Natalie pov

"I would like to visit your family." The second he said that my blood turned to ice.

"Why?"

"Why wouldn't I? I'd like to thank them for the strong spirited, stubborn, and sometimes stupid-"

"Hey!"

"-new member of the family."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked raising my brow.

"I think of you as family. I never had siblings but I think you do the job just fine." He smiled.

I sighed, "Well, I hate to tell you but I don't think that's a good idea." I stood up, preparing to leave.

"Why so?" He asked, not bothering to stand up.

"Because you can't speak to the dead." I said quietly and left. I didn't want to hear whatever it was he was going to say next. This whole day had been absolutely horrible, I didn't need his pity as well. But behind me I felt his eyes watch as I left until he decided to do the same. We went off our seperate ways then I heard footsteps running up, I turned to see an out of breath Prince behind me.

"Finally.... Found you..." he said with heavy breathes.

"Take it easy. What's wrong?"

"I can't tell you here, come with me." He whispered. Although the corridor we were in was clearly empty it must have been something important that couldn't risk be over heard since he pulled me into a near by empty room and shut the door.

It was dark, no candles or lanterns lit, and it was very empty. It looks like it used to be an old salon. There were only two windows that peered outside, letting in the moon's rays. There were no curtains on the tall, elegant windows, but in front of it was a very detailed carpet. After I finished marveling at the room I turned my attention to Audrey.

"What happened earlier?" Audrey asked, clearly exasperated with flushed cheeks.

"What part of tomorrow do you not understand?" I teased and smiled to try and ease him but he shook his head. "Is everything alright?"

"No. No it isn't." He said looking frantic.

"What? Wait- hold on a second and calm down."I advised worriedly but my words were ignored.

"Someone knows- about us!'' He rushed to say as beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

"Oh for Fina's sake!" I ran my fingers through my bangs as my stomach dropped. I felt sick. "How? Did someone see us?"

"No no, not that I know of." He rambled, and looked very pale.

"How do you know? Are you sure it isn't just some sick trap?" I asked but then he drew a piece of folded up paper from his sleeve and held it out to me. I saw there was writing on it but I furrowed my brow and stared blankly at him.

"Your highness... you know I cannot read." He flinched at the fact and drew the paper back towards him.

"Ah- sorry." He fumbled with the paper and began to read it out loud. "Your highness, watch your back. As I find you are often in low company as the day breaks midday. Don't be so naïve and cut them loose, as one would cut the string of a bow that has gone slack.... You have been warned." He let out a shaky breath and tucked the paper away. He leaned his back against the wall and slid down to sit on the floor, I did the same.

"Who is it from?" I asked staring at nothing in particular.

"I don't know... It's not signed. And I don't recognize the hand writing."

"So... What does that mean for us?"

"We won't be able to see each other anymore, I suppose. It'll be safer for both of us that way...." He said as he rubbed his temples with knitted brows.

"Yeah...yeah you're right."

"Not for forever... I hope." His voice was low and sad, I offered him a smile but he did not return the gesture. I let out a sigh and leaned my head against the wall.

"Audrey?"

"Yes?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" I asked, then turned to look at him. His whole body stiffened and he refused to look at me as the question hung heavy in the air.

"I- um I don't know." He stumbled over his words as I looked at him but he refused to meet my gaze. He sighed, "Remember earlier when I said my life is politics?" He paused as I offered a nod, he continued. "Apparently we've been on uneasy terms with Baldonia , so it ended up being a mutual agreement that I go to... meet the princess. In other words I'm betrothed to her and I'll be married by the end of the year if all goes well." He trailed off, his cheeks burning a bright red.

