Chapter 5 Hope is a princess again.

Chapter 5: Captured by the"Hope!"

Zavian's voice rang down the corridor like a whip, sharp with worry.

He reached out his hand to her as she stumbled back.

"Don't touch me!" Her voice cracked as she backed away too fast, her gown catching slightly underfoot.

Her wide eyes locked on his hand as if it were a blade.

That hand.

It wasn't his-no, not really. It became a collage of monstrous limbs, gripping, clawing, dragging her through a nightmare.

Her mind recoiled before she could stop it.

"Hope, it's me," Zavian said, taking a step forward, cautiously.

But to her, it wasn't him anymore.

It was the king with the cruel smile.

The guards with wine-stained breath. The dungeon.

That cold stone floor.

Those hands...

She ran.

Zavian flinched. "Hope! Wait!"

She ran as if her life depended on it, her feet silent but her sobs loud in her throat.

She turned a corner, then another.

Her legs burned, her heart a drum, deafening. Behind her, she could hear him.

He was chasing her.

They always chased her.

The guards-when she said no.

When she fought. When she screamed.

"No, no, no," she whispered between gasps.

She knew the hallways now.

Knew the route to her room. Her sanctuary.

Zavian's voice echoed. "Hope! Please!"

She didn't slow.

Couldn't.

She reached her room, slammed the door-

But he caught it.

It flew open as he stepped inside, breathless and confused.

Hope turned and ran to her bed, curling into the farthest corner, dragging her hair over her face like a curtain.

Her body trembled as sobs overtook her.

"Just do what you want," she cried.

"Just don't be too harsh, please."

Zavian stood frozen.

Then, slowly, he sank to the floor across from her, eyes never leaving the bed.

"Hope," he said quietly, like saying her name would break the wrong way.

"I'm not like that. I'm not some animal that would force himself on you."

She didn't look up. Her shoulders were shaking.

He folded his legs beneath him, sitting with his hands visible, his posture non-threatening.

"I didn't know you were still... suffering this deeply," he whispered.

Hope said nothing.

Zavian let silence hang.

Heavy.

Real.

"Hope," he said again, gentler.

"Why do you think I'm marrying you?"

There was a pause. Then her voice, low and broken: "To satisfy yourself."

He inhaled sharply.

"That's not true. If that's what I wanted, I could have done that long ago. No one would've questioned it. You were helpless. But I didn't. I never will."

She let out a soft whimper.

Zavian's voice cracked.

"Only a madman looks at someone hurting, and thinks-let me hurt her more. Hope, I see you. I see your pain."

She shifted slightly, her hair slipping back just enough to reveal the curve of her cheek.

Tear-streaked.

"I want to protect you. Not break you."

Hope's lips trembled.

"You're no longer a slave. You're not a prisoner. You're..."

He hesitated.

"You're a princess. My princess."

That made her shoulders still.

Her sobs slowed.

Zavian stayed silent, watching her breathe. Watching her think.

Slowly, she sat upright.

Her eyes still shimmered with fear, but they also held something else now.

Curiosity.

Conflict.

He rose from the floor cautiously.

She flinched. Lay back down instantly, curling again.

He stopped mid-step.

"Hope. I'm serious. You're safe with me."

Silence.

She turned, sitting upright again.

Her lips parted as if to speak, but she couldn't.

He stayed where he was.

"I won't come any closer unless you ask me to," he said. "That's my promise."

Hope looked at him. Really looked.

And this time, she didn't run.

"...I'm scared," she whispered.

Zavian's face softened. "Of me?"

Hope gave a small nod.

He stepped back an inch. "It's okay. I understand."

"I'm sorry," she said quickly.

"I didn't mean to..."

"Don't apologize." Zavian moved to sit at the edge of the bed-but only when she gave a slight nod of permission.

"If you want," he continued gently, "we can call off the wedding. That doesn't mean I'll stop protecting you."

Hope blinked. "No... don't cancel it."

He looked up sharply.

"Really?"

A slow, hesitant smile touched her lips.

"Yes. I want it."

Relief broke across his face like sunlight through storm clouds.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Then he dropped to his knees. "You have no idea what that means to me."

