You Are The Reason ( Prince x Reader )

Chapter 39: Opening Up

   " So, you're telling me, Elina got married a few days ago, to Nikoli and is now a Queen. While, Y/n, you are engaged to Quinn. When am I getting a prince!? " Genevive shouted.

You and Elina laughed at Genevive's outburst. Your cheeks hurt from smiling, and you felt happy having your best friends with you. Finally, your laughing calmed down, and the doors opened. 

   " Excuse me, ladies, but King Nikoli asks for his wife in the kitchen. " The guard said.

   " Oh, Y/n, you remember Sam. " Elina asked, gesturing towards Sam.

   " I do. It's nice to see you Sam. "

   " You as well, my lady. "

   " Thank you for telling me about Nikoli; I'll be heading there now. But Sam, would you escort Y/n around the palace? She has only been here a few times, and she still gets lost. " Elina asked, standing up.

   " I will. "

Elina left, and you stood up from Genevive's bed. Genevive said she would lie down and rest while you left the medical wing with Sam. So you stood shoulder to shoulder with Sam as you walked through the halls. His light brown hair glistened in the sun while his blue eyes were bright and vibrant. His armor was silver with blue tendencies in the armor and on his sword. You did notice his right hand and stuck to the hilt of his sword ever since you had met him. And he was always serious around everyone.

   " Sam, why are you so stiff and serious? All of the other guards seem to be more lax. "

   " I am this way because I don't want to put my guard down. I fear that if my guard is down then something will happen and I don't want to take that risk. "

   " I see, but don't you ever relax? Isn't there ever a moment where you've smiled or released the tension in your shoulders? "

   " There was, but it was long ago. "

   " Can you tell me about it? "

   " I'm not sure you would want to hear it. It is a boring story. "

   " Tell me the story. I wouldn't have asked you to tell me about it if I didn't want to hear it. "

   " Right. Some five years ago, I got married to a beautiful woman. We were childhood friends, and we grew up together. When I joined the castle's training regime, I knew I wouldn't get to see her like I used to. Our time together dwindled, and I had found a love for her at this point. One day when I was on a break I proposed to her, and we were married within the week. "

   " Aww, that's really sweet. Your wife must be really happy. "

   " She was. "

   " 'Was?' Don't tell me. . ."

   " Yes, she passed away two years ago. "

   " How? "

   " Disease. During the winter there was a deadly sickness that was going around and it had taken my wife. We never had any children so she was the only important person in my life. I worked hard to earn extra money to get her medicine but nothing helped and she died at the end of winter. "

   " I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. "

   " Please, do not apologize to me, my lady. I have grieved and moved on. I loved my wife and I had my time to grieve. "

   " So, you took your guarding more seriously after that? "

   " Yes, because even though everyone comforted me, I found that King Nikoli would spend more time with me to make sure I was okay. King Nikoli was there for me and made sure I was eating and sleeping correctly. I would confess how I was feeling and relieve my sadness to him, and he took it with a kind smile and wise words. So, I promised myself that I would protect him because he is important to me. "

   " At least you had Nikoli. I'm glad to hear you had someone. "

   " Thank you, my lady. "

   " Do you ever miss her, your wife? "

   " I do sometimes. Having your lover die on you is an experience I wish I had never gone through. It was horrible, but it made me stronger. When I think back to my wife I always imagine her sweet smile whenever the sun was shining. She never liked it when it was dark because she was in love with the sun. When the sun was up so was she, when the sun was down, she was asleep in the bed. "

   " You haven't moved on, have you? "

   " I've been guarding the king after my grieving. I don't have time to go and find someone else. I would rather spend my time protecting my king. "

   " He doesn't give you time off? "

   " He does. He is a very kind and generous king. He's even given me the night off so I could go on the town to have, fun but I stayed in my room and got some extra sleep. It's not that I don't want to find someone else, I just don't think there's anyone with that same smile. "

   " Of course there's not. "

   " Huh? " Sam looked at you with confusion written on his features, but it was soon wiped away as you started to talk about your reasoning.

   " She was special and unique to you. So, it's obvious you won't find someone like her again. She was someone special and meaningful to you to the point you remember every detail about her, so you won't find someone like her ever again. But what you can see are certain aspects in people that remind you of her. She made you feel a certain way. And sometimes that's what you need to look for or you can look for a different type of lady, or man, but I'm guessing you like girls since you married a woman. " You said with a smile.

   " You would be right. I would prefer loving a woman over a man. Men are not really my type, but my friend Michael is looking for a lover, maybe you could give him some advice to find a male lover. You give good advice. "

   " Lead me to him and I will. "

Sam could feel a small smile attempt to make its way to his lips, but he kept it back as he guided you to a set of doors. He opened one of them and gestured for you to enter the room first. You thanked him and entered the room. Sam entered the room after you and shut the doors. He stood by the doors while you walked further into the bedroom. The bedroom was lovely and reflected the colors in the hallways. The bed was king-sized, with a  long bench sitting in front of the bed. On the floor, there was a small circular carpet. A dark wood dresser leaned against the room's wall, while a desk sat opposite the room from the dresser. In the room, there were two windows. The windows were long and touched the ceiling and the floor. There was a long window on each side of the wall; the bed had its headboard too.

   " Wow, this room is different from my last one. "

   " Queen Elina decided to give you something more regal. SHe believed this room would help ease your mind. "

   " That's very kind of her. I will have to thank her later. "

You took a seat on the bench and looked over at Sam, who stood stiffly in the room.

   " Sam, can you do something for me? "

   " Anything you ask, my lady. " Sam said, bowing with his free arm placed on his waist.

   " Can you teach me to fight? Before, in the rebellion camp, my friend Jin was teaching me to fight, but then I came here. I. . .I want to continue my training. "

   " I will if you're sure. I know, you have been through many things and you have seen lots of bloodshed. I don't want a lady, such as yourself to see any more bloodshed. "

   " I'm positive. I. . .I want to help and prepare. "

   " Alright. I will meet you later this evening, when it gets cooler, and I will show you how to fight with a sword. "

   " Thank you Sam. "

Sam nodded and dismissed himself from your room. You stood from your bench and walked to the bed, lying on the sheets and pillows. You felt pretty tired, so you fell asleep quickly.