Allura's POV:

Apart from the engagement preparations and being pressured into knowing Aden's likes and dislikes into preparing for marriage now I have to be in Miguel's presence. He has not wanted to be in my presence and he has made all the effort to avoid me. And now I have been locked in a room with him.

"Someone must have locked us in from the outside after I came in." After trying to open the door we eventually give up. It is very daunting being in each other's presence since we have not spoke for the longest time or atleast that is how it feels for me. He is distant in thought and he seems focused on the paintings. "Do you still paint?" I have to break the silence. "Not as often as I like." There is a portrait in front of us. I always hated taking portraits. "Are you able to tell if he really sat for the portrait?"

"Well the gentlemen did not sit in this second one because his facial features even the mannerisms do not match his posture. It was merely manipulated to look as though he sat for it." Now that he has spoken of it I can see it clearly. "The Headmistress is related to him, the stern facial features and scrunched nose genes shall certainly never die." We laugh together at his statement. "Long live the incest." Our classic joke. We used to tease the funny looking entitled brats that looked they were conceived by a family bunch. We haven't joked about this since long ago. I have missed this.

He notices that I have gone quiet so he becomes tense besides me. "Are we still going to dance together?" His voice barely comes out. "Meaning?" "I mean perhaps we should change partners so I do not sabotage your marriage." He is taking a jab at me. "You practice cowardness with my marriage as an excuse?" He looks shaken by my question. "Why are you so bothered?" "How am I bothered?" "You are being rude and chose insult me." "I am not." "Allura..." He just stares at me in silence before looking to the ground sighing.

"It is quite clear that you find me irritating that is the reason you are bothered by my question." He is still looking at the ground. "I never mentioned anything about the seltor being an issue. So then why would it be a concern?" I know I am the reason we at distance but why is he being so rude to suggest more space. "I am just being selfless and thinking of you." I can not tell if he is trying to be sarcastic. "Is there someone you would be a partner with?" He looks at me confused. "Are you quite serious?" He is annoyed and for what?

"Yes" I answer bluntly. "I am going to leave now." He gets up from the chair, are we not locked in here? "Princess Rubina." I turn my head and see Ruby in the doorframe. She must have unlocked it, I did not even hear it open. "Why were the both of you in a room. Locked and alone?" I stand up and walk to the door. "We were locked inside from the outside." She thinks I am lying I can by how she is looking at me. "Well the forces must want to see you jeopardize your engagement." Oh how I wish everyone would please shut up about my engagement for one day. Just one day Lord please.

The rest of the Tea Swirl Miguel did not look at me once. I could not eat my stomach would not allow me to, I lost my appetite completely. "Is my event truly that bland that you prefer the wall than to be in the crowd?" Cara seems to have finally let Pedro go from her side. "I am just taking a break do not mind me." I still can not believe that we are now friends I would have never dream of this happening. "Lura, the carriage has arrived we must leave now." Lilly comes rushing to my side. I say my goodbyes and we leave. Before leaving I catch a glimpse of Miguel with that lady. My stomach is turning at the sight.

At Gamming's Palace

I am so tried of the baby planning. Ever since I had mentioned that I would like perhaps eight children, Aden's aunt has been around me whenever she can to confirm that I would not change my mind because she thinks it is admirable. Especially since Lilly did not want a large number of children she would always say that two children would be her limit. I would like an even number of children so that each one would have their special sibling. I want a big family I would hate a quiet palace.

Aden had offered more choices of gowns for the engagement. There is one gown that has caught my attention mauve color. Perhaps it caught my attention because it is His favorite color. I long for him everyday I see things that remind me of him. Yesterday I was strolling in the palace when I landed in the sword room and immediately my mind went to him. Never have I ever had someone live in my mind in this way, it is painful, I hate it. But I also hate him being far from me and now he does not want to be my partner for the Seltor. Why? I have not even said that I had a problem with it.

***

"No!" Headmistress seems to be angry today and Miguel just continues to bother her. "But Headmistress we-" "I have said no." She interrupts him. "The Seltor is in five days and you are telling me this nonsense." She raises her voice at him. "You should know better than to irritate me. Now please leave the room I have much more important things to worry about." We just leave the room with our heads down. "I guess we will be dancing together after all. I do hope it will not cause you any trouble." I had not asked him to care. "Yes we can only hope." Bland answer. "Are you alright?" "Yes we should head to etiquette class now. In silence." I walk leaving him behind.

