"Your Highness," I offered a respectful bow to Estevao's parents.
"Father, Mother, this is Princess Valentine Aethelard of the Kingdom of Aethelard. She is a waterbender. These are her two brothers, Crown Prince Alastare Aethelard, a firebender, and Prince Kyre Aethelard, a new bender," Estevao introduced us with a proud smile.
"Welcome," the king greeted, his tone warm yet regal.
"Oh, you are truly a vision of beauty," the queen exclaimed, her delicate fingers gently brushing against my cheek.
"Thank you, Your Highness. You are too kind," I replied, unsure if my words were polished enough. I hoped my manners sufficed.
"Valentine!" A familiar voice called out—Eliora!
"Eliora!" I knelt down to embrace her, a rush of affection flooding my heart.
"How have you been, little one?"
"I'm well! And you?" she beamed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I'm well too, young lady," I responded, running my fingers through her hair affectionately.
"You are so sweet," the queen remarked, watching us with a tender smile. I returned her gaze, grateful for her kindness.
"Well, come along, I shall show you around," Estevao said, taking my hand in his.
"Can I come too?" Eliora asked, her voice full of hope.
"El, come here," the queen called. "I believe they would appreciate some private time."
I smiled gently. "It's alright, Your Majesty. I too have missed her, haven't we, El?"
"Yes!" Eliora exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.
I bowed once more before we made our way through the castle. It wasn't as grand as Archirilio or Aethelard's, but it had a quiet elegance all its own.
"This," Estevao declared, presenting two gleaming swords, "is for the mighty princess of Aethelard. A diamond-encrusted meteorite sword." He handed the blades to my brothers, who exchanged a glance before accepting the gift with wary admiration.
"And for you, my darling," he said, his voice soft as he placed a dazzling necklace around my neck. "A twenty-carat sapphire diamond necklace." I held my hair to the side as he carefully draped the chain over my shoulders. Seven sapphires gleamed between the delicate links, each one capturing the light with a breathtaking brilliance. I sighed softly. It was magnificent. Yet, despite all the precious things he had bestowed upon me, the one thing he truly desired—my heart—I had never given.
"Thank you, Estevao. It's... truly beautiful," I murmured, embracing him. I knew I needed to start growing closer to him, even if it was only to forget how it felt when I was wrapped in Skyro's arms.
We spent the next several minutes being measured for our new garments. The fitting didn't take long—perhaps fifteen to twenty minutes for each person. As the king and queen could not join us, we had brought their clothes as examples. When the fitting was done, they invited us to share a meal with them. I couldn't resist, and so I joined them at the table. To my surprise, they followed a vegetarian diet, much like my own family. That would certainly make dining with Estevao far easier.
"Are you sure you won't stay a little longer, Princess Valentine?" the queen asked kindly.
"We will return soon, Your Majesty," I replied. "But for today, I think that's enough."
"Well then, I shall prepare the ship," she said with a smile.
"There's no need, Your Highness—"
"Of course, there is," Estevao interrupted, his tone tender. "You are my everything."
His words brought a smile to my lips as he turned to prepare for our departure. My brothers and I bowed before making our way out of the castle. With our combined bending abilities, we had the ship speeding toward our kingdom within the hour.
Time seemed to slip away so quickly. As we sailed, my thoughts once again turned to Skyro. Even with all the changes, it was him who occupied my mind each morning, each night. Tomorrow, I would begin my life as Estevao's fiancée. I would reside in his castle, and within a month, our wedding would take place. The thought of living away from my family filled me with anxiety. I had never been so far from Alas, let alone from my kingdom.
"Mei," Banyu's voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to her, sensing her concern.
"Yeah?"
"I have something to tell you… Me and Alas… we…" She trailed off, her gaze dropping.
"Is everything alright? If he—"
"We're getting engaged on the 40th of Winter, in two weeks," she said, her words a surprise that brought a burst of joy to my heart.
"Oh, my spirits! Are you serious?!" I exclaimed, nearly overwhelmed with happiness. "I'm so happy for you, Ban! I can officially call you sister now! HUUH!" I threw my arms around her, embracing her tightly.
"You've always been my sister, Mei," Banyu responded with a smile. For the first time in a while, I felt true joy.
As I lay in bed, my heart weighed heavy with the knowledge of tomorrow's engagement. The thought of stepping into a future with Estevao, a future that wasn't mine to choose, filled me with a deep, unshakable sadness. I couldn't help but feel like I was leaving behind a part of myself, a part of my heart that I had entrusted to someone else—someone I could never truly be with. The promise of a life with Estevao felt empty, like I was being pulled in one direction, away from everything I ever wanted.
