Chapter Eight - The Painful Truth

Allura had excused herself from the dinner table. She just couldn't eat after what happened earlier that day.

Thank goodness Allan merely suffered a sore arm.

A huge load was lifted-off her shoulders when Doctor Gorma told her that Keith was going to be alright --- nothing that stitches and lots of rest couldn't cure. "He lost a lot of blood, but, we've replaced it. He's stabilized now, and I've given him some sedatives so that he could recuperate better." The doctor informed her after the two-hour long surgery, which she diligently waited for to finish outside the castle infirmary inspite what had happened to her earlier.

She was walking in the castle gardens now, unable to enjoy the full moon and the starlit sky as she always had. Her eyes were downcast; her strides, small, slow, and uncertain. The only reason for her choosing to go there was the solace that she felt in that particular part of the castle. She wanted to be alone.

Allura wrapped her arms around herself as a cool breeze swept across her. She shivered a bit. No sooner than she did, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap themselves around her waist --- the same familiar, strong embrace that shielded her from several mishaps in the past. She contently sighed as she leaned back against the reassuring frame behind her.

She tilted her head up to meet the dark pair of onyx eyes that she loved losing herself into. He smiled as he pressed her closer to him. She watched as the breeze toyed with his unruly, shoulder-length jet-black hair. She reached-out and caressed his cheek with the back of her hand, and as she did, a warm, wistful smile formed on her lips. "Keith." She murmured with a distinct tone of affection.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. He considerably loosened his embrace, although he did not let her go. "Allura..."

Allura closed her eyes and vigorously shook her head. She opened them to once again meet his eyes, the light of the moon giving her a clearer perception of the emotions that were in them. A few moments ago, his blue eyes were twinkling with tranquillity, now, all they reflected were disconsolation. 'Blue?' She gasped, a hand flying to her mouth. She stepped forward, out of his embrace; unable to look at him.

"Allan! I, I..." she stuttered, embarrassed for allowing herself to slip into her fantasy and divulging her feelings, as if she were some demoiselle.

Allan awkwardly looked away. "Uhm, Nanny was getting worried about you, so she sent me to look for you. I figured I'd find you here."

Allura nodded, although she didn't know that Allan was no longer looking at her. "I'm fine, Allan. I just needed some time by myself."

Allan felt his whole body tense as an unwavering question formed in his mind.

"You love him, don't you?"

"Yes." Allura half-whispered without thinking twice. "Yes, I do love him."

He sighed and ran a trembling hand through his hair. "Does... does he know?" he further prodded.

"No, Allan. I haven't told him. Anyone." She sighed, still not looking back, keeping her attention to the foliage before her. "It wouldn't matter. I don't believe he feels the same way."

'You're wrong, Allura. He loves you; more than his own life. Now I know why I've had this feeling about Keith since I've got here. He's in love with her. And she's in love with him. Why haven't I figured it out before? How could I have been so blind?' He closed his eyes and hung his head in dawning realization... 'I know why'...

"Allan, please don't tell anyone." Allura pleaded, breaking into his thoughts. He looked-up and found her standing right in front of him, her eyes glistening under the moonlight with remnants of unshed tears.

'She deserves to be happy... with the one she loves'. "Don't worry, Allura," he said, offering her a smile, "I won't tell anybody."

Allura threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. "Thanks, Allan." She smiled up at him; "It's times like these that remind me why you're my best friend."

*-*-*-*-*

Allan hung his head as the doors quietly swooshed behind him. He stood as still as a statue, hearing the pounding of his heart.

Allura wanted to stay a little longer in the gardens, and he respected her wishes. She still had a lot in mind, and she wanted to clear it out on her own.

'I haven't been completely honest with you, Allura. There is another reason why I came back to Arus. Why I came back to you...'

He reached into his pocket and brought out a small four-sided velvet box. He slowly opened the lid with his thumb. Inside was an exquisitely designed gold-plated ring. Attached to it was a dazzling opal-cut, baby-blue sapphire.

Allan sighed and closed the lid. With his free hand, he rubbed his eyes as an attempt to stop the tears that were forming in them.

'It's times like these that remind me why you're my best friend'.

He put the box back in his pocket and walked away, his head still hung.

Everyone had turned-in by now. The bustling of life no longer heard. Anybody there could hear a pin drop and everything else in the silence that the corridors had to offer.

But for Prince Allan, he could only hear his footsteps. He no longer heard, nor even felt, the beating of his own heart.