During etiquette class we were silent and the lecture notice or rather pointed out how we looked like dead dancers and we were not in sync. It was mostly my fault for being lost in thought about how annoying Miguel has been the past few days. Had I known that it would be so difficult to hate him or at least stay mad at him I would have never kissed him, why did I have to tease him that night. What saddens me more is that after the Seltor I will never see him again. I will never be this close to him, I will never dance with him again. Our friendship will truly be over.

THE SELTOR

It is the day of the seltor. I barely slept yesterday because I was so nervous. I spent half of the day getting ready and when I done the carriage was ready to leave. I could not see Lilly anywhere in palace so I left with out saying goodbye.

Heading to Spins Hall I immediately see Miguel. He is in an all black outfit with a shade of red on his neck collar. "I am late?" I greet. "No. You are right on time. Are you ready?" Of course not. "Will I ever be?" He takes my hand in his. "I know that we are not friends now." He looks me in the eyes. "But tonight let us be friends for the last time. Let us have fun together. One last time?" I wish to cry now. "Okay." He smile for the first time in days and so do I. I take his arm and we walk into the hall.

"Welcome Your Highnesses to Your Royal Seltor." The Headmistress greets and everyone claps. "I will firstly announce those who will have the chance to dance for the title proving etiquette and grace." She take a scroll from the servant. "These results are from the charity event that you took part in. Here they are our final three royals." My heart starts racing and I tighten my hold on Miguel. "Princess Rubina." I am so happy for her. "Prince Pedro." Oh? I am shocked because he did not put so much work into it but who am I to judge. "And lastly Princess Allura." I let out a huge breath of relief.

"Well done." Miguel congratulates me. "Are you not disappointed?" He does not seem bothered. "No. I did my best besides my parents do not care for my achievements." There once was a time where he would care but I guess that has changed. "We made it." Ruby hugs me tightly while squealing. "I am so happy." I respond. "Rubina to the center please." She rushes to her dance partner and the music starts. Next were Pedro and Cara they are good dancers and it helps that they love one another because it could show. We were last.

"Do not be scared okay." We walk up to the center. "Focus on me do not look at anyone but me okay?" The music starts and I nod. I try not to overthink or mess up any steps. I had not stumbled once because Miguel already knew which steps confused me so he made sure to guide me through them. I am so grateful for him because no one else would do that for me. Looking in his eyes was very pleasing I wanted to see what I would see happiness, sadness? But I could not quite figure out what it was that I saw.

****
It is time to announce the winners and everyone has settled down to listen. "Thank you all for an excellent semester. This is your final one soon you will be headed to Marble Market." Luckily not me. "I hope you all will make something of yourselves and may you continue forging great alliances. Now for your winner." Ruby and I are sqeezing each other's hands. "We all know of the benefits especially if it is a lady it would boost your desirability with suitors." I just need it for my parents reign to still be alive please. "The winner is....Prince Pedro."

My stomach sinks as claps echo the room. I look to Ruby besides me and hug her. "We did our best right?" I know that she also wanted to win it. For her status and now she must be upset. "I will be okay. You will be too." No I will not. I look around for Miguel but I can not spot him anywhere. Did he just leave without saying anything? "Lura!!" I ask the coachman to wait as I go towards him. "I was looking for you everywhere." His clothes look someone was tussling with him. "I am sorry that you did not win, you parents will understand that not everything can be planned ahead right?" If only.

"No, but I will try my best to not be too bothered by the insults my father might throw at me." He pulls me in for a hug, luckily most of the people are still in the hall, so no one would see us. "I am going to miss you." I can hear his heart pounding through his chest. "I am going to miss you more." I do not want to let go. He does not let go either. "Will you attend my engagement?" This can not be the last I see of him. "Do you want me there?" Why would he even ask that? "Yes I want you to be there." "I will be there. I promise." I can feel him sigh. I pull away a little looking at him.

I want to kiss me, I want him to kiss me. He leans in a bit. We just stay apart a little no one moves we just stay as we are. He brings his forehead to mine. His breath quickens. "Allura." He whispers out. "I have to go." I pull away. "Goodbye Miguel." He holds on to my hand for a bit before leaving to fall in despair to my side. I walk out to my carriage I look back at Miguel and he looking towards the ground. As the carriage pulls away my tears just start welling in my eyes. I feel pain in my chest it hurts. I do not know how but it does.

I will not miss him as a friend but I truly am grieving a love I will never get to experience with him. I love my best friend who will never be my lover. I love you. Miguel.