OH, HOW I missed Peter! Bert caught me sobbing on the floor of my bedchambers. I was ashamed at showing my emotions so openly. I had just barely begun to feel things again, so when he poked my side, I inwardly jumped, trying not to let it transfer to my outward self. He allowed me to cry into his shoulder. I cuddled closer to him, thankful for the comfort. After several minutes of crying, listening to his heartbeat, I realized what I was doing, and hastily pulled away, a blush spreading across my face. One hand remained on his chest. I stared at it for a moment, unable to sort out my feelings. Just as I started to withdraw it, he grabbed my hand. Bert smiled, and tucked a loose hair behind my ear with his free hand. His eyes glowed like I had never seen them before. “I’m fine,” I gulped, offering a small smile. I felt my palm grow sweaty in his, and speedily retreated. The attempt was in vain, and my blush turned deeper as he anticipated my next words. I couldn’t help but stare at his hand in mine, perspiration forming on my brow. What’s come over me?! I love Peter! Peter’s at war. You can be friends with Bert, even when he is here. I thought. Bert is holding my hand to comfort me. You needn’t be ashamed of that, he’s doing nothing wrong. “Do you want to go to Haleina’s with me?” I felt my eyes widen, but nodded, still choked for words. Maybe Peter was right, and he did like me more than he was leading on. The air was warm, but sheets of rain poured from the heavens. The air turned sticky in the humidity. I gulped for cool air. In seconds, I was soaked to the bone. I laughed at Bert’s disgusted face, and ran ahead of him. He gave me a puzzled look, and continued walking. My heart sank. Doesnt’ he know how to have a race? I thought bitterly, can’t he tell wehn he’s being challenged? Why didn’t he accept my challenge? Maybe it was because he hadn’t ever been outside of the castle before, and never had been challenged to a race of any sort. I handed my dripping cloak to Bert, staring at the magnificence of the eatery. Even though I had been there dozens of times by now, it still amazed me at how… big it all was. Aiden showed us to our table, eyebrows furrowing as he wondered who Bert was, and why I wasn’t with Peter. I shook my head to tell him that I couldn’t tell him anything, and jerked my head towards Bert, still shaking my head, to tell Aiden he was just my best friend. I’m not cheating on Peter. He’s just gone, and I needed comfort for a while. Aiden smiled, understanding. A second later, he creased his eyebrows again, not knowing exactly what was going on yet. “What are you doing?” he mouthed. “He’s my friend!” I whispered. “Oh,” he mouthed back, “friends, huh?” I rolled my eyes in his direction. Why do people always pair me with him? I wondered. He and I both know we are only friends. F R I E N D S. “Is… everything okay between you two?” Bert asked, making me jump. “Yep! Perfectly fine. Aiden here is Peter’s best friend.” “Oh,” his eyes darkened. “You’re giving me too much credit, ma’am,” Aiden said, winking. “Oh, stop!” I said, giving him a playful swat. He winked again, and went back to business. “What would you like to drink?” “I’ll just have water, please,” Bert and I said at the same time. I felt my face go red. That only proved Aiden, Zarola, and everybody else’s point. I wished Peter here to tell them that I was just friends with Bert. Bert looked into my eyes, also reddened. Aiden shook his head, not wanting any part of this. I don’t either, Aiden. I don’t either. I thought, though part of me did. I shook myself out of the thought. Why was I thinking like this? Bert says that Peter’s just a nitwit. Do I believe him? I thought suddenly. I considered this for a moment. We had argued over pointless things several times, plus, as Bert said, Peter threatened him. “So, Peter threatened you, huh?” Bert nodded. “What did he say to you?” He nodded again, gaze landing on my lips. My breath ceased. “Um…” I said, slightly uncomfortable. The other part of me wanted to scoot my chair closer to him. Ugh! What am I thinking? I thought, what is Bert doing? He’s just a friend! He knows that, I know that. Everyone knows that! I don’t like you like that! “What do you think of this whole war buissness?” I asked, changing the subject. He sighed, eyes looking straight into mine. “What did you say?” “Hm? What?” “What do you think about the war?” I repeated. “Oh. Um… I think I — I mean the prince — shouldn’t have to marry the princess of Simrieg just for an alliance that won’t help our situation at all.” “I agree,” I said, and continued the conversation.
Read ^ first! ----------------------------------------------------------------- Our food came out on silver platters, each filled with more food than I had seen for a while. Bert looked like it was totally natural. I bet that he had watched the monarchs eat so much, that it seemed like a lot less food then they usually ate. It was a well-known fact that sovereigns ate better than commoners. Their food came directly from their private garden in the back of the land. The ripest fruits and vegetables, all from their own garden. They must have been a joy to cook with! Bert hardly ate anything, choosing to look up at me instead. I busied myself with my food, trying to ignore the rising feelings in my stomach. Peter had left me alone after he promised to stay with me the whole day. I thought. No! Peter was probably called back to the palace to do… something. Plan out war strategies or something. He probably put up a good fight. I sighed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- It's CHAPTER 30! When I first started, I never thought that I would make it to chapter 30! JUST WOW! I AM SO EXCITEEEEEED!!! Hello, random person. I'm calming down. So. Some slip- ups on Louie's part, huh? How is the story going in your POV. -OREO
