"It's not betrayal without intention."

I couldn't sleep at all tonight. It's not about Alexander in general. It's about me wondering how far we could go. If he wasn't ready to tell me about his and Stephen's history, how could I open up to him? Compared to anything else, my love life has been innocent. My military history is far more interesting for any enemy or love interest. Would I have to tell him one day? 

"What's been keeping you up all night?", Sky asks me as he joins me on my way to the kitchen. "How'd you know that something's been keeping me awake?", I ask surprised. "To be honest, your face tells me all that I need to know. You could need a face mask." 

"Wow, thank you, brother dearest." "You're welcome", Sky smiles at me, "It's about Alexander?" "Do you think I would have to tell him about dad one day or about the blood witches? I wouldn't worry about this if this marriage was completely arranged but we're getting closer.." "If you'd be ready to tell him, I would tell him. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Beatrix was overreacting when she found out about it. It's been him or Silva." 

It's pretty rare these days that my mind magic controls my mind but thinking back to that day.. the fear in Saul's eyes, the anger in dad's eyes. The feeling of being the only one who could intervene. Sky's look when he realized that he couldn't replace Saul by dad anymore. 

"Thank you, Sky", I smile at him and appreciate his warm hug, „Will you have a cup of tea with me?" "I'm actually occupied. Gotta meet someone in the city." I grin knowingly. Looks like he's also in the process of healing from what happened between him and Bloom. "Have a good day."

"No, Emilia, you don't need to help", I tell her as soon as she's filling up a jar with water, "I'll make the tea on my own but thank you." "No, princess, it's-" "And I tell you to drop this part of your job and take a break", I say warmly, "I'll do this my own." "Thank you", she tells me surprised but also happily. It's not like I couldn't heat up some water without help. 

"I'm sure William won't be amused that you're telling the staff to take an extra break." I turn to the left and face Alexander. I think I was pretty harsh to him. I'm confident in being disappointed by him not being honest with me but I also understand why he chose to do this. I would accept his apology in a few days anyways so why not do it earlier? 

"Would you like some self made tea? It was pretty hard to understand the process but here I am being qualified in brewing some tea", I joke bluntly and smile as his lips form to a grin. "Will you sit down with me?" "That's part of the deal, prince." "I'm surprised you're talking to me again this early", Alex admits as we sit down together when the staff has left. 

They could tell that we wanted to be alone and I'm not ready to take him to my room so we'll stay in the kitchen. "Me too, to be honest", I admit shrugging, "Staying mad about this would just waste my time and yours as well. My mind tells me to stay away from you but.." 

"And your heart?", Alex asks me looking at me widely. "It tells me to spend more time with you", I whisper shyly. My heart beats faster when he lays his hand on my cheek softly. I couldn't even stay mad at him. I miss the way he kisses me. 

"I'm sorry for not being honest about this part of my life", Alex apologizes to me and takes my hand into his, "Actually.. I wanted to tell you a lot more about myself but I was afraid of making you leave. Would you spend the evening with me so I have the chance to tell you about my life?" "Sure", I nod gladly. He's still mysterious to me. I've told him a few things about me but he didn't tell me anything about him. It's time for him to open up.

"A picnic at sunset, how romantic", I comment as we sit down after having walked through the landscape for a few minutes. We've finally found the perfect spot. The landscape in Eraklyon is beautiful, not like anything else. "Your voice sounds sarcastic but I can tell that you like a romantic date", Alex mocks me grinning down at me. He's only three inches taller but still I feel like I look to the sky. 

"Don't act like you know me", I chuckle grinning at him. He's quite good when it comes to knowing what I actually think. "You're welcome", Alex ignores my comment and takes my hand in his as we sit down on a blanket, "Actually, thank you for giving me this chance." "You don't have to apologize anymore, you know. It's not like you actually betrayed me." 

"I know, I just feel like I owe you some information about my life", Alex chuckles watching me as I impatiently taking out the food of the picnic basket. "I'd love to finally hear some stories about your life as a little royal kid", I smile at him widely but he looks thoughtful instead, "Did I say something wrong?" "No, you'd never", Alex shakes his head quickly, "Do you remember when you asked me if I wanted a drink in your room?" 

I nod slowly wondering why he'd mention this exact moment. "I would have liked to have a drink with you but my family.. they're quite unique.. not in the comfortable way." I stop eating the strawberries and fully focus on Alex. This sounds like something that won't warm my heart. 

"The reason why I'm trying to make this work between us on a romantic, not only on a political, basis is my family. I can't remember when my parents have actually been in love. I believe they haven't spoken to each other within five years apart from business events. My brother and I planned to become better people when we were younger but I can tell that his marriage is developing quite bad. That's why I was either hoping to find a normal woman to settle me down or a royal woman who knows what it's like." 

"I guess I'm neither of both", I admit hoping to hear more about his emotions and history. "Indeed, you've grown up normally enough to snap at a crown prince and royally enough to understand my point of view", Alex smiles at me lightly leaning back, "My brother has married Princess Daphne-" "Diaspro's sister", I add knowingly. 

This is the first negative aspect of Alex, his family and his sister in law. I can't stand her. She was trying to make Sky fall for her for as long as I can remember just because he's the prince of Eraklyon. 

"I know what you must think of her. Before I came here, she's been talking to me about you and I could tell that she's not having good intentions. I just wanted to let you know that I know what my family is like and I'm already sorry for introducing you to them soon. If I could, I'd keep our plans to ourselves." 

"Thank you for caring about me but I think I can deal with them. I'll just shoot some lightnings when necessary", I chuckle and smile at Alex, "Your family is now mine and if you don't like them, I won't either." "Thank you, Scar", Alex smiles released and lightens up the situation by leaning over me.