[In a different place far away from the City of Cowell.]

[??? POV]

Fall.

I love Fall.

People says that it signifies aging, rebirth and change.

And I couldn't agree more. For Fall is the perfect transition from Summer (Life) to Winter (Death).

And to be honest, I love every Season.

Just living along with nature, witnessing the spring of life. Their vibrant growth when summer comes. The way they age and fall. And the way they wither when the cold comes.

But, once again, nature does it's magic, for every death, there is life. And just like always, when the soft, invigorating and beautiful season of Spring take it's turn, it gives birth to many a thing, shedding away the remnants of cold as Spring births new beginnings.

Isn't nature so beautiful?

"Hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~" I sung a merry tune as I walked down the palace's garden. Just savoring the flowers, the flowing water trickling by the man-made mini-river, and the trees, their leaves swaying and dancing in the melody of Fall's gentle breeze.

The golden glow the season gave to the atmosphere made it even more romantic, making my royal heart flutter.

Especially so, if you have someone dear to you.

"Eliza~." I called. My sweet voice that many women had fallen for, drifted in the garden. "May I hold your hand?" I asked fondly, a magnificent smile befitting of a Royal Prince bloomed on my handsome face.

A beautiful woman, younger than I am for 2 years, looked at me like I'm some kind of dolt.

If it was anyone else's, if they even dared look at me as such, I would have the Royal Knights have them executed on the spot.

But the woman before me, is not someone else.

My heart thumped, seemingly wanting to burst out from my chest, just from that gaze that came from those blue-colored eyes of hers. It's so vibrantly blue that the seas and the skies would shy in comparison.

"Your Royal Highness must have eaten something bad, for his Highness is saying something strange." She said deadpan, her head lowered in a bow. "This servant will have the other maids check if there's something wrong with his Highness' meal."

"Pft!" I stifled a laugh at her behavior. She's always been like that. Stern and professional. Stubborn even. "Well, seeing that you don't want to, I will change how I put my words." I held my left hand to her. "Eliza. I command you to hold my hand."

She blinked in silence, before opening her rosy red lips that always bewitch me to come kiss it. "Your Royal Highness must not use his Highness' royal command on such things, for if others might hear, they might think his Royal Highness is whimsical."

"Hoo~. Then, are you implying I'm whimsical, my dear Eliza?" I playfully asked, waiting for how she'll respond.

"That is not what I meant, Your Royal Highness. Please, find it in your heart to forgive this lowly servant's impudence." She bowed once more, her face still stoic.

"Please. Don't regard yourself as such. For if you do, then the man who cherish and adores you would also be denoted as lowly. Am I lowly, my dear Eliza?"

At the mention of the man who loves her, Eliza's cheeks turned beet red, her fingers fidgety. "N-no, Your Royal Highness."

At times like this, her cold façade just crumbles. And her cute demeanor leaks out every time I mentions how I adore her. I especially love seeing her blushing cheeks that perfectly accentuated her small and unblemished pretty face.

Looking at her, my royal heart race so fast once again. –'I definitely need to get a check from my Royal Physician.'

We continued our stroll in the garden, the Royal Knights a few meters away from us, at a distance where they wouldn't hear what I and Eliza are conversing.

I arranged it as such, and Eliza is the only maidservant around me. If the Knights ever noticed something strange between the two of us, then, I couldn't care less.

A bridge leading to a gazebo loomed up ahead. The gazebo's structure is beautiful and lavish. The details put into making it is exquisite, and it screams nobility.

The gazebo sat at the center of an artificial lake, it's surroundings covered in lilies.

We traverse the bridge, the knights stayed behind us. Inside the gazebo, a table full of desserts welcomed us. Servants stood at the side, ready to tend to my needs.

I motioned my hands at them to hurry away. And soon, they all collectively bowed and left, leaving only I and Eliza.

I sat down, whilst Eliza moved to serve me. I opened my mouth to make small talk whilst Eliza poured me a tea. "Isn't this scenery beautiful? The master who made it is really skilled. I heard Royal Father has paid him a lot of gold."

"It is indeed, Your Royal Highness. And this servant thinks that it is only natural as befitting a Royal Prince as illustrious and chivalrous as yours, your Royal Highness."

"Hoo~. Are you trying to make up for your impudence earlier by flattering me?"

"This servant dares not to, your Royal Highness. This servant is merely stating facts known to everyone living in the Kingdom of Edowell."

"Hmm. Is that so? I thought it was a compliment that came from your heart. Now, I am hurt. You do know I could get you executed by hurting my royal feelings, right?"

She turned silent, her face a semblance of incredulity.

"Hehe. I'm only jesting, my dear Eliza. I wouldn't do anything as such to you."

"Well, certainly, his Royal Highness has a great sense of humor." She replied, her head cocked to the side, a small smile played at her lips. "As expected from a man as gallant as you, your Royal Highness." She added sarcastically.

"Indeed, as expected of me." I played along. "Though, you still didn't make it up to me." I pouted, acting cute in front of her, like a puppy would, asking for pets.

It was an action I never thought I would do, especially in front of a commoner. But what can I do? I'm just a fool in love.

"Hmm? Make up for what, your Royal Highness?" she queried, her lips twitching, preventing her self from laughing and stroking my blonde hair like she usually does when it's just the two of us.

"I'm still hurt when you didn't took my hand. Hmph!" I huffed, acting hurt and enrage.

A small giggle escaped her mouth, her hand about to reach for my head to tousle it, but remembered that we're in public and in view of people. "Well, what can this servant do to appease your anger, your Royal Highness?"

"Hmm. Well, you could…" I dragged my words, while I twirled the ends of my magnificent blonde hair. "The temperature has gone cold, doesn't it? Well, because Winter is coming, I suppose. Lately however, I've been feeling cold and shivering, especially at night. I could use some company to keep me warm. Though, I wonder where could I find someone kind enough to accompany a pitiful prince." I ambiguously stated, my eyes expectant.

"Well, that was a roundabout way of saying you want to sleep with me, you horny dog."

"Pft!" I spat the tea I was sipping, my eyes round as I looked around, seeing if anyone heard that. Then, I looked up at my beloved Eliza. "Shhh! Don't call me names in public!" I whispered.

With her cold eyes, she replied in a mocking and disgusted tone. "Sure~. I'll call you names later on then… your Royal Highness~."

Gulp –

I swallowed a barrel of saliva as sweat trickled my forehead. Her disgusted eyes bore onto me, judging my royal self.

'Ah, bloody cow! Who would have thought that I would one day be subjected to such treatment, being regarded as a dirty pervert. Where has your royal dignity gone, Brinley?'

Though, betraying my inner thoughts is my excited self, itching and looking forward for the evening.

A gust of wind passed by us, Eliza's raven black hair flowing with it. The world seems to have stopped as I looked at her. The surroundings glistened and sparkled in yellow and golden colors. Her eyelids adorned by long eyelashes blinked slowly, her eyes gleamed in a brilliant blue. Whilst her rosy lips parted into a smile.

My heart went into overdrive, pumping vigorously.

My emotion swelled with love and care, serenity feeling my being.

Ah. I'm such a fool in love.