It was a flower he placed on the small grave that day, weeks after her execution. She'd been buried near the place she'd loved the most, on a clearing close to the Maria Vetsera Church. A small, but meaningful white tulip, between a bed of light rose lilies. He knelt down in front of it.

Deep love, rebirth... between thankfulness, love and luck...

"It's been some time... Aithne...", he said quietly. "A lot has happened. Prince Licht is doing even more for his small job, Prince Leonhard is actually learning... Improving, actually.", he chuckled, a sad smile on his face. "Prince Bruno's teaching the kids here at church, now and then, so I hope you don't mind if I come by sometimes."

Wind came up and rushed through his short hair. He held his small cap. If they'd had the time, she probably would've made fun of him for it. Or that he's actively working for royalty. None of them had thought he would end up this way.

"Prince Kai is improving his social skills. He even made a friend at the academy I told you about.", he said softly. "I'm sure you'd be proud of him. As is Viktor, I guess."

The sun was going down, painting the sky red. As red as his hair, or even blood. Her blood.

"You didn't have to do this, you know.", he whispered. "To take the blame, I mean. There was no need for that. I would've just left, like you. Maybe we could've been together then, on the run. We could've settled behind the borders. I think even Viktor would've supported us."

Another blast of wind, mixed with some of the old leaves the snow had exposed after melting weeks ago. New sprouts had already grown, ready to replace the nakedness of the trees with new leaves, flowers and bushes. Heine secretly admired them, each time he saw something new blossoming, it reminded him of her. He didn't even know why. Maybe because he thought that she might grew them, just for him. A fantasy, but a calming, rather nice one.

"I was quite surprised. Shocked even, to learn that you're the lost daughter of the duchess of Cordes. That could've gotten you out or helped you a bit. Still, I get why you didn't use it. I wouldn't have either. It would've made everything really messy."

As if to answer, the trees shook their arms, reminding him of what she did for him.

"But I guess I'll never know...", he whispered.

"Heine!", a clear voice called out to him, leading him to open his eyes. They were surrounded by a greyish white, that complimented the figures hair and eyes, as well as the pale skin colour. His eyes were wide.

"Aithne...?"

She giggled. "Of course, silly. I've waited for you!"

A smile reached up his lips. "You did?"

"When haven't I?", she said jokingly, reaching her hand out to him. "And now, come!"

Heine, concerned, looked behind himself, to see nothing different from what he saw behind her. Everything was the same colour. "Will they be alright?"

Aithne smiled. "Surely, they will. You were their tutor, after all."

That's true...

She looked at him, lovingly. "It's time..."

He took her hand, smiling again. "I've missed you."

"I missed you too, Heine. And I love you.. So, so much..."

Together, they walked into the light, leaving no traces of their past selves behind. The pain faded, and Heine found himself finally happy, after all these years of emptiness...

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I DO NOT OWN THE ROYAL TUTOR; ANY PICTURES OR THE MUSIC USED IN THIS FANFICTION