Star Crossed

Chapter 28

Kara ran back to the castle from the space observatory, all the while looking around to see if she could spot Mon-El anywhere.

When she entered the castle, she noticed there were suddenly too many people here. All the guests for tomorrow's big event. She searched for Mon-El everywhere. At his bedchamber, where guards stood guarding the place, telling her the Prince hadn't been back since that morning, at her bedchamber, the library, the dining hall. She wanted to go check the great hall but the guards stopped here since it was being cleaned. An entire wing had been closed, since the King was having a meeting with the Prince of Asheon. Kara wondered who this man was so as to closing an entire wing for him.

Kara was tired from all the running and going up and down the stairs. When she was finally going to give up, she remembered a place Mon-El always went to, to be alone. Kara ran to the astronomy tower. She ran all the way to the top floor to see Mon-El standing there, looking lost in his thoughts. Kara gasped for breath. She leaned against the wall and panted.

Mon-El had just turned around when he heard her. "Lady Kara, are you well?" he asked in concern.

Kara gave him a small nod. Once she had regained her composure, she threw her arms around his neck and said, "I searched for you everywhere! Were you here all along?"

The Prince stepped away from her embrace and nodded. "I had breakfast with my father and the Royal family of Asheon. After that I decided to come up here for some air."

"Mon-El, we need to leave. They are going to announce your betrothal tomorrow. We don't have much time."

Mon-El didn't reply. He simply lowered his gaze.

"Mon, we could leave during the gathering! Everyone is going to be present there. No one would notice if we went missing. We can just get out of this galaxy. Maybe take a break somewhere, then go to Earth. We can take the Vans' spacecraft. I know how to pilot it. Barry and I used to have that model as a simulation lesson back home."

When Mon-El still refused to talk. Kara grabbed his arms and shook him. "Talk to me, Mon-El! Say something!"

The Prince still couldn't meet her eyes. "My Lady, I deeply regret what I am about to say. I apologize from the bottom of my heart for I cannot leave with you."

"What?" Kara's arms dropped to her sides.

"I was lost. I thought love was enough, but it isn't. I am the Crown Prince of Daxam. In a matter of few months, I will be King. I cannot abandon my people. They have put a lot of faith in me. And I have made promises to elders that I cannot break."

"But we can't be together here, Mon. They won't let us. I love you, but I can't be your mistress. I will not be able to face my family if I am labeled a mistress. And I can't bear to see you with another woman. I can't pretend that I'm fine while you are in bed with another. I can't see you having a child with someone else. I simply cannot accept that."

Mon-El looked away. There were tears in Kara's eyes. She was desperate, and he was helpless.

"Then you must leave, my lady. You must return to Krypton. And forget that I exist. That you ever loved me. That you ever imagined a life with me."

Kara's eyes widened at that. She wiped the tears off her cheeks furiously and tugged at Mon-El's arm, making him face her. "What are you saying? Are you giving up on us? Are you fine with marrying just any woman for the sake of the Crown?"

"I'm not marrying just any woman. Lady Kaydel of Asheon is my betrothed. She's not like Eliz. She cares about Daxam. She will make a good Queen."

"And a good wife? Will she satisfy you in bed?"