Chapter 30- The truth is out.

Mira's POV:

I smiled at Prince Nova for what felt like the hundredth time since sitting opposite him in his study. Initially, he'd claimed to be busy, but I refused to leave, captivated by his focused expression. As he straightened and sighed, signaling the end of his work, I placed my hands on his desk.

"I'm glad you're done," I said, my voice laced with excitement. "So, would you like to go out?" His mouth opened and closed, as if lost for words. I smiled wider, clarifying, "I mean, just us, a night out... on a date."

Prince Nova's piercing gaze made me shiver. His lips pursed and unpursed, a silent battle raging within. I maintained my smile. Finally, he took a deep breath. "Mira, I have something to tell you."

My brow furrowed, then relaxed into a smile. "Sure, tell me anything."

He tilted his head, hesitation written across his face. Shaking off his doubts, he locked eyes with me. "Mira, don't take what I'm about to say the wrong way." Guilt etched his features, making my heart stutter.

"What do you exactly mean, Your Highness?" I asked.

Prince Nova's words hung in the air. "Valerie and I are—"

I raised a hand, stopping him. "Stop." The word escaped my lips before I could process the emotions swirling within.

Prince Nova's eyebrow furrowed. "What?"

"I already know what you're about to say," I said, my voice steady. Confusion still etched his face. "I know you and Valerie are in love with each other," I revealed. "I've actually known for a while now. I just confirmed it at the amusement park."

Prince Nova's eyes widened, and he stared at me in shock. As the shock dissipated, guilt replaced it. "I'm... I'm sorry, Mira," he said, hesitant. "Please don't hold it against Valerie."

My smile didn't reach my eyes, and Prince Nova noticed. "You, Prince Nova, kept it from me, but it doesn't hurt as much," I began. "Valerie, though... Valerie is my best friend, my best friend for years. She kept it from me, and that hurts more than the thought of her being with you. I expected better from her." Prince Nova couldn't meet my gaze.

"I waited for her to come clean, but she didn't," I continued. "It hurts more than the thought of you two together."

He looked up, concern etched on his face. "Please, Mira, don't blame Valerie. It will hurt her."

My smile vanished. "Don't beg me," I said, icy. "You're in for a ride with me. Regardless of your love for Valerie, that won't stop me from going out with you."

Prince Nova's shock was palpable.

"You know you don't stand a chance with Valerie," I declared. "She doesn't meet your royal standards, and your father will never approve. You are stuck with me, unless you fall in love with someone else – which is pretty unlikely. So, your best bet is me. You should start counting your blessings, your highness," Before he could respond, I stood. "I'll take my leave now. I will be coming tomorrow for our date. Get prepared."

Ignoring his calls, I walked away. They had changed me. For the worst.

I hadn't even reached my room before Valerie's voice called out. "Mira!"

I turned, forcing a smile.

Valerie's bright, toothy grin faltered as she approached. "Mira, is something wrong?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

Normally, I'd lie, continue the charade. But today, anger and hurt boiled over. "As if you would care," I spat.

Valerie's eyes widened. "What? Of course, I care!"

My laughter was mirthless. "You like acting so innocent, and it makes me mad because you're not."

She flinched at my tone. "Mira, did I do something wrong? Did I offend you in any way?" she asked, her voice small.

Her timidness infuriated me further. "Yes, yes, you did!" I shouted. "I just came from Prince Nova's study. He told me everything."

Valerie's face drained of color; she started shaking and stuttered. "He did w-what... h-he what?"

My sarcasm dripped. "What? He wasn't supposed to tell me, oh right? It was supposed to be a secret between you guys, right? Well, I know, and I knew even before he told me."

Valerie's face blanched further. Her lower lip quivered. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you..." Tears welled in her eyes. But I wasn't moved.

"Save it, Valerie,"  My voice was icy. "You should have told me. Best friends don't keep secrets."

"I know, I know, I should have, and I'm sorry," Valerie sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

"But you didn't," I spat, anger and hurt simmering.

Valerie looked down, clutching her skirt tightly, her silence speaking volumes.

"When?" I demanded, my voice rising. "When did you start liking him? Okay, let me guess – the first time you saw him, right? Because he was a prince, right?"

Valerie's head snapped up, her eyes flashing. "Mira! You know I'm not like that. I didn't even know he was a prince the first time I met him, and I told you that. I don't like him because he has golden blood. I like him because he's kind, sweet, nice, and caring." Her awestruck expression only fueled my rage.

Through clenched teeth, I growled, "You disgust me. Tell me this one thing though: have you guys... have you guys hugged before?"

Valerie nodded defensively. "Just that, I promise."

I raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "Really? Just that? Haven't you guys... kissed?"

Valerie's lips parted, her face poised to deny it, but she hesitated. Her gaze faltered, and she looked away, her guilty expression betraying her. A knife twisted in my heart.

"Right," I said, turning to leave.

Valerie fell to her knees, clasping her hands together. "Please, Mira, I beg of you – forgive me. I'm so sorry," she sobbed.

I halted, my back to her.

"You watched him lead me on, and you didn't do anything," I said, my voice cold and detached. "You stood by, watching me fall for him, and you said nothing. You let me believe he cared." I took a deep breath. "You're not the friend I thought you were."

With that, I walked away from my once-best friend.

Over the next few days, she tried tirelessly to reach out. She called and texted, but I didn't answer. She came to my door, knocking repeatedly, but I didn't acknowledge her at all.

Prince Nova also attempted to bridge the gap. He came to my room, but I remained silent, refusing to respond. He tried to talk to me after breakfast in the dining hall, but I evaded him.

To avoid him, I started eating in my room, skipping the dining hall altogether. Truthfully, I didn't want to ignore him, but Valerie's betrayal and his own deception still simmered, fueling my anger. I didn't even bother about a date with him.

A knock at the door broke my reverie. Assuming it was Valerie or Prince Nova, I ignored it. But then, a familiar voice called out, "Mira, are you in?" Prince Cadoc.

I rose from my bed, shedding the duvet, and opened the door. Prince Cadoc's gaze locked onto mine, his expression puzzled, as if unsure of what to make of me.

I stared back, blank.

Without a word, he stepped closer, closing the door behind him, and enveloped me in a warm hug. Everything inside me began to unravel. The dam broke, and tears streamed down my face.

Prince Cadoc's gentle hands rubbed my hair, soothing my anguish. I relaxed against him, surrendering to the emotions I'd suppressed. As we held each other, the tension and pain slowly seeped out. Finally, we parted, and he led me to my bed, where we sat side by side.

After a few moments of silence, Prince Cadoc turned to me, his voice soft. "Valerie told me everything."

"Of course she did," I replied, bitterness seeping into my tone. "I didn't even know you guys were that close." My expression turned suspicious. "Don't tell me you guys also have a thing together."

Prince Cadoc's face fell, disappointment etched on his features. "Mira."

I felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Prince Cadoc said. "I know you're angry, and you have every right to be. But... just try to listen to Valerie."

"Of course you're taking her side," I accused.

Prince Cadoc shook his head. "I'm not taking anyone's side. It's just... I know Valerie. Maybe not like you do, but I know she would never intentionally hurt you. All of this, she did it for you. She hid it so you wouldn't get hurt. Yes, it was wrong, but she had good intentions."

"Good intentions, my ass," I scoffed.

He sighed. "Mira, put yourself in her shoes. If you were her, what would you do? Would you tell her immediately?"

I looked away. "No... But I would still try, and even though I didn't, I would tell Prince Nova to stop leading her on."

Prince Cadoc took my hand. "I know it's hard. I know you're hurt, but Valerie didn't really mean it. She told me when she first came to the Palace that she would stay away from my brother, that she hoped he wouldn't still like her. Didn't you notice her hesitance to come to the Palace? It was all for you. She didn't want you to feel bad in any way."

I sighed, recalling Valerie's reluctance to join me at the Palace. But wait... did I hear Prince Cadoc right?

"What do you mean she told you when she first came to the Palace... wait, don't tell me you knew about this before now. Don't tell me you knew about Prince Nova and Valerie from the very beginning," I accused, my voice trembling.

Prince Cadoc avoided my gaze. "Yes... yes, I did."

I stood up, feeling a fresh wave of hurt wash over me. All this while, I thought that even if Valerie and Prince Nova betrayed me, Prince Cadoc would be here for me, that he would understand. But this... he knew all along and hid it from me. It hurt all over again. I felt completely alone, like I had no one. The betrayal stung, a whole different kind of hell.

"How could you? Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded.

Prince Cadoc's voice was barely above a whisper. "It wasn't for me to tell."

I shook my head, incredulous. "Wow, just wow. Surrounded by fucking betrayals and two-faced people."

Prince Cadoc looked hurt, and for a moment, I wanted to take back my words. But I didn't.

He muttered, "I'm sorry, I really, really am."

I took a deep breath and spoke calmly. "Get out."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"Get out. I don't want to see your face anymore." He stepped forward, trying to touch me. "Don't touch me." I hissed.

His eyes hardened, an expression I'd never seen before. "Mira, stop being so selfish."

My voice was icy. "Since you're not leaving, I will." I picked up my phone from the dresser and turned to leave.

