Chapter Two

THE NIGHT THAT STARTED IT ALL (part two)

HE SOUNDED MORE LIKE A man than of a young boy now. Queen Sevina felt that concern from his voice as he took another step closer towards her. That was not something they both have done before. This felt much more than just a simple conversation, provided the proximity it brought them, it seemed to be.

Yet as Queen Sevina contemplated answering, Prince Kevian started speaking again.

"I remember when I used to run around the huge garden every afternoon, my Queen," he shared with a hint of boyishness in his voice as he continued, "You always watched me from afar, looking all worried and anxious that I might trip and harm myself all the time."

Queen Sevina recalled that very clearly and those were just some of the little memories they both had together. But those simple things were not that much to think of now that they had grown distant after the death of the late King and Queen. But somehow, this particular night made them two reminisce about the past that seemed to far from what was now.

"You were still a little kid but now, you seemed more than capable of protecting anyone from harm, Prince Kevian," Queen Sevina righftully noted as a smile slowly formed in her lips. It was true, Prince Kevian had really grown more dependable and stronger as the years went on. He had learned so much from the royal training and his education... And he seemed even prepared to take over the throne anytime soon now.

Realizing that, Queen Sevina felt a little hesitant to admit it to herself... That Prince Kevian was now an adult who have his whole life presented right in front of him. He will soon take over the throne, become the King as he should, and will lead the kingdom for years with his excellence and marry someone to be his Queen and to produce an heir. All of these were already expected to happen in the future, yet for some reason, Queen Sevina felt a little tug on her chest as she thought about what would happen to her once she steps down from the royal crown.

"We already won, didn't we, My Queen?" Prince Kevian's voice suddenly pulled Queen Sevina away from her frazzled thoughts as he asked, "Why are you still worried?"

It might have been a slip of emotion and Queen Sevina was really surprised that Prince Kevian saw through her. She never tried to show any hint of what was going on inside her mind to anyone else and even the late Queen had struggled so hard to read what she felt and thought about all of this. Yet, Prince Kevian, who seemed less observant and less mindful than everyone else, had immediately guessed her feelings.

Queen Sevian paused and turned her head to stare towards the endless horizon from the open windows of the hall where they stood together. She briefly closed her eyes for a second and tried to breathe in the cold brush of the wind enveloping her. 

"There's so many things that would await you in the future, Prince Kevian," she eventually spoke with a calmer voice, "Worrying would be a part of it everyday, but it does not mean you'll be all by yourself during those times."

"I know," Queen Sevian heard the prince replied with a positive voice, "'Cause you will be there with me, right? You'll stay by my side, my Queen."

The intonation of those last few words gave Queen Sevina a sudden rush of strange emotions filling her whole body. She felt her chest tightening as she opened her eyes and felt her throat drying up. What did he just say?

She did not really want to overthink and Queen Sevina felt too nervous to turn her head to look at the prince but she could feel his warmth nearing her side as his shadow loomed over her. He was taller and bigger and more intimidating that he used to be before and Queen Sevina could feel herself losing the sense of standing firmer from where she was.

"I've always said this before, my Queen," Prince Kevian pushed for more, his voice getting much gentler and warmer this time, "But it seems like I can't keep myself from saying it again. You've always been really beautiful... no matter what and when..."

She felt breathless and it somehow scared her a little as she struggled to find her voice and tried to brush that unexpected comment with a sly chuckle. 

"It's because I don't age, Prince Kevian. That's why I always have this face," she told him. But he didn't even flinch or show any kind of reaction from what she said. Instead, Prince Kevian just moved closer until Queen Sevina had no other chance but to meet his eyes, face to face.

"Yet I know, you're still beautiful... in your heart," He emphasized, caging her eyes with his as he gazed deeply at her, "You've always been selfless and kind."

There was no other words said after that but it was pretty clear. Very clear. The meaning of things that the prince said to her hit her so hard and emotionally it left her begging for that acknowledgment and rewarding feeling... Someone, after all, has always been genuinely appreciating what she did... Even when it had been so hard all this... Someone knew... Someone saw it...

Her efforts... Her pain... Her sacrifice... The prince has always been there observing everything and that left Queen Sevina feeling so warm and lost at the same time. And before she knew it... The last thing she saw was the prince's face moving closer towards her until she unknowingly closed her eyes.

And then she felt it... The soft brush of his lips, the warmth of his arms moving around her body and the way his breath shook when he let out a soft sob. Something happened there, during that night when she forgot everything else...

And it was something... although it made her feel warm and elevated, still left a deep bruising reminder of a huge mistake that they both should have never done in the first place.