Tasteless Love

Masumi's POV

It was the end of December when I was diagnosed with dysgeusia. A distortion of the sense of taste. My otolaryngologist, Dr. Victoria Ward, said that I can still bring back my sense of taste. It doesn't sound serious but every time I think about it, makes me anxious and scared. Scared that I might not be able to taste foods and drinks ever again. I've been in UK for 3 years now and things didn't work out that good. A year later after I was diagnosed with dysgeusia, I met a terrible accident. My friends and I were having a road trip but suddenly, we came across a deer, Olive Sallow, our friend who was driving that time panicked so instead of stopping the car, she took a rough turn and we all fell to a cliff. There were 5 of us that time. Shaenny managed to get off the car right before it fell. She called for help for almost 2 hours straight. And that was the only memory I last recalled.

At the middle of January, I was forced to stay in the hospital for 6 months. Olive Sallow, Mary Loughty and Jane McKenna was nowhere to be found after that.Everything happened so fast, Shaenny killed herself because of depression. And staying in Spire Leeds Hospital has been hard, both my parents were away for business purposes. No one was there to be with me.

I spent most of my time reading novels. I've been doing it for half a year before I got discharged. I thought I could freely leave the hospital peacefully but as I got out of the hospital's exit. All reporters bombarded me with questions that are related to my accident and Shaenny's suicide. Thankfully, the guards stopped them before they could reach me.

Hi, I am Masumi Aria Van Cortlandt, a 21 year old woman from the Philippines. I moved in to UK due to the fact that my father works at a shipping company. I attended Leeds Beckett University as an accountant student. I used to have tons of friends but Olive, Shaenny, Mary, and Jane were the best friends I could ever ask. They can all relate to what I feel except for my distortion. Our parents are always busy so we keep ourselves companied. That's pretty much the only thing I could tell about myself.

I just got back from school and everyone has been giving me sympathetic looks. Even the professors. Let's just say that we were kinda famous for being the richest kids all over the university so everyone staring at me wasn't new but what feels new is being alone.

"Mom, I.. I don't wanna be here anymore."I said eight months later after I got discharged. The reason I want to leave is because I've been feeling lonely and scared. I've never experienced bullying before because I got Olive and Jane to protect us.

"Ummhh... Don't worry, sweetie. Your dad and I will come home this weekend."she stated. I felt relief of what she had told me. I missed them so much.

My week in school was quite uneventful, all I've been doing was study and pass every projects to be submitted. As the weekend arrived, I dressed myself with pale pink turtle neck with long sleeve and grey checkered mid-thigh skirt. I curled my hair before I headed downstairs to wait for my parents. They had told me that there are some important guests that will be joining us so I was quite nervous. My parents usually doesn't let me be around if there are important people in the house.

I waited patiently in the living room while reading. A moment later, I heard the maids opening the door so I quickly stood up from my seat and headed to the front door. My mom was already dressed with a red long-sleeved dress while my dad wore a black suit.

I hugged them tightly and kissed their cheeks.

"I missed you guys." I whispered. My parents smiled and we headed to the dinning room. It appears that the guests are running late. Who could it be that made my parents let me join them? Mum was telling me what had happened during her trip to Sweden. She even brought me jewelries from a famous jewelry maker. I just smiled awkwardly, I was never the materialistic daughter.

Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang and in came into view are the royal family of Sweden! How did I know? It's because I have been to a royal ball. There,seated in front of us are the current king and queen of Sweden, Queen Victoria and King Daniel, together with the princes and princess. Prince Oscar, the youngest child, Princess Estelle, the second eldest and then there is the Crown Prince, Prince Maddox, the eldest of the three.

Prince Maddox is the heir of the Sweden throne. I've read tons of articles about his work. At the young age he was labeled as the smartest prince in his generation. Most of his cousins cannot keep up with him. He is also good at sports which are golf, polo, croquet and tennis. He even played football! Not only was he smart but athletic too. Every princesses in the whole world are obsessed with him, well, not only the royals but the whole Europe has been drooling over him. Europe has four princes that are known in the whole world. Prince John of Austria, Prince David of Spain,Prince Nigel of Greece and Prince Maddox of Sweden, himself.

It's not that I am interested with them it's just that my parents are close with some of the duke and Earls in England. But... Why did the royal family of Sweden come here? Not that I am complaining but it just..confuses me. We all sat in the table, maids serving our foods. As much as I wanna help serve the foods, I couldn't. Mum's hand is rested in my thigh, stopping me from doing anything. I sighed in my mind.

"You have a wonderful home, Maicey." The queen praised.My mum smiled and rested her hand to my shoulder.

"Thank you, Victoria. By the way, this is our daughter, Masumi Aria."she proudly stated. I blushed as everyone's eyes darted to me. King Daniel and Queen Victoria had big smiles playing in their lips as well as Prince Oscar and Princess Estelle. Prince Maddox... He just smiled a little.

"I've heard so much about you."she smiled sweetly. Her smile made her look more beautiful!

Without noticing that I was already smiling, I shyly nodded.

The dinner went smoothly, everyone was all having a nice conversation except for me and Prince Maddox. When it was time for desserts, King Daniel spoke that made me choke on my matcha ice cream.

"So, are you ready to move to Haga Palace, Lady Masumi?"

Move to what?I stopped myself from raising a brow at his highness. I never heard about moving someone to somewhere! Is this the reason why mum and dad went to Sweden?

I nervously looked at my mum. She had a sweet smile around her lips. She secretly squeezed my shoulder.

"Oh, Masumi is just waiting to graduate, after that she can move to the palace." My dad answered. Even though I was confused, I still managed to nod.

After dinner, the adults went to the study room to "discuss" some important things. Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar went to the garden. That leaves me and Prince Maddox. I gave him a forced smile and guided him to the library. It's my favorite place in the whole house, I was the only one who comes in and out in there, except for the maids.

"You really like books?" Prince Maddox questioned. I shyly nodded. He traced every book with his fingers and took out a book. He scanned it before placing it back to the shelf.

"You like Sherlock Holmes?"He smiled. Again, I nodded. I heard him sigh and smiled again.

"You can speak to me, Lady Aria. I don't bite." He chuckled after he said it.

I gave him a genuine smile and nodded. "Okay, Prince Maddox. And just call me Aria." I replied.

We talked for a few minutes before a maid came in telling us that the king and queen will be leaving now. I nodded and made our way to the front door. We descended from the stairs, and me being unluckily at the wrong time, I tripped. I was about to fall but Prince Maddox was quick to wrap his arms around my waist. This is so embarrassing. I mean, I looked like a damsel in Distress minus the villain. I quickly stepped away from him and bowed my head.

He smiled and we continued our way to the front door. As we arrived there, my parents and the royal highnesses are already bidding goodbyes.

Princess Estelle gave me a weird smile as soon as they stepped out of the door. Prince Maddox gave my hand a kiss before they all left.

I was left speechless as to how this happened. I just met the Swedish Royal family! Who would've thought I get to meet them AND have dinner with them!

I took a shower after they left and stayed in my balcony. As I stare at the moon, my mind started drifting off to the accident. Without realising it, I cried. Blaming myself for what happened. We shouldn't have done it. I could've saved them. I could've saved Shaenny, even just her. Why was I the only one left? Being bullied in my class and everyone feeling pity. I hate it! I hate it so much!

I went inside my room and wiped my tears away. I headed to my bed. I reached out for my lampshade but stopped as I noticed the picture me and my friends had. We were always best friends. From five to one. Life is just so unfair, right?