“There is no necessity for an apology. You are free to express yourself as you desire in this space. Do not allow Jayce to intimidate you. As I previously mentioned, he is not as formidable as he appears,” she remarked, winking with a slight smile. “Indeed, Alpha King Elliott disregarded Jayce. The recollection of his destined mate was overwhelming, prompting him to eliminate all reminders of her, including Jayce. Nevertheless, Jayce remained his son, and Elliott harboured affection for him in his own manner.”
“He exhibited a poor manner of expressing it,” Jayce remarked as he sipped his tea.
“Jayce has always been the light of my life. I adored him from the instant I first beheld him. I nurtured him as my own when the other mistresses declined,” Lady Elizabeth elucidated.
I exhaled while glancing at Jayce once more. He must have experienced profound sadness as a young child, having been neglected by his father following his mother’s death.
“I regret that this occurred to you,” I exhaled to him.
He briefly met my gaze, and for the first time, I did not perceive the intensity of his stare, nor did my body feel as if he were penetrating me with his gaze. His eyes were serene and reminiscent of ocean hues. It transmitted a soothing wave of warmth throughout my body.
“What is the relationship with your brothers? Did you coexist harmoniously during your upbringing?” I found myself enquiring.
“My brother Ashton and I are polar opposites. As the eldest, he is the Crown Prince, perpetually indulged and attended to. He approaches life with utmost seriousness and consistently adheres closely to my father. Given his upbringing as the heir to the Alpha King, it is understandable that he would assume that role with gravity,” Jayce remarked, rolling his eyes.
“However, we never established a connection or spent time together. Jack consistently trailed closely behind Luna Queen Kamila, prioritising her safety above all else. It is unsurprising that we did not get along during our upbringing, nor do we now. By the age of ten, he comported himself as though he possessed the palace and its inhabitants. He frequently reminded me of my mother’s fate while asserting that his remained alive.”
Jayce hesitated while he contemplated his own words.
Jack appeared to be corrupt even in his youth; the notion filled me with dread. I contemplated reaching for Jayce’s hand, but ultimately refrained. It was pleasant to observe a gentler aspect of his character, and I felt unexpectedly at ease sitting next to him. I could finally relax and breathe, an unusual yet comforting sensation.
“What about Prince Abel?” I enquired, recalling my recent acquaintance at the palace.
“Abel consistently exhibited kindness towards me conceptually. We did not socialise or form a connection; I suspect he was aware of the sentiments others harboured regarding me and maintained his distance. Nevertheless, he was perpetually a cheerful individual. He never encountered any misfortunes, and I believe a part of me harboured resentment towards him for that.”
“Wow,” I exhaled, gazing down at my lap. “It must have been isolating…”
He remained silent for a brief interval.
“I was regarded as the family’s pariah. Their perception was influenced by my father’s treatment of me. He deemed me irresponsible and consequently denied me any inheritance. This is a profound disgrace for a prince. They anticipated nothing from me, and in turn, I delivered nothing. I began to embody their expectations.”
I was astonished that Jayce was ostracised by his entire family in such a manner. I observed Lady Elizabeth gazing at him with sorrow in her eyes. I abruptly felt appreciative that she was present to attend to him. However, the existence of Prince Jayce is profoundly solitary.
Lady Elizabeth glanced back at me and exhaled deeply.
“I believe that his aversion to the concept of a fated mate and romantic love stems from his experiences during childhood.”
My eyes expanded in astonishment.
He despised the concept of a destined partner.
That was illogical due to Vera. I recalled the night he designated me, repeatedly referring to me as his mate. That evening in the corridor when he referred to me as his mate once more. I experienced a flush of warmth on my cheeks at the contemplation.
I had not concealed my mark, and he had been in my vicinity frequently enough for me to question whether he had observed it. Possibly the evening he attempted to impose himself upon me in his quarters. My hair was styled upwards, and he was positioned above me. Alternatively, it may have occurred while I rested in his bed last night.
“He is reluctant to discuss it,” Lady Elizabeth remarked, diverting her gaze from me to Jayce.
His visage flushed, and he gazed downward at his lap. He exhaled deeply, appearing resigned as he redirected his azure gaze towards me, evoking the familiar warmth I had experienced earlier.
“Love rendered my father vulnerable. It transformed him…” he remarked to me. “He lost her, and it obliterated him.”
“Love does not render you weak,” I stated softly. “It provides you with strength…”
“No,” he replied, maintaining eye contact. “He cannot even gaze upon me without recalling her. This has engendered his animosity towards me. He is feeble and timid.”
“Jayce…” Lady Elizabeth remarked, attempting to soothe him as his voice quivered.
I had never observed him in this manner before, and I felt an urge to embrace him.
“I believe it is unattainable for me to discover love. I am unworthy of it…” he exhaled.
“That is merely absurd,” I remarked, attempting to enhance my expression and the atmosphere surrounding us. “All individuals are deserving of love, including you, your majesty.”
He derided and averted his gaze.
“Women desire me solely for their personal benefit. They are attracted to my appearance and the influence I possess,” he murmured.
“Not all women,” I asserted, crossing my arms over his chest.