Prince Cadoc grabbed my hand. "Where do you think you're going?"

I pulled my hand roughly. "Don't you dare stop me."

His eyes flashed with hurt, but I turned and ran out of the room.

I needed to escape, and fast.

★★★

Valerie's POV:

I stood by the pool, the darkening sky and twinkling stars reflecting the turmoil within me. Thoughts of Mira flooded my mind, and fresh tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.

I sniffled, feeling helpless.

I'd tried everything: calls, texts, visiting her room. Desperate, I'd even asked Prince Cadoc to meet with Mira, but I hadn't heard from him yet.

"Valerie."

As I turned, Prince Nova's figure emerged from the shadows. Anger boiled up inside me, and I tried to walk away. But he grasped my wrist.

"I knew you were avoiding me," he said, his voice low. "Why, Valerie?"

I snatched my hand away. "Why? You're really asking me that question right now? When you know what you did? You told Mira, and I told you not to. I said I would do it on my own."

Prince Nova's eyes pleaded for understanding. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't pretend anymore."

My voice was icy. "Don't talk to me, Prince Nova."

His eyes widened. "What?"

I shouted, my emotions raw. "Just leave me alone!"

His face contorted, as if in intense physical pain. He stepped closer, his eyes blazing with fury.

"No, I'm not leaving you alone, Valerie. Never. I will never do that." A tear slid down my cheek as I looked away. "How can you be so selfless?" Prince Nova asked, his voice laced with frustration. "How can you sacrifice your own happiness for Mira? All this while, you haven't even thought of yourself. It's frustrating, Valerie. It really is."

My voice barely above a whisper. "You don't understand."

Prince Nova's gaze burned with intensity. "Try me."

I hesitated, knowing he was right, but also wrong. I'd never thought of myself, always prioritizing Mira's feelings. But now, considering my own desires, I'd hurt my best friend. The weight of that realization crushed me.

"I... I can't," I stammered, shaking my head. "We can't be together. No way."

Prince Nova's nostrils flared, his eyes burning with intensity. He grasped my shoulders, his grip firm but gentle. "If you don't feel the same way I do, then stop me," he whispered, his breath tickling my skin.

Before I could respond, his lips pressed against mine. For a moment, I froze. I wanted to push him away, but my body wouldn't cooperate. My mind screamed warnings, but my heart silenced them.

I closed my eyes, surrendering to the kiss. Our lips moved in sync, the pressure building. His hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer. Mine found their way behind his neck, deepening the kiss. I should be stopping him; this was wrong. But I couldn't. Betraying Mira's trust was unthinkable, yet I couldn't let Prince Nova go.

The sound of a ringing phone pierced the air. I was sure it was his, but he didn't break the kiss. I pulled away instead, gasping for air.

Prince Nova groaned, reluctantly answering the call. "Yes, Jake?" he said, his voice low and distracted. A pause. "Mira is what?" Prince Nova's tone turned urgent.

My eyes widened as I turned to him. His expression was grim.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Prince Nova's gaze met mine, concern etched on his face. "What is it?" I pressed, my heart racing.

He hung up and said. "Mira is missing. The guards told Cadoc that they saw her two hours ago leaving the Palace in an unfamiliar car."

My heart literally stopped. "Was she driving alone?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Prince Nova nodded solemnly.

"We have to find her," I urged, panic rising.

Prince Nova nodded and took my hand, leading me to the garage.

This was my first time here. On a normal day, I'd be thrilled to see the rows of sleek cars. But now, my mind was consumed by worry. There were at least 50 cars, all polished and ready.

Prince Nova led me to a sleek Orange sports car. I entered the passenger side, my heart racing.

As we drove away, Prince Nova glanced at me. "Don't worry, we'll find her. Cadoc is already looking, and we've called the national guards to track her phone."

I nodded, starting to pray silently. Please, please, please let us find her.

Prince Nova's phone rang, breaking the silence. He answered, listened, and said, "Thank you." He turned to me, relief etched on his face. "They found Mira. They tracked her phone, and she's not far from here."

I nodded, my heart racing. We drove in silence for five minutes before seeing a white car. Two other cars flanked it, their national guard insignia gleaming. The national guards, were responsible for safeguarding the entire country and maintaining law and order.

Mira stood outside, her head bowed, surrounded by two guards. I leapt out of the car and rushed to her.

Her head jerked up, surprise etched on her face. "You came for me?" she asked, tears welling.

I nodded, my voice shaking. "I'll never leave you."

She burst into tears, and I wrapped my arms around her. She muttered, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," between sobs.

I held her tighter, tears streaming down my face. "It's okay, I'm here now."

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