Skyro's POV
"…we would be honored to have you join us tomorrow at 1. It would be a privilege to have you there. Thank you. Aurelianos." Borin read me an invitation.
"Hold on… Princess Valentine Aethelard of Aethelard, you say?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Borin replied.
"Naeva… she's… she's Princess Valentine?! Which means I could marry her! I must—"
"Your Highness… You've already admitted it yourself. She doesn't love you. Stop torturing yourself, Your Highness—"
"UGH!" I punched the nearest wall in a fit of frustration, the sharp pain of my injured hand barely registering as the anger consumed me. My body trembled from the raw intensity of the emotion that surged through me, as if the walls themselves would collapse under the weight of my grief. UGH!
The world around me felt suffocating. The crushing sense of helplessness weighed on my chest, each breath a struggle against the rising tide of despair. Was it truly over? Was she truly slipping through my fingers, like water through an open hand? How had I let it come to this?
"Prince Skyro?" My mother's voice pierced the darkness, soft but steady.
"One moment, mother," I muttered, forcing myself to wash my face, to clear away the evidence of my frustration. But I couldn't shake the hollowness inside me. The sharp, empty ache that refused to leave. When I opened the door, my heart still thudded painfully in my chest.
"My son…" Her words were heavy, full of unspoken understanding, as if she had known all along that I would reach this point, that I would come to her, lost and broken. She enveloped me in her embrace, and for a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to lean into it, to seek solace in her warmth. But the comfort was fleeting, and soon, the heaviness of the situation returned.
"Leave us alone," she instructed the guards, including Borin, who quietly stepped back. She gently guided me to sit beside her on the bed.
"…Look, Sky," she began, her tone soft yet firm, "She loves Estevao, not you. She wants to be with him. You know how this feels, right? To have your love torn away from you? Do you really want to put her through the same agony? And consider how broken Princess Margaret would be if she knew you did this to her."
Her words landed like stones, each one heavier than the last. They sank into the pit of my stomach, twisting, knotting, until I could barely breathe. She loves Estevao, the words echoed in my mind, reverberating through every part of me, sinking deeper with every breath. I wanted to deny it, to fight against it, but deep down I knew it was true. How could she not? What hope did I have left?
"But… you've always told me to follow my heart, mother. And my heart belongs to her. I can't just walk away."
I could feel her eyes on me, full of love, but also sadness. She took my face in her hands, her touch gentle but firm, as if grounding me to reality.
"Prince Eugene was also in love with her," she said gently. "But he knew being with her wasn't what was best for her. And so, he let her go. You see, Sky… sometimes love isn't enough. It's about doing what's best for her, even if it hurts."
I tried to hold onto her words, to find something in them that might offer me hope. But it was like grasping at mist, something so intangible, so fleeting. Her words slipped through my fingers, leaving only emptiness in their wake.
"Mother… Is it true that we were soulmates?"
She hesitated, and in that moment, I felt a shiver of fear. What if the bond we shared was never truly what I believed it to be? What if it had all been an illusion?
"I… I don't know, my son. Yes, you were once. But I cannot say what it is now. But trust me, this pain… it won't last forever."
I wanted to believe her, but the ache in my chest told me otherwise. How can it not last forever? The thought of her being with Estevao, of her leaving me behind… it felt like a wound that would never heal.
"Now, go see Princess Margaret," she whispered, brushing my hair back. "She'll lift your spirits, I'm sure of it. You don't need to attend the engagement, Sky. I need to go now."
I didn't want to let go, didn't want to face the reality of my situation. But I knew I had no choice. I had to keep going, keep moving forward, even if it felt like I was stumbling through a fog. I nodded, swallowing hard, trying to shove down the lump in my throat.
"I'm coming to the engagement." I need to see her, at least one last time.
Her words echoed in my mind, but it wasn't enough. I would take whatever chance I could to see her just one more time, to feel the weight of her presence, even if it was fleeting.
"My son…"
"It's alright, mother. I'll be coming," I whispered, my voice shaking despite my best efforts to steady it. The sadness, a tide that had quietly risen within me, now surged, threatening to flood my soul. We may or may not be destined to be soulmates, Naeva- Valentine. Yet, amidst the storm of doubt, one truth endures: I have fallen, deeply and without hope of return, my heart—shattered though it may be—forever yours. Even if your heart remains untouched. Even if it never learns to echo mine.
