16 FAREWELL

[ANDRE]

The day finally came for me to go back home to my kingdom.

Two days had passed since the princess's birthday. I've finalized my duties in Ephemere — it was far too long a stay than I wanted, but what's done is done. The luggage was packed and loaded inside the carriages. We would have traveled significantly lighter if it weren't for the gifts that the king insisted I take home with me. The horses were fed, watered, and ready to go. My retinue had assembled in the courtyard, waiting for me.

But there is one more thing left to do before I go.

I know I shouldn't even bother, but our last encounter hadn't been good. I can still remember the pained expression on her face as she ran away from the library yesterday, telling me everything I needed to know.

I shouldn't have allowed her to enter the library. I was looking forward to a quiet, peaceful afternoon, and I, myself, was deeply disgusted when I saw that up-to-no-good prince defiling the library. I knew he and the princess had something going on, but I had no plans of telling her what I saw to spare her from the pain. But, as luck would have it, she happened to come along and see his atrocity with her own eyes.

That good-for-nothing, pathetic excuse of a prince who got drunk and forced himself on the princess the night before that.

That idiotic prince even had the audacity to demand her appearance right before he was about to leave last night. He was acting like a self-entitled bastard, ordering the servants to fetch the princess like she was some kind of thing. So I — politely — told him to leave, otherwise, I would inform the King of his despicable behavior, which would certainly ruin his chances of attaining his goal of marrying the princess.

Not like it would have made much difference, to be honest. I'm pretty sure the princess would have nothing to do with him after that. Unfortunately, that also increased my chances, but I'm sure there are more suitable suitors that would be a better match for her than me. Hopefully.

I hadn't seen the princess since, and I wanted to make sure she was okay. That was all.

There was to be an accolade soon, an honorary ceremony to be held for a member of the royal guard; but I would be gone by the time it would start. After asking around, I was told she was on the second-floor balcony, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The princess was with her lady-in-waiting, Cecelia, whom I'd already gotten acquainted with. They held teacups in their hands, deep in conversation when I approached. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything.

Cecelia saw me first. She elbowed the princess and jerked her head in my direction.

I gave a small bow. "Princess Lena," I greeted. "Lady Cecelia."

"Prince Alexandre! What a pleasure to see you again," Cecelia drawled sweetly. She still looked at me with interest, batting her eyes and bending lower than necessary when she gave a curtsy. I pretended not to see it.

Lena, on the other hand, was caught off guard by my sudden appearance. She cleared her throat and didn't meet my eyes. But at least she looked well, surprisingly. I had assumed she would be miserable, crying all night, devastated by her prince's betrayal, but apparently, she was stronger than I thought.

"Prince Alexandre," she mumbled. "Would you like some tea?"

"No, thank you," I answered. "I will be leaving in a bit. I came to say goodbye."

"Oh," she said, glancing at me.

"So soon?" Cece said, sounding disappointed.

"I've been here for almost a week. I wouldn't want to impose any longer," I said. "Thank you for the gracious accommodation."

"I hope your stay was to your liking," Lena muttered, almost guiltily.

I hid a smile. She was probably guilty for ditching me, which was perfectly fine; and for my accidental involvement with her private issues, which I rather wouldn't have happened. But it wasn't her fault.

"May I speak with the princess?" I asked. "Alone?" I added.

Cecelia looked a bit slighted and a bit curious, but after Lena gave her a nod, she gave one last curtsy before leaving. I wasn't sure if she knew what I wanted to talk about, but I wanted her out of earshot just in case. For Lena's benefit.

When we were both alone, we stood there for a while in silence. I leaned on the balustrade, staring out at the sweeping palace gardens beneath us. It looked like a maze. I could see part of the cobblestone pathway peeking out of certain exposed areas, but the majority of the view was filled with all types of greenery.

"How are you?" I finally asked.

"I'm fine," she said, tittering nervously. "Really."

"I'm sorry about… you know," I said quietly.

"Thank you for your concern, Prince Alexandre. But there's really no reason to be."

I sighed. "For what it's worth, I think he's a lousy scum of the earth, abominable dipshit who doesn't deserve you whatsoever," I muttered.

She looked up at me with wide eyes. Surprised at my words. At my foul words. Which I shouldn't be uttering as a prince.

