It had been a few days since the argument in the library. Though for Aileen it was more like a breakdown as she hurled all her words and thoughts at Daniel.
During these few days she hadn't come down into the main area of the castle much. She stayed in her room, and on the terrace, and had her meals brought to her.
She wondered if Daniel ever slept in the prince suite, or if he couldn't bear the thought of being within close proximity to her that he slept elsewhere.
But today was a bit more dreary than usual. She was getting married tomorrow.
It was already the afternoon and Sebastian had been busy these past few days, only getting to visit her momentarily.
Aileen wished now more than ever that she could just go back home. In all reality it had only been two weeks since she left, but it felt more like a month had passed.
As the afternoon passed and it turned into evening, Aileen had someone come in and explain to her that tomorrow they would begin the process of moving her things into the marriage suite, as that's where she would sleep.
She shuddered at the thought of having to sleep next to him. But at the same time she knew he would never come to that room. No matter what he would never sleep next to her.
Aileen opened her door ready to walk out and make her way to the garden, but as soon as she opened the door Sebastian stood there.
"Oh Seb, what are you doing here?"
He didn't speak at first. And Aileen seemed to think there was something wrong.
"Seb? What's wrong, are you okay?"
Sebastian had a look of sorrow in his eyes, and he stared off into space.
Aileen closed her bedroom door so that they were standing in the hallway.
As she turned back around Sebastian had suddenly embraced her.
She was shocked at first and then hugged him back.
"Seb, what's wrong, you're really starting to worry me."
He seemed to shake under her and she tried pulling back but he wouldn't let go.
"Seb please talk to me, I need to know what's going on."
He pulled back and took a deep breath, the tears in his eyes evident.
Just as they were having this encounter Daniel had come up the stairwell, entering in the hallway from the back chamber.
But when he heard them he stood off to the side and watched.
Sebastian looked at Aileen with a sad smile and his eyes still full of tears, he brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear.
Then he spoke.
"Aileen... I don't want you to get married tomorrow..."
She gave a slight smile. "Trust me I don't either, but like you said it's for the be-"
He cut her off.
"No... I mean that I don't want to see you get married tomorrow... I don't want you to be bound to another man..."
Aileen became breathless.
"What?"
Sebastian looked at her intently.
"Aileen.... I love you... I always have... I always will. I'm surprised you didn't know this, and I would've taken this chance if you wouldn't have been arranged to marry him, we've always known this since we were kids, but I knew one day you'd have to marry someone else. So I never said anything... But I thought.. it felt like there were times you felt the same... And other times you seemed to be clueless... But if I don't say it now, I'll never be able to."
Aileen was speechless and she tried to find the words.
"Shhh, you don't have to say anything, I don't expect you to."
Aileen stared up into his eyes.
He cupped her cheek and rubbed his thumb gently on the side of her face. His gaze shifted towards her lips. And he slowly bent his head down to meet hers.
Then they were kissing. Aileen had never kissed someone before. Her mind went dizzy, and then he pulled away.
He kissed her forehead and then said "goodnight" before letting go of her hand and disappearing down the hallway.
Aileen still stood there. In shock, confused, and hurt. She didn't even realize tears had been threatening to spill and then she felt the lump in her throat. She watched Sebastian's back fade away down the hall.
She covered her mouth as she began to sob, and crouched down onto the floor.
She she tried to cover the sobs that racked her body, two feet appeared in front of her.
She looked up, it was Daniel.
She shook her head.
"I haven't even spoken yet."
She shook her head again and managed out the word, "Don't."
Daniel stared at her for a few more seconds.
"You're lucky I'm the one who saw that, and not my parents or anyone else for that matter... Go back to your room, you need your rest, we both know what day it is tomorrow."
That only seemed to upset her more as she abruptly got up and ran into her room slamming the door shut.
Daniel stood dazed.
Truth is, it wasn't that he hated her... It was that he hated what she was. He hated that she was part of the Fire Nation. And it was true that the nations were supposed to be at piece, but being royalty and having served two years in the military when he was 18, Daniel saw and heard about some unthinkable things the fire nation soldiers had done to other troops and innocent civilians.... Barbaric things.
When he was a kid, it was simply him being a young boy and having a hatred towards all girls. But as he got older, he wouldn't have minded meeting Aileen again.... What he said in the parlor with the other men had been a complete lie. She was... Stunning. And she made it hard not to stare, everytime he saw her he felt himself wanting to get to know her... But the stories he had heard, what he had seen clouded his mind and made him turn away...
He felt awful for realizing he made her feel so terrible, but besides his resentment for the other nation... His name fit him. The Ice Prince. He had built up a wall around his heart, and it made it hard for people to get close to him.
Daniel sighed and walked down the hall to his own room.