The Crown Prince's Love
Chapter 41

"That's it Desmond." I also stood up from the ground. "This just confirms that something big is going on with you, something big, and you're not telling me. If this is about our parents, then you can tell me. I can figure a way to..." Desmond turned to face me with a glare on his face, shutting me up. "Are you even listening to me at all? I told you to drop it, and still, you're going on about how you're going to replace a way!" he yelled and rubbed his forehead. "I already told you that there is nothing wrong with me, but you seem not to understand it. Even if something were wrong with me, there's no way you would be able to do anything about it."

"Then tell me!" I urged him. "Tell me what's going on with you and see if I can truly do something about it or not," I challenged him.

I watched him sigh, and then he walked towards me, engulfing me in a tight hug.

"Randy," he muttered and sniffed my neck. "I don't want to keep arguing with you, please," he begged. "There is nothing wrong with me, and if this is about what Ana said, then you don't have to worry yourself about it." He rubbed my hair and then cupped my face. "I am fine," he told me and kissed me on the lips.

It was a short kiss as he grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the door that leads to the stairs. "I am truly fine, and I can assure you that nothing is wrong," He repeated his words.

I nodded in response, but that gave me a clue that something was truly happening to him.

~Desmond~

I couldn't keep track of how many times I had scanned the library while sitting across from Ana that evening.

We had gathered for the dark hole project, but my thoughts were consumed by what Helen had told me. The possibility of replaceing a solution to my birthday curse filled me with joy, yet the knowledge that I had only two months left to live cast a dark shadow over me.

"Her name is Hecate," Randy's voice interrupted my thoughts as he tapped me on the shoulder. "The goddess of the dark hole is called Hecate,. He repeated.

"That's a strange name," John commented, opening the book in front of him. "I found information here about those who enter the dark hole, especially if they make a deal with Hecate, they face dire consequences."

The mention of the dark hole sent shivers down my spine, as I had already heard from Helen about the true nature of this place.

"It doesn't sound like a pleasant destination," John remarked. "I wouldn't want to end up making a deal with a goddess and suffering the consequences. She's almost like a goddess of death, isn't she?"

John's question hung in the air, but no one responded as his words were as perplexing to the rest of us as they were to me.

"Now that we know who Hecate is, what about the dark hole itself?" He added.

I cleared my throat and placed my hand over my racing heart. Just hearing the word "dark hole" repeatedly made my heart beat faster.

I was curious to learn more about it and what Helen had told me about meeting Randy there. I looked at him and noticed his intense gaze.

I knew he suspected something was wrong with me, given how much I was showing.

There was no way to hide the fact that I might die in two months. I smiled at him, but he returned it with a questioning look.

"I think we should temporarily put the dark hole aside and replace something else to discuss. What do you think?" Randy suggested.

"Your Highness..." John tried to argue but received a playful hit on the shoulder from Ana. "What's wrong? This is our assignment, and we have less than two weeks to gather information about the dark hole. Why can't we discuss it?" My hands felt sweaty, even in the air conditioned room.

Unable to bear it any longer, I stood up from my chair, catching their attention. "What's happening, Desmond?" Randy asked, rising beside me.

He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, but I removed it with a bright smile, doing my best to hide my true feelings.

"I'm fine," I assured him. "I just need some fresh air right now," I announced and walked out of the library without looking back, even when Randy tried to call me back.

As I stepped outside, I felt a rush of heat coursing through my body.

I unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt, hoping to cool down, but the heat intensified, making it hard to breathe.

I placed my hand on my chest, which pounded with intensity. It felt as if someone had their hands around my neck, choking the life out of me.

I gasped for breath, grappling with the invisible force.

It was as if I was going crazy.

"Desmond!" Ana's voice called out from behind, and suddenly, all the strange sensations vanished. The struggle, the invisible presence, the heat, it all disappeared as soon as she stood beside me. "What's going on with you?" she demanded. I buttoned up my shirt, breathed a sigh of relief, and turned to face her. "I'm okay," I said, starting to walk away, but she reached out and grabbed my hand.

"Desmond, I overheard what the new history teacher said about you dying in two months," She revealed.

My eyes widened as I turned her around to face me. "You're the friend who was eavesdropping on our conversation?"

She nodded. "Why are you going to die, Desmond?" Her voice quivered. "I can't imagine that you're going to die when you didn't even do anything wrong."

I exhaled heavily, let go of her, and turned to look at the darkening sky. "I... I don't know, but please don't tell the prince. He..." I paused and rubbed my forehead. "I don't know why I'm going to die. I received a message from a voice in my dream, told the king and the queen, and they confirmed it. Now, the new history teacher is talking about a goddess in the dark hole. I don't know why..." I paused again, realizing I was sharing too much. "I'm going to die in two months, Ana." "Really?" A familiar voice sounded behind me, but it wasn't Ana, it was Randy. I quickly turned to face him, only to realize he wasn't alone. John stood beside him.

When I looked back at Ana, I saw that she was also watching them.

"You knew that Randy was here, right?" I asked.

"Does it change anything?" She retorted.

"He arrived a few minutes ago and has been listening to our conversation. He deserves to know about your death since he might be the one causing it." "Ana!" I exclaimed. "Don't say what you don't know! The prince..."

"The prince is the reason! I read it in one of the books about the dark hole. It talks about a life for a life, and this is what it means. I don't know what kind of deal you both made when you were young, but it's the reason your life is turning out like this. You're going to die because of the crown prince, and I hate to see the boy I love..." She stopped abruptly.

"Enough!" I shouted. "What's happening is not his fault."

Ana scoffed. "Keep lying to yourself, but I can assure you that your death is because of the prince. But what can I say since you two already dating." She said and walked away. "Oh my!" John gasped in the background.

"You're both dating?" he asked. "How is that possible when you're both males and..."