The Things We Want

CHAPTER 28 "ONE OF A KIND"

"Ava! There you are," Christopher came around a corner and began to approach the two who kneeled on the floor beside each other, "Sorry to interrupt... What is this mess around you?"

The two stood too quickly, averting their eyes by staring in the opposite direction. Ava finally met with Christopher who still waited for an answer, but grew bored, "Well, whatever it is, I must protest. Ava, I'm here to ask you if you'd like to accompany me on a tour. I know little of this palace, and require being familiarized with my surroundings if you could," He smiled at her, offering his hand.

Ava looked to Eugene, who nodded encouragingly at his offer. He was beginning to believe his theory of trusting Christopher to take care of her... not as he would, but much better than Prince Demetrius ever would.

"I'll go," Ava said with a small smile, accepting his hand. He led her away and said something to make her laugh. Eugene turned to leave, not really wanting to see what their tour would be like, what he would do, what he would say, the way she'd respond... he wanted her to be happy. But he wouldn't be happy without her.

"So, where should we start?" Christopher asked, tilting his head.

Eugene made his way to the infirmary, recalling where it was from his visit when he was 16. He saw Samuel, sitting by Eric's bed.

"Are you sure he'll be okay?" Samuel asked a nurse across from him. She nodded kindly.

"Of course, he just needs to rest, he'll be just fine," She sighed, leaving them alone.

"This reminds me of when I met Ava," Eugene said, taking a seat in the room. Samuel looked at him curiously, "She never told you?"

"No, um, I guess she never did. When did you guys meet?"

"About 3 years ago, I protected her from some kidnappers breaking into the kingdom, only one of them was caught," he reminisced, "I was right where your friend Eric was, nasty head injury, and a beautiful girl by my side; it was a night I'll remember for the rest of my life, the way she looked at me changed my world."

Samuel didn't respond, looking intently at Eric's face, a small smile on his lips. Eugene laughed to himself and stood to leave as a maid rushed into the room.

"You are Eugene, correct?" She asked abruptly, taking his wrist. Eugene jumped.

"Y-Yes? Who's asking?"

"There's no time," She said, her eyes darting back and forth, panic racing through them, "I've overheard some information involving the princess... I wasn't sure who to turn to."

"It's okay, you can tell me," Eugene said calmly. Samuel looked up at her, his concern growing as well.

"Prince- Prince Demetrius is plotting something... I couldn't catch what but I overheard him talking with one of the palace guards that hails from his kingdom... It is to happen this night Eugene, at the ball honoring the two prince's arrivals!"

...

Eugene thought to himself, as he prepared for the ball that evening. What could Demetrius possibly be up to? And what could he get away with; within the palace, there were surely too many eyes...

"Are you ready, Eugene?" Iris asked standing outside his door impatiently, "Ava sent for you... she needs you to be in the ballroom when she gets there? I'm not sure as to why but I recommend being on time for this."

He sighed, opening his door. He wore his suit, his hair styled back as it had been earlier, "I'm ready as I'll ever be..."

"Giving away ones you love, it's never easy Eugene... but you will get through it, it'll just take time," She added as they began to make their way to the ballroom, "You will find another that will capture your heart."

"What do I do when she is the only one of her kind?" He asked softly before the doors opened wide.