Hellbound Heart

"Princess!" A voice full of worry called out.r

Elle's knees buckled the moment that familiar voice echoed in her ears. She knelt on the ground and let out the breath that she was holding. Panting, she fisted a hand over her chest to calm her racing heart. She needed to calm down as her vision was starting to blacken around the edges. r

"Good lord! What are you doing here?" Caelian frantically squatted before her as he quickly checked her over. "Are you hurt?" r

Caelian did not hesitate anymore and touched her forehead, finding that it was cold and clammy. However, to his relief he did not smell any trace of blood from her. But good lord... she looked like a mess! What in the world could have driven her to be in this state and hiding in a place like this?!r

Gritting his teeth, he immediately pulled his phone out of his jacket and made a call to Alex. r

"Alex. I've found her... I think she's not injured at least... here in the –" he broke off as she suddenly grabbed onto his wrist, her cold, trembling fingers sending goosebumps spreading over his skin. r

She was shaking her head at him. God, was she telling him not to answer Alex's question? r

The way she desperately looked at him while shaking her head had Caelian unable to reject her plea. "We'll be there in no time Alex. She said she'll explain as soon as we get there." r

Once Caelian ended the call, she continued panting again, dropping her head tiredly. "T-thank you." r

"Can you stand, princess?" he asked gently, realizing how she was still trembling and trying so very hard to compose herself. r

She nodded as she clung to his arm. r

"I think I'll carry you instead. I need to bring you back to Alex before he sends out more people to look for you if we don't get back quickly." Caelian explained. r

It has not been that long since her two female guards reported that she was missing. r

Alex had immediately dispatched him and his group to look for her. He had said that if they could not find her within thirty minutes, he would send out more people to search for her. Thankfully, he managed to track her down in time before Alex stirred up a commotion in the entire town. r

"Please... bring me to a place where I can wash up first." Elle's voice was still trembling when she requested this from Caelian.r

Caelian frowned. "No princess, you can wash up later. I really need to bring you back before Prince Sebastian returns from the Black Forest." r

"You mean he had not heard about this yet? Alex had not told him?" r

"Yes. Alex was planning to send a message to him if I couldn't find you in thirty minutes." Caelian had no choice but to explain to Elle.r

She breathed out in utter relief, causing Caelian to look so puzzled. Why was she relieved that her husband had not heard about this yet? Should she not be reacting in the opposite way? He was expecting that she would want Sebasitan to find out and show his concern over her and maybe even pamper her.r

"Caelian..." Elle held his gaze with an intensity that made Caelian feel like whatever she would say next was something that he did not want to hear or do. "Please don't tell Alexander or anyone else that you found me here... like this. Please..." Her voice was so desperately pitiful and it cracked when she said 'please'.r

"Princess..." Caelian did not know what to do or say. He should be instantly saying 'no' to her request. No matter what she says, this was something that should never be kept a secret! Just by the sight of her right now was enough for him to tell that something terribly wrong had happened. The only thing that was keeping him from grabbing her instantly to bring her back to Alex was only due to the fact that he could not smell any signs of physical injury on her. r

He would normally straight out say 'no', but this princess was making it very hard for him. He believed it was because of the desperate and teary look in her eyes.r

But just as Caelian gave her his nod, he immediately shook his head right after. He must not get swayed. This was something that Alex must know at all cost! "I'm sorry but I can't possibly –"r

"Please, Caelian." She gripped his arm tighter as she begged him, her large eyes looked even larger as she stared at him hopefully. God... he had never expected this. The first time he saw this princess, he had thought of her as that kind of regal and forever composed beauty. Of course, he was not unrealistically expecting her to never have a low moment. But this was... this was too shocking! r

"Princess –"r

"I don't want to trouble anyone. Alexander and Sebastian have lots to deal with already. And this is no big deal, really. I'm fine. I just... I just saw someone I think I might know from the past. But now that I think about it, I believe I must have just hallucinated or saw his doppelganger. That was why I hid myself here." She frantically explained. Her eyes begging him desperately and goodness... how could he say 'no' to her when she was already looking at him like this?r

He found himself nodding, surrendering to her pleas. He just could not stand that this princess was begging him like this anymore. r

"Thank you." She uttered and, noticing that she had finally calmed down, at least outwardly, he finally picked her up and took her back to Alexander's house without. r

...r

"It's the truth. I really just got myself lost in the crowd. I'm so sorry for the trouble." Elle said, forcing an apologetic smile at Alexander. "I promise it won't happen again. I'm so sorry, once –"r

"Stop apologizing, Elle. I'm just so relieved that you are alright and nothing bad has happened to you. That is all that matters right now." Alex told her as his gaze scrutinized her from head to toe. "Are you certain you are not hurt anywhere? I think it would be better if I call for a doctor –"r

"No, no." she waved her hands almost frantically as she laughed a little. "I really don't need a doctor. I'm really fine. Dear lord... I'm so embarrassed. I'm like a child who got lost and ended up wandering around beyond my curfew. Please don't worry. I'm really fine, Alexander." r

Watching her slightly embarrassed and sheepish smile, Caelian tried his best to keep his face straight. He was marveling internally that this princess was really good at acting! How could she smile like that when she was a trembling mess just a while ago?!r

"Alright. You look very tired. You should go and freshen up before resting. Don't worry about dinner, I'll take care of it." Alexander seemed to be finally convinced by Elle's smile. r

"Thank you." She replied, throwing Caelian a discreet glance before entering into the house. r

Elle rushed upstairs and locked herself inside the bathroom.

Her hands immediately trembled again as she slid down onto the floor in an ungraceful heap.