The following morning I learned that Alyn was sent to patrol the border along with a few other men. Part of me was relieved I didn't have to worry about encountering him and another part hurt. His words from the night before still felt fresh and every time my mind repeated the scene I had to fight back tears. I had spent all night tossing and turning, unable to accept that everything between us was over. Just like that.

"Princess? Are you listening or is that beautiful head of yours in the clouds again?"

I glance up from my book to find Leo watching me with raised brows. "I'm sorry, what?"

He sighs before leaning back in his chair. "What's going on with you? You've been cooped up in your room all week and barely spoken to anyone. In fact, I'm surprised you even came to your lessons today."

I don't answer him. Instead, I scribble my pen in a margin of my book.

"I told you," he murmurs. "I knew this was going to happen."

I stop my scribbling and look up.

"I'm sorry," he says.

"What?" I whisper.

He looks away from me, clearly thinking of what to say next. "I knew my brother took his knighthood seriously, but I honestly thought he'd finally found someone he could be happy with. Someone he could relax and enjoy life without a sword in his hand all the time. I didn't expect him to return only to leave suddenly to the border for who knows how long. It could be months before we see him again."

I can only stare out the window behind him. The sun shines brightly through the clear glass but I don't feel any of its warmth.

"He chose his path. Now I must follow mine," I murmur. It had taken me a week to finally stop crying and to feel mostly numbness. I missed him, of course, but I no longer wanted to sit and wait for him to come back for me when I knew he wouldn't. He had chosen to follow his dream of being a knight and falling in love wasn't part of his plan. Perhaps, loving him wasn't supposed to happen for me either. I had to let him go. I had to fulfill my role as the princess.

Leo is quiet for a moment before a smile plays on his lips, "You know, I'm still single."

I know he's trying to tease me and get a rise out of me as always but my heart isn't in it. Seeing my empty expression his smile fades. "Well," he says clearing his throat, "I guess we should resume lessons tomorrow."

I continue to stare at the window as I hear him gather his things and leave the room.

The rest of the week continues much the same. Lessons, sitting in my room, dinner, sleep, then more lessons. The more days that pass the easier it is for me to get up and be productive. Every day my maids come in and ask if I'm doing well and offer words of encouragement and I'm grateful for them despite the still emptiness I feel.

The man from Stein finally sends a message for Giles to set up a day for his son, Cullen, and I to meet at the end of the month. They arrive and I force myself to smile and play the part of princess I was trained to be but it all feels fake. I almost wanted to apologize to the young man for having to come all this way for a brokenhearted girl pretending to be happy.

The next morning I decide to force my feelings and thoughts to the back of my mind and put in effort to get to know this young man. From what I gathered the day before, he was shy and reserved, a little boring, but he wasn't as aggressive like the others I've met.

We meet at the gardens and I will myself to listen to him ramble on about his studies and wanting to have become a teacher when he got older.

"What are you going to teach?" I ask.

He smiles, a sparkle in his eye, "Geography. I grew up traveling with my father as he bought land and made business deals with other countries. I got to see many sites and was blown away by how beautiful nature and the world is. I wanted to show that to others."

I couldn't help but smile at his excitement. "I bet you'd be a great teacher," I say.

His smile grows smaller as he stares at the gravel beneath us. "Well, I can't be a teacher if I'm taking over my father's company. So, it'll just remain a dream for now."

I can see the sadness behind his blue eyes and see myself reflected in them. Part of me wants to open up to him and tell him I understand what he's going through but decide not to. Instead, I switch my gaze towards the surrounding flora. Most of the flowers had wilted due to the growing cold and the leaves were beginning to shift from green to orange. Autumn was upon us.

"I heard you were chosen to be the princess. I bet you were surprised," he says to break the silence.

"I was," I say truthfully.

"I'm sure you've had many ask for your hand," he mumbles. "I mean, it's not my business to ask. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

I laugh at his rambling. "It's alright. In fact, I have but some of those men were too desperate and needy."

"I hope I don't come off that way to you. Do I?"

"No," I say. His face turns read and he looks away to hide it. For a moment, I let myself enjoy our time. Forgetting the past and just focusing on now. As if in answer, a gust of wind swooshes past us as though taking with it my memories. I shiver.

"Are you cold? Perhaps we should return," Cullen says. He allows me to wrap my hand around his arm and I walk closer to him. We reach the castle door and I sigh as the warmth of the torches envelopes me.

We walk down the hall, my hand still wrapped in his arm, and round a corner. I nearly trip when I see a group of guards gathered at the end of the hall. One of them someone I know well. Alyn. He must have returned from his patrol. I can't help but wonder if they came back so soon because they discovered something. Or perhaps nothing at all.

Noticing my pause, Cullen asks if I'm alright. "I'm fine," I say. I take in a deep breath and we continue down the hall. I remind myself that he has moved on and that I should too. I keep my gaze straight, focusing on the door ahead of us leading to Giles' office.

We near the group of guards when they pause and bow as I pass by. I feel my cheeks burning. I wasn't expecting them to even notice me. I was hoping they wouldn't. Cullen greets them and introduces himself. I can't help but forget how to breathe as I stand there across from Alyn.

My eyes glance up and I find he's looking right at me. My breath catches. He looks tired but the same which means he wasn't hurt while out on the field. His gaze is burning and I force myself to say something, anything, to make this less awkward.

"You look well, Captain," I blurt.

"Yes," he says. "You as well, Princess."

My heart is beating rapidly. I feel like I'm going to throw up. "I need to go," I murmur before walking away towards my room. I hear Cullen calling for me but I don't look back. I can't see Alyn's face again.