Mei's POV
"You... look stunning," Estevao remarked as we met at the grand hall, where the event was held indoors to shield us from the biting cold. The night was to be one of dances, where I would take turns gliding across the floor with Estevao, my father, and my two brothers. It was Alas' turn next.
"Listen carefully… no touching before marriage. If he ever enters your room in the dead of night, say no to anything... inappropriate," Alas whispered, his voice heavy with warning.
"What on earth are you talking about?" I asked, bewildered by his words.
"Just promise me," he pressed, his eyes serious.
"Fine, fine," I muttered, trying to dismiss the awkwardness.
From Alas' broad shoulders, I caught a fleeting glimpse of Skyro's face. The brief exchange of gazes was all it took for him to look away, retreating before I could even speak. A sigh escaped me, but the crowd soon enveloped me, and Skyro disappeared into the sea of nobles—royalty from distant lands, each eager to offer their congratulations. Estevao guided me through introductions, leading me from one regal family to the next, their well-wishes a blur as they expressed hopes of everlasting union between us.
The first night in the Aurelianos Kingdom was a strange mixture of discomfort and unfamiliarity. The silence of the cold chambers only deepened the weight on my chest. There was no one to call upon in this vast, lonely place. My heart, still tethered to distant memories, refused to rest easily. But exhaustion eventually overcame me, and I drifted off into sleep, finding a rare peace as the days passed, albeit not without an undercurrent of unease.
As the hours dragged on, I followed Estevao diligently, even as others suggested I rest. Boredom, however, gnawed at me. So, I stayed by his side, attending to his needs.
"You will be a great queen," he said, his voice gentle as always.
"And you, a great king, Estevao," I smiled, my words sincere, even if my heart didn't fully echo them.
The day of Alas and Banyu's engagement arrived. I had no intention of missing the preparations for Banyu, so I found myself at the venue the evening before. Estevao had his own affairs to attend to, and while I didn't necessarily crave his constant presence, his absence left my thoughts to wander, inevitably returning to Skyro. I couldn't afford to let those thoughts consume me, not now, not when I had a future to focus on.
But despite my resolve, I found comfort in Estevao's proximity. His mere presence could dispel the shadows Skyro left in my mind, his laughter lightening the burden on my chest.
Yet, every night, I was haunted by the question: Did I love Estevao? Did I feel the same for him as I once did for Skyro? The answer, always, was no.
The engagement was a grand affair, lavish in its execution, and filled with almost as many dignitaries as the previous celebrations. As the evening progressed, my gaze fell upon Kyre, who appeared to be growing closer to a particular princess. She was charming and undeniably beautiful, and I couldn't help but notice the spark between them. It seemed clear to me that Kyre had found someone of his own.
The night ended with a final dance. I first danced with Estevao, but when the music shifted, I found myself in Alas' arms. Skyro was there too, of course. As always, it was only a glance—a fleeting, silent exchange—before he vanished once more into the crowd.
Skyro's POV
I stayed in the shadow of the grand ballroom, my eyes fixed on Valentine as she laughed beside Prince Estavao. That smile—so radiant, so beautiful—cut through me like a blade. All I wanted was to reach out, to touch her, to hold her, to feel her heartbeat against mine. But I couldn't. I'd promised to step back, to no longer disturb her happiness, and that vow bound me tighter than any chain. So I stayed where I was, burning with longing I couldn't express, forced to watch her from a distance.
But doubt gnawed at me, cruel and unrelenting. Could she truly love him as much as she claimed? Was her affection for Estavao real, or was it a lie to hide something deeper? Part of me clung desperately to the hope that beneath her words, her heart still ached for me the way mine bled for her. Yet, as I stood there, each laugh she shared with him felt like a dagger to my soul. I could do nothing but watch, silenced by my own promise, helpless as the woman I loved drifted further out of reach.
Mei's POV
The day finally concluded, but my thoughts lingered on him as I returned to Aurelianos with Estevao the following morning.
The hours passed swiftly, and before I knew it, night had fallen. I lay on my side, my hand tucked under my pillow. My other hand, adorned with the engagement ring, caught the dim light as I stared at it, lost in thought. The clock struck eleven, and sleep refused to claim me. My mind wandered once again to Skyro, no matter how I tried to push him away.
"You… look stunning," Estevao murmured, his voice low as we met at the grand hall. The ballroom was warm, the flickering light of countless candles casting soft, golden glows over the velvet drapes. The event was indoors, a welcome relief from the biting cold that had gripped the land. It was to be a night of dances—elegant, ceremonial, and suffocating. I would glide across the polished floor, the weight of tradition pressing down on my shoulders, with Estevao, my father, and my brothers. When Alas stepped forward, it was his turn.
