The Tears of a Prince

Aleron found Cecilia in their bedroom. She was sitting in front of her nightstand, her hair loosely falling on her shoulders as she brushed the snow while hairs with a golden brush. She seemed absent minded, her thoughts taking somewhere else. She was looking at her reflection but at the same time she couldn't see herself. Images of that letter were flashing right before her eyes, like a written curse that was haunting her. 

The queen didn't notice him when he walked in, she didn't hear his footsteps as he approached her and she flinched when she felt his cold palm touch her shoulder. The brush dropped from her hands and Aleron crouched, getting it and finding himself in her eye level. He looked at her with those crystal eyes of his, knowing the torture in her soul. The king placed the brush gently on the floor, standing behind her as he started to braid her long hair. Cecilia didn't complain. 

"Did they find anything?" She asked and watched how Aleron shook his head. A negative answer, a perplexed expression and a weight on her chest, like a rock that made it hard for her to breathe. 

"I sent people throughout the whole kingdom, even in the smallest villages, the rift is being guarded day and night, if they move somewhere we will definitely find them." Aleron told her, hoping to ease her worries a bit. It didn't do much though, her blank expression didn't change as she looked through the mirror. 

"If they are working with the Nightshades they will slip out without us even noticing, just like they did in our own home. The people will be distressed with the army everywhere. They will start talking, wondering what will happen." she said, a sigh escaping her red lips. She had a glass of wine resting on her nightstand, half empty. She grabbed it, her pale fingertips, painted red fingernails, brought it close to her mouth, the sweet taste of the wine resting on her tongue before she swallowed. 

"Is it a good idea to drink?" he asked her. 

"I can't sleep if I don't drink." she stated, not caring about the way Aleron's expression changed. He wasn't worried about the kingdom now, he was worried about her and that alone annoyed her. You can't simply disappear and then pretend like nothing happened. She was a horrible person, she was aware of it but he, he was even worse, unable to truly admit the weight of the things he did. She moved her head, freeing her long hair from his gentle grasp before she turned around, looking at him with an irked expression. 

"Don't look at me like that." she told him. 

"Like what?"

"Like you're worried. I don't need your pity." she mumbled, getting up and heading to their bed, she pulled away the covers, revealing the soft bed as she got ready to lay down. 

"But I am worried, Cecilia…I…"

"Aleron, things can't be fixed." she stated, looking at him dead in the eye. She hurt him with her words, she could see it the way his blue eyes darkened. "I have grown used to being alone now." 

"You don't have to though, I am here now. I will help with the children and the Nightshades. Whatever I can do I…"

"Our children are not children anymore Aleron, you've been stuck in time. You've missed so much…" she said. The king bit his bottom lip, his eyes showing remorse as he walked closer, standing in front of her. She could feel his breath landing on her lips and she looked away, knowing that his handsome exterior would tempt her. 

"I don't want to leave you." He whispered, his fingers gently turning her face so their eyes could meet. Kai and Xan were princes but their father, he was a king and he did look like one. Gracious and strong, golden hair and blue eyes, strong features and a deep voice that made Cecilia shiver as he whispered slowly to her. He moved even closer, making her step back in response. She felt the cold wall touch her back, trapped between the cement and her husband. She tried again to look away but he didn't let her. "I want to be with you, I need you…always, I have loved you." 

"You're lying. You are always lying. From the moment you met me all you ever do is pity me. That's why you married me, that's why you left me. Because I was just a charity case, a stand in for you." Cecilia told him, she tried to sound cold, as if she wasn't bothered by it but the truth was she couldn't. Being so close to him, looking right into his eyes she sounded hurt, broken. 

"What? How could you ever think of that? Me? Pity you? You are one of the strongest people I have met. You're glowing. You're beautiful, smart, powerful, you are so much more than me. Every time I look at you I feel like the luckiest person alive. Having you, the one who doesn't let anyone stand in her path."

"Stop complimenting me." Cecilia mumbled, her face turning a very subtle shade of pink. 

"Why?" Aleron asked her, a grin forming on his lips. "Are you shy?"

"Me!" She exclaimed, a scoff escaping from her. "Shy? You must have gone completely m…" She wanted to call him insane, she was a queen, queens don't get shy but she didn't make it to the end of her sentence. Aleron kissed her, locking his lips with her and Cecilia was unable to stop him. She placed her palms on his chest, wanting to push him away but soon she became weak, devoured by the passion of his kiss. 

"I won't leave…" Aleron whispered in her ear after their kiss. "No matter what you say." 

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Hello! What are our thoughts on the royal couple? I am curious to see what you think so please let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading.