"So, that is our proposal, Sire. We hope it will be favourably considered."

The elderly man smiled expectantly at the Prince before him. The latter did not reply but kept his face vacant of feelings. Yet deep within, his mind was running a thousand miles per hour.

~Flashback~

Tarquin walked down the hospital's hallway and approached his father's room, the only one on that floor.

He was nodding to the guards standing at the half-open door when a familiar voice drifted to his ears. It was soft-sounding.

He immediately grew still.

"Pardon?" He heard Aquilina ask. He peeped through the half-open door and saw his father draw in a shaky breath.

"Why did you save my life despite all that I did to you?"

Aqui stood silent for a moment before replying.

"If it had been up to me, I wouldn't have. But hate cannot win against hate. Only love can."

King Flavian stayed silent for a long moment. And Tarquin was still reeling from those words when his father spoke again.

"I have decided to tell him the truth—the whole truth. No matter what it may cost, I need to let him know. And also, I want to ask for your forgiveness."

What are they talking about? Tarquin could only wonder.

"I know I have cost you a lot. Nothing can repay you. I had thought about his image and the prestige that would be lost and did what I did. I cannot excuse myself. I am truly sorry."

His father coughed a bit afterwards, causing Aqui to quickly raise the glass of water by his side to his lips.

None of them had seen Tarquin yet.

When King Flavian was calm and satiated, she set it aside. She took a step back and after much deliberation, finally replied.

"I forgive you."

"And don't worry about telling him yet. Get better first instead."

Tarquin turned and walked away before Aquilina did.

But his mind hadn't left the scene.

What has my Father done? And who does he want to confess to? Why did Aqui stop him? He kept asking himself many questions.

He had no answers. But a great feeling of foreboding shadowed him.

~

"Your Highness?"

Tarquin snapped back to attention, and immediately put on an easy smile.

Though his thoughts had drifted for a moment, he had heard every bit of their presentation.

"Well, there are still a few questions I have with regards to the national security proposal." He rose, causing everyone else to do the same.

"Minister Aberto will take over from here. It will be approved if I am satisfied."

And he grabbed his keys and left. He had something else to do. Something which involved a certain blue-eyed princess.

——————

Javier was excited as he drove to the Homeric Royal office. It wasn't his first time there.

The excitement didn't come from that, but rather, from the thought of meeting Aqui.

She had called him days after his arrival to ask him if was free and if he wanted to visit her place. He had agreed to meet her outside the office, so she would lead him home in her car.

He had visited the estate before but never the side where her home was located at.

He heard the horn of her DBX before she took off. He drove behind her on a hidden road around the river that led to her home.

It wasn't as extravagant as other royals had, yet it was beautiful and unique. He parked the car next to hers and jumped off.

There had been security at the entrance, but none could be seen anywhere around the house. Yet, he felt a certain peace.

He approached her, as she quietly stood by her car with her arms folded across her chest. She looked beautiful.

With her modest cream dress, she truly looked like a Princess.

"This is it," she said softly to him.

He glanced at the house, then back at her face. Her face held almost no expression, but he didn't let it deter him.

"The house reminds me of you. Though it can't compare. It looks simple, but that's what makes it the most beautiful."

"Wha-?" She quickly turned her face away.

But as he had been watching her very closely, he caught the slight shade of pink which had coloured her cheeks.

"Let's go in." She led the way to the entrance.

On reaching the entrance, she entered a series of codes before the door finally unlocked. A beep was heard throughout the building.

She turned to him in the doorway.

"If you like it here and decide to stay, I'll make sure you have all the needed codes."

If I decide to stay?

He didn't say anything out loud but walked in with her. He knew what his answer was without having to look in.

What about her? He had tried to brush it off, yet, her indifference tore at his heart.

But, as she showed him the house with the various rooms therein, he realised, he wasn't going to give up on her.

No matter what it was going to cost. It was going to be painful, but she was worth it.

"And finally, the master's bedroom..." she paused for a while before opening the door.

"It's not much, but if you choose to stay, you could sleep in or use either of the rooms. Including this one."

His attention had been on her all along, not on the rooms.

Maybe, she doesn't want me here. This is going to be difficult.

"I'll stay here, and use this room."

She glanced at him as though trying to figure him out. Finally, she gave him a tiny smile.

"Okay."

It gladdened his heart to see that. He smiled back at her. When he finally looked around the room, he realised its beauty. Then, something else also caught his attention.

"Did you clear out one side of the room for me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry if you don't like that side or how it was done. I did it myself and probably didn't do a good job at it." She looked flustered.

Javier felt his heart melt.

"So you cleared it out for me... were you hoping I would stay then?"

Her face turned crimson and she glanced at her feet. He knew he was going to stay, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease her.

She was startled when he approached her and whispered in her ear.

"No te preocupes, querida. Me encanta. (Don't worry, dear. I love it.)"

Javier turned around and checked the wardrobe on his side of the room. He also noticed an empty desk on his side of the room.

He began to plan his move.

"Also..." her voice echoed from behind him in the vast room. He turned to face her.

"I prepared a study for you, in case you'll need it. It's the room opposite this one."

"Okay."

Though his voice was calm, his eyes showed amusement.

"Will you-" she began but was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing.

"Excuse me, just a moment." She quickly walked to the balcony of the room to answer the call.

Looking at her slender frame through the half-open door, Javier smiled.

It was going to be quite a journey, he could feel it. Nevertheless, he felt assured.

——————-

So sorry for any mistakes. GOD bless you all.

Much Love,
Phela.