"Listen carefully… no touching before marriage. If he ever enters your room in the dead of night, say no to anything… inappropriate," Alas whispered, his voice strained with concern.
"What on earth are you talking about?" I asked, a mixture of confusion and irritation sweeping through me. My brother was always so blunt, but this felt absurd.
"Just promise me," he insisted, his gaze intense.
"Fine, fine," I muttered, feeling the absurdity of the moment.
As we danced, my gaze drifted, a flicker of movement catching my eye. From the curve of Alas' broad shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Skyro's face. It was there, fleeting—our eyes met for a brief second before he quickly averted his gaze and walked away, disappearing into the crowd like a ghost. A hollow ache bloomed in my chest, but before I could process it fully, Estevao was beside me, guiding me through introductions with various royal families. Their congratulations washed over me like empty waves, each one expressing hopes of an unshakable union. The words blurred together, their meanings as hollow as my smile.
The first night spent in Aurelianos Kingdom was strange, a silent tension filling the space of the unfamiliar room. The bed, large and imposing, seemed too vast for one person. I lay awake, my thoughts drifting between the cold emptiness of the castle and the ache in my chest. There was no one to call upon here, no one to comfort me. I was alone, surrounded by people but still adrift. Sleep, when it came, was fitful, interrupted by nightmares of faces I could never touch again.
As the days passed, the unease lingered, a constant whisper in the back of my mind. I followed Estevao, dutifully, to every corner of the kingdom, staying close as he conducted his affairs. They told me to rest, to take it easy. But I couldn't. I couldn't sit still when every quiet moment would pull me back into thoughts of Skyro.
"You will be a great queen," Estevao said, his words a balm that didn't quite soothe the ache. His smile was kind, warm, but it didn't reach the parts of me that still belonged to someone else.
"And you, a great king, Estevao," I responded, my words genuine, yet my heart was elsewhere. How could I smile when all I could think of was the man I had lost, the one I would never be able to hold?
The day of Alas and Banyu's engagement finally arrived. I couldn't bear to miss the preparations for Banyu, so I found myself there the evening before. Estevao would join us the next day, but I didn't need him by my side every moment. Still, his absence left an empty space I couldn't fill. Without him, my mind inevitably wandered back to Skyro, and I couldn't afford to let that happen.
But despite the turmoil in my heart, there was something comforting about Estevao's presence. His laughter, his kindness—it filled the space where Skyro's memory had once resided, like sunlight breaking through dark clouds. Yet, despite everything, the question remained: Could I ever love Estevao the way I had loved Skyro?
The engagement was lavish—grand and extravagant, but in the back of my mind, it felt like an empty performance, a play I was forced to act in. I watched Kyre with a particular princess, noting the chemistry between them. It was undeniable. She was beautiful, graceful, and the sparks between them were clear. Kyre had found someone, someone to share the kind of connection I would never have with Estevao.
The night ended with a final dance, my hands trembling as I danced first with Estevao and then with Alas. Skyro was there, as always. Our eyes met—only for a heartbeat before he vanished into the crowd once more. The familiar ache in my chest flared up, but I pushed it down, buried it beneath the polished mask I wore for all to see.
The day came to a close, and I returned to Aurelianos with Estevao the next morning. But something inside me remained unsettled, the ache of longing a constant companion. The night fell quickly, wrapping me in its quiet embrace.
I lay on my side, my hand tucked beneath the pillow, the weight of the engagement ring heavy on my finger. I stared at it for a long time, my mind a whirl of thoughts. The clock struck eleven, and I found myself wide awake, thoughts of Skyro taking root once again. My pulse quickened as the hours passed, each minute stretching into eternity. I couldn't escape him. I didn't know how to.
Then, the window creaked open, a soft sound that sent my blood rushing with alarm. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. A shadowy figure slipped through, his movements fluid and quiet. My breath caught in my throat as he reached into a pouch and sprayed something into the air. A sickening realization washed over me—it was poison. My body tensed, every muscle screaming for me to flee, but I forced myself to remain still, holding my breath, praying the fumes wouldn't reach me.
"I'm sorry, Naeva," the figure whispered, his voice a mixture of regret and something darker.
I barely had time to react before the mask was removed, and the last person I ever expected to see stood before me.
Eugene.
My breath faltered. I had forgotten to hold my breath, and the poison seeped into my lungs, the world tilting as dizziness took hold.