The Crown's Entrapment

Osman let out a long deep sigh as he kept on sneaking glances in Bella's direction every once in a while. He was currently at Cordon Arena, assisting both the Great Constable and Princess Freya in maintaining coordination and order throughout the tournament.

Watching the tournament unfold before him for the first time was a thing he didn't expect for him to do. Well, at first he just wanted to be there so that he could see Bella compete. But with how everything had turned out, his presence was inevitably required because of what happened to their King.

Looking down, he noted that Bella had just arrived, and her hair was now black instead of its usual purple shine. He could only assume that it was her natural hair color.

'She looks more stunning,' he inwardly thought. Black hair definitely suited her more, even though she was still gorgeous with purple hair.

Osman sighed once more. He had witnessed the scene between her and Calypso a while ago, having overheard everything and then some. Honestly, he was worried about her, and he wanted to console her at the time, but it would've been inappropriate for him to do so since he was still basically a stranger to her.

Still, he couldn't believe that Calypso would turn down someone like Bella. But then, he guessed that it would only work out to his advantage.

Osman shrugged. He was into unrequited love for years, and now… He could only hope this wouldn't end with the same fate.

'I want to win her over; occupy her entire heart and kick Calypso out of it…' Osman inwardly thought, filled with determination. He was aware that if he could just make a move now, then there would be a high possibility for him to end up as her rebound.

He chuckled even as his face dimmed, having recalled how Calypso would tease him about being a rebound to someone else. But, again, he should just be grateful to Calypso for turning Bella down and opening up a way for him to court her.

There was a lot going on inside his head at that moment in time, not to mention how concerned he was as well for the King's current situation. Once again, he snuck in one more glance in Bella's direction, only this time, their eyes actually met.

'Oh heavens!' Osman gulped at how intense Bella was looking back at him. 'Should I turn away?'

Even as he debated otherwise, he stared intensely at her dazzling eyes. It continued on for a while, only for him to freeze on the spot when Bella suddenly moved. She was… walking towards his direction?

Osman had to blink just to make sure that he wasn't really hallucinating. He even turned to his sides just to see if he was sitting next to someone that Bella knew. Unfortunately for him, there was no one near him at the moment.

"You…" Bella spoke once she had finally closed the distance between them.

"Lady Bella," he weakly murmured.

He could feel the loud thumping of his heart inside his chest. It was like a drum roll beat, thrumming aloud with power with how intensely she was staring at him. It was as if she was searching deep inside his soul for… something…

"Yes, you, Lord Osman," she directed once more with lifted eyebrows.

Seeing her glare, Osman thought that she was probably there to confront him for sneaking glances at her while she wasn't looking. Opening his mouth to apologize, he was ready to speak when Bella suddenly bluntly asked, "Do you like me?"

"Yes," he suddenly voiced out without knowing it.

Bella's frown towards him deepened, but it gradually softened. "Why?"

"I don't know," Osman replied, not breaking eye contact with her despite his stupid answer.

"You heard my conversation with Lord Calypso a while ago, right?" she asked yet another question. Osman found himself wondering just how many more questions were about to follow her inquiries.

At her latest question, he simply nodded his head, waiting for her to ask her next follow-up.

"And you still like me?" she curiously scoffed.

Again, he nodded. "I still like you, and I'm serious about you," Osman directly stated. He just wanted to be honest, and it felt like it was his best shot at courting the woman in front of him.

Bella didn't say anything. There was a long pause before she continued, "Even though I like another man? And broken?"

"It doesn't matter if you're broken," Osman insisted. "I want to comfort you, help you put yourself back together till you're whole again."

"Why?" Bella aggressively fired back. "Because I'm pitiful?"

Osman chuckled. "I don't pity you, Lady Bella. Don't ever think like that," he firmly stated.

"You're not pitiful at all. The way I see it, you're a strong woman, Lady Bella. A very brave and very admirable woman. And to answer your question as to why I want to comfort and pursue you, it's actually quite simple. Isn't liking you enough of a reason? I just want to know you more, Bella."

Bella squinted her lovely eyes at him. He was totally smitten. Whatever kind of expression she had on her face, all of them were just so lovely to Osman that he couldn't help himself but ogle at her beauty.

Her long black and fluttering lashes were so perfect for her obsidian orbs, not to mention those long lovely wavy raven hair of hers... No other woman had managed to capture his attention like this since he came out of the Element Forest. Only Bella managed to do so, and he had this strong urge to know her more.

Hearing his answer, Bella simply stared at him for a while. Meanwhile, Osman wondered if she just didn't like straightforward men. Even so, he simply wanted to relay his genuine feelings and intentions toward her, and he didn't see the point of delaying things simply because he witnessed how another man just turned her down.

"Liking me isn't enough for me. I want a man who would love all of me!" she candidly burst at him. "If you can't be that man, then I suggest that you stop wasting your time with me and leave me alone."

Osman blinked. He was caught off-guard by such a bold demand coming from her. Still, a wide smile curled up beautifully on his lips as he said, "I fully understand what you mean, Lady Bella…"

Bella didn't respond. Instead, she turned around to go back to her place in the arena, leaving Osman to simply follow Bella's retreating back with his eyes.

'She's such an interesting and feisty lady. Calypso is such a nutshell for turning her down,' Osman thought with agrin. Bella wanted a man who would love all of her, and he too wanted the same from any woman he would court. 'I should make her fall in love with me… I can see this working…'

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A/N: So... tell me your thoughts? Who do you want for Bella now? lmao