Moving On
Millerna jumped as the door creaked open, but was slightly more calm as she recognized who it was. "Allen..."
He bowed deeply, taking her in a motion to kiss it. "Princess..."
She withdrew her hand quickly, shielding as best as she could. "Don't...Allen."
He looked up into her eyes, and saw the tears threatening to spill over. Noticing what he was staring at, Millerna turned her back to him. "I can't take it anymore Allen. I loved you immensely, but you never truly returned my love."
He raised his hand in defense, but let it drop in defeat. Sensing the interruption, Millerna shook her head and continued in a colder voice, "You were just preoccupied with the fact that I look like my sister Marlene. It was the same way with Hitomi; you associated her with your sister Celena."
"Millerna, I...."
"Please let me finish!" she cried as she whirled around, the tears streaming down her cheeks. "I admit now that what I felt for you was just a silly little crush. But crushes are for children, and I am now a woman. But is too hard for me to have to continuously be in my life; my feelings for you could return, and I can't deal with that again. Goodbye...Allen."
Millerna dashed from the room, leaving him alone to work out his stunned thoughts. He clenched his fists tightly, and then released them, letting the golden ring hidden in his palm fall to the floor. Speaking to the floor, he whispered, "I'm sorry I hurt you, but you're right. You have grown so much...Marlene...Marlene would be proud of you."
He walked slowly out of the palace, and into the carriage waiting for him. His movements jostled his sister awake, and her blue eyes looked up at him drowsily. "Onisama?"
"Shhh, Celena. Go to back to sleep. It's a long ride back," he cooed. She smiled as she nuzzled into his chest, and murmured contentedly, "Onisama..."
He cradled her in his arms as the horse gradually began to trot, taking them away from the beautiful city of Palas. He did not look back, but there was a single teardrop on his cheek.