Episode 5

Months passed, from spring to winter, as Melanie watched the seasons change. She wasn't depressed, rather, she felt a sense of freedom.

"Your Highness, a letter from River Green has arrived; Their Majesties are coming to visit for the holidays," announced Mrs. Sniff. Melanie grew anxious; she had no news from her husband and had no clue where to even begin searching for him.

"We must make the palace look splendid, adorned with holiday decorations and find the largest fir tree possible. We have one week before their arrival."

Mrs. Sniff became Melanie's right hand, rallying some villagers to find the fir, pine cones, timber, and, along with all the maidservants, they assisted the princess in decorating the grand Greendellville Palace.

"Melanie, calm down, for heaven's sake! Sit by the fireplace and relax; you're on the verge of collapsing," said Emmanuel, who had become her closest confidant. She trusted him implicitly, whether he was working as her gardener or fulfilling any other role she required.

"I don't know what to tell Their Majesties. The letters I've sent only contain lies. How will I find the prince? I don't even know where he might be."

"Well, perhaps it's time they knew that their privileged prince is nothing but a wretch who abandoned his wife," replied Emmanuel, visibly upset.

In her letters to the queen, Melanie had written that she was so content she would remain in the palace, that Alexander was deeply connected with the people, and that they were truly enjoying their life away from society.

The day arrived when the king and queen entered Greendellville in grand, luxurious cars, with loads of luggage and a retinue of at least a dozen servants, all in awe of the spectacular view the palace offered.

"Welcome, Your Majesties, it is an honor to have you here," greeted Melanie with a curtsy.

"You look splendid, Melanie. Marriage seems to have suited you well."

"If only you knew," Melanie thought to herself.

"You've done a marvelous job with this old palace. It looks even better than in its days of glory," the king remarked, examining his surroundings with wonder.

"And where is Alexander?" The fear that gripped Melanie was palpable, but before she could muster a reply, a masculine voice startled the nervous young woman.

"Welcome, Your Majesties, we've missed you greatly!" Alexander appeared without a hint of worry on his face.

Melanie hadn't seen him for almost a year and apparently, her memories and dreams had not done him justice—he was more handsome than ever.

"It fills me with pride to have you married to my dear Melanie. Just look at how well she's doing her duties as a wife and princess. Upon entering Greendellville, everyone speaks of how kind the princess is."

Melanie blushed when Alexander looked at her, her hands nervously fidgeting and fingers crossing repeatedly.

"I can never thank you enough, Your Majesty, you gave me the greatest gift."

What a liar.

The dinner that evening was nothing short of phenomenal. Afterward, the royal couple retired to their chamber, but the queen wouldn't let one glaring issue go unnoticed.

"If we are in the master bedroom, where do you sleep?" Melanie had chosen not to occupy that vast space alone, for its emptiness made her feel more miserable. Instead, she stayed in one of the smaller rooms.

"Well, I thought it best to respect Your Majesties' chamber. We sleep in the southernmost room—I love how the sunrise pours in through the large window."

The queen nodded her understanding.

"By the way, Hilda will arrive tomorrow with your sister, and Philip and his family will be joining us in the next few days, just so you know," the queen said to Alexander with a serious tone.

Melanie dashed into her room, grabbed a set of clothes and her pajamas, dreading the prince's possible overnight stay— under no circumstance would she share a bed with him.

"Where are you going?" Alexander called out from the dim corridor.

"There's no need for me to stay; the room next door will suit me fine. I'm just not sure where your luggage is."

"We will sleep together while they are here. My belongings are already in the room."

Melanie was resolute in her refusal to be near him. Then, as if by some miracle, her phone rang.

"Hello? Really? No, I can't come—it's too late and I have guests, as you know. Are you serious? Okay, I'll meet you at the entrance."

Alexander was utterly baffled. He didn't know Melanie was so independent—she hadn't been given a phone, money, or anything, really, yet she had everything under control. How did she manage this? And who was she meeting?

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but I have something to attend to. You may rest easy. Many rooms separate us from Their Majesties; they won't notice anything. There's no need for you to share the bed with me."

With that, she entered the adjacent room, slipped into plastic boots, denim trousers, a sweater, and tiptoed out the door.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Alexander followed her in secret. "She must have a lover; they must be meeting up," he whispered to himself.

Melanie headed to the palace's rear door while Alexander struggled to see beyond his own feet in the dark. Nevertheless, he pursued Melanie and her companion, arriving at a stable he didn't know existed.

"Oh my God, oh holy God, it's beautiful!" Melanie exclaimed with great excitement.

"It's a filly; she was born while we all slept. The mare is very healthy, Melanie. It seems everything you gave her worked."

"I told you, in my past life I was a veterinarian. Thank you, Emanuel, thank you for gifting me such a beautiful mare and her baby."

"You're even more beautiful, but I know how much you love animals, so don't thank me. You deserve all the beauty in the world..."

Melanie hugged the tall, handsome though disheveled young man with great warmth—an act that Alejandro watching from the shadows did not appreciate. He felt a fire in his fists and was overwhelmed by an unfamiliar emotion.

Turning away, he went back to the palace.

Melanie returned just before dawn, looking tired yet content.

"Where were you? Do you think it's normal to be out at this hour? Such a lack of respect."

Alejandro sat on the bed in the room where Melanie was supposed to sleep.

"Your Highness, I had to attend to something..."

"With your lover?" he accused her.

"We are not the same, Your Highness. Unlike you, I have respected our sacred marriage."

Alexander advanced like a lion stalking its prey.

"Do not test my patience. Stop behaving like one of those..."

"I am not acting. I am not one of them and I certainly don't want you here... please leave."

The Melanie he remembered was an exceedingly shy young girl who never spoke unless invited or at least that was what Alexander recalled from the few times he had seen her at the queen's parties.

"You will fulfill your marital duties. You will sleep with me, and I forbid you from going out again, Melanie Humpring."

The words left his mouth before he could think, and he wondered, "What on earth am I saying? Stupid, unnecessary jealousy," he chided himself.

"There's no need to pretend. I've already told you..."

"Call me by my name, the way you do with your servants. Since when are they so familiar with you? It's a breach of protocol. They should not address you by your name, because if you didn't know, you are a princess."

Alexander continued to act strangely, and Melanie was more than confused.

She didn't reply. Instead, she entered the bathroom and changed her clothes. She took a pillow, her blanket, and settled on the plush couch.

"Come to the bed; I'll sleep on the sofa," the prince insisted. There was no response.

Melanie fell fast asleep on the couch, while Alexander observed her, his brow furrowed, a swirl of thoughts racing through his mind.

"She's very pretty; it's normal for anyone to desire her. Her lips are so..."

"What am I supposed to do? You're too good for me, and I don't love you. How will I survive this charade when it's Cecilia who has my heart?"

He pondered these questions while watching the beautiful Melanie sleep.

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