"And you didn't think to tell me this!" I exclaimed shooting up right, but he didn't even bother to look at me. "Were you even going to tell me in the first place?" I grabbed his wrist "Please look at me! Answer me!" My temper got the best of me. When he finally faced me I saw tears weld in his eyes and his cheeks burn even brighter, I felt extremely guilty. I let go and pulled back, "Ah- I'm sorry- I didn't meant to-"

"I-It's okay. It's just, another responsibility that I have take on as a prince." He shrugged and let out a breath he must've been holding in and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. I was about to say something else but he put his hand up to stop me before I could even get a word out and just like that we sat there in an uneasy silence. I put my hand on his shoulder in a pathetic attempt to comfort him.

"So we might not see each other at all?" I whispered as he looked back at me.

"Not unless you climb the ranks to be stationed as a personal guard then no. But we both know that can't happen." And I knew that. To be a personal guard, you must sleep on site in the barracks. And then my secret would surely be blown, not to mention the fact that my father had promised to comeback to the orphanage one day. He ran his fingers through his disheveled hair silently trying to expand our options. But there weren't any.

We know that.

That's when I felt his arms wrap around me. I froze, my brain trying to process the gesture before I enclosed him into a tight hug as well.

"You should've told me sooner." I said to break the silence.

"I- I know... I just couldn't bring myself to." He drew back with his hands still resting on my shoulders. When our eyes locked he looked away immidetly and shifted his weight onto one foot and pulled his hands away.

"Are you feeling alright? You don't look well." His skin was very light and glazed with sweat that reflected in the moon light.

"Yes, I'm still just a little upset I guess." He wobbled a bit, then leaned on the wall for support.

"Bullshit." I said as I sat him down on the floor again and pressed my hand to his forehead. "You're burning up. Stay here, I'll go get someone.'' When I stood up he grabbed my hand to stop me.

"Don't." He said in a hoarse voice. "I've been poisoned before, this is... This is different." That's when it hit me.

"Audrey, let me see the note." He looked confused but grabbed the folded piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to me. I took it from him and held it up to my nose and almost immidetly pulled it away. My nose absolutely burned at the scent, I pulled my sleeve up to try and ease the burning but it was no use."How long have you had this note?" I asked absolutely horrified.

"For a few hours maybe, I kept it with me since I found it so I could tell you. Why?"

"Because it's drugged." I threw the paper onto the floor. "Its a contact poison, since you've had it with you for so long it must finally be taking effect."

"Is it bad?" His eyes went wide as he processed it.

"I have no idea, I don't know what was used on it. Show me your arm." I said as I pushed back his sleeve a bit to reveal a small rash from where the paper had been. He let out a light but hoarse laugh, completely dismissing the fact that it was even there.

"If I ever get a mysterious note again, I'll make sure you smell it next time."

"Oh ha ha." I glared at him as I replied sarcastically. "This is serious, you need to go to the medical wing. Are you feeling well enough to walk?" He nodded as he rose from the floor, no longer needing to hold onto the wall as much.

"I'll be fine, thank you." He smiled, this time it was genuine.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you? I don't want you fainting in the hall." He chuckled before he replied.

"You know, since when were you this caring?" He teased, I felt my cheeks heat up as I lightly smacked his arm.

"Okay now I know that poison finally made its way to your head.'' I retorted as I crossed my arms. Together, we smiled, doing our best to lighten the mood if this was going to be the last time we saw each other.

"Natalie." His voice got serious for a moment. I looked at him as he twisted a ring off of his finger and pressed it into the palm of my hand.

The golden band was elegantly engraved with vines and flowers, with a deep blue sapphire cut in the shape of a rhombus in the center. The gem, was just as deep and vibrant as his own eyes. On the inside of the band was carved Audrey J. Astiliano II. This was the ring he wore all the time, I gawked at it in my hand before I looked up at him with a dropped jaw.

"What is this?"

"My ring, I want you to have it. As a memento of our friendship." He smiled though his face still flushed, I'm assuming from the drug.

"Okay now I know you're delusional. Lets get you to the medic." I tried to give him the ring back but he only pushed my hand away.

