The Royal Spare (COMPLETED)

42-Of A Romantic Rendezvous

It was after midnight, the royal household has settled down for the night. The roving guards roamed the grounds as usual. I sat in the security room in the villa near the gate and watched the monitors as I have been doing for the past few days since I was transferred.

When the Crown Prince talked to me about my transfer, he was calm and didn't mention anything about Maiena but it was clear that he knew about us. I knew he chose not to argue for the sake of our friendship. I chose the same. It was difficult to leave the Princess's side but the Regent's order is as good as the King's and I didn't want to cause anymore trouble for my beloved.

Seeing that everything looked normal around the palace, I closed my eyes and sighed. The clean lines and curves of her handwriting came to my mind as I remembered the note my cousin Desmond gave me. It was Maiena's response to my letter.

I was surprised when my normally standoffish older cousin suddenly wanted to talk "feelings" with me. It wasn't something the Falkurina men grew up knowing. Aside from Gali who was inately gentle and loving, every one in our family had only duty and loyalty to the service hardwired to our bones.

Well, except for me too. Since I have let myself fall helplessly inlove with the Princess.

I changed. I changed for the woman I love. Maybe that's what happened to Desmond. If I changed, he can change too.

Anyway, when my cousin asked how I was doing, inadvertently revealing that he knew and understood about me and the Princess, and offered his help, I grabbed it without hesitation. He also immediately agreed to do whatever it took to help me and Maiena.

I read the note that I have read over a hundred times since it was delivered to me.

Let me mend your heart in a place only you would know. The sun will rise three hours early tomorrow.

M

Of course it was a riddle. She was too smart to send a message that just anyone would understand. She spoke in terms that only the two of us would know.

I looked at the time and smiled. Just a couple more hours. I wondered what she must be doing while I sat there grinning like a lunatic with my heart about to beat out of my chest and my mind racing through all the million possibilities that could happen when I see my Maiena again. I've never been so nervous and excited in my life. It was crazy!

For the next hour, I tried to focus on my job, making sure everything was in order until finally, an hour before our tryst, Desmond came to take over my post. He informed me that he personally made sure that the Princess got to our meeting place safely without anyone noticing as Lady Cora and my brother Gali helped distract the guards and fool Lady Marian and the Crown Prince into believing that Princess Maiena is fast asleep in her bed.

My older cousin was cold and serious as usual but before I left, he patted my back and said, "Be careful." Then with the faintest of smiles, he added, "In a love like you and the Princess have, you should never waste any opportunity to make each other happy. You'll never know when you get a next one. Or if you ever will."

That was probably the most he has spoken to me in my life. It was odd but I appreciated it. I nodded, "Thank you, cousin."

He shrugged and his eyes showed a hint of sadness. "It's the least I can do."

I left after that and made my way quietly and stealthily into the woods. The stars twinkled brightly in the sky and the crescent moon smiled down as if blessing my way to Maiena. I started to run, unable to stand another second away from my love.

As I drew nearer to my destination, I found myself surrounded by a path of tiny flashing lights. At first, I thought they were fairy lights because I was moving too quickly and my mind was too focused on reaching Maiena to really look at the lights.