Fated Moon
Chapter 7– A Knock That Changes Everything
Kingston's steps thundered down the hallway, hurried and uneven, as if he were being chased. Servants and passersby stopped mid-task, startled by the unusual urgency in his pace.
"Why is the prince running like there's a fire behind him?" one whispered to another.
"No idea," the other replied. "But he looks… panicked. Never seen him like this before."
Indeed, Kingston's figure blurred past them before anyone could even guess the reason behind this uncharacteristic haste.
Roseline stirred from a half-dream state, disturbed by the persistent knocking at her door.
"Who could possibly be knocking at this hour? Sleep just took me over at dawn!" she muttered.
"Go away, I'll come when I'm awake!" she added, turning over and pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
"Rose… please, open the door. It's me—Kingston," came the familiar, slightly strained voice.
Her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes shot open, wide and panicked. The voice. That tone. It couldn't be anyone else. Her brain barely registered the rest of his words.
She glanced at the window. Sunlight streamed through the gap in her thick blinds, announcing the afternoon in full force.
"Oh my God!" she gasped, quickly covering her mouth. She had clearly been caught off guard.
Roseline hurried to the bathroom, scrubbing her face roughly and staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was scattered, her skin puffy from sleep, her eyes swollen — she barely recognized herself.
"I am definitely not like this! This is not me!" she muttered, tugging at her hair, smoothing it with trembling hands. "Who is this person staring back at me?"
The knocking grew louder, urgent now. Kingston knew she was awake, but she wasn't opening the door.
His mother's voice echoed in his mind:
"Make your confession clear and straightforward. Be ready for any storm. Stand by her side! Don't regret not doing what's necessary now."
He shivered. He couldn't afford to wait.
"Roseline, I will…" His words faltered.
Determined, he reached the door and pushed the handle. Relief washed over him — it wasn't locked.
"Oh no! He's inside!" she panicked, retreating behind the bathroom door.
Why am I even hiding? she scolded herself. He's the one marrying, not me!
But anger and embarrassment warred within her, leaving her frozen, breathless, exposed.
Kingston approached the bathroom cautiously, his voice calm but firm.
"Please, come out, Rose. I know you're in there. We need to talk… seriously."
She didn't move. Her chest tightened. Her mind raced.
"Don't believe what you heard," Kingston continued gently. "They're not true. And if you don't come out now, I'm… entering the bathroom. You know me, right?"
Her heart jumped. Seriously, Kingston? Will he really enter the bathroom?
She froze, torn between staying hidden and facing him.
Kingston waited for a moment, listening to her uneven breathing through the door. Then, slowly, almost gently, he added:
"Rose… I'm not here to hurt you. I just need you to hear me… hear the truth from me."
Her hands trembled as she reached for the door. Maybe I should trust him… maybe not…
Her feet moved forward tentatively.
Kingston's eyes softened the moment she stepped out, her flushed, tired, and disheveled appearance doing nothing to diminish the intensity of the emotions swirling between them.
"Rose," he whispered, taking a cautious step closer. "I need you to know—everything they is just a calculated game to me… … it's not true. I would never…"
She cut him off, shaking her head.
"I don't know what to believe anymore, Kingston. Everything… everyone… it's all so confusing."
He stepped even closer, lowering his voice, steady and grounding.
"You don't have to believe anyone but me. Not right now. Just… trust that I'm here. With you. No matter what."
Her eyes welled with tears, but this time, they weren't just fear. There was relief. Hesitation. A flicker of hope. Her feelings laid bare, even without saying it, its already clear what she wants. What her heart wants.
Kingston reached out a hand, not to grab, but to offer reassurance.
"Rose… you can stop hiding your feelings for me now. I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me now."
She let out a shaky laugh, half incredulous, half nervous. "Stuck with you, huh?"
"Yes," he replied softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Can't undo it now."
And for the first time that day, Rose felt… safe.
Maybe it could actually work. Maybe they could be together. Maybe.....
***********>>>>>>>>>>
Would she fully trust him now?
Would Kingston's words be enough to break through her fear and confusion?
And what happens next when emotions, doubts, and confessions collide?
@OlukoyaZainab