Chapter 245

"Thank you, Shana. You've given me something to think about..." Prince Alexander trailed off as we reached the entrance to my bedroom.

I paused, meeting his gaze with sincerity. "Thank you, for telling me this and opening up. I appreciate your honesty."

He returned my smile, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "Thank you for listening. Perhaps we're not so different after all, Shana."

"I know we aren't exactly..."

"Friends?" he asked with a smile. "It's okay, Shana. Like I said before, we'll get there one day."

"What makes you so sure?" I questioned.

Prince Alexander's smile widened, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Because I believe that beneath all the titles and expectations, we're both just people trying to find our place in this world."

His words resonated with me, and I found myself nodding in agreement. "I guess you're right. We're all just trying to navigate our own paths, aren't we?"

"Exactly," he affirmed. "And who knows? Maybe one day, our paths will intertwine in ways we never imagined."

"I just don't understand why you trust me so easily," I explained, feeling skeptical. "What have I done to earn that?"

Prince Alexander's expression softened, and he took a moment before replying. "Trust isn't always earned through grand gestures or heroic deeds, Shana. Sometimes, it's simply a gut feeling, an instinctive recognition of a kindred spirit."

He paused, his gaze steady as he met mine. "From the moment we met, there's been a spark between us—"

"I don't know if you've noticed, but I have a boyfriend," I stopped him with a tease.

Prince Alexander chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, so that's what's been holding you back," he said sarcastically.

I grinned mischievously. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Prince Charming."

He feigned a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over his heart. "Alas, another damsel in distress escapes my grasp."

"Another?" I question, raising a brow.

"Why? Are you surprised that I've been rejected before?" Prince Alexander asks with a quick wink, making me roll my eyes.

"Not at all. In fact, I would assume that rejection is something you're probably used to."

"Ouch," he said, placing a hand over his heart in mock hurt. "That's brutal, Shana."

I couldn't help but laugh at his playful reaction. "Well, I believe in honesty, Your Highness."

He grinned, the twinkle returning to his eyes. "And here I thought we were making progress towards friendship."

"Friendship doesn't mean sparing each other's feelings, Your Highness," I retorted, unable to resist teasing him further.

"Touché," he conceded with a playful smirk. "But you completely took me out of context. I wasn't trying to hit on you, Shana. I was simply stating how since the moment we've met, there's been a connection."

"That sounds highly flirtatious, Prince."

Prince Alexander chuckled, his smile widening. "Well, you caught me there. But in all seriousness, Shana, I value our connection. It's rare to find someone with whom you can have such candid conversations."

I nodded, feeling a sense of appreciation for his honesty. "I agree. It's refreshing to have someone to talk to openly."

"I can't explain it," Prince Alexander said, "but I trust that feeling. And it's not as if I have many friends. This is a... unique feeling for me. It almost feels as if I've known you for a long time."

"I know what you mean," I replied, contemplating his words. "It's like we've clicked from the start, despite the circumstances."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Exactly. It's like we've been friends in another life or something."

"Maybe we were," I joked, a smile playing at my lips. "Who knows what mysteries lie beyond our understanding?"

Prince Alexander chuckled, the sound echoing softly in the corridor. "Indeed, who knows?"

There was a pause, a tangible weight in the air as our conversation took a serious turn.

"I want you to know that I... forgive you for trying to poison me this morning," I said, the words feeling surreal as they left my lips.

Prince Alexander's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and then he burst into laughter. "I'm sorry. That's just a very odd sentence."

"Well, it's a very odd circumstance," I replied, mustering a casual smile. "I usually wouldn't want to befriend someone who had tried to poison me."

"If it was up to me, I would've never done that, Shana," Prince Alexander affirmed, his expression earnest. "Unfortunately, my loyalties still lie with my father. I couldn't tell you about his plans, no matter how much I might've wanted to."

I nodded, understanding dawning upon me. "It's alright. I understand now. I just want us to move past it."

"So, you won't bring it up anymore?" he asked, his tone hopeful.

"Oh, I might still bring it up to make fun of you," I teased, a playful glint in my eye. "But I won't hold it against you."

Prince Alexander chuckled, a genuine warmth in his laughter. "Fair enough, Shana. I'll accept that deal."

"Just don't ever do anything like that again. You've regained my trust, but next time it won't be so easy."

Prince Alexander's smile softened, his gaze meeting mine with a hint of sincerity. "I promise, Shana. You won't have to worry about that again. Consider it a one-time mistake."

"I'll hold you to that, Prince," I replied, a touch of seriousness in my tone.

"I wouldn't want to lose my new friend," he replied easily. "But please, call me Alex. Prince Alexander makes me feel someone else. I'm just like you."

"Well, technically," I spoke, "I'm the White Wolf and I'm one of a kind."

"Always so literal, aren't you? White Wolf?"

"Always so annoying, aren't you? Prince?"

Prince Alexander chuckled, shaking his head. "You got me there."

With a playful grin, I nudged his arm. "I'll take that as a compliment."

He laughed, the sound echoing through the corridor. "You should. Not everyone has the wit to keep up with me."

"As long as you don't try to poison me again, we'll get along just fine," I teased, flashing him a sly smile.

"And there is the promised poisoning mention! I'll never live it down, will I?" Alex asked with a smile.

"Not yet you won't."

"I suppose that's fair," he said, raising his hand in mock surrender. "However, I have no more poison plots, I promise."

"Good," I replied, feeling a genuine warmth in our banter.

Recounting his earlier sincerity, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for doubting him. "I'm sorry about how I reacted earlier, I didn't mean to question your trust. It's just... new to me, I suppose."

The Prince shook his head, his smile warm and reassuring. "No need to apologize, Shana. Trust takes time to build, and I understand that. But for what it's worth, I have a good feeling about you."

I couldn't help but return his smile, a sense of warmth spreading through me at his words. "Stop flirting with me."

"I'm not flirting," he said with a confident smile, fully flirtatious. "I'm just being honest."

I rolled my eyes. I could never catch a break with him. "Well, this conversation has been nice, but if you'll excuse me, I have a ball to rest for."

"Goodnight, Shana. I'll see you tomorrow."

With those words hanging in the air, he waved me goodbye and walked down the hall, leaving me with even more questions about him than before.