The meeting went quite quickly, to my surprise and pleasure. My pulse was still racing from being caught by Charlise, and I assumed that everyone would know already, but it seemed that Charlise was as wonderful as I originally thought her to be. Another surprise came at the meeting when I noticed that Duke Hammond had not joined us. This rose my suspicions.

Muir was still gone visiting the other dwarves, so this turned out to be almost a dull but pleasant meeting. We only really touched on the fact that I was to take court at noon today, like I had agreed.

I actually felt myself calm slightly as I left the council meeting in peace, knowing that if news had broken out about Eric and I, then I would have found out there. Smiling to myself, I made my way down the corridors towards the library. I hadn't been there really since I had become Queen, and I wondered if it looked the same.

The library was in the south wing of the castle, and as I reached the great wooden double doors, I remembered all the times I was here as a little girl. To my surprise, I did not warm to the memories. Instead, I found myself frowning slightly as I walked in.

My mother used to stay in here a lot while father would be with the men. I would sometimes follow her here, more so towards the end of her sickness. She used to read me stories of far away lands, sometimes with magic; sometimes of tales where the Prince would rescue the Princess and they would live happily ever after.

I used to find these stories marvelous and grand; I wanted to be those helpless girls who would have a handsome Prince come and save them from evil. I used to think that would be me and William; I used to try and think of ways that William could save me, sometimes even coming up with the reason I would be in trouble.

Now that I had been defenseless and in need of saving, I knew that I did not care for the feeling at all. Of course, I also did not have a Prince come and save me, but a Huntsman. My Huntsman, I corrected myself with a grin. And he was extremely handsome, and everything I could have asked for of a savior. But I feel as though I helped him more than the girls in the story ever helped everyone, and that was worth much more.

And now that I see William for who he really is, or how he seems to be, I know that what happened in the forrest was meant to be. Well, Eric has not told you he loves you though, at least William shows his heart on his sleeve. I scoffed myself, wishing I could take back such a thought. Eric must love me. I nodded to myself as though that was the end of my internal argument.

Coming back to reality, I almost jumped out of my skin when I turned to the left wall and saw William standing there. He looked surprised to see me, but I knew I was more surprised. Possibly even annoyed, I found. Soon though, he gave me a warm smile, and I walked over to him.

"Hello, William," I said kindly, wanting to ignore my current feelings towards him.

He nodded to me, "Hello, my Queen." He seemed pleasant enough this morning, so I would try not to hold a grudge.

"What are you doing in here?" I asked curiously, sitting in one of the plush chairs. He did not join me, but suddenly looked around the grand room as if searching for something.

"I am just reliving some of our old times," he mused, but I found myself already growing annoyed. So this is how it is going to be.

I smiled at him as though I were oblivious, "Oh? I don't remember many, just hiding in here when we played hide and seek." I then looked around, searching for something to change the subject. "It has not changed much, has it…"

"No, it has not. Other things seem to change too much though," he was staring at me, and I saw his eyes darken. My brow furrowed as warning bells rang through my head.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked cautiously.

He walked closer to me, now standing only a couple of feet away, "You, Snow. You have changed curiously. Everyone is talking about it."

For a moment I started to get worried, but I was sure he could not know about Eric and I. "Do you mean your father?" I felt myself getting braver, standing to my feet and moving around the chair. "Perhaps you can not just move on, William."

Following me he spoke louder, getting angry, "How am I supposed to move on, Snow? I waited for you for ten years. I saved you from dying with a kiss. We were meant to be together and everyone knows it. I do not see why you fight it!"

Turning towards him I felt myself get red, How dare he! "I did not ask you to wait, William. It would be a lie if I told you that I did not think of you often in the tower, and of my old life. But that life is in my past. I found myself in the forest." I was surprised that I had managed to keep my tone even and softer than my temper.

"You mean, the Huntsman found you. And you seem to be falling for him, instead. Even though he is not of royal blood," he paused, looking away and then went on, "I saw you."

My eyes bolted wide, "What?"

"I saw you kissing him, in the garden. I followed you into the garden, during the ball, and I saw you." He looked back at me, and I could see the hurt in his eyes. "I have been waiting for your kiss ever since I found you in the woods, but it never came. And now it seems you have chosen him."

I sighed, feeling a little relieved, "William, I can not choose who my heart loves. I can not explain my feelings, and if you were really a friend then you would not force me to."

"What if I could not choose to merely be your friend?" his words hurt me, but I would not walk away now.

"Then I have no other place for you in my heart," I said softly, hoping he would change his mind. I could see it now; Eric and I married with a little boy at our side, going to see William, our dear friend.

But from William's expression, that would not be the case. "Perhaps you should think first, my Queen. Because I watched your beloved ride off this morning."

This was a change of direction, "What do you mean, 'ride off', William?"

He moved closer to me and I could hear the bells going off in my mind again, "My father was with him, and a few other noblemen. My father had told me before they left that Eric was thinking of leaving."

My eyes started to burn and my heart's pace quickened. My hands were shaking, so I entwined them together, hoping I to hide it from William. "I hope for your sake that is not true. Because I am sure that Eric would not leave without warning."

"Because he is such a noble man. He is just a Huntsman, Snow, he knows nothing of love." His words bit through me and I quickly turned and left the room. I knew this was a lie; I knew of Sara and what happened to her. Eric had told me everything about her, and I still kept the necklace he left with me safe.

But I found myself running when I reached the end of the hall, worried that what William said may be true. Why would Eric want to leave?

The thought came to me as I reached my horse out in the barn, Perhaps he used you. I stood there for a moment, the tears cascading over the edge of my eyes and down my cheeks. But I shook it off, "No!"

Getting on my horse, and galloped quickly out of the barn and out of the court yard. I followed the road into town with no sign of anyone. I found myself foolish; If they had left this morning then I would most likely not find them here now.

I made my way back to the castle, knowing that I would be expected at the Great Hall soon to hold court for everyone, but I felt… heartbroken. "How could he just leave?"