"Don't kneel," she murmured, surprised.

"You're a prince."

He tilted his head, smiling.

"And you're a princess. My princess."

For the first time in days, Hope felt safe.

Her fears didn't vanish-but they softened under his words.

She remembered the maids' gossip, the whispers.

But right now, they didn't matter.

Zavian stood and offered her his hand.

"Come. Let's finish the wedding preparations."

She took his hand, rising to her feet.

But just as they reached the door, she stopped.

"Zavian?"

He turned, brow raised. "Yes?"

Her voice was barely audible.

"What... would you do to me on our wedding night?"

Zavian blinked. Then smiled-innocent, warm.

"I'd give you a princess treatment."

Hope's brow furrowed. "What does that mean?"

"It means," he said, eyes twinkling, "I'd make it your day. Not mine. I'd treat you like royalty. Like the queen of this palace. The wedding night becomes Hope's Day."

He beamed like a boy who had just found his favorite toy.

She blinked-then laughed, soft and shy.

A real laugh.

Zavian squeezed her hand. "Let's go make that day beautiful."

And this time, they walked out together.

************

Hope lay on the bed, her arms folded beneath her head as she stared at the ceiling.

The soft silk of her night robe clung gently to her frame, but she barely felt it.

"I'm a princess again," she said softly.

It wasn't pride. It wasn't joy.

Just... realization.

A knock at the door made her sit upright.

"Zavian?" she called.

The door creaked open slowly.

"Um-" a feminine voice responded.

Hope stiffened.

Her fingers clenched the blanket. "Who's there?"

The door swung fully now, revealing a woman with stern eyes and tightly braided hair.

Her royal uniform was crisp.

"Evening, Your Highness," she said with a slight curtsy.

Hope blinked. "...Alina."

The woman beamed. "You remember!"

Hope gave a breath of relief, shoulders relaxing.

"Of course I do. You were always so... firm."

Alina chuckled. "And you were always a little dramatic."

Hope smiled faintly. "Still am."

The older woman stepped into the room, hands clasped neatly in front of her.

"I figured you'd be wide awake," Alina said.

"Preparations like this never let a bride sleep easy."

Hope nodded. "You could say that again."

Alina studied her. "You're different. Quieter."

Hope looked away. "A lot has changed."

Alina softened.

"I heard... enough. But I'm glad you're here. Safe. And with Zavian of all people."

Hope hesitated.

"Tell me about him."

Alina smiled, settling onto the chair nearby.

"Zavian's always been the heart. He takes after his mother's gentleness more than his father's rule."

"His mother?" Hope whispered.

Alina nodded. "You remind me of her sometimes. Just the soft part."

Hope looked down.

"While I was downstairs helping with decorating, I heard he has brothers. What about his brothers? Zavian never mentioned them."

Alina chuckled. "Of course he didn't. He doesn't talk about himself much."

She leaned in slightly.

"You remember the man who brought you to the palace? The one who carried you in like treasure?"

Hope frowned. "The guard? The bold one who didn't say much?"

Alina raised a brow.

"That wasn't a guard. That was Prince Ryon. Zavian's younger brother."

Hope's eyes widened. "What?"

"Yeah." Alina said, crossing her legs.

"Zavian was ready to storm the castle with the guards while Ryon took you home."

Hope's mouth parted. "But they look nothing alike."

"Oh, they do. You just weren't paying attention," Alina said with a wink.

"Those boys are close like crazy. More like twin souls than brothers. And loyal."

Hope gave a small laugh. "Close, huh?"

Alina's tone darkened slightly. "Don't break Zavian's heart."

Hope blinked.

"Because if you do..." Alina grinned, but her eyes were still.

"Ryon might end up killing you."

Hope stared at her.

Then laughed-nervously. "Is that... a joke?"

Alina didn't respond at first.

Then slowly, she stood.

"Goodnight, Your Highness."

She walked to the door, pausing just before stepping out.

"I like you, Hope," she added quietly.

"But remember... the Solare brothers don't take love lightly."

The door clicked shut.

Hope sat in silence, goosebumps rising on her skin.

"...What have I gotten myself into?" she whispered.