Hellbound Heart

Elle woke up alone in their new room. r

A deep frown flashed across her face when she looked at the clock and it indicated that it was already mid noon. What had happened to…r

Then everything that had happened the night before came rushing back to her, as though her mind was playing a memory reel for her to recall the events and that had her eyes widening. Her hand flew to her chest, clutching at the nightgown that she was wearing. What happened to her last night? r

All she knew was that her chest had suddenly raced and then it ached so badly that she was even fighting to breathe. She had thought that she was suddenly having a heart attack, or she perhaps somehow had gone through anaphylactic shock. Because such an intense ache in the chest should only be something pretty serious! But if it was serious, why was she back here in her bed and not in the hospital? r

Confused and curious about what had actually happened, Elle slowly pushed herself up on her elbows before sitting up. After looking around and finding that there was truly no one else in the room, she then climbed off the bed. She tried to take stock of herself and so far, there seemed to be nothing amiss. This could only mean that nothing really serious happened? r

She was instantly relieved, but it was hard for her to believe that the strange and sudden extreme pain she had experienced last night was really nothing. Dear Lord… what was going on? Why do bizarre, inexplicable things keep happening to her lately? What in the world was going on? r

"You're awake, Your Highness!" the head maid assigned to their wing, Lorna, who had just quietly entered the room, gasped in relief at the sight of her already up and standing beside the bed. r

Elle glanced at the flowers that were in her hand. "Lorna, is Sebastian still in the castle?" she asked the maid immediately. She wanted to see Sebastian and ask him what had actually happened. The last thing she remembered was being with him in the car before totally blacking out. So he should have the answers she wanted.r

"The prince had already left at dawn. And Your Highness… he had already ordered that you are not to leave this room until he returns."r

"W-what?" Elle blinked at her in surprise. Sebastian had even left an order for her to remain in the room?!r

"Forgive me ma'am but this is a royal order. So, if you needed something please don't hesitate to call for me. I'd assist you to the best of my abilities." Lorna bowed her head, looking apologetic as she relayed the message Prince Sebastian left for Elle.r

Elle was speechless. She had never expected this! What in the world was going on?! What was happening that it was of such importance for her to remain in her own room?r

"Why?" She asked the maid, her expression firm and daunting. If she was to be held in her room against her wishes, the very least was that she wanted to know the reason why it was demanded of her.r

"I'm sorry, princess. But I wasn't told anything on the reason why you needed to do so. However, I am quite certain that whatever the reason is, it is definitely for your sake, Your Highness." r

Shaking her head in disbelief, Elle quietly clenched her fists before taking a few deep breaths. So, he would not even care to explain anything to me? r

"What happened last night? I believe something must have happened to me on our way back home." She tried to ask, hoping that the maid must have seen them or perhaps she was the one who had changed her evening gown last night, into the nightgown she was currently wearing as she realized that she was now wearing a completely new set. r

But the maid shook her head and looked at her with a sincerely apologetic look. "Sorry, princess. But I don't know anything about what had happened last night."r

Oh lord…r

"Are you sure?" she could not help but have doubts right now. Because there was no way Lorna would not know anything. She was the one who was in charge of most of the work that goes on in their wing of the castle, including their room. She has also been Sebastian's maid for a long time. "Surely, Sebastian must have had called you and one of the other maids to help me change out of my clothes last night, right?" r

"The prince didn't call anyone, princess. That I am very certain about. The truth is, he had forbidden anyone from the entire east wing to come into your room last night. I was only allowed to come over this dawn before he left just so he could give me the instructions." r

"Hold on… what? That's… ridiculous." Elle could not believe it. "Why would he do that? What is going on?" r

"I'm sorry again princess, but I don't have any answer to your question. Well then, I'll go prepare your meal now, Your Highness." r

Elle could only watch the now closed door in utter disbelief and confusion. She did not know what was happening anymore.r

Then she rushed towards the door, but before she could even open it wide enough for her body to slip through, someone held the double doors in place. A guard had been stationed outside and was now standing there. r

"Good day, Your Highness." He greeted Elle politely. "But we have been ordered not to let you out of your room, no matter what. And I'm sorry that I have to close this door. Thank you for your cooperation, princess." And then he unceremoniously pulled the doors closed again, leaving Elle standing there, mouth agape and shaking her head in disbelief. r

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A/N: Just curious guys... are there new readers here who didn't read Hellbound With You yet? I'd like to know the ratio of new and old readers. So can you like my comment below? Thank you. ^^