to go there or anywhere else for that matter, with Sebastian. Much less to have a honeymoon together. That would be nothing but pure foolishness on her part.

After he had sleep talked and called out some other woman's name while still holding onto her, Elle felt like reality had slapped her hard in the face. She had been enlightened. Now, she had sworn never to let her guard down against him ever again. She would keep her word. Last night would be the first and the last.

Last night was nothing but a lustful moment. They did not even kiss. She did not even touch even a fraction of his skin. She had not even the chance to embrace him while they joined to became one. What happened between them was just plain brainless f*cking, not love-making.

So that was it. She must stand her ground and stay clearheaded and focus on keeping her words. Unless she wanted to hear him calling out other women's name again after having sex with her.

A bitter smirk spread across her lips. Was Alisa that beautiful woman she had seen with him going into that restaurant? Was she the one always calling him?

Elle squeezed her eyes closed, hating how these things could stir her thoughts and emotions. It was infuriating because she had already expected this! She was supposed to have prepared her mind!

Taking a long and deep breath, Elle fought for calmness. When she opened her eyes again, determination gleamed in her eyes as the earlier stormy depths have cleared and quietened down. Her will was solid as the ancient glaciers again.

By the time she left the bathroom, she saw him sitting there again, sipping at wine from a glass in his hand.

Their gazes held. "I have something I wanted to tell you, Sebastian." Elle broke the heavy silence.

"Go on." he twirled the wine in his glass slowly as he waited for her to speak.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to go to Keria with you." She quickly spoke after drawing in a breath.

The motions of his hand immediately stilled as his fingers tightened imperceptibly around the stem of the glass. His gaze twitched.

Elle swallowed nervously and tried to explain. She did not want to, but she still needed to be careful and try to not get on his nerves too much.

She tried to make her tone sound mature and reasonable. "Like we had agreed last night, I won't be having sex with you again. So… a honeymoon would be a bad idea for both of us, right? That's why I don't see the need to go with you. I will stay here in the castle and do my duties here as the crown princess in your absence."

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