Everything was peaceful when I heard someone shouting outside my room. Confused, I stood up and took a few steps forward. Who could be screaming during this time of the night? Before I knew it, the door swung open and Mallory barged in. Her face was wet from all the tears but she wasn’t just sad. Her face carried so much fury with a hint of confusion and heartbreak.

“I would like to have a word with you,” she gritted, her hands balled into fists by her sides.

Gonzalo rushed into my room, catching his breath. “My apologies, Your Highness. I tried to stop her.”

“That’s all right, Gonzalo,” I let out my hand in front of me, signaling him to stop and calm down. I picked up my tray and walked towards him. “Kindly bring this down to the kitchen. Mallory and I need some time alone,” I continued, handing over the tray.

“Are you sure that you can handle it, young prince?” he asked, worried as he received the tray. “I could send for the guards if you wish.”

“I can manage, Gonzalo. I will call for you if I need anything,” I reassured.

He bowed his head and walked out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.

I let out a sigh before proceeding, “Why would you bother me even at the safest place that I have in this castle?” I walked back towards her, standing a few feet away from her. “What is it that you need that can’t wait for the sun to rise? And why would you be shouting during this time of the night when you know some people are trying to sleep?”

“Do you want to know why I’m acting this way?” she asked with a sarcastic smile, taking a few steps forward. “It’s because you ended our relationship without any explanation and at such an unexpected time. What do you even call that?!”

I groaned.

Isn’t this conversation already finished back at the stables? Can’t she do anything else with her life other than bothering me?

“I have nothing more to say to you. Like what I’ve said before, it was for your sake,” I said, walking towards the flowers. “That kind of relationship will never do us any good. I don’t know how many times I have to repeat this for you,” I continued as I paid more attention towards the flowers than to her.

“Where in the world did those come from?” she asked.

I turned around, looking at her. “They are from Lorain,” I crossed my arms. “I’m sure I’ve mentioned her already to you,” I added.

“And you’re smiling when you mention her?!” she raised her voice, her face close to turning red. “You’re happy that she gave you flowers but I gave you my heart and you hated me for it?!”

“Mallory, this matter is not worth fighting for,” I answered, trying to stay as calm as possible. “I assure you that you’ll find someone new. And that person will be the one to love and want you the same way that you do, possibly even more,” I took a few steps forward.

“But that someone is you,” she rushed towards me, clinging onto my arms. “I want you, Robert, and I will love only you.”

“The problem is I don’t feel the same way, Mallory,” I said, carefully removing her hands from my arms. “As I said, I only see you as a sister, nothing more.”

“Why can’t you just learn to love me for real? You learn to do other things, you can do the same in loving me,” she cried, resorting to begging once more. She looked desperate for love and it breaks my heart when I see her in this depressive state. She doesn’t have to do this, she just has to wait for the right person.

“I would be lying to myself if I try to love someone that I don’t. I’d be lying to you and as a friend, I wouldn’t want that for you,” I explained. “That would be unfair for the both of us and it will just end up hurting one another.”

“I don’t care!” she stomped her foot.

“Well, I do,” I raised my voice, trying to reason with her. “I care for you as a sister and doing that to you would be unthinkable. I’m already going to torture myself for the rest of my life by marrying someone I don’t want. I prefer to suffer alone in that kind of pain rather than bringing you along.”

“If you will not love me--”

“You’ll do what? You’ll tell Nana? The townspeople?” I interrupted her threats, matching them with my own rage that has slowly built up inside of me. Her eyes widened upon my remark. “And what will you be getting out of that decision? Tell me, Mallory.”

She stood there, completely still with stunned eyes. She didn’t move a muscle. Her eyes were just staring at me as if she’s waiting for me to give her the answer.

“As I’ve said before, if you do that, there’s only one thing that you’ll gain. One thing only,” I moved closer to her. “If you tell the people, our reputation will be ruined and we’ll lose everything. And you, along with all the other household members will lose what they currently have. And my care for you as a friend will end. Are you sure you’re willing to do something so foolish just to force someone to be with you?”

“Robert… I just want to have you,” she replied, her voice cracked as she tried to stop her tears from running down.

“Mallory, I don’t have anything else to say to you. This conversation, this matter is finished,” I groaned. “Please leave me alone.”

“I am not leaving until you come back to me,” she protested.

“Are you sure about that decision?” I raised an eyebrow, not giving the slightest hint of fear and worry with her threat.

She nodded as she stood her ground.

I walked to the corner and rang my service bell. “Suit yourself,” I replied as I headed towards my bed. In no less than a minute, Gonzalo arrived with guards and took Mallory away. She was shouting, objecting to their actions but after a while of hearing her struggles, peace was restored.

“Are you all right, Your Highness?” Gonzalo quickly asked.

“Yes, Gonzalo. I just want to sleep. It’s been a long day,” I replied.

He bowed and headed to the door. “Good night, young prince,” the door creaked as he slowly closed the door.

After I was left alone, I took a quick bath and headed straight to my bed. As I closed my eyes, I prayed that I would see Laura in my dreams, the only place where nobody can tear us apart.