AN: Hey there! This is just a little one-shot inspired by a scene in The Heir. I hope you like it! Reviews are very welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Selection Series.
He watched silently as Henri and Eadlyn kissed.
Erik woke up with a start. He panted heavily, sweat pouring down his face. He couldn't remember what he dreamt about. He only knew that it was a nightmare.
He brought his hand to his hair and ran his fingers through it. His heart was still pounding hard from his dream. I really need some water to calm me down, he thought.
He left his room and headed for the kitchen.
When he neared his destination, he smelled the sweet scent of apples and cinnamon.
Henri. He couldn't help but smile. He knew plenty about his friend's penchant for baking to not be surprised that he's still awake because of it.
He was torn between the idea of going to him while he baked or to leave him alone. He decided to let Henri bake in peace and just get his water.
Erik was about to open the palace's fridge when he saw a girl beside Henri. It was Eadlyn.
He watched as the princess touched Henri's cheek. He was leaning toward her, as did she toward him. And then it happened. They were kissing.
He suddenly remembered his nightmare. He pinched himself once to see if he was truly awake. He was.
He stood still, too afraid to move. He couldn't help but watch the pair's sweet embrace.
Damn, it hurt. He knew he didn't have a chance with the princess, seeing as he wasn't even one of the selected. But it still hurt all the same.
They broke apart. This time, Erik didn't hesitate to get away from the kitchen.
He ran as fast as he could. He hoped he wasn't caught watching by Eadlyn and Henri. He couldn't bear pretending to ignore what happened if they knew he saw them.
When he reached his room, he locked the door and sat at the edge of his bed. His mind wandered to a lot of things.
He didn't understand how he was so affected by their kiss. He should be happy for Henri. He should be used to it by now and support his Swendish friend. He was supposed to be just a translator for him. But why did he feel like he was a part of the Selected too?
His thoughts suddenly went to Eadlyn. He knew that he once had a little crush on the princess. But that was it. A silly crush. He had to admit that she was beautiful, fierce, smart, and fun to be with when she let go of herself. Any guy would be lucky to have her.
And then it hit him.
He wasn't infatuated with her. He cared for her. He was in love with her.
He didn't know when he started feeling the way he did with the princess, but he managed to do so in a span of a few weeks. His sudden realization brought both ease and pain to his heart.
He started thinking about Henri again. He could never tell him about his feelings for the girl. It would only break their friendship.
Besides, he couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't act upon his feelings. He wasn't one of Eadlyn's suitors. He didn't have the right. He had to keep quiet about it even if it broke his heart bit by bit.
As he was positioning himself back to sleep, he thought of one thing.
He forgot his water.
AAN: Sorry 'bout the ending! :))