One week later.
Silverswan Lake Park
Kurtis and Ultear meet with each other in the Silverswan Lake Park. This park is not that popular and only a couple of people went there. This is the place Kurtis choose because he know that Ultear doesn't like crowded place. Kurtis didn't ask why. Because although they're friends, it doesn't mean that she should tell him everything about her. Having one or two secrets is fine.
Everyone has anyway.
When their eyes meet each other, they couldn't help but smile. There's this unexplainable excitement brewing inside the pit of their stomach when in each other's presence. Their heart would jump from time to time.
It was a feeling that neither one of them know. A foreign emotion they couldn't put into words but when their eyes meet, it's as if they can understand each other in that moment. No words were needed.
"You said you have something you want to talk with me?" Ultear ask. "You mention it in your letter. Anyway, you got me really worried for not even replying in any of my letters."
"Sorry 'bout that." Kurtis ruffle her hair and let out a chuckle. "Yes, I want to talk about something. Specifically, about...us."
Ultear titled her head in confusion. "Us? What about us? Did anything happen to us?"
"Huh? No, uhm...what I want to say is that...that...uhm..." Kurtis is struggling to find the right words to say. Ultear is staring at him expectantly. His cheeks flush red. He suddenly doesn't even know where to start. His long week preparation was all gone the drain the moment he saw Ultear's beautiful face.
Kurtis lose the will to admit that he has grown romantic feelings for her. He, himself doesn't know nor understand it at first. That's why he cut off his connection with her for months to sort things out. His emotions, decision and future plan.
Ultear is not just some friend to him. She created her own space and place inside his heart. He trusted her more than anyone else. Her presence has greatly change his way of thinking. Every moment with her is pure bliss for Kurtis. The time they had together engraved in his mind which made him smile every time he reminisce the past. Ultear influence Kurtis in a positive way.
She didn't tolerate his bad habits, when he's wrong Ultear will be the first to reprimand him. Nevertheless, Ultear is still gracious enough to shower Kurtis with praises if his actions deserve it. Ultear is also one of those people who believe in him and his dream. She even give him countless opportunities which he didn't imagine he would even get. He's thankful for everything he is now to her.
At first Kurtis thought that his feelings for her were just admiration and gratitude. But...that's not it. Sure, he admires him, sure, he's grateful for her but this unknown feelings he has for her isn't so simple you can just describe it as being grateful or out of admiration.
Ultear held a special place in his heart.
"Have you ever encountered someone who tells you they like you?" instead going direct just like Russel suggested, Kurtis thought that it would be better to take things slowly.
"Yes!" Kurtis was taken aback with her answer. He froze on his spot and doesn't know what to do. "Everyone says they like me!" Ultear said followed by a heartfelt laugh.
Kurtis ended up laughing with her. I got scared for a moment there. He thought.
"I see. Everyone likes you, huh. Then what if, a guy your age tells you he like you, what will you do?"
"I don't know. It depends on who that guy is."
One of the many reason Kurtis thought about before deciding to confess is his friendship with Ultear. What if their friendship broke off just because of his feelings? Those years of trust will disappear in just a matter of seconds. He doesn't want to end their friendship but he doesn't want to have regrets of not having enough courage to confess his love to the person who deserves all the happiness and love in the world.
"I like you, Tear." there, he drop the bomb with sweating and trembling hands. He even feels like his heart would jump out of his throat.
"Haha who doesn't? Everyone does!" Ultear cheerfully answer.
"What?"
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
Ultear tilted her head in bewilderment. Not getting the meaning behind Kurtis words even if they were clear as day. Kurtis almost facepalm. I forgot how dense she is sometimes. She's a genius to other things but when it comes to this kind of things, she's surprisingly dumber than dumb. I don't know what to do anymore. Kurtis thought along with hearing his confession plan shattered in the background.
Seems like words wouldn't get to her then how about this. Kurtis grab Ultear's hand and stared at her in the eyes. Once they lock eyes, Kurtis confess once again. Emphasizing every word he utter. The way he explain how his heart would skip a heat when he's with her, how he would jealous when some guy is close to her or how he would badly missed her when they're not together.
Kurtis utter his love with all his heart making Ultear blush in return. She, who have been confuse with her peculiar actions towards Kurtis get her answer with his love confession. Love.
"Love..." Ultear utter with widen eyes and blushing cheeks. So, it was love. She thought to herself as she remembers the moment she ask herself multiple times what kind of emotion is she having. But, it turns out it was love.
"I also have something to tell you, Kurtis." Ultear took a breath as she ready herself to tell him about her identity. The king has been suspicious of her, not just about sneaking out of the palace but also about her meeting someone. "I'm actually, Princess Ultear Merlione Betania. Betania Kingdom one and only Princess."
Kurtis couldn't move and was frozen to his spot. He blink as his mind process what just said. He stared at her, looking if she's bluffing or joking but Ultear is dead serious.
"I always thought you're a noble but never did I think that you're actually..." Kurtis couldn't find the right words to say. He is beyond surprised. He doesn't know what to react or what to say. "Is it fine for me to love you?"
"Yes, because I also kind of like you, too."
It may be a spur of the moment or a folly of youth but, both Kurtis and Ultear gave each other a chance in the thing they call love. Kurtis went back to the Academy and continue his study, meanwhile, Ultear went back to the palace to continue her royal lessons. Both may be physically apart with each other but the unknown feelings that started inside them continue to grow as time passes by.
They exchange letters to fill in the longing in their hearts. And so, winter came.