The Dragon Prince's Bride
Chapter 35. I am worthless.

Chapter 35: 35. I am worthless.

"I_ I_ I am an abandoned prince." He blurted the words out with his eyes closed.

"What?" She had no idea what he meant by that? What did abandoned Prince mean? Did it mean he was a prince but was kicked out? Why would any kingdom kick out a prince? "Lyle, please explain to me. I do not understand. Abandoned Prince? What does it mean?"

"Exactly what you are thinking." He finally opened his eyes.

"I was kicked out by my father."

"What? Why? What could a humble and honorable man like you have done to lose face in front of his father, to the point where he would have you thrown out of his kingdom?" She was baffled.

He took her hands and guided her to sit on a chair which she did and then he knelt down before her and kissed her hands that he held.

"The truth is everyone in my family, every member of the royal family of The Niles, are able to unlock their elven powers at an early age. No one from my family has ever had a problem unlocking their powers before. They unlock it even before they come of age."

She could see where this was going so she said, "Except you."

He nodded and she could feel the pain he was curbing inside him through his strong hold on her hands, "Yes, except me. It has been ages since I came of age. And I am yet to unlock my elven powers. My father and mother had tried everything but nothing was working. I was the disgrace of the royal family. The black sheep, the unwanted bastard. I was the legitimate son who became illegitimate in the eyes of many because I could not unlock my powers."

"That is—" she didn’t even know what to say. What kind of family would treat their own flesh and blood like that?

"So my father threw me out. He said a man who could not unlock his elven powers at this age was no son of his. He hates me." He concluded.

"That is horrible." she finally chose her words. She could not even begin to imagine the things he was going through. She also was yet to unlock her elven powers completely, but not once had anyone insulted or embarrassed her for it. Her father and mother loved her just like that.

So she could not understand why they would throw their own child out just because he could not unlock his elven powers.

Then a thought hit her in the head. A very horrible thought. ’’ Was this why her father was sending her away?’’ tremors gripped her. Cold sweat trailed down her spine.

What if her father didn’t love her the way she thought he did? What if her mother did not care for her the way she thought he did? What if her entire life was a lie?

She had wondered and wondered how a loving parent would give their child up to such a nation for marriage. Could it be because like Lyle, she was useless to her parents?

A fully grown elf who could not use her powers...

Did they see her as a worthless piece? Was that why it was so easy for them to give her away to those people? The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was. And the more convinced she was, the more she trembled.

"Do you understand now, my love? Do you understand why I could not do it? Why I could not go to your father for your hand?" He palmed his face in despair. "It is because I do not deserve you. Yes I am a prince but I have been shamed and abandoned by all who knew me." She placed a comforting hand upon his head, stroking his hair with much pain in her heart.

"I did not want to share this truth with you because I feared your love for me would vanish with the wind. I feared you would hate me if you found out. Just like my family and my kingdom do."

"I do not deserve to stand by your side. I do not deserve to hold your hand but my greed won’t let me stay away from you. The moment I saw you, I knew I could not live another day without you in my life."

"I hate myself for being useless! I hate myself for coming into your life and messing it up. But I am selfish and I can not let you go. Yet I can not go to your father and ask for your hand."

"What kind of father would give his child away to a loser? A prince who is worth nothing! I am but a muddy rock before you and your father. How could I have gone to him when I knew what the answer would be?"

"Oh, Lyle! Oh my dear Lyle. I had no idea you were in so much pain. How foolish of me to not have noticed your plight, my love." She cried and knelt down beside him, hugging him tight. He held onto her too with all his might.

He had poured out his secret to her. Now it was her turn to tell him what she had done. But dear goddess, where was she supposed to begin?

"M_my father, he wishes to marry me off to another." She confessed and held onto him even tighter.

"What?" He gently pushed her head from his body so he could stare into her eyes. "What do you mean? What are you talking about? Why all of a sudden? Marry you off to another?" She could see the pain in his eyes. He was as distraught as she was.

"Neriah, talk to me. What are you saying?" He goaded desperately.

"He has picked a husband for me." She cried and buried her head in her palms. "To a barbarian at that!" She almost screamed.

"What do we do? I have begged him. I have begged and begged over and over, but his mind is made up. I can not live without you. I cannot." She cried, holding on to his tunic desperately.