Chapter 28

Kara ran back to the castle from the space observatory, all the while looking around to see if she could spot Mon-El anywhere.

When she entered the castle, she noticed there were suddenly too many people here. All the guests for tomorrow's big event. She searched for Mon-El everywhere. At his bedchamber, where guards stood guarding the place, telling her the Prince hadn't been back since that morning, at her bedchamber, the library, the dining hall. She wanted to go check the great hall but the guards stopped here since it was being cleaned. An entire wing had been closed, since the King was having a meeting with the Prince of Asheon. Kara wondered who this man was so as to closing an entire wing for him.

Kara was tired from all the running and going up and down the stairs. When she was finally going to give up, she remembered a place Mon-El always went to, to be alone. Kara ran to the astronomy tower. She ran all the way to the top floor to see Mon-El standing there, looking lost in his thoughts. Kara gasped for breath. She leaned against the wall and panted.

Mon-El had just turned around when he heard her. "Lady Kara, are you well?" he asked in concern.

Kara gave him a small nod. Once she had regained her composure, she threw her arms around his neck and said, "I searched for you everywhere! Were you here all along?"

The Prince stepped away from her embrace and nodded. "I had breakfast with my father and the Royal family of Asheon. After that I decided to come up here for some air."

"Mon-El, we need to leave. They are going to announce your betrothal tomorrow. We don't have much time."

Mon-El didn't reply. He simply lowered his gaze.

"Mon, we could leave during the gathering! Everyone is going to be present there. No one would notice if we went missing. We can just get out of this galaxy. Maybe take a break somewhere, then go to Earth. We can take the Vans' spacecraft. I know how to pilot it. Barry and I used to have that model as a simulation lesson back home."

When Mon-El still refused to talk. Kara grabbed his arms and shook him. "Talk to me, Mon-El! Say something!"

The Prince still couldn't meet her eyes. "My Lady, I deeply regret what I am about to say. I apologize from the bottom of my heart for I cannot leave with you."

"What?" Kara's arms dropped to her sides.

"I was lost. I thought love was enough, but it isn't. I am the Crown Prince of Daxam. In a matter of few months, I will be King. I cannot abandon my people. They have put a lot of faith in me. And I have made promises to elders that I cannot break."

"But we can't be together here, Mon. They won't let us. I love you, but I can't be your mistress. I will not be able to face my family if I am labeled a mistress. And I can't bear to see you with another woman. I can't pretend that I'm fine while you are in bed with another. I can't see you having a child with someone else. I simply cannot accept that."

Mon-El looked away. There were tears in Kara's eyes. She was desperate, and he was helpless.

"Then you must leave, my lady. You must return to Krypton. And forget that I exist. That you ever loved me. That you ever imagined a life with me."

Kara's eyes widened at that. She wiped the tears off her cheeks furiously and tugged at Mon-El's arm, making him face her. "What are you saying? Are you giving up on us? Are you fine with marrying just any woman for the sake of the Crown?"

"I'm not marrying just any woman. Lady Kaydel of Asheon is my betrothed. She's not like Eliz. She cares about Daxam. She will make a good Queen."

"And a good wife? Will she satisfy you in bed?"

"Kara! Mind your tongue, you are not to speak ill of the future Queen of Daxam," Mon-El raised his voice.

Kara moved away. She felt betrayed. Betrayed by the man she loved. Betrayed by her own tears. She didn't want to cry in front of this man. He didn't even deserve her tears. He was a heartbreaker and men like him deserved nothing.

"So this is how it ends?" she asked, moving farther away. "You are just going to pretend there was nothing between us. You will forget me. You will move on. But do you really think I am capable of moving on?" Kara wiped the tears of her cheeks and turned to leave, not before stopping to say, "I wish I had never met you, Mon-El of Daxam. You gave me so much and took it all away in a spilt second. But I'm incapable of hating you… Your Highness." With that, Kara ran down the stairs.

It was raining now and all the guests who were outside were going into the castle for shelter. Everyone except for Kara. She ran to the gardens and sunk near a stone bench. She rested her arm over the bench and sobbed. Kara hadn't noticed that Bar-Van had been standing near the castle doors. He had been talking to the other guests when he saw her run to the gardens. Bar-Van excused himself and ran after Kara, only to see her crying.

"Kara!" Bar-Van called. "Kara! Dear Rao, what happened to you?" Bar-Van sat besides her and pulled her into his arms. Kara sobbed against his chest.

"He—he's get—getting married," Kara muttered.

Bar-Van pulled away a little and asked, "Who? The Prince?"

"Yes. We were going to run away, Barry! But he refused to leave. He's getting married to Kaydel of Asheon."

Bar-Van knew who Kaydel of Asheon was. He had met her during a diplomatic event. There were a lot of things unsaid about that mysterious beauty, like the fact that she had a secret child with her lover. Why would King Lar choose her to be the next Queen of Daxam? How was Queen Rhea not opposing this? She would never accept that bastard child of Kaydel to be related to her own grandchildren. Bar-Van didn't know what to say to Kara. She seemed inconsolable. And it was raining heavily now. Bar-Van stood up and pulled Kara up with him. Taking off his coat, he wrapped it around Kara's shoulders and led her back to the castle.

