Color of Roses

Goodbye?

Chapter 21

No matter how much I begged, I wasn't allowed to leave my bedroom that night. Giles had made sure Elias stood guard outside my door and that I was to remain inside no matter what. Thankfully, he wasn't able to see me cry myself to sleep. I had awakened this morning with puffy eyes and smeared make up. I rinsed my face in warm water I had brought to me by my maids. I could tell they wanted to tend to me like a mother to her crying child, but I had dismissed them.

I wipe my face dry and tie up my messy hair to make myself look somewhat presentable. I don't bother changing my dress as I eagerly step out into the hall. Elias leans against the wall and he stands up abruptly as if he had been woken up.

"Princess?" He says blinking.

"Take me to Alyn. I need to talk to him."

Elias looks at me confused. "Alyn isn't here."

"What?" I say in disbelief.

"He left this morning. I thought you knew."

I push past Elias and race down the hallways towards the barracks. I ignore the questioning glances of servants in my haste to see Alyn. My feet continue moving until I'm just outside of Alyn's door. I reach for the handle and shove open the door. I cling to the door as I'm gasping for air until I collapse at the sight before me.

His bed was made and his armor was placed upon a mannequin against the far wall. His room was organized and his clothes were gone. Tears begin to fall and I quickly wipe them away.

"I'm sorry, Aria."

I turn to face Elias whose eyes gaze at me with sadness. I force myself to stand up and quietly close the door. "Why didn't he say something?"

"He told Giles he was going away for a few days. He didn't say why."

Was I no longer important to Alyn? Did everything we told each other mean nothing? There's no way. I won't believe that. I quietly close the door and retreat back to my bedroom. I don't have much of an appetite but Nico brings a tray of food to me and leaves it on the nightstand.

**

I must've dozed off at some point because when I wake up the sun is directly in my room meaning its midafternoon. I rise out of bed and force myself to eat a cookie off a newly placed tray. As I'm taking my last bite, a soft knock taps at my door. I step out of bed when the door opens and a familiar face steps in.

"Good afternoon, Princess."

Leo's smirking face greets me and I know he's up to no good.

"I'm too tired to deal with you," I say rubbing my eyes.

"I came to talk to you," he says stepping closer. I eye him up and down before letting out a sigh. "Fine. Make it quick."

"I'm sure you've heard about my brother's absence, right? I think I might know where he's gone."

My eyes widen at his words and I see by the smile on his face he knows he's got me interested. I keep quiet and let him continue. "When he's sulking, he usually goes to visit our parents."

"Where do they live?" I interrupt. His smile fades and he looks out the window. "They're dead."

I inhale loudly without thinking. Why wasn't I told this before? I guess I didn't know much about Alyn as I thought. I turn away and lean against my bed post to take all of this in. Alyn leaves without saying goodbye and I just now find out his parents are dead through his twin brother. My head starts spinning.

"Are you alright, Aria?" Leo says as he places a gently hand on the small of my back. I bite my lip to stifle the tears that are eager to break free. "I feel terrible," I whisper.

"I knew this would happen eventually," Leo says quietly. "My brother is too scared to love anyone after what happened. He's scared to lose someone again. He basically became a knight to protect people but I never saw him attach himself to anyone. You were the first I've seen him truly cherish. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed or jealous."

I blink back the tears and face him. He's smiling but in a more sincere kind of way. His eyes are bright and colorful. "I wish I hadn't ruined things between us. I honestly wish you'd smile at me the way you do with him. I honestly don't know what you see in him. I'm much better looking," he says. He eyes my lips but thinks better of it. "There's still a chance to move on you know."

I narrow my eyes at him and he chuckles. "I'm only kidding. It's been a long time since I've seen my brother happy. I'll take you to him."

I blink at him in shock at what he's saying. "You really know where he might be?"

He smiles at me and looks away, "I'm pretty sure I might. Like I said before, he'll usually visit our parents' graves to west when he's sulking or upset. We used to go together but eventually he wanted to go alone."

"When should we go?" I ask.

"It's about a day's journey so we'd best leave tomorrow morning. Alyn will be sure to get there by tonight but he'll most likely stay in a nearby inn. Our chances of running into him are slim but we might get lucky."

"I'll start packing."