Royal Heartstrings

Chapter 34- I love you

Valerie's POV:

Next week was Prince Nova's birthday, when he would traditionally announce his bride. Otherwise, his father would choose one for him - which would have been Mira, but she was now with Prince Cadoc. And I was with Prince Nova. But uncertainty still lingered because of the king's illness and how people would feel about prince Nova and I. Ugh, it was all so confusing. I just prayed it turned out well.

I clutched the locket around my neck that Prince Nova had given me, as I entered the Lover's Cave. The empty locket now held our pictures, taken at Selonia.

I glanced around the cave. A smile curved my face, remembering the night Prince Nova confessed to me here. It felt like a million years ago.

I stopped when I noticed something. I went closer, and sure enough, written faintly in small letters on the cave wall was: Nova loves Valerie. Encased in a delicate heart. Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes.

My heart skipped a beat. When had he written this?

"Prince Nova," I whispered, my voice echoing off the walls. How long had this declaration of love been here, waiting for me to find it?

I caressed it, a smile on my face. I took a picture of it and kept my phone back in my pocket and started walking around the cave. Lost in thought, I heard footsteps behind me. Someone must have come here, just like me, seeking solace in this intimate space. The footsteps stopped, and I turned around, and froze.

Standing there was Prince Nova, my Prince Nova, smiling brightly at me. I felt like I was gazing at a shooting star – but this shooting star was mine.

"Valerie," he said softly.

Tears poured down my face, and I couldn't move. Prince Nova took quick strides, wrapped his arms around me, and I fell into the hug.

"I'm here, and I'm not leaving again," he whispered.

I sniffled, and we parted.

"How... how are you here?" I asked.

"I arrived from my trip yesterday and saw your text message," Prince Nova explained. "I took an immediate flight to Eldrida today. I needed to see you," He paused. "I needed to tell you something in person... well, things."

My brow furrowed.

"My dad – they found a cure for my father," Prince Nova said, his eyes shining.

My eyes widened, and tears flowed again. I hugged him tightly.

"Thank God, thank God! Thank you, thank you so much!" I whispered. After we released each other, I asked, "Will he be okay now?"

Prince Nova nodded, smiling.

I breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, "How did you know I was here?"

"Your father told me you were coming to the woods around the Lover's Cave," Prince Nova replied. "I knew you'd be here – where it all began."

I smiled at him, our eyes locked. I missed him so much. Then I remembered. "Do you have any other thing you want to tell me?" I whispered, still holding eye contact.

Prince Nova smirked, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yes, I do."

I waited.

"Valerie Alaric, will you be my plus one to my birthday party?" he asked.

I took a deep breath and grinned slowly. "I'll always be your plus one."

Prince Nova flushed, and I caressed the red on his cheek.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too."

Then he kissed me, his lips gentle and I knew I was right where I needed to be.