“Don’t you think Markus has been acting a bit strangely?” Isabelle asked Alphonse the day before their wedding, before Markus had come home. “He’s been late for dinner a few times this week, and he hasn’t talked to me as much recently.”

“It could just be that he’s been given extra work to do. He enjoys his work, and he always comes back happy, so I think it should be fine. As for not talking to you, he might be tired, or it could be because you’re getting married tomorrow. He could be trying not to get in the way.”

“He could never be in the way! He’s my brother, and this is his home too.”

“I agree, but perhaps he doesn’t see it that way. I know it’s useless to tell you not to worry about him, but he has been very cheerful lately, and I don’t think it’s a pretence, so he’ll be alright.”

Still, Isabelle was concerned. Her brother had changed since they had come here, which was of course to be expected. He seemed more carefree, which was perhaps because they were with Alphonse, so he had less responsibility on his shoulders. He also seemed to have lost his fascination with dancing. After the first few balls, she hadn’t seen him attend a single one. When she asked him about it, he gave a vague answer or sidestepped the topic. Before, he used to talk to her about anything and everything, but he had started to be more secretive. This was a good thing, because it meant he had found other people to talk to, but it made her a little sad all the same.

She resolved to have a proper talk with Markus after the wedding, but for now she was far too busy with preparations. It would be a small ceremony, with only a few of the other palace servants and Alphonse’s family attending, but there was still a lot to organise.

Finally, the wedding began. Isabelle looked beautiful in a simple but elegant white dress that had belonged to their mother, and the happiness on her face filled Markus with joy. His sister was generally good-humoured, but he rarely saw her so radiant. Alphonse looked equally overjoyed.

Near the end of the festivities, Isabelle detached herself from her new husband and came to talk to her brother. “I see the princes decided not to show.”

“Alexis thought it might spoil the atmosphere a little. Oh, and he told me to congratulate you on your marriage.”

“The two of you have become good friends, haven’t you? A gardener and a prince, who’d have thought… You know, I was always worried that if I ever got married you’d feel lonely, but I’m glad to know you have him, and that other boy who was an apprentice with you. I’ll still be there for you, of course, but it’s nice to think that if you ever feel isolated, you’ll have other people by your side.”

Markus smiled and hugged his sister. “Thank you for always looking after me.”

“Well of course. You’re my little brother!”

“You’re right, though. Those two mean a lot to me… Alexis especially.”

“Yes. I only hope he will always have time for you, with all his royal duties. I also hope you can get married too, one day. You might be a bit shy with the ladies, but surely there must be someone who’s caught your eye?”

“I wouldn’t say that, exactly…” Markus looked down at the floorboards.

“Then there is someone? You can tell me. You can always tell me anything, you know that, right?”

“I suppose… But what if it was someone I could never have?”

“Then I guess they aren’t the right person for you. But anyone would be lucky to be loved by my lovely little brother. You just need to show them that.”

“I don’t think that’s the problem. It just wouldn’t be allowed.”

“Have you fallen for some high-born noblewoman? Come on, don’t be so down. I’ll support you no matter what.”

“Even if it’s a prince?” he asked in the barest of whispers.

Isabelle was obviously surprised, but nonetheless she said, “Even then. If he can make you happy then that’s all that matters. So, does Prince Alexis love you back?”

“Well, I- I think so…”

“Has he told you?

“No…”

“Have you told him?”

“Not exactly…”

“You can be such an idiot sometimes. You need to tell him how you feel. He may be a prince, but that doesn’t mean he’s brave enough to say it first.”

“So, I tell him… and then what?”

“That’s up to you, isn’t it? What is it you want to happen?”

Markus thought about this. He thought about dancing in the dark and holding hands in empty rooms. “I want to be able to dance with him, not in secret, but in the ballroom with everyone else.”

“And there you have it. You just need to have courage, Markus, and try your best to get what you want. We have work again tomorrow. If you come home without talking to him I swear you won’t be getting any dinner.”

Isabelle hugged him and the pair of them walked over to join Alphonse and wrap up the wedding.