*Chapter 3: Sickness*
When morning arrives, things are getting worse. Welker was storming through the corridors with his servants to get to Gerald's lab. He is furious this morning. Gerald hadn't give Leslie the cure. As they are all in the lab, Gerald's lab is a mess. Paper work all over the floor, drawers were sticking out of the desk, and Gerald was seen behind his computer, looking for something. Welker can tell that he is looking for a cure that is missing.
"Where is the cure?" Welker asked. "You have it since I got here, did you not?"
"It was here, and it's now missing! I know I put it right here on my desk!" Gerald said. "I will look for it. Give me time!"
"We don't have much time! Leslie's body will shut down any day! You better hurry!" Welker said. "I can't lose my son!" He left the lab with the servants who are very worried. Gerald couldn't believe this. How could his completed cure he made be gone now?
Maria was in the escape pod room alone, smiling to herself as she remembers the dance with Leslie last night. She will never forget that moment. As she was staring down to Earth, Leslie came in. Maria smiled at him.
"Hello, Leslie." She greeted.
"Good morning, Maria. How are you today?" Leslie asked coming over to the window.
"Very well." Maria replied. "Listen, I want to tell you that I have a great time with you last night. The dance was wonderful, and it felt like a fairy tale to me." Leslie laughed a little. Maria blushed a little. "I know it's silly, but it's true." She said.
"It's fine to think that." Leslie said. "I had a great time with you, too. You're a good friend. But, I have to be honest with you. You do look like a princess in that dress of yours." Maria looked up at him.
"Really?" She asked. "But, every princess needs a crown." Leslie chuckled at her.
"You don't need a tiara, Maria. Some girls like you don't even need a castle, or fancy dresses. They all have hearts of a princess." He said by poking her chest where her beating heart is. Maria touched her chest. "You have a good heart. You are sweet, caring, and smart." Leslie told her. "You have a princess of heart." Maria blinked a couple times. Leslie does have a point, but Maria never felt like a princess until now. Every princess has a good heart.
"I guess you're right. I never thought about that." Maria said. "But, how do you know about it? Have you met any princesses down there?" Leslie nodded.
"Only a few. I have to choose my future queen." Leslie said. "But...it really depends."
"A queen?" Maria asked. Leslie nodded and turn away to head towards the door. He coughed a bit, covering his mouth. "Are you okay?" Maria asked. Leslie nodded at her, clearing his throat.
"I'll be back. I have to check on my father." He said, winking at her. Maria smiled at him and nodded. As the prince left the room, he hurried down the halls to get someplace private. His face is turning a bit pale. He leans against the wall and start to pant heavily. "Oh god...I need the cure...my body is acting up." He said. Before he could walk, his vision was getting blurry, and felt his heart growing some pain. Leslie started to grunt and got on his knees. "Oh god!" He cried out. His forehead starts to sweat. "Not now..." He slowly looked up to see the man in glasses, holding the object in his hand. Leslie reached for him, but collapse on the floor.
Mardic and Maria rush down to get to the nursing room and saw everyone gather around the bed where Leslie rests with no shirt. The cords are on his body, and the machine is making beeping sounds. The doctors are talking to Gerald and Welker in the office. Maria push through the crowd and see Leslie laying there, sweating and groaning a bit.
"Oh my god. Leslie?" Maria asked, touching his hand. Leslie opened his eyes and see her there. He coughed a bit, having a little bit of blood. Maria gasped. One of the servants wiped Leslie's mouth. "...You're...sick?" She asked. "How did this happen?" Leslie cleared his throat.
"I've been...sick for a while." He said. "Maria, I'm sorry. I couldn't tell you the reason why I'm here. Your grandfather was making me a cure to help me get better...but...it's been...stolen..."
"Stolen?" Maria asked.
"Yes...before I passed out, I saw...a man with my cure..." Leslie said, coughing a bit more. "...It's not the professor's fault. My father was upset about this, but...I told him not to blame the professor who tries very hard to help me." Maria gripped on his hand with sorrow.
"...Leslie..." She says. "How serious is this? Don't tell me you're going to die..." Leslie turned to her, giving her a sad smile.
"I'm sorry..." He said. "My body is growing weak... With no cure, there's no other way but...let go."
Say something I'm giving up on you.
I'll be the one if you want me to,
Anywhere I would have followed you.
Say something I'm giving up on you.
"...No. You can't die." Maria said. Her tears are forming. "We'll get you better."
"It's too late for that, Maria." Leslie said. "I have a baby brother down in Soleanna, and...he will have to take my place. He will be the new King of Soleanna one day." He watches at Maria silently sobs, placing her forehead on her hands that are on his. "Don't cry." Leslie begged. "I'll always be there. Inside your heart."
"Leslie..." Maria sobbed. Mardic and the others watched in silent, giving them time to say goodbye. Mardic had never seen Maria so devastated before.
And I am feeling so small,
It was over my head,
I know nothing at all.
And I will stumble and fall,
I'm still learning love,
Just starting to crawl.
Leslie's tear fell from his eye as he watched Maria. He didn't want to end this already. He asked Maria to come close to him. Maria leans over to his face. Leslie planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you..." He said. His eyes are slowly shut. The machine is making a long beeping sound. Maria gently shook him. The servant felt the pulse of Leslie. No beat. Leslie is gone. Maria shook her head.
"No...no...no!" She said. "Leslie...Leslie!" She started to sob. Mardic grabbed her shoulders to pull her away from Leslie. "Don't leave me..." Maria said. "Don't leave me behind! I don't want to be left behind!" Martha came over to Maria to embrace her. Mardic pulled away, watching the servants lowering their heads at the loss of the prince. Gerald and Welker came out of the office. They watched from the window. Welker came over to the body as Gerald came over to Martha and Maria. As the nurse releases Maria, Gerald held his granddaughter close. Maria sobs uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry, my dear." Gerald said.
"Grandpa..." Maria spoke.
Say something I'm giving up on you.
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you,
Anywhere I would have followed you.
Say something I'm giving up on you.
The next morning was the funeral, everyone dressed in black. Maria couldn't go there. She's in her room, locking herself in. She's so heartbroken of the loss of her first love. But, Leslie sees her as a friend, which is fine. Still, losing someone important effects Maria so much. The girl is on her bed, hugging her legs, crying. The prince she loved was gone.
"He didn't tell me he was sick..." She said. "...Why didn't he tell me?" Maria buried her face on the pillow, screaming through it.
And I will swallow my pride,
You're the one that I love,
And I'm saying goodbye.
Say something I'm giving up on you.
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you,
Anywhere I would have followed you.
She rolled on her back and let out a sigh. This is haunting her. The death of Leslie really effects her. She got up from the bed to get the photo of her and Leslie from the first day they met. She place the photo up in her closet where it will never be seen by her or anyone again.
"Leslie, I don't want to remember your death. But...you will be in my heart. I don't want to lose others." Maria said. "My friends won't leave me. Mardic, Abraham, my grandfather, or the rest of my family and friends won't be gone. I'll be there for them like a princess would."
Say something I'm giving up on you,
Say something I'm giving up on you,
Say something...
*Song: "Say Something (I'm Giving up on You)" by Christina Aguilera & The Great Big World*