AUTHOR'S POV
The days following King Edmund and Emma's wedding passed as usual in the public eye. But for Elle, everything felt different.
That morning, she descended the palace staircase. Her eyes caught the rows of bouquets and congratulatory wreaths filling the grand hall. The cards overflowed with well-wishes: "Best wishes to the both of you. May you have a marriage full of love, peace, and prosperity."
Elle only glanced at them briefly before continuing on. Outside, the congratulatory flowers also lined the entrance road. The world seemed to be celebrating the marriage. But Elle's heart only grew heavier.
"Are you ready, Princess?" Christian asked as he opened the limousine door.
Elle slipped inside without much of a reply, only a faint nod.
On the way to the university, Elle scrolled through her phone. Morning news outlets were flooded with coverage of the royal wedding. But one headline made her eyes widen:
"Two enemies become sisters. How is it gonna be?"
Elle skimmed the article, her heartbeat quickening. How could the writer know such detail? she thought, a wave of unease settling in her chest.
She spent the day attending classes. When they ended, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Elle! Wait, Elle!"
Eric ran after her. Elle pretended not to hear. But he was fast, his hand catching hers.
"Let go, Rick!" Elle snapped, trying to pull away.
"Elle, please. Our talk the other night wasn't finished." His face was etched with regret.
Elle's eyes trembled as she met his gaze. "I think everything is already clear. There's nothing left to discuss."
But Eric insisted, tugging her toward his sports car.
Christian, who had been watching closely, immediately stepped forward, his face tense.
"Forgive me, sir. You cannot force a princess against her will. Release her hand at once!" His voice rang firm, full of authority.
Eric turned, his eyes sharp. "Stay out of this. And who are you, anyway? You're no one."
The tension flared instantly. Elle watched the two men lock eyes, cold and fierce, like lions ready to strike.
"Enough, Chris." Elle finally spoke. "It's okay. I'll handle this."
With clear reluctance, Christian stepped back. Elle got into Eric's car.
The ride was silent. No words, only the hum of the engine. Elle stared out the window, her heart tangled with questions. The car stopped at a flower garden on the edge of the city.
Elle froze. This place… memories flooded back.
Eric stepped out and opened her door. Together they walked to a wooden bench beneath a sakura tree. The garden was empty, save for the rustling wind and birdsong.
"Do you miss this place?" Eric asked, slipping an arm around her shoulder.
Elle sighed. "Yes… I missed it so much."
Eric pointed toward a bed of roses. "Look, Elle. A butterfly."
Elle glanced. "Yes. And?"
"Don't you want to catch it, like before?"
Elle shook her head. "What for? In the end… you can't force something to stay. Eventually, it'll fly away too."
Eric went quiet, then gave a pained smile. He pointed at the lilies blooming gracefully. "You know, Elle? You're like that lily. Beautiful, gentle, and you make my life feel complete."
Elle studied him, whispering, "And you… you're like this sakura. Bringing happiness to everyone nearby. But sakura is fragile—gone in a fleeting moment."
Petals drifted down, landing softly in Elle's outstretched palm.
Childhood memories resurfaced—laughter, mischief, promises.
"Remember my antics here?" Eric chuckled.
Elle nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Of course. You plucked a tiny flower, and the gardener tugged your ear."
"That was to make you a flower crown," Eric teased, tweaking her nose.
"Ouch, stop! And I never even asked for one," Elle retorted.
They both laughed softly. For a moment, the weight lifted.
Then Eric's gaze deepened. "I'm glad we can do this again. Sit here together. It feels like nothing's changed."
Slowly, he drew Elle into his embrace. She stiffened, then gradually surrendered to it. Warm. Comforting. Too comforting.
"I missed this so much, Rick," she whispered hoarsely. "If only everything could be like before. But the wound… it's still there. The pain hasn't left." Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Eric brushed them away gently. "Shh… don't cry, love. I swear, everything will be all right. I'll never leave you again. We can start over."
Elle wanted to believe. Desperately. But another part of her screamed, reminding her how deeply it hurt to be abandoned once before.
AUTHOR'S POV
The afternoon sun dipped low, casting golden light across the vibrant garden. Elle and Eric lingered beneath the sakura—talking, laughing softly, then falling into silence as old memories resurfaced.
For Eric, it was a chance to redeem the past.For Elle, it was a battle between longing and pain.
Not far away, Christian stood hidden behind the garden fence, watching. He couldn't hear their words, but he saw the embrace. And that was enough to weigh heavy on his chest.
The day ended with flowers, the evening wind… and Elle's heart more conflicted than ever.