I opened my eyes when I felt someone touching my cheeks. "Vaughn...?" I called his name. I felt disappointed when I saw that it wasn't him. "Brother, what are you doing here? Where's Vaughn?" I asked as my eyes searched for him.
"Krishiella, who's Vaughn? Were you crying because of him?" He asked with a confused look on his face. "Is he someone I know?" I shook my head as an answer to his question.
So that was just a dream, huh? As I dreamt about what happened before, I couldn't help but feel mixed emotions. I feel happy, yet sad at the same time.
The way he held me in his arms made me fall in love with him. He's everything I ever wanted. He was the only person who saw me in my weakest state, and instead of prying more, he was quiet.
He was the calm in my storm. He was the comfort in my distress, and he is the love I could never let go of.
"It's nothing, Brother. What are you doing here?" I asked again. "Oh, I heard you were looking for me so I came to find you, and saw you here sleeping under the tree," He said and brushed my hair with his fingers.
"Oh, right! Brother, can I borrow your library card? I want to read something from the—" Before I could even finish my sentence, he immediately cut me off. "I can't. I'm sorry, Krishiella," he said with an apologetic smile.
Something really important must be behind that door. I want to beg him to let me borrow his library card, but I know I shouldn't. "It's alright," I said and smiled.
We headed inside because the sun was already setting and it was almost dark outside. He walked me to my room and left when he made sure that I had already gone inside.
I lay in my bed and hugged my pillow tightly. I wish this pillow was Vaughn. I want to feel his warmth again...
That dream was so realistic, that I almost thought I traveled back to my previous life.
That was our first encounter back then, but our first encounter now was when we ran into each other during the celebration in the town near the palace gates. I was 20 years old when we first met, but now, I'm still 18. We met two years before we had met originally.
Does this mean that things would be different?
I sighed and squeezed my eyes shut. All this thinking is giving me a headache.
The next day, I received a letter from the Rosiello Empire. "I wonder what it says..." I whispered to myself as I opened the envelope.
*****
Dear Krishiella,
In a week after I asked to deliver this letter to you, this will already be in your hands. If this letter has arrived, please take your time reading it. I poured my feelings into writing this letter, for I could not express my affection in other ways.
Although we have only spent time with each other for a very short while, I wanted to see you again. We have a lot of barriers since we come from different empires, and one mistake from either of us could cut our ties off. I do not want that to happen, so I also sent a letter to the Emperor of Mortcombe Empire, your Father, to propose something. I cannot tell you what it is, but please look forward to seeing me three weeks from now, which would mean two weeks after the letter arrived.
I can't seem to forget the night we shared last time. The sun has already risen countless times as I dreamt of you, and all day long, you occupy my mind. Your beauty has been distracting me from my duties because I kept thinking of you when I know I should not.
Your beautiful amber eyes that are as serene as the morning dew reflects a whole new world. Your skin as white as milk looks undeniably beautiful under the moonlit night, and your plump and soft pink lips make me want to place mine on yours. My lady, it is an understatement to say that you are beguiling for you are the exact epitome of beauty.
I am no romantic, but because of you, I am. I look forward to your response, my lady.
Sincerely Yours,
Vaughn Rosiello
*****
While reading his letter, I found myself blushing.
This can't be. The Vaughn I knew could never write something like this. Was our meeting really that unforgettable? If it was, then I am very delighted to know that.
I immediately picked up a paper and pen and wrote my response to his letter.
*****
Dear Vaughn,
I did not know you thought of me that way. Your words really made an impact on me for this is the first time I've ever received such words from a man. Your sweetness is incomparable to candy, and the content of your letter is something I did not really expect from you.
I appreciate the effort you put in writing a letter for me and planning for our next meeting. I look forward to seeing you again.
Truly Yours,
Krishiella Mortcombe
*****
I kept my response brief because I don't want him to expect something by saying more. What I said was more than enough to show appreciation and gratitude for his letter.
Although I really am flattered and I feel so loved right now because of him, I still can't allow myself to think that there is more to his words, just like how I don't want him to expect something from me.
I don't really want to expect that there is a meaning behind his words, because I might get hurt again if I let myself fall for him without restraint. I do not want to end up so helplessly in love with him when I already love him enough now.
I still love him, I really do, but to let him know that this early is something I do not want to happen. I want him to fall for me little by little because he really likes me, and not because he feels obligated to reciprocate my feelings, that he would be forced to love me back.