Aubrey walk in the empty hallway inside the Verkin household. For the first time since she left their house, almost 3 years ago, she step foot in their mansion with a light heart. She couldn't be more delighted with her father and brother accepting her decision to continue being a knight despite its risk. Her brother, Laurence also let go of his dark past he couldn't forget. It happened when they were still young. When they were traveling in the western forest for vacation in another country, they were attacked by monsters.
Laurence is just a kid. He got scared and started running. His mother, Duchess Eden Verkin run after him and protected him when the claw of a monster was about to peirce his body.
The Duchess was also a mage and that time she's already teaching Laurence some basic magic. In terror and fear, Laurence activated a teleportation magic in hope to save everyone. His mother, his little brother, Larry, his little sister Aubrey and their knights and maids. However, a mage's emotions can greatly affect its magic. It can either boost or destroy.
Laurence successfully teleported them but, only half of their bodies were teleported. Only Laurence and Aubrey's was safe and the rest died. It was a very traumatic and horrible past.
Brother is slowly overcoming his past. I can tell he's trying his best. Aubrey thought as she watch his brother practicing his magic in the training ground. But, I wonder if Princess Ultear is fine? The war already stopped, however it took three months before it concluded.
No one win the war. Both parties suffered great loses and deaths. Everyone despair and grieve. The Kingdom experience economic loss with the Northern and Eastern Region being devastated. It's true that war only profits nothing.
Kurtis was watering the plants inside the botanical store. The old owner who Kurtis consider as family ever since he was young was currently sick. He's resting so Kurtis take over the store. His Academy's friend, Russel visited him yesterday with the news of him quitting the Knight Academy and taking a new path in medicine.
"You have to hurry, the shops will soon close. I need to order a new dress today no matter what. Princess Ultear's wedding is fast approaching!"
"Yeah, I know. But, slow down will you? We'll trip!"
Kurtis froz on his spot after hearing the conversation of the two ladies running when he went outside to throw the garbage bag. After a while he shrug the thought and went inside the store after throwing the garbage like nothing happened. He went straight to the counter, checking some papers. The bell above the door rings, indicating someone just entered the store.
"Welcome..." Kurtis voice trailed off when he saw the person who just entered. His hands trembled.
"T...Tear..."
Ultear stood there infront of him doing nothing and just staring at him. She's wearing a beautiful, elegant royal blue dress decorated with sapphires and pearls. Kurtis also notice some royal knights outside the store. With that, he know Ultear didn't sneak out in the palace. If she did, her clothing would be like of an ordinary people.
"Why...?" Her voice crack, sadness and pain reflected her eyes. "I can't accept this, Kurtis. Why does it have to be like this? Why can't you fight for me? Why can't you keep me for yourself?"
A sad smile curve on his lips. "Sorry, Tear. As a man I badly want to have you. To keep you just for myself."
"Then why can't you do it? If only you have decided to keep me, I'm willing to forsake everything else just for you. Kurtis, please, choose me." tears started falling from Ultear's eyes as she reach for his hands. "The world means nothing to me if you're not there. Kurtis, I love you."
"Tear, I'm a knight and you're a knight too. You're also a princess, so you know that above all else, our responsibilities and duties are our priorities. And between my personal feelings and my duties, my duty as a knight stood atop. You should do that too, Tear. You already saw what happened when you, we, choose our own selfish desires, right? Everyone suffered. A lot of people died and lost their dreams and future. Those three months were like hell. Please, understand your position, Tear. You also wanted to stop the war right? You also wanted to give a better future for those Calumbias children, am I right? Then, make it happen, Princess. Give your people a bright, prosperous and happy future they deserve."
"No...I...no, Kurtis."
"Don't cry," Kurtis wipe the tears that continue falling from Ultear's eyes. His heart shredded to pieces seeing the person he love the most cry. And it looks like this will be the last time they'll ever see each other as Ultear and Kurtis. The next time they meet, they are Princess Ultear Merlione Betania, Betania Kingdom's Queen and Kurtis Theseus Lazarus, an orphan and mere commoner knight under Red Knight. The love they shared together will be nothing but a thing of the past. A distant memory filled with happiness and love.
No one will ever know that once upon a time, the greatest woman in Betania Kingdom once loved a commoner knight with all her heart.
"We might be taking different paths now, but remember that I will always love you, Tear. I'll always be in your heart and you'll always be in mine. And I exist in two places, here and where you are." Kurtis held Ultear's cheeks as tears fall from his eyes. "Being separated from you doesn't mean my love for you will cease to exist. Tear, my greatest love, I love you and will always love you, to the moon and back." he move closer and kiss her lips. For the last time. Kurtis thought.
Ultear responded and hug him back. For the last time. Ultear thought.
"I love you too, Kurtis. To the moon and back. Maybe in another life, we'll have a better chance." Ultear kiss him back more deeply.
"Hey, what's wrong? You doze off. Why don't you continue writing that tomorrow?"
Kurtis snap back from reality when Aubrey clap her hand infront of him. He doze off again while in the middle of writing a letter. He pinch the bridge of his nose and close his eyes, trying to compose himself up.
"Anyway, why are even writing letters everyday if you didn't send them in the end?" Kurtis followed Aubrey's eyes to a wooden box filled with letters he wrote but didn't send.
"Out of habit..." Kurtis shrug.
"Who are you sending them to?" Aubrey was fast enough to snatch one of the letters before Kurtis can close the box.
"Hey, give it back!"
"Nah-uh. Let me read this first." Aubrey read the letter.
Dear Tear,
How are you, my love? Winter has already ended and spring has just began. Snow started to melt and new green plants has sprout from the ground. Istark's wild flowers were beautiful as always. They reminded me of you. Beautiful, strong, independent, tough yet at the same time delicate. I pick some and send them to you along with this letter. I hope you'll love them.
"What's this? You're sending it to Princess--- I mean Queen Ultear?"
"Tsk," Kurtis snatch back the letter. He looks like some criminal who was caught red handed. Though what he's doing isn't a grave sin, but if it gets out he'll be dead meat. Writing a love letter to the Queen who's already married is just...
"You never stop loving her, huh."
"...I guess so. And I'm afraid I won't be able to forget her. Ever."