"Kara, please don't cry for that man. He doesn't deserve it. You will be so very happy, darling. Rao would have chosen the best partner for you. Please don't cry!"

Once he had walked her to her bedchamber, Bar-Van told her to take a hot bath and rest for the day. He didn't want Kara falling ill. He then told her to call for him once she was ready. He didn't want her to be alone today.

Kara gave him a small nod. But before Barry left, she said in a low voice, "Don't give up on Cait, Barry. I know you love her. If you leave her and come back to Krypton, they might have you marry me. You don't want that life."

Bar-Van moved closer and cupped her cheek. "After what he did to you, I don't know if I can trust these Daxamites any longer. And it's not so bad we if end up with each other. You are my best friend. We've known each other our entire lives. I will be a good husband, Kara. I will take you all around this universe. You will have nothing to ask for."

"Oh Barry! Why didn't I just fall in love with you?" Kara leaned against his shoulder.

Bar-Van wrapped his arms around her and said, "Good ladies like you always fall for the bad menfolk… Alright, in you go. We look like drenched honds. You really don't want to fall ill a day before your birthday!"

Kara gave him a small smile as she nodded and went into her bedchamber. She closed the door behind her and stripped off her clothes. The bathwater was hot, almost scalding, so she went to fetch clean clothes for herself. When the water had cooled down a little, Kara stepped in and rested her back against the tub. She stayed in till the water got cold. After stepping out and draining the water, she toweled herself and pulled on a pair of night pants and a loose shirt.

When Kara looked out, a guard stood outside her door. She asked him to call Bar-Van for her. He gave her a quick nod and left. Kara went back to her bedchamber and waited for Bar-Van, but what surprised her was the sound of Kal-El's excited voice.

"Kara!" the little boy called as he ran in, jumped over her bed and hugged her.

"Kal! So good to see you." She kissed her cousin's head and hugged him back.

Bar-Van walked in and closed the door behind him. "I figured Kal would help you cheer up."

"You figured right!" Kara gave him a heartbreaking smile as Kal-El began to talk.

Kara, Kal-El and Bar-Van spent the rest of the day in Kara's bedchamber. Their dinner was also brought in and they ate inside, all the while talking about Krypton and other planets.

Kal-El was the one to fall asleep first. He was in the middle of the bed, with Kara on his right and Bar-Van on his left. Kara lay down as well. Bar-Van decided to leave when Kal-El fell asleep. He kissed Kara's head and told her he would see her in the morning. But Kara didn't sleep after Barry left.

She stayed awake for few hours. But she was so tired, sleep finally came to her.


When Kara woke up the next morning, Winn was back, knocking on her door. When she opened the door, her friend gave her a big smile. "Good morning, Lady Kara! I hope you slept well. If I may, a very happy birthday to you!"

"Aw Winn! Thank you!" Kara shook hands with Winn.

"Your uncle was here a while ago. He wanted to know if you were still asleep." Winn straightened when he heard a noise. He turned to see Kara's family making their way towards her room. Winn greeted them and moved away.

"My beautiful girl!" Allura called as she came to hug Kara. "Happy birthday, darling. I'm so lucky you came into my life!"

Kara gave her mother a small smile. Her father was next to hug her and wish her, followed by her uncle Jor and aunt Lara. Kal-El had woken up as well. He gave her a tight hug and was pulled away by his mother who wanted him to get ready for the day.

Once Kal-El left with Lara, Kara decided to talk to her parents.

Jor-El was standing by the window, looking outside. Zor-El and Allura were seated on the settee.

"Have you tried on the dress yet?" Allura asked her daughter, who was slowly pacing the room. "I would like to braid your hair. Lara has brought these beautiful floral hairpins. They would look lovely on you."

"Mother, I love the dress. I really do, but I cannot wear it."

"Why, my dear? We got it in your size and the color is your favorite." Allura stood up and went to Kara's side. "What is wrong? Are you well?"

Kara nodded. "I am, Mother. But I don't wish to go to the gathering today."

"What are you talking about, Kara?" Zor-El asked, looking a bit shaken.

"I would like to return to Krypton. I see there's really no need for me here. Today you sign the treaty. Few years later, it will be Kal, since he's the male heir to our family. There is no place for me in this story."

Zor-El looked absolutely shaken by Kara's words. "We thought you liked it here, Kara. You even made friends. The Prince's guard's fiancée, the guard Winn… even the Prince!"

Kara shook her head. "You are mistaken. The Prince and I are not friends. We can barely stand each other's presence. Why would you ever think that I was his friend?"

Zor-El let out a loud sigh and turned away. His brother made his way towards them and said, "I told you! I told you to talk to her before you—"

"Not now, Jor!" Zor-El raised his voice. "Kara, dear, I'm afraid you cannot leave."

"Give me one good reason why I cannot," Kara challenged.

Zor-El kneaded his temple and answered her. An answer that shook her entire existence to core.