Sapphire Princess

VI

ALEXANDER

Punch after punch, I ignore the dull pain radiating through me. Training has been my sanctuary. While I'm focused on improving my fighting, all of my problems are pushed to the back of my mind.

I'm certain that this would be classified as an unhealthy coping method. However, it's been the only thing that's helped. No matter what I do, Hope is always on my mind. Signing paperwork for the city, I imagine what Hope would have to say. Getting fitted for my coronation suit, I picture what Hope would be wearing and how beautiful she would look. Even laying alone in my bed at night, I long for her presence next to me. She may be gone, but she's never far from my thoughts.

If anything, her constant invasion of my mind reminds me of what I've lost. As the days pass, it becomes more and more obvious that I've made mistakes. At the very least, I should have heard her reason before banishing her. I can't believe I was so stupid.

I want to bring her back. I want to leave the palace right now and search until I find her and can hold her in my arms again. However, it isn't the simple. The coronation is growing closer and I need to be here. I have almost fully taken over for Father, at this point. His only job has been to finish the tasks that he started and sign everything over to me.

Then there's the problem that is my ego. For days, I was too hurt to admit there is another side to the story. Now, I'm just embarrassed. Hope has never given me a reason to doubt her and the moment I had the chance I threw everything away. To admit my mistakes now would be a painful blow. Eventually, I'll have to take it. If there's even a slim chance Hope will come back to me, I know I will have to accept all of my wrong doings and do everything in my power to make it up to her.

For now, though, I will continue to train. Train and prepare to take over Roris. Once the coronation passes, I will have all the time in the world to bring home my lost love.

As the punching bag continues to feel my wrath, I become aware of my brother's presence in the room. Yet another who will not allow me a moment of peace. Stopping my swings, I turn to him.

"Yes, Elijah?" I ask, sighing at the disruption.

"Alexander, it's Hope. She was seen. There's someone here to talk to you about it, come quick," he directs but as soon as Hope's name leaves his mouth I'm already following him.

It's been a week since our fight. Everyday after my announcement, I have prayed for some word of her. A pair of guards had seen her leaving the city three days ago, but she had taken them down and gotten away before they could get any indication of where she was going.

If someone has spotted her, hopefully it means she has settled down somewhere. If this proves to be a lead on her location, I will happily drop everything to follow it. Anything to see her beautiful green eyes again.

Elijah leads me to my office and when I enter I see a blonde man waiting anxiously on my couch. When he spots me, he stands and bows, though it's uncoordinated and lazy. I nod my head at him and Elijah and I take our seats in the two armchairs across from the man.

"Prince Alexander, Prince Elijah, thank you for taking the time to speak to me," the blonde starts, his voice shaky and obviously nervous. He's an unpure, and it's not everyday that one of his people gets an audience with the royal family.

"Of course-"

"Ed," he interrupts to fill me in on his name.

"-Ed. Prince Elijah tells me that you've seen Lady Hope. Could you please tell me everything that happened," I ask, however we both know it's more of a demand. He nods and swallows before speaking.