A Forbidden Royal Love

Chapter XXV: Out for a Drive

Ileana's POV:

Some say that the most beautiful parts of Romania are the farm lands. I am definitely not one to disagree. I have been staying out in the countryside since my dear baby brother Micrea passed away. Presently I am riding my horse, a young chestnut mare named Sirop, named so because she is the color of maple syrup, through the meadow that lies just beyond Peles Castle. Father says that we are here because he wants us to be able to grieve away from the public eye. I have a suspicion that this is about something more that just our privacy, but who am I to tell?

I feel at home hear. Father is right, being away from the public eye may be helping our family heal.

Sirop's hooves pound against the muddy earth. The drumming of my heart matches the percussion of her hooves.

There are other things that I am worried about besides my family and my beloved country.

Alexei.

He hasn't written to me in a while. I've been attempting to comfort myself by thinking that his letters are waiting for me in Bucharest, but there is this nagging feeling from deep inside me that I cannot shake off. Even if I've been frustrated that his life seems to be easier than mine lately, I know that in the long run this is not true. His poor health, his duty as heir to the Russian throne, his ill mother, his lack of playmates other than his sisters. I miss him. I long to be near to him. I have been writing to him ceaselessly because my heart and mind cannot contain the love that I have for him. Alexei, I love you.

I repeat this to myself over and over as Sirop bounds through the meadow.

Alexei

.

.

I love you.

.

.

Alexei

.

.

I love you.

.

.

I feel out of breath and I slow Sirop down to a trot. I dismount and look off into the east.

I press my hands to my chest, harder, harder, as hard as I can. And then I stretch out my arms as far as I can reach towards him. Towards Alexei Nicholaevich, Tsarevich of Russia, my fiance, my love.