Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 44: You—you never told me you were Prince Dorian!

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: You—you never told me you were Prince Dorian!

Vincent’s footsteps fell heavy behind Cassian and Dorian as they made their way through the winding corridors of the palace. His mind raced with countless thoughts.

damn! He had to find out about them. What they are going to discuss, it should not be late. He had to do something before everything repeated like the previous time.

As he rounded another corner, his brow furrowed in determination. Just a little closer, and he would overhear what they were discussing.

He could picture the scene: Dorian’s authoritative tone, Cassian’s hesitant replies. The thought of Dorian’s softened gaze on Cassian made his gut churn.

But just as Vincent was about to catch up to them, a voice rang out from behind, cutting through the air like a blade.

"Prince Vincent!"

Vincent halted mid-step, his irritation flaring at the interruption. He turned to find one of the royal advisors from his kingdom standing there and looking rather flustered.

"The King requires your presence immediately," the advisor said with his tone urgent.

"Can’t it wait?" Vincent shot back, his frustration twisting into a scowl. "I’m busy."

The advisor felt his chest tighten at the mere thought of facing the anger of Prince Vincent, but still he needed to convey his king’s words. He was really pitiful to be squashed between the son and father.

"It’s a matter of importance," the advisor continued in a small tone, his eyes darting nervously everywhere. "You know how the King gets."

Vincent’s jaw clenched. He could feel the moment slipping away—Cassian and Dorian were just ahead, and he could almost hear the hushed exchange between them. But the advisor’s urgency left no room for argument.

With a reluctant grunt, he moved on his heel; his heart was heavy as he followed the advisor back through the winding halls, leaving Cassian and Dorian behind.

As soon as Vincent left the corner, Cassian stepped inside the small chamber that Dorian had led him to.

The door swung shut behind him with a resounding bang, startling Cassian and causing him to jump slightly. The sound echoed in the confined space, which further amplified the sudden tension that enveloped them.

Dorian stood just a step away from Cassian, his posture relaxed yet commanding. His eyes fixed intently on Cassian. The atmosphere was thick with tension.

Cassian felt nervous at the high peak; he looked back at the closed door and wondered how this got closed by itself. He cursed his luck. The closed door and the towering presence of Prince Vincent really made him feel like a corned rabbit.

As Dorian stepped closer towards him. Cassian could feel the warmth radiating off the prince, his presence looming over like a shadow, both intimidating and oddly inviting.

"Why did you bring me here, Your Highness?" Cassian asked with his trembling voice, but he still said and put pressure on the word "your highness." His heart was racing as he tried to maintain his composure.

But Dorian leaned in; he did not catch the meaning of Cassian’s words and just looked at him with his piercing gaze. "I wanted to talk. About what happened out there."

Cassian’s breath caught in his throat, but before he could respond, the words spilled out in a rush.

"You—you never told me you were Prince Dorian!" His voice wavered at the end; it contained a mix of betrayal and confusion flooding his senses.

"I thought you were just... someone noble. Someone from a high ranking. But I never expected that you would be the renowned prince of Atheryln Kingdom. The first prince was Dorian.

Dorian’s expression shifted, his eyes widened at the sudden surprise, then a smirk curled at the corners of his lips. "You didn’t know?" he teased, his voice low and playful. "Or were you just pretending not to know?"

Cassian’s cheeks flushed from the embarrassment and anger and the heat radiating from the prince. "I didn’t now," he started, but the words tangled in his mind.

The realization crashed over him like a wave: Did the prince think he was just playing fool with him and pretended to not know him? just how others usually do with him to gain his attention.

Cassian expression soured at the mere thought of being considered the same as those shameless people who act coyly to gain the attention of nobles; he is not like them.

and the thought that the prince thought of him like this made his heart clench; he did not like the feeling.

Dorian looked at the expression of Cassian and stepped even closer; their faces were mere inches apart, the intimacy of the moment overwhelming Cassian. "What’s the matter, Cassian? You seem flustered." His tone was teasing, almost velvety, sending shivers down Cassian’s spine.

"I’m just surprised," Cassian stammered, trying to regain control. But the way Dorian looked at him—eyes glimmering with mischief—made it impossible to think straight. "I never imagined you’d be him."

"Ah, but isn’t that the thrill?" Dorian leaned in further, the warmth of his breath brushing against Cassian’s cheek. "I think you’ve been warned about me, yet here you are."

Cassian feels embarrassed that his thoughts were clear as glass to the prince, or maybe the prince already knows that everyone was warned to stay away from his presence if they want a peaceful life.

Cassian swallowed hard, feeling cornered. "I don’t know what to think," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Then allow me to help you," Dorian murmured, his smirk widening. "Tell me, what do you feel right now?" The question hung in the air, both provocative and alluring, as Dorian’s eyes locked onto Cassian’s, waiting for a response.

Cassian’s heart raced, thoughts jumbled. "I feel... confused. You’re the prince, yet..." he trailed off, unable to voice his thoughts clearly.

But Cassian realized that he was being too friendly with the prince, and he had forgotten that the man in front of him was the same prince, known as the devil’s son.

Your... Highness..... He shuttered and lowered his head again.

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