10: Make It Right

Few days after the incident.

As per request, it has been kept away from The Main Castle. Some people acknowledge the incident. But, The Second Wing manages to keep this privately, as per request by Hadrian. Nothing serious happens and it has been told as a training exercise by the Royal Guardian.

Hadrian wander around the training room. His eyes never left Aden, even for a minute. His brother was sweating like hell, training his sword skill. He knew this is the price that he must pay after the incident. Hadrian makes him train every day, so he can protect himself when the day came.

It's been a long time since he met Ayleth. He always managed to sneak out from the castle, just to find the girl. But, today he failed.

Maybe right now she's too angry at him for keeping this a secret from her. She has the right to put some anger towards Aden. Whoever walked into her shoes must know the taste.

"Stop.." slowly, Aden put his sword and looked at his brother with a panting chest and tired eyes.

"I have my reason. Never in million dreams, I want to look at my brother's getting kill!" Hadrian looked at the sword that he holds for so long. Aden just sealed his lips, too tired to talk. Maybe too frustrated to talk.

Since the incident, he lost his freedom to go outside like usual. Whenever he went out, there will be the Second Wing personnel who will follow him. He felt suffocated. Moreover, he never had a chance to say sorry to Ayleth. He still feels the guilt in his chest.

Hadrian just turns 18 last week. He now holds the most important part of the country, the heir of the Kingdom of Snowden. It's official and seals. Unless if he dies then... it's still fuzzy. Since then, he became more melticulous and sensitive. He always comes to practice rings and sparring with his subordinate to see if they are in alert mode. He still hasn't recruited a new guardian for him.

"You can go now.." he dismissed Aden. The boy panting like a wild horse, looking at him with a wave of anger build in him

"I don't know why, but suddenly... I hate you, brother!" he threw the sword on the ground and stomp his feet, walking away from the training field.

Hate me, my brother.. All I did was to protect you, the future of Snowden... Soon, you will realize what I did is out of love...

"Sire..." someone approached him. He looked at the person who covers his face, only eyes left to see.

"Tell me.."

"Yes, sire... But it's rather shocking..."

***

Aden put his 4th attempted to escape from the castle. Yesterday and the day before, he tried but failed. He couldn't even understand why he's been grounded like this.

"I need to get out from here so I can explain things to Ayleth," he said, as he walking along the secret passage. He saw a light at the end of the passage. He did manage to leave the castle, finally.

He quickly wore his robe and run towards his destination.

***

Ayleth looked at the target board blankly. She looked at the middle of the target. The curve is already deep, due to excessive training. She holds her bow tight.

She was still pissed off by the previous incident. Since then, Aden has never come here anymore. It's not that she missed him or what. She believes Aden owed her some explanation. In just one day, after few meetings, everything tangle so badly.

She can accept if Aden just says the truth about him. She did try to justify his actions, but it's so hard when you got cheated right from the start. It is the most awful betrayal ever.

She jumped off the tree, dragging her feet home. No more energy to train, or wait for something that could never happen. She comforts herself, telling herself that she will be fine just by herself. She continues to walk when suddenly someone came and standing in front of her.

"There's nothing to explain anymore, Aden. I'm leaving.." Aden grabbed her wrist. She gave him a good sharp glared making him let her hand go immediately.

"I'm sorry. It's not my intention to keep it from you. I'm just.."

"If you didn't have any solid reason behind this, might as well as you leave right now. I don't want to see you anymore.."

"No, please listen to me first! It's true, I'm not supposed to keep this from you. But, to be true... The title is just an empty name for me. I might be royalty, but I don't feel like one. I never act like one, never live like one. And never want to become the one.." Aden looked at Ayleth with a sad face.

"Once a royalty, always and will be royalty. No matter where you are, Your Highness.." said Ayleth.

"Please don't leave me! I know I was wrong, but I couldn't help it! I'm afraid you might leave if you know the truth! I have never been treat like a commoner, feeling free and be myself. Living in a castle makes me suffocated! I need to wear a mask to conceal the real me! I never want to be a prince! I need to be a fake person! I hate that!"

"When I meet you, the way you treat me makes me feel easy. For the first time, I became myself. I don't need a mask when I'm around you. You make me normal, Ayleth. that feeling is too valuable, more than anything in this world!" said Aden.

Ayleth looked at the royalty who standing in front of her. Still young but need to bear such a huge responsibility, needs to put aside his feelings just to look like true royalty. The world isn't fair sometimes. You got everything, but you're unhappy. And keeps looking at other's greenfield, out of envy. That's what life is.

"I don't know Aden... I'm confused right now. I'm supposed to punch you over and over again. But guess it's not even fair for you too.." she held his arm softly. It's not his fault that he was born as royalty. And, it's not wrong for him to keep it by himself, as he feels awkward being someone that he is not used to be. No one is wrong in this situation. Everybody has their reason.

"So, you forgave me?" asked Aden. She slowly nodded, smiles at him who was happy with this news.

"Thank you, Ayleth! I promise you, no more secret!" he hugged her tight. Somehow, Adele needs to admit something. She misses this guy so much!

"Better hold on your promise, prince. Or you might end up melting inside a bear's tummy.." she whispered in his ear.

"Lilith doesn't eat human, you fool! And stop calling me a prince! I'm just Aden when we get together.." said Aden.

"As you wish.. oh... I'm not talking about Lilith..." she winked at him, leaving him looking scared to death.

Geez, I must be on guard from now!