Strawberry Kisses

Prologue

*2 years before

Eloise

Betrayal.

Anger.

Rage.

Hurt.

Summer was winding down and with that came the end of many things. Relationships, friendships, love, staying up late, fun and endless clear summer nights. Now it was all being replaced by things people couldn't stand. Rain, breakups, tears, and hurt...so much hurt. I knew love wasn't supposed to come easy, especially for members of the royal family, but everyone thinks their an exception. That love wouldn't be hard for them and when it came it would be effortless. I stand here getting soaked in the rain to tell you that love was indeed hard and you should always have your guard up because when you think it wouldn't happen to you, it does.

I blink rapidly as I step forward just a little so the rain would stop clouding my vision. I needed to see clearly what was happening in front of me.

Standing in front of me is my girlfriend of a year and a half. Her blonde hair sticks to some part of her skin as she tries to calm down her breathing. I'm sure she didn't expect to get caught. I told her I was out of town, and wouldn't be back for a few days. Charity work. I came home one day early and wanted to surprise her in our spot. I knew she'd come here even when I was busy with work so I wasn't surprised to see her blonde head as I had been walking up.

"Rina, what..." My voice trails off as I stare at her face. Guilt was written all over her face but I knew she didn't regret anything that I had caught them doing. No, Rina was never someone to regret something. She always owned what she did because 'she never made a mistake' and 'everything she does is for a reason'.

Sniffles and mumbled words leave her mouth. I couldn't even make out what she was saying to me and my brain wasn't a big help either. All that could play in my head were all the memories she and I made here. Love confessions, muffled giggles to not disturb any guards waiting around, stolen kisses, and secrets whispered to the stars. All of those memories began to fade and be replaced by new ones. One of her blonde hair was tossed back and a hand gripping the back of her neck as she smiled down at whoever it was. The way her blue eyes widened and the happiness and lust that danced in them were quickly replaced by guilt.

"Eloise, please you have to understand. I never meant for you to find out this way." She clasps her hands together as she meets my eyes. Rina steps forward to try and grab my hands, to plead and beg me. But I heard what she said. Instead of the typical "it's not what it looks like", she just didn't mean for me to find out this way.

Truthfully I should've known this would happen. Being in a relationship in secret for over a year would never have ended up well. Though being secret wasn't my choice, it was something I agreed on because she wasn't ready to come out to anyone yet. So around others, we played as best friends but in private, well we were lovers. I respected that choice and would wait for when she was ready to be who she said she was.

Fucking idiot.

"Rina, this is exactly how you wanted me to find out." I scoff and step further into the gazebo. My body drips water across the stone floor as I lean my back against the railing. "This is our spot, and even if I wasn't home tonight I would been home tomorrow and found you both here because neither of you is sneaky."

"What?"

"Ask me why I'm even back early."

Silence followed as she looked down at her feet.