Hellbound Heart

This bonus chapter is dedicated to @Ivette_M11! A big thank you for the supergift!!! <3

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After breakfast, Elle found herself to be in for another surprise when Sebastian stopped her from entering their room. She had wanted to rush in and have a quick bath before changing into her formal dress and getting straight to work. However, as she was about to grab the door handle, Sebastian's long arm suddenly zipped horizontally across her vision and blocked her way in.

"The bathroom's not ready yet. So, for now, we'll be using another room." He had cleared his throat before informing her. And without waiting for her reply, he led her away to their new room. Most of her things were already transferred over.

Elle just quietly went along with him but once she was inside the bathroom, her mind began to start getting troubled by so many things.

Two of the main bizarre things she could not seem to ignore no matter how she tried to talk herself out of was the cracks in the bathroom and… his reddish eyes… how could that happen? Could she really be just seeing things? But…

That day, Elle tried to distract herself from thinking about those matters. She had gone on ahead to her scheduled events and met with many new and important people as she had been doing the past few days. The only difference this time was the fact that Sebastian had come along with her. She however, had not expected him to actually come with her!

The day had been very busy, but Elle was glad she had to go around and socialize because it had help her to stop thinking about those bizarre things. And Sebastian… he had been acting as the perfect husband to her that the people around started to look so surprised to see how Sebastian was behaving towards her.

Elle did feel really glad that he was kind of acting much better than that when they acted as a couple-in-love the first day she had come to the Reigns castle and met his family. And with all his actions, she could not help how her heart was reacting.

Soon that late afternoon, she had been separated from Sebastian as her group this time consisted of ladies only, hosted by a duchess. Sebastian had actually insisted to go with her but because Elle told him it was only for ladies, he could only relent.

As always, Elle had immensely enjoyed herself as everyone had been quite engaging. And she was naturally a social butterfly, thus, it was only normal that she thrived in such social engagements. She had also had a talk with the duchess about another organization she had been interested in to be a part of. And that had sparked off another lengthy but meaningful discussion with the ladies.

Though everyone had been nice to her so far as always, she had realized that this time, everyone had become even more opened to accepting and receiving her. During the past few days, she had already been feeling as though everyone had been putting an invisible wall that she had been so curious about. But since today, she felt that the wall had somehow dissolved. For whatever reason it was, she still did not know.

For now, though, she was happy because with this, she can finally start making real connections with these important people in this country. That way, she would be able to carry out her royal duties even better.

It was almost time for the late afternoon activities to end when Elle excused herself to go to the bathroom to freshen up.

"You know, I'm really shocked. It seems that the Prince is really in love with his wife and Princess Izabelle seemed oblivious about it. Was it just me, or did she seem to be the one who was putting some kind of distance between them?" A voice echoed along the corridor, causing Elle to stop in her tracks.

"It's a little obvious because she rarely looks at him. While the prince was staring at her almost the whole time. I've seen it happening since this morning." The other voice commented, sounding confident in her observation.

"Wow. I'm speechless. But seriously though? I can't really believe that the prince is really in love. That's prince Sebastian we are talking about. He never falls in love! It's just too hard to take in. But what else could be the reason behind his actions?"

"It's because Princess Izabelle is smart."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Oh, c'mon. You know that Prince Sebastian hates clingy girls. Princess Izabelle clearly isn't doing that and that's why the prince is current infatuated with her. Mark my words, once princess Izabelle starts becoming clingy to him and falls madly in love, you'll see what happens next."

Elle sighed and quietly left. A small ironic smile curved on her lips. She wondered who that woman was that she seemed to know Sebastian so well to be able to give comments that way. She seemed to know Sebastian's rules really well. Could she be one of the women Sebastian had told her about that night she had proposed to him? That should be the case, right?

There was a little sting in her throat as she walked away, head held high and strides elegant as ever. Being reminded of their moments the entire day, Elle could not help but smile bitterly to herself. Even though she was aware that his actions today were most definitely an act to clear whatever rumors that were spreading, Elle still felt all its effects on her. The good thing was that she did not dare believe that they were real at all. And thus, she did not dare react to him more than was necessary.

Whoever that woman was, Elle thought that she was right. Sebastian would be her husband, as long as she did not fall madly in love with him. As long as she does not cling to him. And she was determined to stay his wife until she could finally stand on her own. Until then…

By the time she had stepped out of the entrance, the first person that Elle saw was Sebastian. He was leaning against the car with his impeccable regal outfit. He looked so handsome that even the other males around were looking at him in awe.

"Y-you came yourself?" Elle was a little in disbelief that Sebastian had come to fetch her himself! "I thought Lucas or someone else –"

"Lucas went to a short vacation." Was all he said and even opened the door for her, causing her to blush. He behaved like a gentleman and buckled her in before getting in and driving off.

"I am very thankful you came, Sebastian. But I don't want to take too much of your time. You have your own royal duties to –"

"Did someone upset you?" he cut her off, causing Elle to whip her head towards him. Did he notice her expression when she was walking out of the entrance?

"Oh… it's…" Elle frowned. She suddenly felt something strange. Her heartbeat started racing impossibly fast and loud and her eyes became blurry.

"Izabelle?" She heard him calling out. But… lord… what was happening to her now?

The car screeched to a stop and the next thing she heard was him, cursing as he held onto her.