"No, this I'm certain of." He closed my fingers around the ring and held his hand on top of mine for a brief moment. "Remember when we first met, you had absolutely no idea who I was. You treated me like anybody else, you even hated me at first." He grinned, and his eyes met mine. "And ever since that day we've been so close. I don't want to lose that part of my life. So I want you to take a piece of me, to remember me by in case we don,t get a moment like this again." And then we shared our last hug, even though it was brief, it felt like this could be the last time we saw each other.

"Are you sure you want me to take this?" I pulled away and asked as I held the precious metal in my hand.

"I have to make room for a wedding band eventually, at least this way I know its in good hands." My cheeks flushed and he laughed as we walked out the door together, the dark hallway still empty.

"Fare well." He looked back at me with a smile playing on his lips, his face no longer as red as it was before.

"Until we can meet again." I watched him leave, making sure he didn't stumble or fall despite the medical wing being just two corridors down. He seemed perfectly fine walking away, so my worries were put at ease.

I opened the door again and picked up the note and slipped it into the pocket of my coat. I didn't want any evidence lying around, as for the ring, I held onto it tightly for a moment as tears welded in my eyes before slipping it into my pocket as well.

And then I walked out with a confident stride.

After about twenty minutes I finally made it to the armory. It had gotten much later and the lanterns let out a warm glow in the brick building. I hung up my bow and placed my quiver of arrows onto a hook, before I was about to walk out I heard a gruff voice.

"Still here lad?" I turned to see my commander. Shit.

"Umm yes sir."

"Everything alright?"

"Why?" I asked as I side eyed him.

"Well I hear that's the only word you know today. Anyways I heard you broke the swords." I winced. Broke was kinda blant. Shattered may be a better term, but I wasn't about to correct him on that.

"I suppose?"

"Well I certainly hope all that anger was directed at me."

"N-no. It was something else."

"Care to elaborate?" I only shook my head. "Alright then lad. I shall see you tomorrow then?"

"Yes sir." I said before I walked out through the gates.

I spent some time aimlessly walking around the market as I made my way to the orphanage. I had promised one of the younger girls I'd buy her a flower from the market tonight.

But even so, my thoughts swirled about today. About the commander. About Ferguson. And about Audrey. Panic seized my gut as I assumed the worst of each situation. Until that is I reached the girls orphanage. That's when I heard a familiar voice.

"HEY NATHANIEL!" they yelled.

"Oh. For Fina's sake." I murmured before a force struck me in me hard in the back.

"Sorry bout that. Hey why you going in the girls home for?"

"Damn it. Hello Cole." of course he's gonna run into me here. He's got nothing better to do. "I'm visiting a friend." I said meekly.

"Ooh! Is it what I think it is? Nathaniel's courting a lass!" he screamed taking the attention of on lookers around us. He absolutely reeked of alcohol as he hung on my shoulder.

"Cole I beg you please stop this. Wait- are you drunk?" I scolded as I knocked on the door.

"Hmm maybe a little." he said with a goofy and crooked smile. Then which Bliss cheerfully answered the door.

"It's about time you got here-" she cut herself off when she saw Cole behind me and my face was silently begging her not to give me away.

"Hello! Are you the lucky lady?" he asked Bliss before I elbowed him in the ribs.

"No. Don't scare the poor girl. And cut it out!" he started making kissy faces in the background. For a man he was very immature, I thought as I rolled my eyes "Sorry bout him. He's a bit of a pain in the neck sometimes." I said. "Can you send Yona out here? I promised her I'd buy her a flower at the market tonight."

"Yes, sure hold on." she left with the door open as I waited on the steps.

"Yona huh?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Don't be ridiculous. Care to tag along?" I asked just to prove him wrong and get his mind out of the gutter.

"And third wheel on your date? OF COURSE!" I shook my head at him. We waited a few minutes, Bliss must be explaining the situation to Yona.

"YONA- WAIT SLOW DOWN!" Bliss screamed.

Just then a little bare footed girl ran out of the orphanage and clung to my torso, knocking me down the steps in the process.

"Hello Yona." I strained to say as my breath was knocked out of my lungs.