"Sorry," I said quickly, a little embarrassed. The words just came out of my mouth.

Instead of being offended, like I expected, she laughed. A real one this time. It made me smile as her tinkling laughter continued.

"That about sums him up," she said when she was able to catch her breath. "That little abominable dipshit," she added tentatively, testing out the words for herself. Then she burst out into more laughter. A little hysterical, I might add.

Her laughter was infectious. I found myself laughing along.

"I heard you had a talk with him right before he left," she said, wiping the mirth from her eyes. "What did you say?"

"I told him the exact same thing," I admitted. "Plus a few more words I dare not repeat."

It made her laugh again.

"Good. Thank you for speaking to him on my behalf," she said jokingly.

Now that the ice was broken, it was easier for her to talk to me. Maybe we could have been friends if it weren't for the forced situation we were both in.

"My pleasure," I answered, giving a small bow.

"You know, you're not so bad, Prince Alexandre."

"You're not so bad either, Princess Lena."

She sighed. "I'm sorry for how I acted in the past. Towards you, I mean." She peeked at me with remorseful eyes. "I know I haven't been entirely… nice to you. You didn't deserve that. I'm sorry."

"And I've done the same thing towards you. I truly apologize. It's just… you know, my coming here wasn't exactly voluntary on my part. No offense."

"None taken," she replied, grinning. "I guess we're in the same boat, huh? Neither of us had a choice."

"Yes. Unfortunately, we can't really choose where we get born into."

"True." Then she fell silent for a moment, appearing to be in deep thought. "But don't you think they're right, though?" she mused. "Maybe love doesn't have to be a part of marriage after all. Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about you and me," she added hastily. "I mean in general. Why give your all to someone else when you're basically giving them a weapon against you? At least, without it, they can't backstab you and hurt you when you least expect it." Her voice trembled slightly in the end, but then she quickly looked away, embarrassed at her outburst.

I smiled gently. "You know, just because a certain dipshit is stupid enough to do that doesn't mean all of them are the same," I said, choosing my words carefully. I knew she was talking from experience, her recent heartbreak, or whatever, but I didn't want to embarrass her any further. "Maybe if you give it another chance, with the right person, you'll find it. And then you'll find out that it's actually beautiful. Warm. That even if you both knew it was impossible, you still keep trying. Holding on to each other while you can."

I shut my mouth. Now it was my turn to be embarrassed. I didn't mean to get all mushy right there.

A smile played on her lips as she looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "You've been in love," she told me. "No, you are in love, Prince Alexandre."

"Uh…" I muttered.

She laughed at my obvious discomfort. "Oh, don't worry. I'm happy for you. Really," she said earnestly. "She's waiting for you, isn't she? Back home?"

I took a deep breath. There was no use lying. We're past that part. "Yes," I answered quietly.

"Then you should marry her," she said excitedly. Then, realization dawned on her eyes and her face fell. "Oh. You can't."

"She's a commoner," I said. I didn't have to explain. She understood. Royalty could never marry commoners. It was a sad reality.

She placed a hand lightly on my arm. "I'm sorry," was all she said before pulling it away. "Well, it doesn't really matter, then, does it?" she said in a resigned voice.

"I guess not." I agreed.

We grew quiet. The air was suddenly heavier. Two royalties, barely adults, miserably pondering about our futures set in stone. Futures we could not change. But undeniably, I did feel a little lighter after our talk. I carried that burden for so long with no one to talk to, and I finally got the chance to let it out to this princess, who I'd initially thought was a childish brat, but actually also carried the same weight on her fragile shoulders.

Suddenly, trumpets sounded from within the palace.

We both turned around.

"Oh, it's starting," Lena said. "Won't you stay for the ceremony?"

"What ceremony is it?" I asked.

"It's for my bodyguard," she said proudly. "He'll be officially granted the title of captain to my personal guard."

"Please extend my congratulations to him," I said. "But, unfortunately, I must go. My carriage is waiting. Farewell, Lena." It was the first time I called her by her name without the honorifics.

She looked pleased. "I understand. Well, thank you for everything. Safe travels, Alexandre."

"Andre," I corrected.

"Hmm?"

"Call me Andre." I gave her one last smile before I turned around and walked away.

Maybe I'll never see her again. Who knows? All I know is, I've found a friend in her.